ShareTenacious D performing their Spicy Meatball Tour at The Motorpoint Arena Nottingham on Sunday 12th May 2024.
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Tenacious D were at the Motorpoint Arena on Sunday night as part of their completely sold out seven date Spicy Meatball Tour and delivered a live show that played out like a rock musical with props, dramatic acting , sensational musicianship and exceptional vocals.
Formed by Jack Black and Kyle Gass in 1994 as a joke when they were struggling actors, the comedy rock duo have gone from underground Los Angeles clubs to Arenas packed with thousands of their D-ciples, and on this showing is was easy to see why.
Perhaps not your stereotypical rock stars but the Arena was full of people who will argue differently. Opening with their movie, Pick Of Destiny’s first track Kickapoo, the dynamic duo and their band rocked through their signature songs Low Hangin’ Fruit, Rize Of The Fenix and Wonderboy, all sung into microphones held aloft by larger than life red hands.
Before launching into arguably their best loved track, Tribute, the huge demon mentioned in the lyrics was inflated behind them towards the back of the stage, much to the delight of the crowd. There was some banter about their roadies not being quick enough before they sang Roadies, paying tribute to their hard work.
Throughout, the acoustic guitar duelling was tremendous delivered by two aging comedians who never let the energy levels drop. Their show was completely entertaining although a bit wild, but showcased their undeniable chemistry and comedic timing. When The Metal stomped onto the stage, they ran in fear as they then hurled themselves into the fans favourite before dancing alongside the demon.
Yet beneath the jokes are two extremely talented musicians. For the likes of Dude (I totally Miss You) and a cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game, which was accompanied with a video of the two of them running half naked along a beach, they stuck with their acoustic guitars, whilst the completely captivating electric guitarist John Konesky and the sensational bassist John Spiker along with heart pounding drummer, Scott Seiver all served to deliver a wildly strange but wonderful evening.
The encore included Master Explorer, The Spicy Meatball Song and only at a Tenacious D concert would a song titled F..k Her Gently get the crowd displaying their mobile phone torches that are usually reserved for heartfelt ballads.
It was evident that Black and Gass don’t take themselves seriously which made for a magnificent evening of laughter and music which for this Arena crowd could have gone on and on.