Saga and Helix

My older sister had seen these guys years before and had said that it was an amazing fun show. So when I saw that Saga was going to be playing nearby I decided to check them out. I was not disappointed to say the least. I love progressive rock and I am surprised I had not listened to them before.

Their crashing guitar and melodic keyboards really lit up the night. Ian Crichton might be one of my new favorite guitarists, his solos were amazing that night. The lead vocalist, Michael Sadler, really knows how to capture the audience's attention. Everyone in the crowd was hanging on his every word the entire night. Their music was very easy to dance and move to, which created a very fun atmosphere for people down by the stage.

They were playing in a pretty big arena, but still the sound was great. They had a very interesting and cosmic light show that constantly shifted and changed to the delight of the audience. They ended the night with another great song that allowed Crichton to showcase his amazing guitar playing skills yet again.

All in all it was a fantastic night full of dancing and great music. I am definitely thanking my sister for suggesting them to me.

“What you gonna do?” was the question Helix famously asked on their 1984 hit single and ‘Rock You’ was the response. Helix have done just that for the best part of 3 decades now.

Unlike a lot of stuff from the 80s, the band have aged tremendously well both personally and sonically. Although there have been a few line-up changes over time, including the tragic death of guitarist Paul Hackman, the band are still just as confident and enticing as they were in there heyday with frontman Brian Vollmer still rocking hard on his 40th year with the band. The instrumentals are still on point with shredding riffs and soaring solos getting swept-up in a whirl of crashing cymbals and crunchy bass.

Helix have used their time well as a band and the years under the belt have clearly helped them to shape the tightest set possible. They fly through songs with a stunning professionalism and confidence but still carry with them a bit of that loose 80s flair that made the band a success in the first place. Go check Helix out and re-live the dream of 80s hedonism that these guys never stopped living.