Seeing Finish rock icon Michael Monroe live in London was always going to be a pleasure. Monroe is one of the most consistently exciting acts still touring today, but tonight there is an added treat. He and his band are playing the Hanoi Rocks’ seminal album Two Steps From The Move, from start to finish and in order.

Monroe is one of the last authentic rockstars in a world full of posers and imitators. At 62, he still brings the raw energy, charisma, and talent of someone half his age. His stage presence is electrifying, and he absolutely owns every moment on stage, delivering high-octane rock n’ roll with the kind of passion you just don’t see from most artists today.

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His voice sounded incredible, just as powerful and gritty as ever, and his musicianship was top-notch. It’s amazing to see and just proves once again that Michael Monroe is timeless! One is also reminded how influential Two Steps From The Move was. Bands from Guns N’ Roses and Poison to Slipknot have cited the band and that album in particular as a major influence, and hearing it once again it’s easy to see why. They have huge, gritty riffs and hooks for days. Tonight songs like the glam psychedelia of Underwater World sit nicely along side songs that have never been played live before, like the rowdy and loose track Boiler (Me Boiler N’ Me).

In a time where the term “punk rock” has lost almost all of it’s impact, watching Michael Monroe and Sami Yaffa launch into the Hanoi classic Motorvatin’ is the perfect reminder that punk rock used to mean something musically. It’s followed by the Demolition 23 classic Hammersmith Palais. Another three chord, punch in the gut song that sounds fantastic.

Monroe and his band not only played a fantastic gig, but left without shadow of a doubt that there are very few bands still around who can walk the walk as well as talk the talk. Finally ending the gig with Monroe’s anthem Dead, Jail Or Rock n’ Roll, he takes one final bow before hopping off stage, dripping with sweat.

While too many critics and bands toss around terms like gritty and raw, Monroe is all that and more. A truly superb gig.