A great night for lovers of Hard Rock music at the Élysée-Montmartre with Mike Tramp, Beastö Blancö and headliner The Dead Daisies. Tramp opened the night with an intimate set focused on the legacy of White Lion. Just him and guitarist Marcus Nand, they stripped down some classic White Lion tracks with subtle, thoughtful rearrangements. Leaning on his recent releases Songs of White Lion Vol. 1 & Songs of White Lion Vol. 2, Tramp embraced the nostalgic power of Little Fighter, When the Children Cry, and Wait, bringing the songs back with a renewed intimacy. While backing tracks filled out the sound, Nand’s reverent take on Vito Bratta’s iconic riffs and solos were a treat to all of those who came for a musical trip down memory lane.
Tramp's voice hasn’t lost its edge over the years, yet he brought more nuance to the performance, letting each track breathe with a new emotional depth. Gone was some of the over-the-top glam rock delivery of yesteryear, replaced by a more seasoned, expressive vocal style. It felt as though Tramp was singing to reconnect with his younger self, sharing that introspective journey with the audience. His reinterpretations were powerful, even if less explosive, offering a new perspective on songs that had once been arena anthems.
Unfortunately Tramp and Nand hit the stage before the crowd had fully filtered in, with the hall still half-empty as fans were trickling in, and they played to a smaller crowd than the event should have commanded. Thankfully, those who did catch the full set seemed to appreciate the nostalgic throwback and loudly sang along to those catchy choruses and unforgettable memories. For fans who grew up on these songs, it was a rare chance to hear them again, more mature but still full of that spirit that made them hits in the first place. Quite simply, a treat.
