Mötley Crüe Shines Bright at Mohegan Sun
Mötley Crüe is one of the most iconic and notorious bands in rock and heavy metal history. The band formed in Los Angeles in 1981 and is known for their wild lifestyle, outrageous stage antics, and a string of hit albums that have cemented their place in rock history. Mötley Crüe was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx and drummer Tommy Lee, who were soon joined by guitarist Mick Mars and vocalist Vince Neil. The band quickly made a name for themselves in the Los Angeles club scene with their aggressive music, flamboyant style, and high-energy performances.
In 1981, the band launched their inaugural album, Too Fast for Love, under their independent label, Leathür Records. It was subsequently reissued by Elektra Records in 1982, leading to its increased popularity and paving the way for the band's swift ascent to stardom.
Mötley Crüe's breakthrough occurred with their second album, Shout at the Devil (1983). This record, which boasted hits like "Looks That Kill" and "Too Young to Fall in Love," positioned the band as a dominant force in the glam metal scene. Their iconic image—characterized by leather, makeup, and exuberant hairstyles—became a hallmark of the period.
The group's third album, Theatre of Pain (1985), further cemented their status, particularly with the ballad "Home Sweet Home," which emerged as one of their signature songs. They maintained their momentum with Girls, Girls, Girls (1987), which soared to number two on the Billboard 200 and featured popular tracks such as the title song and "Wild Side."
In 1989, Mötley Crüe launched Dr. Feelgood, their most commercially successful album. Produced by Bob Rock, this album not only topped the Billboard 200 chart but also produced hit singles like "Dr. Feelgood," "Kickstart My Heart," and "Without You," marking the pinnacle of their commercial success. Like many people, this is also our favorite album. My mother used to spin this record all the time when I was little and it stuck with me.
The 1990s were a tumultuous time for Mötley Crüe. In 1992, Vince Neil departed from the band—either by his own choice or by being dismissed, depending on the source—citing personal and creative conflicts. He was succeeded by John Corabi, and in 1994, the band launched their self-titled album, Mötley Crüe. Although this album boasted a heavier, more alternative sound, it failed to reach the commercial success of their previous releases.
In 1997, Vince Neil rejoined the group, and they produced Generation Swine, which marked a return to their original style. However, the album received mixed reviews and achieved only moderate success. In 2000, they released the album New Tattoo, which was a return to their classic sound, though it did not achieve major commercial success.The early 2000s saw the band continue to tour and maintain a presence in the rock scene. In 2001, they released their autobiography, The Dirt, which became a bestseller and provided an unflinching look at their hedonistic lifestyle.
In 2008, Mötley Crüe introduced Saints of Los Angeles, their first new album in eight years. The release was well-received and signified a triumphant return for the band, which continued to tour extensively and enjoy popularity, especially as interest in 1980s rock surged. In 2014, Mötley Crüe unveiled their “Final Tour” and formalized this decision by signing a "cessation of touring agreement," aimed at ensuring they wouldn’t tour under the Mötley Crüe name again. This tour was a massive success and wrapped up in December 2015. However, in 2019, the band reunited, largely influenced by the success of the Netflix biopic "The Dirt," which introduced their music to a new audience. They annulled their cessation of touring agreement and announced new tour plans, including the highly anticipated "Stadium Tour" featuring Def Leppard, Poison, and Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. Although this tour was rescheduled multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it ultimately took place.
We wanted to attend that tour at Fenway Park but unfortunately weren’t able to. We did hear from multiple sources that Vince’s voice wasn’t quite up to par and reviewers had mixed emotions regarding the tour. So when we heard the boys were coming back around and bringing John 5 along with them we wanted to attend and give our honest review. To be frank, when I learned that Mötley Crüe was hitting the road again, I was doubtful about the idea of reviewing their performance. Numerous people almost insisted that we attend the concert and provide an honest critique. It felt like it was going to be a challenge to discover something positive to say about the experience. Having come across several reviews declaring the show to be lackluster, I ultimately resolved to see it for myself.
Mohegan Sun would play host to Mötley Crüe’s latest tour date. We were just at this amazing venue two days before to review Koe Wetzel’s show so you know how much we love Mohegan Sun! The arena holds about 10,000 seats. Although a larger venue it feels small and cozy. There isn’t a bad seat in the house.
Right from the start I will say that fog used in this venue becomes a hassle for photographers trying to capture the mood of a show. There is just nowhere for the fog to vent so it creates a haze on the stage. This makes photographing at high quality impossible. We did our best to capture a handful of photographs for this review. Coupled with low light during the first two songs making photography very tricky. The mood however was set. The band came out blasting! It was as though I jumped into a Time Machine back in the 80s. It was terrific. Right from the first notes of John 5 to the smashing of the snares by Tommy Lee I knew that I was going to be in for a wild ride. Immediately the feeling of doubt about the band’s previous lackluster performances vanished. Mötley Crüe came out and they came out to blow you the hell away. Everyone was on point. Vince sounded like he hadn’t sounded in a decade. We watched many videos the past week of past performances in preparation for comparisons. Mötley Crüe’s hit the mark. I am in almost disbelief about how spot-on the band was. I am honestly blown away as I write this. I can’t thank Mötley Crüe enough for coming out and tearing shit up.
Upon entering the venue, I immediately sensed the energy in the atmosphere. The fans were animated, generating a lively buzz while standing in line. The diversity of the fans was just as striking as the outfits on display. It felt as if we had stepped into a time warp, and I was all in for the experience! I anticipated that most attendees would be from the 60s age group. While that was accurate, what astonished me was the number of younger fans crowding into the space. A Mötley Crüe revival was happening in this country. The stage was adorned with towering screens and a magnificent light show, perfectly embodying the extravagance and flair associated with Mötley Crüe. Two enormous mannequins flanked each side of the stage, reaching nearly to the ceiling, creating a stunning visual. The band was also joined by two captivating go-go dancers, whose flawless synchronization held me spellbound for a while. It was evident just how much dedication went into producing this tour, and the attention to detail truly shone through.
If you prefer soothing music, this wasn't the concert for you—I'll just put it out there. This was my 58th show of the year and ranked among the top five for overwhelming sensory experiences. Alongside acts like Slipknot, Staind, Godsmack, and Limp Bizkit, the sound quality genuinely impressed me, with vibrations that felt like they could knock me off my feet. Kudos to the sound technician; you nailed it. I wished Vince’s vocals were slightly more pronounced during select songs. The light show was your standard lighting for a good concert. I would have loved for pyrotechnics however, I feel that the show didn’t need them. It would have added a little more pop to the show but It didn’t take away from the overall performance.
The band came out firing with “Primal Scream” and “Too Fast For Love”. The crowd still in awe of being at a Mötley Crüe concert had their hands raised equipped with their cellphone recording every moment. I miss the moments at concerts when everyone was in the moment and not on their devices. At the same time, I understand wanting to capture these special moments to show friends and family and to reflect on. John 5 hit us with a guitar solo that is worth mentioning. This guy can shred on the guitar. I have always loved him going back to his stint with Marilyn Manson. The crowd went nuts when he covered his face with a towel and still flawlessly performed his solo. Not a wrong fret or scale played. Just perfect musicianship and we were glad to be there to witness such greatness.
Other highlights for me included the mashup melody they performed in the middle of the show to keep the crowd engaged. I always love it when bands pay homage to past songs. “Fight For Your Right” is a hit no matter what band covers it at their concerts. Tonight was no different. I found myself screaming during the song as well. I didn’t expect them to play this but certainly glad they did. The concert concluded with the massive anthems "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Kickstart My Heart.” The crowd went wild, singing every lyric in unison with Vince.
Mötley Crüe's legacy is characterized by their significant role in the glam metal movement and their impact on hard rock and heavy metal music. Their sound, visual style, and way of life became emblematic of the lavishness associated with the rock scene of the 1980s. Despite facing many challenges throughout their career, the band has left an enduring mark on popular culture, boasting a fanbase that transcends generations. Their narrative of rock 'n' roll indulgence, redemption, and perseverance continues to engage audiences around the globe.
Mötley Crüe’s concert is not just a show; it’s an event—a celebration of rock 'n' roll excess, rebellion, and nostalgia. Sure, they may be older, and their voices might not hit the high notes like they used to, but the band still delivers an unforgettable experience that reminds everyone why they’re one of the greatest rock bands of all time. It’s a chance to relive the glory days of the Sunset Strip, and for newcomers, it’s an opportunity to witness a piece of rock history in the flesh. Mötley Crüe may have once signed a “cessation of touring agreement,” but based on the energy and passion of their 2024 show, it’s clear that this band is far from done. If anything, they’re proving that rock 'n' roll isn’t just a genre—it’s a way of life, and Mötley Crüe is still living it to the fullest. BUY.THE.TICKET. if they decide to keep on touring. If they don’t, then you surely missed out on some great memories.