Michael Schenker at Budokan
Guitar maestro Michael Schenker put on a special UFO celebration at a sold-out Budokan.
Michael Schenker “My Years with UFO” at Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan on 28th January 2026
As a music critic, I have been fortunate to experience Michael Schenker in concert many times. He is always great. Exceptional. But this show, in front of a sold-out Budokan, with a setlist exclusively consisting of UFO songs, was special. As Schenker fans know, on 12th August 1981, the Michael Schenker Group recorded the classic live album “One Night at Budokan” here. Schenker was originally a member of UFO between 1972 and 1978. His “My Years with UFO” show at Budokan consisted of an excellent selection of songs from that glorious era.
When I arrived backstage at Budokan a couple of hours before the show (for an interview with Erik Grönwall), it was already in the air. Band members, friends, family and prominent guests were all in a good mood and up for a legendary night. When I unexpectedly bumped into Arch Enemy’s Michael Amott warming up with a guitar in a dressing room, I knew we were in for one hell of a ride.
For this Japan tour, Michael Schenker had decided to recreate the way he looked on stage in the ‘70s – complete with a leather outfit, platform boots and a blonde wig. When he arrived backstage before the show, it took me a few seconds to realise it was Schenker who stood in front of me. He had a big grin on his face. He, too, was clearly fired up for this special gig.
Schenker had put together a new band to back him specifically for this Japan tour. All of them have worked with Schenker before, as well as with many other major acts. The band consisted of bassist Barry Sparks (UFO, Dokken, Ted Nugent, Yngwie Malmsteen, Cosmosquad, B’z, Uli Jon Roth, Scorpions), guitarist Michael Voss (Bonfire, Mad Max), drummer Brian Tichy (Whitesnake, Ozzy Obourne, Gene Simmons, The Dead Daisies, Foreigner, Billy Idol, B’z), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Alice Cooper, KISS, Dream Theater, Sons of Apollo, Black Country Communion, Yngwie Malmsteen, Billy Idol, Whitesnake) and lead vocalist Erik Grönwall (Skid Row, H.E.A.T), who also got to play acoustic guitar on a few songs. On paper, the band line-up is dynamite. In reality, together on stage, they were phenomenal.
A world-class bunch of musicians backing up the one and only Michael Schenker, performing UFO classics in front of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable crowd of Japanese fans. That, right there, was a recipe for success. It worked a treat.
The show kicked off in style with “Natural Thing”, which was followed by “Only You Can Rock Me”. The rock party had started. It continued with UFO classics such as “Doctor Doctor”, “Lights Out”, “Rock Bottom” and “Shoot Shoot” which made Budokan boil over. Schenker was on fire. The band was bursting with energy.
One thing that I have always liked about Schenker is that he performs as part of a unit. It’s his name on the bill, but he performs like a band member. He lets his fellow musicians shine. Everyone knows who and what Schenker is. Thus, he doesn’t need the spotlight every second of the show. The Budokan show featured solos from Sparks, Tichy and Sherinian. Voss got to sing lead on “Let It Roll”. And, my oh my, fab vocalist Erik Grönwall fronted the band like it was the Erik Grönwall Group. What a performance by the Swede! He matched his incredible voice with non-stop energy and a stage presence that few frontmen possess. He is so ready to properly kick off his solo career this year.
For the final song of the evening, another Swede, Japan favourite Michael Amott, joined Schenker and the band on stage as a surprise guest. Amott nailed his solo in “Too Hot to Handle”. What a night! Michael Schenker remains at the top of his game.
https://michaelschenkerhimself.com
