Live | Michael Schenker (support: Rook Road + Malvada) – Parkstad Limburg Theater-Heerlen [NL]

26 February 2026

Last week, rock legend Michael Schenker honored us with a second round of his “My Years with UFO” tour. Whereas last year he performed at the Muziekgieterij in Maastricht, this time fans were able to welcome him at the beautiful Parkstad Limburg Theater in Heerlen. Although the show was certainly not sold out, the fans enjoyed a wonderful show by this 71-year-old guitar legend and his band.

MALVADA

First up, however, is Brazilian band Malvada, who will kick things off and warm up the audience. Formed in 2020, the band consists of Rafaela Reoli (bass), Juliana Salgado (drums), Bruna Tsuruda (guitar), and singer Indira Castillo. The band is touring to promote their 2025 album ‘Malvada’. In any case, this band is not lacking in enthusiasm. They perform a mix of hard rock songs sung in English and Portuguese. For me personally, singer Indira and guitarist Bruna appeal most to the imagination. In terms of stage presence, the band still has some learning to do, but this was a great warm-up, with some wonderfully rousing songs. Definitely a band to keep an eye on.

ROOK ROAD

The men from Rook Road are the second support act. They play classic hard rock in the style of the many legends we know from the 70s and 80s. The band has all the ingredients to put on a great show. Good vocals from Patrik Lost, and a drummer, Thomas Luther Pistone, who steals the show. However, after two songs I already had the tendency to be distracted, which is obviously not a good sign. German solidity, but too predictable and boring for my taste to fully capture my attention.

MICHAEL SCHENKER

After that, however, it is the grand master himself who takes to the stage. I have read some reviews by colleagues who seemed to focus mainly on times gone by, particularly older visitors attending the shows, the average age of the bandmembers etc. etc.
But I must also point out that it speaks volumes that this gentleman is still touring the world at the age of 71, still actively writing new music, and attracting audiences to his shows that many artists can only dream of. Of course, you can’t expect a room full of teenagers or twenty-somethings to come to a band that is touring with music that was released in the 1970s. Come on!! But the fact is, these songs are still rock solid in 2026.

The main spot is, of course, for the man himself. Literally. But that certainly doesn’t mean that it’s all about him in Heerlen. In fact, the first guitar solo in the evening’s opener, ,,Natural Thing”, is played by guitarist/keyboardist Steve Mann. Bassist Barend Courbois and drummer Bodo Schopf have solo spots during the show. And the singer for this part of the tour is Rd Liapakis from the band Mystic Prophecy. I have to say that he fits this UFO classics perfectly.

TIMELESS CLASSICS

Of course, the roof comes off during timeless classics such as ,,Hot ‘n’ Ready”, ,,Doctor Doctor,” and ,,Lights Out”. What else would you expect? But what struck me most was that the grand master himself and the rest of the band radiated enormous joy on stage. Mr. Schenker even made contact with the fans in the front rows several times during the show, and I have missed that interaction at his shows in the past. Michael was clearly in a good mood and having a great time. Just like the nearly 700 fans who attended this show, because even though it may have been a year since the band played in the Limburg region, the show was solid as a rock and the energy was palpable. Both from the band and the fans. In addition, the light show was beautifully balanced and the band’s sound was more than excellent.

MICHAEL SCHENKER – THE CONCLUSION

As far as I’m concerned, Michael Schenker can close his ‘tribute to his years with UFO’ book after this tour, but he does so in style. Next year he is welcome to come back and promote his latest work, ‘Don’t Sell Your Soul’, live. Seeing this legend at work is certainly no punishment, especially when the shows are as energetic as today’s.

SETLIST MICHAEL SCHENKER

Natural Thing
Only You Can Rock Me
Hot ‘N’ Ready
Doctor Doctor
Mother Mary
I’m A Loser
This Kid’s
Lights Out
Lipstick Traces/ Between The Walls / Belladonna
Love To Love
Let It Roll
Can You Roll Her
Reasons Love
Rock Bottom

ENCORE

Shoot Shoot
Too Hot To Handle

All photos by Raymond Helebrand