Motley Crue marked the 20th anniversary of its Carnival of Sins tour with a performance in Toronto on Wednesday night at the RBC Amphitheatre.
The veteran heavy‑metal band, formed 45 years ago, assembled a lineup that included frontman Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee, and guitarist John 5. The show also featured four female performers who contributed to the stage spectacle.
Neil, who is 65 and recovering from a serious stroke in December 2024 that left his left side paralyzed, delivered a solid, if slightly restrained, performance as he relearned to walk and perform in front of a live audience.
The stage was set beneath a red‑and‑white striped tent, with black leather outfits and a backdrop of clown imagery. The female performers engaged in a mix of dancing and theatrical stunts, adding visual interest to the concert.
The band opened with “Red Hot” and transitioned smoothly into “Louder Than Hell” and “Wild Side.” Midway, they performed fan‑favourite tracks such as “Shout at the Devil,” “Take Me To the Top,” and “Primal Scream.”
During the ballad “Home Sweet Home,” the pace slowed, and Sixx thanked Canadian fans for their support while acknowledging influences ranging from Keith Richards to Ozzy Osbourne. Lee joined on piano for the song, and Neil sang without the aid of lyrics.
The evening’s highlights included “Girls, Girls, Girls” and “Dr. Feelgood,” before the set closed with “Kickstart My Heart.”
John 5, who joined the band in 2023 after touring with David Lee Roth, Marilyn Manson, and Rob Zombie, showcased his soloing abilities throughout the performance.
In January, the band secured a legal victory after former guitarist Mick Mars sued for unpaid royalties. Mars, who has been limited by ankylosing spondylitis, was unable to continue touring with the group.
Motley Crue has sold more than 100 million albums worldwide and has continued to tour after a farewell tour in 2015 and a reunion tour in 2022.
The setlist for the night included: “Red Hot,” “Louder Than Hell,” “Wild Side,” “Shout at the Devil,” “Too Fast for Love,” “Looks That Kill,” “Too Young to Fall in Love,” “Take Me to the Top,” “Primal Scream,” “Afraid,” “Home Sweet Home,” a guitar solo, “Smokin’ in the Boys Room,” “Live Wire,” “Girls, Girls, Girls,” “Dr. Feelgood.”
The concert underscored the band's enduring presence in rock music, demonstrating that they remain a formidable live act even after nearly half a century in the industry.
