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Poison performed before a joyous Houston crowd at Minute Maid Park on Friday night. 

Fans to the right knew the show was about to begin when they caught a glimpse of the band riding up to the stage in golf carts through a mesh privacy fence. The show opened with an energetic rendition of “Look What the Cat Dragged In.” The stage was bathed in laser green lights that perfectly matched the Poison logo on frontman Bret Michaels’ t-shirt.  

Poison brings the energy

Despite the distance betweenthe audience and the stage, frontman Michaels was warm and personable. His gaze sweeping over every seat in the house to make everyone feel included. In between songs, he injected trivia about the songs. 

Before “Talk Dirty to Me,” Michaels reminisced about how it was the first song the band had ever played in Texas decades prior. 

C. C. DeVille commanded stage right with the air of someone who plays as easily as he breathes. The guitarist spent his time running from his mic stand to the thrust of the stage and back. He wore a maroon jacket and a two-toned leather hat as he lead the band through hit after hit.

poison 2022
Photo by Cynthia Isabel Zelaya Ordoñez

Rikki Rockett was not about to be outshined, despite the position of the drum kit deep into the stage. He make eye contact with the crowd for about a third of the time, managing to not miss a beat. He twirled his drumsticks casually efore diving into rolls, always managing to intrigue. 

The audience was treated to the classic bells and whistles, including a harmonica solo by Michael’s (his first instrument) and a sighting of his iconic cowboy hat. 

Bassist Bobby Dall also dazzled crowds on his side of the stage, playing a glittering guitar that bounced the stage lights off it like a thousand tiny mirrors. 

All about the fans

Poison spoke how the show was a love letter to the audience, noting they’d been waiting almost three years to play this tour after it’s initial delay due to COVID. Michaels called for the photographers to turn away from the stage and zoom in on the audience.

The band closed with “Every Rose Has It’s Thorns” and “Nothing But a Good Time.” They left behind a deliriously happy Houston crowd after the last note rang.

You can still catch Poison, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Motley Crue and Def Leppard at a city near you.

@cynthia_zelaya _ | Executive Editor 2022-2023 | Assistant Editor 2021-2022

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