Watch Judas Priest Perform Without Leather and Studs
Judas Priest opened their latest European tour with a club show where they performed without their trademark leather-and-studs outfits – something they haven't done at a public show since developing the look in 1978.
A full house of 1,600 fans watched as the British heavy metal vets delivered a 19-song set at Huxley’s Neue Welt in Berlin without using their stage dressing or an opening act.
You can see videos from the show below.
Afterward, guitarist Richie Faulkner shared his delight about the experience, saying: “Last night in Berlin was glorious and something I’ve never done with the band before. No leather, no studs. No screens, no motorbike. No massive light show or inflatable Birmingham bull. Exposed speakers, just jeans, T-shirts, a small club and it was all purely about the music. All of us together and the raw power of the music.”
He added that "it was truly a great experience and one I’d love to do again sometime. It’s great when you strip it all back to what it’s all about, the music and the people of our great heavy metal community. Thank you all for making it such a special night."
Radio host Eddie Trunk noted that Judas Priest performed in similar attire during an "invite / winners only" 2008 performance celebrating his show's 25th anniversary, at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City.
Priest introduced the stage costumes when they released their fifth album Hell Bent for Leather (known as Killing Machine outside the U.S.). In his 2018 memoir Heavy Duty, former guitarist K.K. Downing revealed he was never “really sure” about the band’s flashy image. "On reflection, I think Judas Priest had a bit of an identity crisis from the beginning," he said.
"There was always a bit of a question mark about the band’s look. To me, it never seemed to say anything – and in the earliest days of our career, I suppose I actually saw that as a good thing."
Judas Priest's 50 Heavy Metal Years tour continues across Europe until Aug. 7 before more shows take place next year.
Watch Judas Priest Perform ‘Victim of Changes’ in June 2022
Watch Judas Priest Perform ‘One Shot at Glory’ in June 2022
Watch Judas Priest Perform ‘A Touch of Evil’ in June 2022