Am I the only one who has a problem with the latest PSB tour ?
Doug Chadwick
Amphitheater last Friday.
Not with the music, which is always great - but the lack of meaningful
performance by a brilliantly creative group. You would
think they could have come up with something a bit more dramatic - like they
did on their last tour and recent DVD release.
I mean - street clothes - no costumes, no stage, nada. The lights were
aimed at the audience most of the time, silhouetting the
band. I'm glad I had great seats, off-center. If I was in the center, I
would have spent the evening looking into bright lights.
The concert reminded me of a hastily scheduled, last minute performance
someone might do for a one-night benefit,
certainly not up to their capabilities and certainly not, in my opinion, a
world tour class.
As I said, I really enjoy their music so I can be much more forgiving.
First-time PSB concert goers likely felt cheated of
a really entertaining show. Several of the people I know were shocked by
the limited performance and how the entire show,
including the encore, was obviously choreographed.
Why did the first number have to be Home and Dry - what with all of the
plugging the song has received of late. I think I
have seen them perform it exclusively on the talk show circuit these past
weeks no less than three times. And in the same
sneakers and street clothes they wore Friday night.
dchadwick
mwilliam
> As an avid fan, I was disappointed in the PSB Concert at Universal
> Amphitheater last Friday.
Indeed, the performance at the Warfield on 9 June in SF was sub-par as well.
> Not with the music, which is always great
Agreed, it seemed more of a live (I think) performance, rather than a
predominantly pre-recorded, sanitized performance, like on The Strand in 97.
They didn't play 'Rent' which sorta disappointed me.
> - but the lack of meaningful
> performance by a brilliantly creative group. You would
> think they could have come up with something a bit more dramatic - like they
> did on their last tour and recent DVD release.
I believe the intent was to put on more of a "Rock Concert",
rather than a stage show IMO. To that degree, they *were*
successful...
> I mean - street clothes - no costumes, no stage, nada. The lights were
> aimed at the audience most of the time, silhouetting the
> band.
The lighting did suck and frankly seemed cheap. Glad I did not
spend the extra $$ for center seats-- we would not have seen jack.
> I'm glad I had great seats, off-center. If I was in the center, I
> would have spent the evening looking into bright lights.
Ah, yah.
> The concert reminded me of a hastily scheduled, last minute performance
> someone might do for a one-night benefit,
> certainly not up to their capabilities and certainly not, in my opinion, a
> world tour class.
>
> As I said, I really enjoy their music so I can be much more forgiving.
> First-time PSB concert goers likely felt cheated of
> a really entertaining show.
Long-time fans were disappointed by the short show (started at
appx 8:15 and wrapped up at just after 10PM). Geez, with all
of the great material...
> Several of the people I know were shocked by
> the limited performance and how the entire show,
> including the encore, was obviously choreographed.
Two one hour+ segments, with an intermission and a couple
of live encores would have been lots better IMHO.
> Why did the first number have to be Home and Dry - what with all of the
> plugging the song has received of late. I think I
> have seen them perform it exclusively on the talk show circuit these past
> weeks no less than three times. And in the same
> sneakers and street clothes they wore Friday night.
Ah, business, economic, and commercial reasons, perhaps?
Agreed, though, a longer performance, better lighting, 'Rent',
and better sound mixing would have improved the show 2X
-Mark.