Concert Review:
I had second row pit seats for this show, and I was really looking forward to being so close to the stage. I kept my seat during The Lovehammers set, which rocked. Quite a few people, including me, were up and dancing and singing along to the songs. As the tour has progressed, I have noticed more people getting into them when they play. I think Marty was psychotically clever to accept the opening slot on the tour. Dino kept trying to get me his pick, but some girls down front kept taking them all. After the set finished, one of them turned to me and gave me one of them.
In between sets I spoke with some radio station M&G winners. They got to spend 30 minutes with the whole band, and got pictures taken with each band member. I’ve heard similar stories from numerous radio station winners I’ve met along the way. I truly appreciated the opportunity to meet Tim, Andrew, and Kirk in D.C., but I wonder why the fan club members don’t rate the same treatment as the radio station winners.
By the time INXS came on, I was allowed to go right up front by some women there who were looking for help to stop people from crowding in around them. So I got me and all my signs up to the first row just to the left of Kirk. One of the signs was for Jon, hoping that he was feeling better. Tim saw it, pointed to Jon, and then nodded to me. I was glad to hear that.
The stage at Chrysler Hall was huge, and the side ramps were back in the set tonight. And although I went a bit deaf in the left ear being so close to the speakers, the acoustics in the hall were spectacular. I’m so glad I was able to make it to this gig.
A few songs in Garry sprayed his bass strings, and then his underarms. I’d heard about this little ritual, but this was the first time I got a chance to see it. I wonder exactly what that spray is.
Garry was wearing a Black Hawk T-shirt and lovely fitting blue jeans. Kirk was wearing a dapper dress shirt and black pants. Tim looked awesome as usual in those lovely yummy brown leather pants. Jon had on black pants and a white portrait T-shirt with stripes across the front. Andrew was in black jeans and a black T-shirt, and JD was in those infamous lace-up jeans and a grey logo T-shirt.
‘Taste It’ was a highlight for me. JD was working on licking that one sweet spot again, but he was using his hands up and down the stand tonight, coaxing her gently. He even simulated massaging a pair of breasts. I was mesmerized. Tim ended up in front of me during part of the song, and he was shaking his ass trying to get us to notice him. That wasn’t too difficult because he has a well-toned ass that looks good in leather. I blew him a kiss, and he flicked me a well-worn guitar pick, which I snatched up quickly.
During ‘Original Sin’ JD grabbed his package for a prolonged period of time, and sighs were heard all around the hall. He did a twirly kind of dance throughout that song, a dance he started doing a few shows back. He really got lost in the moment, feeling the song. It was cool to see, because he’s getting more and more relaxed on stage. After the song JD mentioned that they have been in Norfolk all day and that it was a really clean city.
‘Hungry’ was another standout. Being so close to the band it was great to see things you miss from further back. It was a pleasure to see Andrew working his magic on the keyboards during that song. It was also cool to see Garry so close during that song and see the muscle definition in his arms while he played. I also got a good look at both upper arm tats. I held up my Sultan of Bass sign, and blew him kisses, and he smiled, that lovely broad smile of his. I totally melted.
‘Never Let You Go’ was the second highlight of the night for me. Garry came back right in front of me during the song. He was inches away from me. Le sigh. I was in heaven. All that booty shaking, hip swivelling, and I was privy to the whole thing. I continued to blow him kisses, and he continued to “catch” them, and grin wildly throughout the song.
‘Need You Tonight’ was hot hot hot. Kirk laughed when during the “I’m lonely” line I flashed my “I’m horny” sign. He dropped me a guitar pick that fell between the cables lining the front of the stage, and I retrieved it at the end of the show.
‘What You Need’ was very funky. I loved watching Andrew lost in a guitar moment. It made this song extra special.
I was glad to see ‘Kick’ was back in the set. Kirk managed to avoid Andrew trying to get him on the behind with the tambourine. It was cute to watch the two of them chasing each other around a bit.
‘Devil Inside’ was the first time JD ventured over to the left side of the stage. He kept moving closer and closer to us, encouraging our attention. When he was about 2 inches away from me, I reached up and gently touched him on the lower leg. He stayed right were he was and did not pull away. So a few others did the same. Then he went a way and came right back to us. I got a foot this time. He did a cool little ad-lib at the end of the song.
The third highlight of the night for me was an incredible, energy-packed rendition of ‘Pretty Vegas.’ Kirk, Andrew, Garry, and Tim, were all lined up together doing their thing. And it was awesome to see. And the ‘whoo’ was back in tonight! I did a little happy dance when I heard it. And The Pretty went absolutely batshit crazy at the end from the “This is the ride” line on. We got to see what it must have been like to see him do it on Rockstar: INXS. The energy and emotion were over the top. What a treat!
A side note - this is the fourth concert in a row where JD has not made an aisle excursion. I think we really scared The Pretty folks.
When they came back out for the encore, Garry threw his black towel over my way, and I caught it in midair. Some guy tried to talk me out of it later, but there was no way I was giving it up. Of course, because I’m 12, one of the first things I did was smell it. It smelled sweet. As soon as the show ended DrumTech came over and brought me one of Garry’s guitar picks.
After the show I ran into Jeremy from The Lovehammers camp. We spoke for a bit. He said he thought that Philly was the best gig The Lovehammers had done yet.
A few people were waiting on the ramp below the stage door, Kirk got into a car with the backup singers, and was the only one to say “Hi” to us after we called out his name. But the others got into a van and they didn’t stop as they passed us. But JD saw my Canadian flag and he banged on the window and waved. I keep missing him at the stage doors. I missed him first night in Toronto, when he spent quite a bit of time signing. I missed him in Reading at the tour buses. And in Philly, where he stopped to talk with a few women there, and gave them all kisses. One of these days I’ll be the one getting a kiss.
Sorry that the audio-blog cuts out at the end of the revue.
Set List:
Suicide Blonde
Devil’s Party
Mystify
Disappear
By My Side
Afterglow
Taste It
Original Sin
Hungry
Never Let You Go
Need You Tonight
What You Need
Kick
Devil Inside
Pretty Vegas
Encore
New Sensation
Never Tear Us Apart
Don’t Change
2 comments:
Ember! Sorry I didn't get to meet you in Norfolk~I came up to the front row during intermission, but, CrazyforINXS and siriusfun told me you were away from your seat. I saw you a few minutes later though--red shirt and signs in hand! I have a question for you , since you appear to have the same memory skills as my daughter-she doesn't take after me! Which song was Marty singing when he came back into the audience?? He ended up right at our row (8) just a couple of seats away from me, and my sister in law ran on over to him. I was too in awe of him to move closer, but, she went on up and took his hand...
Sorry I missed you too Marie. I suspect it was Tunnel they were playing, but I can't be positive. Being right up front kind of made everything a blur.
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