INXS & The Lovehammers - Toronto, ON, Massey Hall, February 7, 2006

Audio Blog: INXS & The Lovehammers - Massey Hall, Toronto, ON, February 7, 2006

Concert Review: Rocking the Roof Off Massey Hall

INXS and The Lovehammers rocked the roof off Massey Hall Tuesday night. I thought the first Toronto show had been heaven, but this surpassed it. I was sitting in the fourteenth row of the right centre orchestra, on the right aisle. I got to see the other side of the stage tonight, and I had a clear view of everyone.

The Lovehammers were in good form tonight, and had a good set. They played the Jaws movie theme music before they started playing. Hee hee. Marty commented that this crowd made him feel like he was back home in Chicago. We got a return of the ass crack again tonight. He made it all around the first row of the balcony during 'The Tunnel' tonight. Two other highlights of their set were 'Straight as an Arrow' and 'Hold On.'

The crowd was into it, ready to be entertained, and on their feet before the countdown reached 10 seconds. And they never sat down. As soon as the curtain came down to reveal INXS, the energy intensified, and there was an electric feel in the hall.

'Suicide Blonde' was explosive tonight. I was anticipating the band’s interaction during 'New Sensation', and it was great fun tonight, especially Garry and Tim encouraging the audience to sing along. Andrew’s guitar work on 'Taste It' was awesome, and he was really grooving to 'Never Let You Go'. JD’s little dancehall rap at the end of that song was a sweet addition. He mentioned that this gig was the fastest sell out in history for Massey Hall. Woohoo!

'Taste It' was great, but it was 'Need You Tonight' that was the sexiest song of the night. It was steaming hot in Massey Hall after those two songs. 'Original Sin' was another song that got a huge response from the audience.

Tim finally took his sunglasses off during 'Need You Tonight'. I wish he'd show us his lovely eyes more often. Garry was leatherless again tonight, but he looked awesome in Levi's and a yellow T-shirt, especially when he stood on the drum riser. I'm ever so grateful that his T-shirts are short enough for good rear-end viewing. Tim was wearing leather pants again tonight, and he looks good in them. He also had on a brown shirt. Kirk was wearing a spiffy striped dress shirt and jeans. Andrew was in jeans and a dark T-shirt. Jon was wearing form-fitting black pants and a silver grey Morphine shirt. JD initially had on a black leather jacket, gloves, and sunglasses, and he was wearing the butterfly shirt and those lovely lace-up jeans again.

During 'Kick', Andrew and Kirk were having a duelling keyboard and sax dialogue that was very special. And Tim proved why we call him a riff master when he played his marlin guitar during 'Devil Inside'. And the crowd loved it. The crowd also went wild for 'Pretty Vegas'. I'm still not tired of hearing that song.

By the end of the set JD’s voice was getting really scratchy. I hope he’s taking care of himself, and not trying to over do it so soon after being ill.

I noticed how carefully Garry removed his bass at the end of 'Pretty Vegas', and then playfully retreated when the bass was being quickly passed to him at the start of the encore. When the band started playing 'The Stairs,' JD and Garry weren't on stage yet. Finally Garry came out, and it reminded me of the port-a-loo story where the band started playing without him. And finally JD came out for the encore with a drink and cigarette in hand, and sporting a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey with a PETA T-shirt underneath. The band was encouraging people to come down to the front, and I was able to make it right to the stage near Tim for the whole encore tonight, and seeing them right up close was a nice bonus to a great night of music. I managed to snap a couple of pics, although they didn't turn out that great.





Watching the band enjoying themselves so much on stage enriches the show for me. Thanks guys!

Set List:
Suicide Blonde
New Sensation
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
The Stairs
Never Tear Us Apart
Don’t Change

After the show, I convinced a few Rockbanders to come with me to the stage door to wait for the band. It was very cold, but worth every moment of the wait when Kirk, Jon, and Tim came out.

Kirk was very sweet and stayed for quite a while, posing for pictures and signing various items. He personalized the signature on my Switch liner and gave me a kiss on the cheek. After that encounter, I’m officially on the Kirk love train!





I also got Jon to sign my liner. But Tim was a bit standoffish.





Thanks guys for a wonderful night I won’t forget for a long time. The crowd started to grow at the stage door, and they ended up taking Garry, Andrew, and JD going out the front door instead.

I just missed saying “Hi” to Garry later on at a bar. He was leaving just as I was arriving and I didn’t want to run after him. Sigh. Now I regret not gently calling out his name, but we heard that folks had practically stalked JD a few minutes before, and I didn’t want to come off like that. Andrew was deep in conversation with a few people and I didn’t want to disturb him either. Kirk walked by stopped and looked at my T-shirt, and laughed, and INXS security also commented on my lovely pussy shirt (a kitty with the word "dreamy" written below). It was a wonderful end to an amazing day.