Concert Review:
Stabilo sounded great tonight. The acoustics were really good. I had a look around the arena, and it was a really good turnout, and the whole bottom tier was packed. I was sitting in the stands in house right, close to the stage, with Catatonic from Rockband, and her husband. And let me tell you, Catatonic has one hell of a whistle on her!
It was funny because tonight we only got to ten seconds on the countdown before we got that heavy moan from JD behind the curtain. I joked with Inzane after the show that it appears it is getting more and more difficult for him to hold back on that moan as the tour progresses.
The night began with a very impressive ‘Suicide Blonde,’ and Garry was all splay legged and wild on the bass. He was wearing those lovely brown pants, a tan jacket, and a brown T-shirt. Kirk was dressed in blue jeans, a plaid blazer, and a dress shirt. Andrew had on a black shirt and jeans. Jon was wearing white jeans, and an open necked dark shirt. Tim had on the Celtic cross jacket, blue jeans, and a charcoal army style shirt. JD was wearing a white jacket, the lace-up jeans, and a black shirt.
During ‘Devil’s Party,’ JD did a nice little dance over the ramp. And Kirk’s sax work was great.
On ‘Mystify’ Tim was wailing on the shiny new metallic guitar. I love the sound that comes out of it. JD commented on the size of the crowd. He also noticed someone had a poster in the audience about Warren the rabbit, and there was a funny exchange about that for a moment.
‘Hot Girls’ was fairly sedate tonight. During ‘Perfect Strangers’ I noticed how many 448 paddles were on the floor. The stage lights picked them up really well. JD made a line change that he was taken to doing lately: “The syrups so much sweeter when it comes from a butterfly.” Kirk gave us more great sax, and Tim was rocking the new guitar
‘By My Side’ was performed beautifully, and was one of the highlights of the night. We got a caution from JD before the song began: “No exposing of your breasts please, unless it’s absolutely necessary.” And as soon as JD said this, Kirk pulled down JD’s shirt and exposed his nipple. It was very funny.
‘Afterglow’ was very moving. Garry was doing a lot of swaying and swivelling. It’s always awesome to watch Andrew work his magic on the keyboards. By the end of the song we were really moved by the tears streaming down JD’s face. It was the most emotional moment I’ve experienced yet at an INXS gig. There was something very raw, intense and vulnerable about that moment that was very evocative.
‘Taste It’ was delicious tonight, and we got some wicked harmonica, Garry and Andrew rocking together, and Tim down front riffing. Kirk was saxing stage right, then moved to stage left and was saxing on his back. There were huge cheers for Jon during the band introductions. And we got a phenomenal, kick-ass solo from Andrew. JD decided to have a smoke, so we got no mic stand sex again tonight. Some of us are wondering if he broke off the relationship with Ms. Mic Stand.
‘Original Sin’ was the second highlight of the night for me. JD was trying to play Tim’s guitar between Tim’s legs. JD and Jon shared a little moment, and Jon had the biggest smile. Garry was up on the risers shaking it, making tons of feck faces. And The Pretty was aroused. He did the twirly dance at the end, and it looked a bit like the when bees attack arm flailing.
JD started off in a lower key on ‘Hungry’ tonight. It sounded good. We got the crossed sticks from Jon at the break, but no twirls.
‘Never Let You Go’ was the third highlight of the night. Tim was down playing to the front row. Garry was swivelling his hips. There was some JD and Kirk man love, as JD hugged Kirk from behind while he was playing the sax. Then Garry and Kirk were rocking together.
There was a huge crowd response at the start of ‘Need You Tonight.’ Both Kirk and Tim were playing to the front rows. Kirk and JD were sliding, and Tim joined in the sliding. Then Tim and JD were playing sliding tag. We got some impressive pelvic thrusts from Sherriff Tim during the line “gonna live my life.” And for the first time in many nights, JD finished with the last line of the song.
‘What You Need’ was another outstanding song tonight. There was a mini love-in between the guys: Tim and JD, JD and Garry, and JD and Kirk. JD did a crowd romp down house right to the stands right in front of us. Tim got up the ramp first, met Kirk, and they both moved to the top. Garry was shaking it at down at stage left near us.
During ‘Kick’ we got a DrumTech sighting. Kirk was playing the sax sitting on Andrew’s stool, next to Andrew who was crouching while playing the keyboards.
As they started ‘Devil Inside’ JD called out “Time to go to church.” I never tire of hearing him say that. It’s the way he says it. Tim was wailing on the marlin, Garry and Jon were rocking, and JD was down at the front of the stage on the right.
There was another huge response when the band started ‘Pretty Vegas.’ Kirk and Andrew were playing together on one side of the stage, and Tim and Garry were on the other side. JD did a crowd romp house left, and came back with a big pink bunny in hand. Garry looked at the bunny, smiled, and shook his head.
Before the encore started a Corona beer ended up all over the stage. JD stood there for a moment, and said “Canada. Canada. Canada. Man.” Then “Thank you for your support,” and finally “Thanks to you my dreams came true.” It was very moving, and I got misty eyed.
The Chocolate Chip Orgasm Rap was another highlight. The delivery tonight was perfection. I could listen to JD rap for an entire concert. I’d love to hear him to a spoken word kind of thing someday, like Henry Rollins does.
‘New Sensation’ was hot hot hot tonight. Garry came out for the encore with a sleeveless shirt so we could see the arm ink. It looks great.
Andrew strummed his guitar during ‘Amazing Grace’ tonight. It was a nice touch.
During ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, Tim had his arms crossed and was really milking the moment. And getting a big crowd response the more he did.
‘Don’t Change’ was the final highlight of the night. It was a wonderful version tonight, with another power ending.
On the way back to the hotel I saw the coolest vehicle in a parking lot near the venue. It had a huge 448 on the side, along with PAV - Pretty Apprehension Vehicle.
After the show I found out that Tim’s shiny new guitar is a G&L one. I told him it sounded like pure liquid sex oozing out notes, and he liked that description. I also got to finally tell him that I sent him a virtual hug every time he had to send someone home on Rockstar. He gave me a hug. I got to meet Kerry, Jon’s new wife. She’s very sweet. It turns out that Jon had seen one of my signs in Fredericton, and mentioned it to her. It read “Congratulations Jon and Kerry. Wishing you many happy years together.” I also got to talk with Kirk for a little bit.
Set List:
Suicide Blonde
Devil's Party
Mystify
Hot Girls
Perfect Strangers
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
Chocolate Chip Orgasm Rap
New Sensation
Amazing Grace
Never Tear Us Apart
Don't Change
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