Keswick Theater PA last(Thursday) night

Eugene · #1 09-23-2011, 08:04 AM

"No cameras" taped to every entrance; "fog will be used"

Camera police in full force; no one made an attempt to get to the stage until my GF went up during GYOW and got some groping in, and that opened the flood gates. One woman stood up repeatedly to get her groove on, only to be told by security to either get out of the aisle or sit down.

The theater has seen better days. Oh yeah, Lindsey was fab.

BTFLCHLD · #2 09-23-2011, 10:55 AM

wheart · #3 09-23-2011, 11:19 AM

It was a great show. I now absolutely love SWS so he could have played the whole thing and I would have been happy. The FM songs definitely were the crowd pleasers. I gotta say for me some of the SWS songs sound better on record, particularly Stars Are Crazy. Some guy kept requesting Rock Away Blind but alas...it was not played. I could have done with a few more solo tunes and a little less FM I understand why he's gotta play them. In fact, one of the best performances of the night was Never Going Back Again. It was utter perfection.

michelej1 · #4 09-23-2011, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eugene

"No cameras" taped to every entrance; "fog will be used"

Is there a relationship? Does the use of cameras (or flash) effect the fog in a way that obscures vision or something?

Michele

Eugene · #5 09-23-2011, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michelej1

Is there a relationship? Does the use of cameras (or flash) effect the fog in a way that obscures vision or something?

Michele

Sorry-two separate signs-no relationship.

wondergirl9847 · #6 09-23-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheart

The FM songs definitely were the crowd pleasers. I gotta say for me some of the SWS songs sound better on record, particularly Stars Are Crazy. Some guy kept requesting Rock Away Blind but alas...it was not played.

Note to self: Make absolute SURE he knows that we love SWS at my 4 shows.

Seems like the FM-only crowds outnumber the solo-fans, even at his solo shows.

Nico · #7 09-23-2011, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

Seems like the FM-only crowds outnumber the solo-fans, even at his solo shows.

It's a damn shame, because his solo songs, to me, always sound so amazing. Especially on this tour with the SWS songs, though I get that maybe some have preferences to the recorded version. I loved the way ALL of them sound and, yes, I am in freaking love with that album as well.

Anyway, I say if you just do your best to show your love for the solo songs it would be great. Scream, dance, whatever...it's great to go to a show where the audience has some energy as well as the performer. It's a give and take, in my opinion. I just don't get the people who just sit there stoically the whole time.

Regina · #8 09-23-2011, 02:45 PM

Keswick! Definitely is a great theater, IMO. Has not "seen better days." Again, in my opinion. See the Orpheum Theater for that. One seat was broken, that's about all I could see that was wrong. Great neighborhood, nice people and a nice venue.

Now, that I voiced my opinion on that...I wouldn't say that these people were pro-Mac only songs. Not at all. I think the crowd was EXTREMELY receptive to Lindsey's new stuff. Absolutely. I just think if you know something and respond by applauding more, or singing along...that's kind of natural over something you may be hearing for the very first time. But, they absolutely loved him and, if they didn't stand, I think it's just because they were polite and...frankly, I think Lindsey enjoys the freak out at the end. Not in the middle of songs he really wants you to listen to.

I liked the fog sign. I thought that was hysterical. I was actually making "track a ghost, through the fog" jokes throughout and thought maybe Lindsey was going to suddenly appear through the fog like Barnabas Collins or...Edward (?) the Twilight dude.

I don't mind the no photo thing. I mean, there are tons of photos and I really, really believe he wants to be "heard." Not just with your ears but your heart and I know that since I stopped taking pictures at concerts, I'm enjoying them more and really getting a lot more out of them than when I was worried over whether I caught a particular expression or look. There will always be photos from someone out there, so I just let them do the work;-)

Personal favorites of the evening: Stars, Under the Skin (yeah, I don't care what anyone thinks about that one), All My Sorrows, Turn it On and the End of Time. Great concert. Next (for me), NYC.

michelej1 · #9 09-23-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wondergirl9847

Note to self: Make absolute SURE he knows that we love SWS at my 4 shows.

Seems like the FM-only crowds outnumber the solo-fans, even at his solo shows.

Yes, I definitely make sure to mouth the words to all the new or obscure (DLMDA) songs and to look like I'm enjoying myself, just to encourage them. I want them to know we are familiar with more than GYOW and Rhiannon.

Michele

Sugar · #10 09-23-2011, 07:54 PM

This was a great show and I am enjoying SWS even more now after seeing the songs live. Lindsey's voice is sounded great, really strong, and I think I preferred these live versions to the album. Definately liked Stars are Crazy, End of Time and Illumination better live.

I sometimes thinks the audience feels obligated to give a big reaction to the Mac songs. I for one could do without ISA and even GYOW at his solo shows, bring on more OOTC songs! I certainly think the Keswick audience was receptive to the solo stuff.

Eugene, kudos to your GF! I was towards the front and saw that all play out! When security tried to tell her to go away, Lindsey said to the security guy something like "let her stay," and after that everyone rushed the stage!

All in all, a very cool night!

Farrah · #11 09-23-2011, 11:10 PM

- I like the no photos rule. (I didn't like hearing that security guards at other venues were using it as an opportunity to treat adults like children, but that's another point altogether). There was more of a sense of people *listening*, which was wonderful. I imagine he wanted it that way because of the relaxed, "back to basics" vibe of the first few songs in the set, when it's just Lindsey out there.

- I do miss crazy antics "bark like a dog" rolling around on the stage floor moments, but if he was still doing that, it would be 2003 and I'd be starting a forty-page review with the story of how our train was delayed 45 minutes because of a NJ Transit train stuck in the tunnel and then Regina bought a whole bunch of tomatoes and then we almost got lost and the tomatoes were heavy ...

- Anyway, his vocals were the best I've ever heard them live (having heard him live w/Fleetwood Mac, and several times on the last two tours). The most striking aspect of those first few songs was his solid vocals. So why all the whispering on the albums??

- Dear Lindsey, I love your music, but speech-wise, you fail my freshman composition class.

- Out of the Cradle songs make me happy. "Turn It On" was like a peptalk last night. And "All My Sorrows," nice harmonies with the guys, though I wish he'd have thrown "Don't Look Down" back in and maybe even graced us with "You Do Or You Don't."

- Maybe he should cut "I'm So Afraid" by now? Perhaps replace it with another Mac gem?

- "ROCK AWAY BLIND!" "You know, I'll have to learn that one."

Nico · #12 09-24-2011, 01:41 AM

GREAT reviews!!!

I really appreciate that people love to listen to the songs, which is the main purpose actually of the show. His songs have so much character and richness to them, and his singing/playing is simply stunning. But at the same time, I also appreciate the photos. So I agree with many of you in that the NO PHOTOS rule lends a lot to appreciating the music instead of focusing on getting the right picture, but then again...I love the pics. Sorry I'm torn but I respect what you all are saying.

Oh, and I don't know about removing "I'm So Afraid." I LOVE the idea because then a song from OOTC or SWS (yeah, notice how I immediately went there with both those albums) could replace it, but this guy behind me- an older man dressed in a classy suit- kept saying to his wife "wait until you hear ISA" over and over...I guess there are people who are die-hards for that song. I saw all these young hipster boys at my show getting SO into it...I feel like, you know, maybe as a huge solo fan I would love having something else, but what about the others?

Anyway, great reviews and so glad you all had a great time. Lindsey's voice sounds amazing!!!

Regina · #13 09-24-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nico

GREAT reviews!!!

I really appreciate that people love to listen to the songs, which is the main purpose actually of the show. His songs have so much character and richness to them, and his singing/playing is simply stunning. But at the same time, I also appreciate the photos. So I agree with many of you in that the NO PHOTOS rule lends a lot to appreciating the music instead of focusing on getting the right picture, but then again...I love the pics. Sorry I'm torn but I respect what you all are saying.

Oh, and I don't know about removing "I'm So Afraid." I LOVE the idea because then a song from OOTC or SWS (yeah, notice how I immediately went there with both those albums) could replace it, but this guy behind me- an older man dressed in a classy suit- kept saying to his wife "wait until you hear ISA" over and over...I guess there are people who are die-hards for that song. I saw all these young hipster boys at my show getting SO into it...I feel like, you know, maybe as a huge solo fan I would love having something else, but what about the others?

Anyway, great reviews and so glad you all had a great time. Lindsey's voice sounds amazing!!!

I agree with you. I'm not against picture-taking at all, but I can see why Lindsey may not want it this time around. I just think what he feels he has to say is important to him. So, I get it. But, I still know people will take pictures and/or videos and I understand it from a former-picture taker's view, too.

So Afraid has never been a favorite of mine. It was funny because Farrah, blackcat and I were discussing it post-show. I hate any recorded version of it. Hate hearing bootleg performances of it. But, when you are right in front of him, and he's playing that guitar...it's impressive. And I have never NOT seen it absolutely bring down the house. So, I think it's here to stay. But, I would prefer something from OOTC, instead;-)

**mylittledemon** · #14 09-24-2011, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina

So Afraid has never been a favorite of mine. I hate any recorded version of it. Hate hearing bootleg performances of it. But, when you are right in front of him, and he's playing that guitar...it's impressive. And I have never NOT seen it absolutely bring down the house. So, I think it's here to stay. But, I would prefer something from OOTC, instead;-)

No! Just... just... no!

Actually he should totally do OOTC stuff. Although when I saw him live I thought I was the only one singing along with "Turn It On"

Regina · #15 09-24-2011, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

No! Just... just... no!

Actually he should totally do OOTC stuff. Although when I saw him live I thought I was the only one singing along with "Turn It On"

No, not total OOTC. Just a few more selections. I think Surrender the Rain, for example, is absolutely beautiful and I don't believe he did it live on his brief OOTC tour. I'm a big personal fan of You Do or You Don't, but I can sort of understand why some might not be. Still, I'd like to hear it.
But, I was actually happy with most of the song selection on the tour. There are a couple of SwS tunes I'd like to have heard live, too...but, that's okay. Maybe Tusk and Big Love needs to go!