Erasure (4/30/05)



Erasure was a little before my time, but for years I have heard about how great they are in concert. Primarily from my friend Tim, who introduced me to some of the music that didn't make the charts (those songs that just about everyone sings along with when they hear them). It started with him letting borrow the Chorus album. It was great stuff!

After being dormant for a while (except for that Loveboat album not released in the US), they finally had another major release out, "Nightbird." I was able to get an advance listen from the great folks at MP3Search.ru. It was okay, but figured it would grow on me. Shortly thereafter, they announced a tour! After everything I've heard about their live show, I was bound and determined to go. Their closest show was Chicago. That was perfect because Tim could meet us there from Purdue, and I could finally visit my friend Sal (who had been living there for 5 years). What can I say, I'm stupid.

The first show sold out, and I missed the pre-sale of the second show. Luckily the seats I got were still decent. I was excited to see them, but then I kinda forgot about the show after having so much fun while in Chicago. (See Photo Album 1 & 2) Once we walked up and saw the sold-out sign on the Chicago Theater, I got excited again. I couldn't believe they had just finished up about 8 consecutively sold-out nights in New York City.

Opening was Elkland. I guess they're kinda hard to describe... a kind of 80's power-pop, with a little bit of punk flare? How is that for a description. I liked what I heard and would like to see them again on a smaller stage.

Erasure opened with quite an elaborate set, with Andy Bell in a thong and angel wings, with pixies as back-up singers. I guess this is what I was expecting. One of the problems I had with this show was that it was essentially an entire show of dance music, but in an old, seated theatre. So we had to go through the obligatory stand-up / sit-down routine, based on the music tempo. There were also the occasional confrontations because people didn't agree on whether it was a sitting song, or a standing one.

Despite that, Erasure did put on a great show. Oh, and did I mention that my friend Tim, who all this started because of, couldn't make it! So I called him during Oh L'Amore (my first time ever holding up a mobile phone during show - I swear).

Posted: Thu - June 2, 2005 at 03:25 PM           |

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