7.16.14 Q+AL CONCERT THREAD -- Philadelphia, PA USA
Jul 18, 2014 15:55:04 GMT -5
Post by Craazyforadam on Jul 18, 2014 15:55:04 GMT -5
…..part 2……
The second part you are aware of when standing in your designated place in section 104, is that you are now one part of a big whole, like one piece of driftwood, in a big wave. The audience as a whole has a unique character, and will make an impression, not only on any listeners on video streams, but first and foremost on Adam and the band and you are just a tiny little piece of that, only one drop in that big wave of energy. I think that experience is heightened, when you are higher up in the stands or a little further from the stage. I presume that for the people right upfront, the stage is so dominant that that wave only hits them every once in a while, when they turn around, or the singing and clapping happens or some other surprise that makes them turn their heads back. For those folks, I presume that the experience live is more closely resembling the videos we have all seen. But from higher up – further out, it is almost like a completely new show with the same melodies and band, but totally different in how it feels or what you notice.
The videos have the tendency to exaggerate. Adam is usually the center of those videos and his actions, his mimic, gestures, vocal acrobatics are heightened and that is a wonderful treasure to see, but it is not what you see from the stands. There Adam is first of all part of the band, they are one unit performing, a set of very small moving parts, making something larger than life happen in the whole arena, both emotionally as well as sonically. A dance of little porcelain figures executed to perfection. And yet, and that makes it so fantastic to watch, their personalities reach you and touch you in the most magical way.
In addition you get the visual spectacle of disco balls (great moment in the arena, not as OT as it seems in the videos, it really works well in the arena), lasers, smoke, strobe lights, colors, two different parallel visuals one on the big Q screen and the other on the two smaller screens on the side. There is so much to take in, that you always miss some pieces, no matter what you focus on, and of course most of us want to focus on the stage as much as possible.
There is Brian, geeky and in his own world, yet so warm and personable across hundreds of yards. He is concentrated for two hours straight on what his fingers need to do at any second of this show, and yet, there is no question that he is the mastermind of this event, as well as the heart of it. The audience knows and responds to him as such.
Roger, having the most physically demanding 2 hour duration job of the bunch, is also fatherly directing his son. One minute you see him root for Rufus proudly, but next he also worries about him. I think he wonders whether the bug will bite Rufus the way that it bit him 40 years ago, making him decide to make music and touring his life. At least that is my impression of their interaction between the two. Not sure whether that is happening or not. Rufus is not so easy to read, imo.
There is Neil and Spike, who contribute immensely, but somehow see no need to stand in row one, just solidly contributing their part, but clearly showing how much they love what they do, and how much fun these guys are having on the show and with Adam. Adam is rubbing off on all of them. Those British stiff upper lips have turned into mighty American-wide smiles over the last month, their laughter infectious.
And then there is Adam, the one creating this rejuvenation and this buoyant lift of spirit in all of these men. And 20 minutes of show-time later, he has created this joy in a whole arena of people too.
During the intro, Adam gives people the confidence to relax, he’s got this. They can just relax and enjoy the show. During’ In the Lap of the Gods’, he for the first time grabs everyone with his vocals and his personality, people are settling into the waltzing rhythm of the song and the synergy and magic begins. By the time of Killer Queen comes around, everyone understand the importance of that second outfit, and anyone that will follow thereafter.
Adam reaches hearts and minds with what he does and mouths begin to stand open. The variety of the buffet offered to the audience during this show, becomes apparent to all. It is just 20-30 minutes in and we have had a rock show, and some funk, and some sing along, and some rock god getting off his bike and joining a burlesque show, all the while listening to vocals that are out of this world. STL pulls it all together and takes us to church to sing YEAH to it all. Adam is holding this assembled church of Glam Rock in the palm of his hand and leads it wherever he wants it to go with it.
……. to be continued……..
The second part you are aware of when standing in your designated place in section 104, is that you are now one part of a big whole, like one piece of driftwood, in a big wave. The audience as a whole has a unique character, and will make an impression, not only on any listeners on video streams, but first and foremost on Adam and the band and you are just a tiny little piece of that, only one drop in that big wave of energy. I think that experience is heightened, when you are higher up in the stands or a little further from the stage. I presume that for the people right upfront, the stage is so dominant that that wave only hits them every once in a while, when they turn around, or the singing and clapping happens or some other surprise that makes them turn their heads back. For those folks, I presume that the experience live is more closely resembling the videos we have all seen. But from higher up – further out, it is almost like a completely new show with the same melodies and band, but totally different in how it feels or what you notice.
The videos have the tendency to exaggerate. Adam is usually the center of those videos and his actions, his mimic, gestures, vocal acrobatics are heightened and that is a wonderful treasure to see, but it is not what you see from the stands. There Adam is first of all part of the band, they are one unit performing, a set of very small moving parts, making something larger than life happen in the whole arena, both emotionally as well as sonically. A dance of little porcelain figures executed to perfection. And yet, and that makes it so fantastic to watch, their personalities reach you and touch you in the most magical way.
In addition you get the visual spectacle of disco balls (great moment in the arena, not as OT as it seems in the videos, it really works well in the arena), lasers, smoke, strobe lights, colors, two different parallel visuals one on the big Q screen and the other on the two smaller screens on the side. There is so much to take in, that you always miss some pieces, no matter what you focus on, and of course most of us want to focus on the stage as much as possible.
There is Brian, geeky and in his own world, yet so warm and personable across hundreds of yards. He is concentrated for two hours straight on what his fingers need to do at any second of this show, and yet, there is no question that he is the mastermind of this event, as well as the heart of it. The audience knows and responds to him as such.
Roger, having the most physically demanding 2 hour duration job of the bunch, is also fatherly directing his son. One minute you see him root for Rufus proudly, but next he also worries about him. I think he wonders whether the bug will bite Rufus the way that it bit him 40 years ago, making him decide to make music and touring his life. At least that is my impression of their interaction between the two. Not sure whether that is happening or not. Rufus is not so easy to read, imo.
There is Neil and Spike, who contribute immensely, but somehow see no need to stand in row one, just solidly contributing their part, but clearly showing how much they love what they do, and how much fun these guys are having on the show and with Adam. Adam is rubbing off on all of them. Those British stiff upper lips have turned into mighty American-wide smiles over the last month, their laughter infectious.
And then there is Adam, the one creating this rejuvenation and this buoyant lift of spirit in all of these men. And 20 minutes of show-time later, he has created this joy in a whole arena of people too.
During the intro, Adam gives people the confidence to relax, he’s got this. They can just relax and enjoy the show. During’ In the Lap of the Gods’, he for the first time grabs everyone with his vocals and his personality, people are settling into the waltzing rhythm of the song and the synergy and magic begins. By the time of Killer Queen comes around, everyone understand the importance of that second outfit, and anyone that will follow thereafter.
Adam reaches hearts and minds with what he does and mouths begin to stand open. The variety of the buffet offered to the audience during this show, becomes apparent to all. It is just 20-30 minutes in and we have had a rock show, and some funk, and some sing along, and some rock god getting off his bike and joining a burlesque show, all the while listening to vocals that are out of this world. STL pulls it all together and takes us to church to sing YEAH to it all. Adam is holding this assembled church of Glam Rock in the palm of his hand and leads it wherever he wants it to go with it.
……. to be continued……..
.