When I arrived at the Aladdin Theater to see Colin Hay, I was not prepared for the show I ended up getting. My experiences with Hay’s music have been contained mostly to his mellower, acoustic work and his time spent with Men at Work. This show proved to be a lot more rocking than I had anticipated.
Hay is currently touring in support of his forthcoming album, American Sunshine. Partially recorded in Nashville, the album boasts some strong country/bluegrass influences and Hay’s trademark vocals - smooth, rich and a tad bit nasally.
While Hay is still making good music and his performance enjoyable, there was something tedious about the whole thing. Toward the end, people could be seen checking their watches and inching off to the exit. This could have been because of the high pitched screeching coming from a gaggle of drunken women down in front, who were wearing dangerously thin on pretty much everyone’s nerves, but a wandering, jam band style rendition of “Down Under” certainly didn’t help either.
The biggest distraction of the evening though, was Hay’s wife, who sang backup vocals and danced on stage throughout most of the show. Her singing wasn’t too bad, but her dancing could be likened to that of a mentally challenged bird having a seizure. It was hard to focus on Hay’s performance when she was cavorting around stage, making silly faces at him while he played. The distractions and poor excuse for dancing made the show nearly unwatchable.
Hay and his band did a very nice job of playing a decent rock show, but suffered with an audience that was loud and obnoxious at all the wrong times. I’d like to give them the benefit of the doubt and just blame it on the venue and some of the people in attendance, but maybe that’s just how their shows always are. Hay certainly didn’t seem too fazed by it.
I really wanted to fall in love with this show, but there were just too many things that went wrong to make it a very good impression. While Hay is still an amazing musician, his overall performance is somewhat lackluster. After the first couple songs, the whole things get a little old. He would be better served by sticking with his more mellow work and playing an acoustic set. Getting a proper back up dancer who won’t steal the spotlight might not hurt either.
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Two songs go in, one comes out. Pick a side.
Also, I have yet to pay this venue a visit, is it good spot? good people, good vibe, good atmosphere?
... man, i hope i win some tickets…
by Jaz Bonnin-Aldatz on Thu May 17, 2012 at 12.27 am from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Looking forward to the show. Would love to win some tix for my pals.
by MC Breath on Wed May 16, 2012 at 07.40 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
I’m dying to see him no better place than FETE!!
by Telly on Tue May 15, 2012 at 02.57 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Sound does matter. Viva Le Fete!
by Auquanetta on Tue May 15, 2012 at 01.13 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
YES! i MUST go to this show! i was just strollin down the street the other day and saw the poster! SO stoked they’ll be in town.
by Jaz on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.30 pm from the entry: It's all good, see Fishbone for free at Fête
Fete Forever!!
by Tabitha on Mon May 14, 2012 at 05.08 pm from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
Congratulations and thank you to Fete for bringing talent to Providence! We needed this venue and vibe. Bless.
oh and I’d love to win tickets; its my boyfriends bday:D
by Ellen on Mon May 14, 2012 at 07.23 am from the entry: we'll see you (and Talib Kweli) at Fête!
