Reviews

It was a rainy night, but there was still thousands of people in attendance. From my aisle seat in row 23, center stage, it was an awesome sight. The stage set is very metal and gothic looking, and when the lights go on, it is absolutely wonderful. Patrick was wearing this funky electric blue suit. The entire show was filled with so much power and energy. The crowd was really into it. The band appeared to be enjoying themselves and I could tell that they were VERY into their music. Edward especially. His stare while singing was almost eerie...like he was looking right through everyone. During the middle of the show, Edward looked up to the ceiling of the dome that covered the seats and said..."It looks like some spaceship is going to land here". And it kinda did look like that. The rendition of 'Operation Spirit' really got the crowd going. Edward and Patrick performed 'Merica' beautifully for the first encore. 'HeroPsychoDreamer' was absolutely filed with raw energy and eroticism..at least for me :) And 'I Alone' simply rocked beyond belief. Second encore 'Gas Hed goes West' was great. but nothing could beat this performance of 'White, Discussion'. The crowd, as well as the band, was just totally engrossed in the song. And of course, Ed came out in his purple sequin jacket and feather boa, which Chad Taylor later put on. Then came the final bow and the ritual of Chad Gracey throwing drumsticks to the lucky fans down front. Play list: 'Rattlesnake', 'Lakini's Juice', 'Selling the Drama', 'Century', 'Ghost', 'Unsheathed'....I just love it when Edward thrusts his body to the drum beat and the strobes lights!! 'All Over You', 'Turn My Head', 'Iris', 'Freaks'...Edward changed the first line to.."If the mother goes to sleep with you, will you run and tell Sally Jessy Raphael?". This got a lot of applause from the crowd. 'Operation Spirit'....At the end, broke it down and had the crowd sing "Did you give it up, did you give it up, did you give it up". 'Lightning Crashes'. Encore 1. 'Merica', 'HeroPsychoDreamer', 'I Alone'. Encore 2: 'Gas Hed goes West', 'White, Discussion'.
AMY WILSON

Set list: 'Rattlesnake', 'Lakini's Juice', 'Selling the Drama', 'Century', 'Ghost', 'HeroPsychoDreamer', 'All Over You', 'Turn My Head', 'Freaks', 'Iris', 'Operation Spirit', 'Lightning Crashes', 'Gas Hed goes West'. Encore: 'Merica', 'I Alone', 'White, Discussion'. This was the second night at Jones Beach and Live came to play. This is the fourth show I've seen this week (the fourteenth in 3 years) so to say I'm a Live fan is a slight underestimation. Each time I see them (or day) is always better. They are completely and utterly amazing during each moment of their live performances. Starting with 'Rattlesnake', the crowd was on it's feet before Live even started to play and never sat down again. Each song sounded great. The large stage at Jones Beach showed off the lights and scenery to its best advantage. Lots of purple and green lights and some interesting golden columns in the back. Live has such incredible stage presence. Ed is mesmerising. He's all over the stage, behind the drums, messing up Patrick's hair, running all around the stage singing with a strong passionate voice that makes you believe him when he says he's checked with his superiors and there's a slight chance we might go there tonight. Well I think most of the crowd would follow him anywhere. But if you can tear your eyes away from him for a moment you'll notice the intense playing of Chad, Chad and Patrick. Patrick was really into it, dancing a little and generally bopping to the music. He looked like he was having fun. Chad Taylor, too is incredibly focused on his playing and looks like he's really having a great time. And Chad Gracey plays so hard you can see the drumsticks breaking as he plays. The show relied heavily on material from Secret Samadhi and Throwing Copper. You haven't really heard 'Lakini's Juice' until you experience it live, what an incredibly powerful vibe comes form that song. 'Ghost' is hauntingly beautiful. The beginning of 'HeroPsychoDreamer' momentarily fools you into thinking it's a different song and then just rocks. 'Operation Spirit' is always amazing and it is good to hear the only song from Mental Jewelry included in the set. Ed politely requested that we sing the chorus with him. This was not a problem. My only criticism of the show is the almost total disregard of MJ songs. 'Turn My Head' is breath takingly beautiful and encouraged loud squeals of "I love you", directed most probably towards Ed, who is smiling more on this tour than I've ever seen before. 'Lightning Crashes' had the crowd clapping along and waving lighting. And the set ended with the bands new favorite song 'Gas Hed goes West'. The crowd went wild when Ed and Patrick soon returned to the stage. They did a funky version of 'Merica', with Ed snapping his fingers and cool guitar work by Patrick. Great! Next came 'I Alone', my personal favorite. This is such a powerful song. And to close a perfect night came an absolutely unforgettable version of 'White, Discussion'. Towards the end of this Ed leaves the stage while the rest of the band keeps jamming. Then you hear him saying "How ya feelin' now?" But you can't see him. Then he's talking and sort of singing and all of a sudden he comes running on the stage with a purple boa around his neck and a purple sequinned jacket. He runs around and lights are flashing. He throws off the boa and jacket and the song ends with incredible vocal and musical intensity. They wave to the crow, say "Thank-you, peace". Ed puts his hand over his heart and then points to the crowd. Chad Gracey throws a bunch of drumsticks to the screaming crowd and then it's over. They are not to be missed in concert. I know I can't wait to see them again.
MARY ANNE MALONEY

THE VENUE: For those in the Philly area who have yet to go to the Blockbuster E-Centre in Camden, NJ, let me tell you it is a great venue! The Delaware River and the Philadelphia skyline are a beautiful backdrop, and there are many food & spirits stands of every variety in and around the compound. The whole facility is very neat and clean, probably because it is so spanking new. The sound quality, I feel, is much better than the Mann Music Center, in Philly (where Live would otherwise have played). Don't be turned off by its being in Camden. It's pretty much right off the highway - you won't be winding through the nasty inner-city streets of Camden, and the lots are well-patrolled.
THE CROWD: The place was packed, filled every bit to its 8,000+ capacity with Live fans of every age. I loved seeing Parent/Child combos, and it seemed as though most parents were there for the music, too, not just going along as "chaperones". As soon as Live came out, we were all on our feet, and remained that way for the duration (That seemingly obvious fact bears mentioning, because at the Feb '97 show @ the Tower in Philly, most everyone stayed seated the whole time!?!). Since there was no pit, there was no moshing - Thank God - just a lot of bobbing heads and smiling faces. An excellent vibe.
THE BAND: Their performance that night was the best I'd ever seen them (This was my third concert). Ed was as charismatic as ever, smiled a lot and looked "into" the audience, not "through" us or "over" us, you know what I mean? Chad T. gave it his all, and even Pat seemed more connected with the crowd, not playing within himself as it often seems with him. Chad G. was a monster on the drums, as usual. His physical intensity may well be the reason they cannot play more than 1-1/2hrs. I think it would kill him!
THE SET/LIGHTS: The columns were beautiful and created a strong gothic atmosphere and a sense of depth to the stage, without being too overpowering. The vibe it created reminded me of their Unplugged set, only more dramatic. I understand the light show was great, from my husband who kept poking me, as I stared at Ed through my binoculars, "You're missing the light show!" Lights, shmights. I'll take being "nose-to-nose" with Ed! :)
THE HIGHLIGHT: When Ed said after the first song or two, "I wish we could play Philly every damn day!"
THE LO-LIGHT: That routine about shining the lights into the sky and Ed says something about going "there tonight", as he points to the distant sky. Ugh! Especially knowing they pull that gimmick 'bout every night.
Overall, it was a Top Ten day in my little life. If you haven't seen Live live, please try to! It will surely be worth the money and effort. This band MUST be experienced live to be fully appreciated.
DONNA FONT

The August 9th show was great! It was the first time I saw LIVE live so I didn't know to expect. I was afraid that, like so many other bands, they wouldn't sound as good in concert (recording studios can do wonders these days!). Well, they sounded incredible! They were fun to watch on stage as well. It seemed that they enjoyed playing as much as the crowd enjoyed listening. I also thought that the crowd was very considerate and really into the music, which isn't always the case. LIVE played 'Shit Towne' which I didn't expect them to play but I felt that it was fitting for the Washington DC Metropolitan area. The only slight complaint I have is that they only played one song from Mental Jewelry and I would have liked to have heard one or two more. I would like to have heard 'The Dam at Otter Creek' but I guess we don't all get what we want! All in all, a wonderful event!
JENNIFER WOLFERSBERGER