Musikfest @ Bethlehem PA

[Ron]

What an amazing night! First, let me give some background info:

Musikfest is an annual week long celebration of music in Bethlehem PA, with plenty of music and concerts. Most of the events are outside, but one concert a night is held at the arts center at Lehigh University in a hall that seats aprox. 3000 people. This is where Dennis performed. To buy tickets for any Musikfest event, you can pay to become a member of "Club Musikfest" and be able to purchase tickets at an earlier date than the general public. You are making a donation to the non-profit arts program that runs the event, so it's not necessary a scam like some ticket agencys run. There are several "tiers" to membership, and spending some big bucks let you buy your tickets a week in advance, while lower tiers a few days early. There were also some tickets for the show offered through the local PBS station with pledge donations, as he has done in other markets. The result: The show was sold out before the official on sale date. It has been the only show that sold out that is performing at the Lehigh University hall for the entire event.

Two Really Big Highs of the Night

Putting tuition dollars to work, the arts center at Lehigh UNiversity is quite good, and the hall is fantastic! Our seats were in the center, third row from the back on the main level, which has a five row orchestra level, and about five rows slightly raised behind it, then about 20 rows or so of stadium seating, plus a balcony. At first, I just thought it sounded different because I wasn't sitting at the stage like I was four months ago in NYC, so I figured I could just hear a better balance. Then, Dennis states that he has played "In venues ranging from VFW's to the world's largest arenas" and that most of the time it sounds crappy--but tonight it sounded GREAT. IMO the accoustics of the hall really helped everyone on stage sound that much better. The audience was also very receptive and good, and several times Dennis commented that he was "getting the bus to take us all with him on the road". Everyone wasn't rude or shouting out comments non stop like several shows I have been to.

Speaking of which, it was just 4 months ago I saw a show, right? Several minor changes since then, the biggest one (and best) is how Matt is now running the lights. BEST I HAVE EVER SEEN. I didn't really hang out after the show, but I would have liked to tell Matt what a great job he did. Let me try to explain: A lot of Dennis' music starts out subdued, and then builds throughout the song. Matt uses individual spots to highlight each part as it comes in, then once things start rockin' uses the full stage lights to fit with the music as he has done in the past. He also was incorportating the audience lights in with the lighting onstage as well. Example: At the start of 'Lady', there is a spot on Dennis. When John comes in during the intro (something else added fairly recently) a dimmer spot would come on John. During the first verse with the percussion chimes, a flash of light on Kyle. Second verse adds spots on Tommy, then Hank as their parts come in. Full lights at the chorus. Simply fantastic and for me the highlight of the show.

Setlist (well, it's pretty close) but a comment first. I know (myself included) there are some of us that would like to hear a little more varity in the set list, considering Dennis' vast catalog. But, given the response to the question "How many of you are seeing me for the first time, ever" (and the response after a rather full applause) "What were you waiting for I'm in my fifties!" I am more understanding as to why it has stayed pretty much intact. This was also a 'Lost Treasures' show.

Grand Illusion

Lady

Best Thing

Desert Moon

Lorelei

Pieces of Eight (Hall of the Mountain King ROCKS!)

Show Me The Way (given the wonderful accoustics of the hall, after the first "SMTW" line in the chorus when everyone yells out-the rest of the song the audience was completely silent. The pauses let the notes ring out. I ended up closing my eyes and enjoyed the music that surrounded me. HUGE ovation--IMO bigger than the one at the end of the show.)

Castle Walls

Mr Roboto

Dont' Let It End

---intermission---

Light Up

Queen of Spades

Black Wall (Prayers with Chuck, who is in the hospital with kidney failure)

Guitar solo

Rockin' The Paradise

First Time (just Dennis on keyboards like in NYC, but added Hank harmonizing on vocals. Into'ed as "The song that if it would have been the follow up to Babe also would have been #1)

Suite Madame Blue

Babe

Best of Times

Come sail Away (encore)

 

All of the musicians seemed to have added little things here and there to the songs. I would think that "Hey-that sounded different--and pretty cool". And if you were to compare shows from 5 years ago to those today you would really see the difference. Everyone is a lot more relaxed, and you can tell that they enjoy what they are doing. One exception:Kate Milan. While she has a good voice, she seemed uncomfortable being onstage with the band. I would think this will wear off after a few more shows. Dennis also wasn't in perfect voice, missing some of those really, really high notes, but he still sounded good. I didn't really get to see anyone from the band, except when we arrived Kyle was outside sitting on the grass on his phone, oblivious to everyone except me and my daughter. After a polite wave (and his surprised reaction that someone recognized him, but then I think he recognized Elisabeth) we went on by not to disturb him. Of all of the shows that I have attended, this one ranks up as one of the best.

Ron

[ladybugking]

Just a wonderful, wonderful review, Ron! Sounded like an evening to remember!

 

I know they asked Dennis to do a second show, since this one sold out so quickly, but they were not able to work it into the schedule.

 

I very much enjoyed reading all you had to say.