I know the lords of indie will crucify me for this, but at my wife's urging (and due to the ready availbility of freet ickets), we went and saw Pat Benetar last night. I know, I KNOW, but as much as I was willing to participate in yet another adventure into irony, she had me getting sincere by the end of it all.
Yes, it was a short set, yes she played all the hits, sure, and she looks a little older, but who among us doesn't, and she still has a strong voice and more stage presence than most 21st century acts. Despite constant guitar changes, Neil Giraldo's tone didn't seem to vary much, whether on a rocker, a ballad, or a blues cover, but hey, call it a signature, he still had plenty of git up n go.
The crowd was old, fat and old, and I guess I have to say that I can see it coming myself. But it was great to see an artist and an audience connecting for once, instead of wallowing in isolation and angst. Without attempting to unpack the complex semiotics of a 55-year old singing teen anthems to a crowd of adults, it was clear that Benetar was as pleased to be onstage as the crowd was to be adoring her, and that can be a rare thing these days.
My Trusted MOGs
Good stuff..Honest. Not that they're aren't engaging performers among the youths, but it was de rigeur for past generations to make the connection with the audience. Today it seems like performers and audience are all trapped in their own little world, where they maintain control..Oh yeah..I hate cell phones (and all their various applications) at shows!
My Trusted MOGs
Pat Benetar and BB Kings should start a band, call 'em BB Benetar And The Bouncing Boys...
"The crowd was old, fat and old, and I guess I have to say that I can see it coming myself."
ehh, fuck it. we all get there sooner or later.