Lansing, MI (Wharton Center), February 25, 2015 Options

[Hoodstock]

Review:

Overall the show was interesting. Was the smallest venue I ever saw a member of Live in. 45-50% of the seats were sold. Almost everything on the sides was empty.

Throwback 90's intro video seemed interesting, but with the way the sound was configured you couldn't really make out much of what was being said (to much base or distortion for the audience).

Going into the show I was under the impression that this would be an acoustic storyteller show. Ed briefly explained a very specific lyric in about 3 of the songs before playing them. No stories behind any of the songs, which was disappointing. Was hoping to finally hear him explain Iris.

Surprised to learn on the first song that Ed had created a background bass beat that played electronically backing each of the songs. Was a nice addition to the show.

The background visuals were a mix. Some, like Top, were very cool and thought out. They had interesting images and lyrics to the song they went with. Others were very bland, not adding anything to the show. They had generic music player screens or a random guy hitting something like a box on loop repeatedly.

It appeared Ed was traveling with 3 - himself, Zac Loy, and a stage guy. Zac did well. Although Zac had a mic and sang at times, you could not hear him at all during the show. Ed was energetic throughout the show and even walked through the crowd while singing stage.

Towards the end of the TC album he called out his stage guy and made him look like an ass. He kept pointing up during a song. When it was over he said, "You see that thing, know what it is? Turn it up (while pointing up again). Apparently it was his guitar. After that correction by Ed the rest of the show did not sound as good. The guitars overwhelmed the vocals and you could only clearly make out what he was singing when he really projected.

Some of the artistic decisions on how to play songs were neat, and other songs were ruined. For example I did not care for the performance of Iris - strayed way away from the original sound. On the other hand White Discussion, Horse, Seven, and Turn My Head were well done.

Ed did announce that he would hang around after the show. I did not stay but there was a line (almost the entire crowd) waiting to see him.

Having seen Ed numerous times I would see him again with fulll band but would pass on future acoustic shows. Unfortunately I'm guessing with the small turn out a few years ago with the band in Toledo OH, and the really small crowd at this show, he may consider skipping the general area in the future.

This post has been edited by Hoodstock: Mar 1 2015, 4:23 pm

[dangum]

Thanks for the review.

[Ecstatic Fanatic]

I was at the Michigan show too and don’t have much to add to Hoodstock’s review, but I’ll throw in my spin.

The theater was far from a sellout, but I would estimate 50-60% full. A bit surprising considering nearly all of the previous shows on the tour were sellouts. Ironically ticket sales were a lot higher as about 80% of the seats (as of the night before the show) were sold/unavailable for purchase. Lansing seemed like an odd choice for a show since it’s a smaller town where a majority of the residents weren’t even born when Throwing Copper was topping the charts and that was reflected in the crowd.

The show itself was great. This was my first Live related concert so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Ed was really into the show and it was cool to hear the full album from start to finish in concert. Zak was great on guitar and came off as a pretty cool guy. As Hoodstock mentioned, the visual aids ranged from really-cool-this-could-be-a-music-video to more performance art but were a nice touch.

I did hang around after the show to see if I could meet Ed and Zak and was glad I did as it was an unexpected highlight of the night. The line to meet them was very long but Ed stuck it out and had his picture taken with everyone who stayed and signed whatever they had. Both were friendly and patient despite the large crowd.

The show definitely reignited my interest in Throwing Copper and I’ve been listening to the CD constantly over the past week. I’m hopeful that Ed will make it out this way again when his new album is out, but a show closer to Detroit would probably be a better bet than Lansing next time.

[Hoodstock]

Honestly I was puzzled by the choice of Lansing too. It's a college town in a more rural area. I would think he would draw way better in a place like Ann Arbor or Royal Oak.

Glad you got to meet him. I've had the chance a few times. Always been friendly to fans. Seems like he'd be difficult to work for though.

[Hoodstock]

Came across the original listing for this show today.


https://www.whartoncenter.com/events/detail/ed-kowalczyk