Regina Spektor concert

[vilakins]

Regina Spektor was amazing last night. The stage was bare but for a grand piano. a couple of mike stands, and a guitar, but she filled it with her big, rich voice and her fabulous piano playing. We were in the fifth row and I had a great view of her hands on the keyboard (and could almost hear my old piano teacher telling me, "See? The professionals don't drop their wrists.").

The supporting act was a guy from NY billed as Only Son who sang his own ballads accompanied by his guitar and a backing band--on an iPod. He was adequate, I suppose.

When Regina came out, she was limping and leaning on a cane. I have no idea how she got injured, but apparently it was before her Sydney concert. Maybe like Michael Keating she got savaged by a koala; she didn't seem to like koalas and kangaroos. Her first song was an a capella 'Ain't No Cover', accompanied by a rhythm beaten out on the mike, and she had us from there. She then went to the piano and did a set including a favourite, 'On the Radio' which I now associate with Stargate Atlantis because of Lim's beautiful vid to it, and a couple of songs to guitar though in that case the main instrument was really her voice. I was delighted when she came back for an encore and did 'Hotel Song' with Only Son beat-boxing as accompaniment--an unexpected highlight--followed by 'Fidelity' and 'Us' (which to me is now totally about fanfic writers because of Lim's vid) and the beautiful 'Samson'.

Excellent, excellent concert.

And do check out Lim's beautiful vids to songs by Regina and others, especially 'Us' and 'This is how it works'. They are truly works of art.

Comments

[pussintweed.livejournal.com]

I'm very jealous. I've heard she puts on a good show, and it's always good to see a performer who can actually pull off live what they do on an album.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Oh, she did and more: I loved the expression she put into her playing and singing.

[the-summoning-d.livejournal.com]

I love Regina Spektor - there was a period when I was compelled to listen to 'Us' constantly because it was in the SkySports advert. Regina is amazing. I'm so jealous.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

She is indeed amazing. People often talk about voice as instrument, but Regina does use hers in stunning ways with clicks, glottal stops, and that sort of truncated yodel she does e.g. in 'On the Radio'.

I know her songs have been used in ads (not here AFAIK) and in a couple of series I don't watch (CSI and Grey's Anatomy). Did you see Lim's vid of 'Us'? Fabulous stuff.

[toft-froggy.livejournal.com]

Oh, I'm so jealous! I'd love to see her in concert. Some friends of mine went last year but I was away.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I hope you get the chance. It's so worth it.