You can now see the set list and reviews for the Saratoga Springs, NY concert at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Tori set list included Spark, Siren, Sugar, Strange, Apollo's Frock and the covers And Dream Of Sheep (Kate Bush) and Moonshadow (Cat Stevens) during Tori's Piano Bar segment of the show. If you were at this concert and want to send The Dent a review, please email Mikewhy at mikewhy@iglou.com with your review or comments. You can also post your review of the show on The Dent's Summer Of Sin Tour Forum. Thanks for sharing your reviews with The Dent. Please feel free to review Tori's supporting acts as well!

More Details

Tori performed in Saratoga Springs, NY on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Tori's supporting acts were The Ditty Bops and The Like and the show began at 7:30PM.

Set List

Special thanks to Matt Page for calling me with the set list after the show!

Original Sinsuality
Little Amsterdam
Icicle
Goodbye Pisces
China
Spark
Siren

And Dream Of Sheep (Kate Bush cover)
Moonshadow (Cat Stevens cover)

Mother
Sugar
Jamaica Inn
Strange
The Beekeeper

1st Encore

Bells For Her
Putting The Damage On

2nd Encore

Apollo's Frock
Hey Jupiter

Reviews

The latest reviews are at the bottom of this page. If you were at this show and want to send The Dent a review, please email Mikewhy at mikewhy@iglou.com with your review or comments.

You can also go to the Summer Of Sin Concert Review Forum and post about your experiences as well, or read additional reviews.


From Matt Page:

Once again Tori performs an amazing show! There was only one difference from Tori's written set list, and what a difference it turned out to be! Tori was supposed to do Sweet Dreams, but was moved to perform Siren instead.

And what a performance of Siren it was! Matt says this was clearly the *best* live version of Siren that Tori has ever performed. It was completely fantastic. The song was so long, so intense, and Tori added a ton of choruses at the end of the song that really made it stand out. It was truly a unbelievable version of Siren, and the true highlight of the show!

After Little Amsterdam, Tori told the audience that she enjoyed her day off yesterday, and that she hung out at a nearby Saratoga Springs water park with the girls.

Icicle included a beautiful introduction tonight. Apollo's Frock was a rare treat, and great to hear.

Tori is really pulling out some memorable performances on this tour!


From Stacey:

WOW! What a great show Tori put on. SHE DID SIREN!!!!! AWSOME!!!! I believe it was after Little Amsterdam, people from the audience were say "happy Birthday" to her and she said that she liked turning 42 better than 41 and that she spent the day at Saratoga Water Park and because of it she wrote 3 songs. I was assuming that by her saying "water park" that she was referring to the Saratoga Spa state park where there are mineral springs. Check out the website.

All in all am amazing show... I can't wait for her to come around this way again... And next time I will make sure I have better seats... Big head people blocked my view!!!


From Lydia Anne:

I know there have been some questions about the Meet and Greets, so let me tell you what happened at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) meet and greet.

I arrived about 11:00 a.m. and there were 10-12 people already waiting. Amanda had begun a numbering system. I left for a while and returned about 3:00. There were 47 people on the list then. Very close to 3:30 the baracades were put up and the group very cooperatively stayed behind the baracades. A few more people arrived over the next 80 minutes. Yes, people waited until 4:55 p.m. when Tori arrived from the inside of the venue--apologizing that she was late and had to just say hello. Then in true Tori style she took time to make sure she greeted just about everyone who was there. She did not autograph any items I don't think. She stayed there until about 5:10 p.m.

Let me say that the SPAC security staff were really kind and mellow. But then so were all the EWF. (After the show one of the ushers said she was surprised at how nice the Tori fans were--she expected what she normally sees when they have rock concerts.)

Sound check could be heard just minutes later. For those who have never been to SPAC, besides being an incredibly beautiful venue, you can easily hear the sound check. She sound checked, among others, Mohammed, Sugar and Northern lad. She sound checked for about 45 minutes.

Now some comments about the show.

Both of the opening acts were very talented. The first opening act featured a vocally talented warm voice which starkly contrasted with the rock band backing. I did not see the performance but did hear the performance. The crowd really applauded. Not like I've seen at some shows where the opening act is ignored...even talked through.

The second opening act certainly projected a great deal of energy. The Ditty Bops were a treat. And, they too got a good round of applause--and an encore!

Tori came on stage at 8:50 p.m. and played until almost 11:00 p.m. I had a lawn seat and found the sound system was way too loud, even clear up at the top of the lawn. And I was wearing ear plugs. I was on the right side as one is facing the stage. I have no idea if the same problem existed on the left side. I did think the sound was too loud in the center. I heard from some others that they, too, thought the sound was too loud. I also noted that when Tori played in the lower range the sound became muffled. But then, Tori's live shows have not had good sound for several years, in my never to be humble opinion.

I want to clear up something that has been mentioned about Tori getting emotional at a couple of shows. She assured me that there were no problems in her life right now and she did seem more happy than it has sounded at other shows.

Oh, for the fashion review: she came out in a flowing vibrant pink dress suitable for a weekend dinner dance. She had on a large very prominent necklace...with many stones.

Some have commented about the lighting work. I, too, did not see the relevance of most of what was projected on the smaller screen. Perhaps it is my years of seeing the extraordinary lighting for Grateful Dead shows that made me so critical of Tori's lighting crew. I think the show would have been better without the distracting projections.

According to the venue staff they sold just over 5,000 tickets for the show. At least a third of the "inside" seats were empty. And there was plenty of room on the lawn. The inside venue holds 5,000; the lawn has been known to handle 35,000 for other shows. There were three large screens, so those of us on the lawn got great close-ups of her performance.

Tori mentioned that she had spent her birthday at the Saratoga Water Park. I'm from the area and was confused. Perhaps she was talking about the Saratoga Baths, a spa-like place. Or, did she mean the huge water park up by Glens Falls? Or did she mean the modest swimming facility at the Saratoga State Park, in which SPAC is situated??

Hope this gives others a bit more about what's going on at the concerts.


From Noah:

the meet and greet was really short ... tori wasrunning late.

a bunch of people asked for songs ... operation peter pan was one ... and she seemed happy about that but didn't end up playing it.

i was about to ask her for "and dream of sheep" again (i've been hounding her for the past few months) and before i could even open my mouth she said "i know ... i know ... and dream of sheep ... i'll see what i can do" (she had promised it to me in boston ...)

i got upgraded so i was front row center and almost died when she started "and dream of sheep". she did the first verse a few times ... and added more piano to the song than the original. it was really mellow ... and really beautiful.

siren tonight was out of control. she did the end chorus over and over and over and over again. best siren ever. sugar was also amazing.

she did a reprise of "and dream of sheep" at the end of apollo's frock singing "little light ... shining ..." twice before finishing that song.


From Garblefunk:

Tori Amos: The Experience

My experience for yesterday's show began when I bought pit seats for too much money back in June... it was worth it.

I took my sister Joanna with me, who hasn't seen Tori perform since 1998. We were both really excited. The weather was really comfortable. I decided that this time I would go to the meet and greet. This is the first time I have ever gone to one. A girl with strange ringlets posing as bangs decided to number everyone and not enforce it. She apparently really wanted to hear Spark.I started talking tothose around me and asked what theirfavorite songs were, rather awkwardly. In doing so,I met some nice people while waiting for eternity to end. Josh and his very into Tori boyfriend, and a group of very sweet musicians from Ottawa, named Anna, Rachel, and Simone. While speaking to them I suddenly exlaimed "Cooling! Cooling is one of my favorite songs" and this annoying voice coming from a supposed fan said "Oh my god, Fuck Cooling" and then I heard him say something about how at one show he wanted to throw up during that song or some shit. I imitated him... making others laugh.This knowitall boy then so sweetly requested Mohammad and handed Tori a yellow bag that was a "gag gift" (regarding Tori's spit) when she came out to see everyone. She actually recognized this twit. He was such a spoiled, snotty little biatch.

I gave Tori a letter. I was able to hand it to her, and when it was in her hands, she gave it this bizarre look and closed her eyes. She wouldn't look at me, which was so odd. I think she may have been overwhelmed by the people wanting to speak with her, but her time was limited because she was running late. Tori was very gracious, her voice was soothing, and her interest ineach person she spoke with was genuine. I was content to snap away some pictures, knowing she had my words in her lap as she was driven away by her body guard.

My sister and I heard parts of the sound check. We heard The Power of Orange Knickers in its entirety. Then parts of other songs... Sugar, Spark, mmm can't really remember. It was very cool to be enjoying the serenity of the park with Tori's keys tinkling through the air.

The time finally arrived to go into the venue, and we stood in line. This long huge line. I had been standing a good chunk of the day at the meet and greet, and in a bit of pain because of a sprained ankle I acquired while dancing Sunday night. Eep. So, Joannie and I walked down this dirt path to the other entrance and hearda cart rolling up behind us. It was Tori's bodyguard! He said, "Hop on". That guy is wicked cool. He said he really enjoys working for Tori. We just sorta made small talk. Onward to the concert.

The Like: I did not like. Therefore, no comment.

The DittyBops: Amazing. Those girls are so cute too. I heard them on a radio show once and couldn't believe they were opening for Tori due to the folky sound, but they rock! Their voices were brilliant and the playing was fantastic. Loved them. Thinking about buying the album. I would definitely go see them again. After their set I introduced myself to these two girls who were dancing around, reminding me of myself. I couldn't do that with my stupid ankle hurting, so I told them they looked awesome and got into a good conversation. Rainbow and Ka. Fantastic girls.

Tori Amos: My sister asked where we were to be sitting. I had told her up front and thought she knew what I meant. I pointed out to her where we would be, and she just looked dumbfounded. She couldn't believe that when I said second row... it was really the second row. That made me so happy to see that I had surprised her. We sat next to some awesomewomen named Sara and Kara. It was great being with people who enjoy Tori as much as I do.

Tori's Outfit: sexy high heels,a peachy flowy dress, and this huge sparkling necklace/choker

Tori's voice: Expression, high notes, intensity, clear, moving, soulful

On Tori's piano: She added the little things that make concerts an experience you cannot share with words.

On Tori's Setlist:The highlights for me were:

Little Amsterdam, Icicle, Mother, Siren, Sugar, Apollo's Frock, and Bells for Her.

Siren was obviously being played for some people near the front further down from me. She went all out on that one, and it was much appreciated!

During Blanket Girls she looked over at me and my sister and I thought she looked like she would sob. Maybe she wasn't looking at us, but it sure as hell felt like it. We all want to believe she sees us, right? :-) Being so close allows you toview her facial expressions and body movements, which add an extra depth, enhancingthe meaning of each song.

The Piano Bar: Didn't know either song... I liked the first. The second was really playful, but this lady behind us sang in this scraggily squealing voice which just kinda made me laugh the whole time.

The Encores: This Crowd was so polite. Nobody tried to rush the stage, everyone sat down during each time she came back out. People didn't talk, sing loud, smoke, or act drunk around me at all throughout the show. It was awesome.

Overall, this show was absolutely amazing.I can't wait to see Tori again next time around!


From James:

Just wanted to clarify something for you all. I interviewed Tori before the show and she mentioned spending the day at the Saratoga Water Park. I asked her if she meant the Great Escape and she said yes. The Great Escape is about 30 miles from Saratoga, in Glens Falls. She said she only rode some of the waterslides because the water was too cold. She had alot of fun, since being with children makes birthdays better, since they know how to have fun. Hopefully I can share the full interview with you all at some point.

She soundchecked:

Muhammed My Friend
Northern Lad
The Power Of Orange Knickers
Cars & Guitars
Sugar
God
Strange
God

She worked on "God" quite a bit. When she first came into the interview room, I said that I really liked the version of "God" she was playing. It's much slower and very different from the UTP version. Shesaid she was messing around with it and was trying to get it right. She wasn't sure if it would make an appearance that night (it didn't), but it will probably get played eventually. So all you "God" fans,there is hope.

As mentioned above, she was quite a bit late for soundcheck. She told me she was an hour behind, but I don't know why. She hadn't even decided on a setlist yet, and this wasless than 3 hours before she took the stage.

My wife was supposed to be at the interview because she loves Tori as much as I do, but she was unable (I guess because Tori was running late). At the end of the interview, I told her that my wife was supposed to come back but couldn't, and since the setlist hadn't been picked yet, could she play "Spark" since that's my wife's favorite song. She said it was funny that I mentioned that song, because it was on the list of potential songs to be played. She said she would try, and lo and behold, she played it. I like to think I hadsomething to do with it. :)


Read a review of this show from the Times Union newspaper


Read a review of this show from The Saratogian