StrangeLittleTour
Detroit, MI
October 18, 2001
Updated January 7, 2002
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Tori performed in Detroit, MI on October 18, 2001 at the Fox Theatre during the 2001 StrangeLittleTour. Set ListThanks to Richard Handal for giving me the set list on the phone. '97 Bonnie & Clyde 1st Encore: 2nd Encore: ReviewsLatest reviews are added to the bottom of the page. Be sure to check the Tori Concert Reviews Forum for reviews as well! From Richard HandalAdded October 19, 2001 - The show started at 8:41PM and ended at 10:28, making the show 1 hour and 47 minutes. Tori began singing Spring Haze, but then stopped because something in the audience was distracting her. She asked if the people in the second row needed help and then recommended a Maglite flashlight to the usher. (Richard has no idea what was going on.) She then sang Bachelorette, before finally returning to Spring Haze and finishing it. During Tear In You Hand, she was encouraging the audience to sing along. Over The Rainbow was aching tonight. This tour has qualities to it that make it unlike any tour in the past. Tori has been completely captivating and mesmerizing. She seems to be able to choose what kind of show she wants and than make it happen on stage. From Maria M.Added October 20, 2001 - Rufus was wonderful. He spoke to the audience between almost every song. He told a hilarious spry about Bea Arthur from the Golden Girls. He met her and told her how she was like a grandmother to him. She replied, "I'm not your f-cking Grandmother!" He also signed peoples cd's in the lobby after his performance. How suiting that he open for Tori. A perfect match. Then, Tori. A vast difference between Tori and Rufus was the audience interaction. Tori spoke only 3 times between songs. Once after the second song which was little earthquakes, telling us how she thought Detroit was yummy and asked how a local venue, St. Andrews was, and that it was where the vampires slept, a joke for all the goth people in Detroit. After that she stopped in the middle of a song to ask someone if they were having trouble. They were in the 2nd or 3rd row and couldn't find their seats and they were just standing there. She said, don't worry, i'll finish the song. (There were signs posted saying that people would not be seated during her songs, only inbetween. Therefore I am sure it kind of annoyed her that these people were disrupting her performance. ) She asked "Mr. Joe" if he had a flashlight and talked about how she always kept a maglight around her bosendorf. The people were seated, and she jumped into bachelorette. The only other time she spoke was when she played her song on the instrument from woodstock. I wanted more interaction with her. I was truly dissapointed. It took away from my experience as a whole. But, overall, the experience was still amazing. I went with my hubby who isn't necessarily a fan, more like just tolerates my tori music blaring from the stereo. (He loves metallica, need i say more.) Anywho, even he said her vocals were impressive and how she flowed from piano to piano (and how she sits spread eagle while playing both!!!!!). The opening song was Bonnie and Clyde, I think it isn't live, it is a live recording. But, just as effective. I was holding back tears during the song. The poster of the B & C character was hanging on the curtains. She followed up bonnie and clyde with little earthquakes. All her songs were on the mark and as i said earlier, her vocals are amazing. She's metallica on the piano, but just as good, if not better with her voice. The sound system was awesome. At one point I closed my eyes and just relished in her voice. It's like crstal, pure and beautiful. I had the best seats i've ever had at a concert, front row in the mezzanine. The audience up there was great, one person yelled thank you tori after 'me and a gun' and it made the song even more emotional and meaningful. Someone on these boards (the blue haired girl who i thingk i saw outside when we were leaving) said the crowd on mainfloor was too hyper and fidgety. It's amazing to watch tori live. she flows from piano to piano, she sings like she's posessed by the music in her heart. She gives every song a new twist and i was left trying to guess them more than i would have thought. I thought i knew them all!!! :) For those of you who have upcoming concerts, remember to savor every minute... it'll be over way too soon. For those of us who have already gone, savor the memories!!! From Natalie LockwoodAdded October 20, 2001 - I read in Richard Handal's overview that he didn't know what was going on in the second row, and since I was right there I thought I'd clarify the situation. First of all, at the entrance to the main floor there was a sign that said no one could enter while Tori was playing a song. This rule, however, was bent (or broken) a number of times. During the first few songs, there were quite a few people coming into the orchestra pit -- the first five rows -- to be seated (I was sitting in Row C, so I had a good view of all of this). I thought this was kind of rude, but at least the people got seated quickly. Then, during Spring Haze, a group of about three people came down the center aisle and the usher directed them to their seats in the second row. They took a LONG time, however, to find their seats and actually sit down, and they were blocking the view for everyone behind them (they didn't even try and crouch down or anything, as far as I could tell). Tori was playing the Bosendorfer and was facing away from that side of the aisle, but she sort of turned to look at the audience and noticed them standing there. The first time she turned, she just got this annoyed look on her face. She turned around again about 20 seconds later, and they were still standing there. This time she looked pretty mad, and I thought, "Oh no -- here it comes!" When she turned a third time and they still hadn't been seated, she just stopped mid-line, turned toward them, and said something like, "Excuse me, do you need me to help you?" Then she quickly reassured the audience: "Don't worry, I'll finish the song." Then she motioned toward the people and said, "Joel, we're having a problem in the second row here. You know, I have a MagLite you can use. (Looks around.) Or at least I think I have one. I usually keep one with my piano. (Speaking to the general audience now.) You know, when you all order your Bosendorfers for your homes, you really should get a MagLite to go with it; it comes in very handy." Then (I have no idea why) she sort of shifted her weight back and forth and said, "It's very comfy up here," or something like that, referring to the piano bench. OK, that was a very long account of an event that only took a matter of 45 seconds or so, but hopefully it clarifies what was going on. From Ambyr MarrAdded October 20, 2001 - My experience started by waiting about 2 1/2 hours by the back door waiting for the meet and greet. It was really great because i met some fellow tori fans. This was my first meet and greet. It was a little overwelming when tori showed up because everyone was trying to see her, including me. I was in the back and i'm only 5 feet tall. I passed up my boys for pele cd booklet and she signed it. (thanks to everyone who helped me:) ) We came back a few hours later for the show. Ruffas opened. I thought he had a good sense of humor, but I didn't think (and some people around me) that his music had enough variation. Tori's opening song, 97 Bonnie and Clyde, was exciting because you couldn't see her, just hear her voice. They had a poster of the character from the song hung up on the curtain. Then the curtains fell really fast after the song and she came out. It was exilerating! A very memorable moment was when she abruptly stopped spring haze to talk to the ushers trying to seat someone and offered them her light. She said that she always carries one around with her and someday if you got a bosendorfer, you should stow one away, its very convienent. She said she always carries one on her, then opened her legs, and said it gets a bit uncomfortable at times :) Then with a little attitude, started bachlorette, and swumg right back into Spring Haze where she left off!! Thats what i love about Tori. Before she started Crucify, she was talking about how she lives in Cornwall and lives in between a cow and a chicken farm and has to enertain herself by playing around with old songs. When she started crucify, i didn't recognize it because of the new verse and different sound. It was very mellow and enjoyable. There really wasn't too much interaction with the audience. I kinda expected more stories. None the less I was still very much pleased. The sound was so on, and the lights were so expressional. The Fox theatre itself set the mood. This concert was very beautiful and i'm looking forward to seeing her again. From seth TriezenbergAdded October 20, 2001 - I was in detroit at the fox, the show was awesome, i have seen here 4 times now and it was by far the best show. Amazing. I have been looking at the show stuff and i was thinking maybe she is planning on doing a live album of her by herself, since she is playing so many random songs. It is just a thought, it would rule to have new versions of etienne, cool on my island and mary. From lavenderspark (Posted to the Tori News mailing list)Added October 23, 2001 - I was hoping someone else would write a review on this concert, but since no one else has I will try my best. I don't remember the order she played the songs in at all, but I do remember all the songs she played and that it was awesome. It was my first Tori concert and my seats were really good. I missed Rufus (parking was a nightmare) so I can't say anything about him, but I saw all of Tori :) She started with '97 Bonnie & Clyde with a curtain and a picture of the mom on the stage. The lighting went with the beat of the song. Tori was not on stage at the time. All I could think about was: Why did she have to start with the creepy song? It's a really good song, but it creeps me out the way she sings it. Then the curtain rose and her pianos were on stage. When she entered, the crowd gave a standing ovation. She sat down at the piano and played Little Earthquakes then switched over to the electric piano and played I Don't Like Mondays. Back over at the piano, she give a little "Hey everybody how's it going..." and a short chat about the area and how she misses it and how she loves the crowd and all. Then she goes into Spring Haze, but stops before the first verse is over to talk to one of the ushers who is frantically trying to find someone's seat. I'm not sure if she was upset by it or not, but she told a cute story about her maglite and not to worry, she would play the song. Then she went into Bachelorette instead. After that she returned to Spring Haze and finished the song picking up where she left off. After that I'm a little unsure of the order of songs, I'm not even positive of the songs after LE... For each encore she played two songs, we (as an audience) tried to get a third encore, but failed :( I don't think there is a such thing, but we tried. I'm sorry I couldn't do better, but I was hoping that someone else would do this so I wouldn't have to, but at least it'll give the songs that were played. From Amanda (irishfaerie)Added October 30, 2001 - The thing that is missing from all of the reviews for the Fox Theatre show in Detroit is the comment Tori made when she stopped Spring Haze to address the seating confusion. After she said something about how she usually keeps a mag light up inside her Bose she gave an evil chuckle and said.."this bench is more comfortable than it looks ya know.." -meaning that's where the mag light was. I loved it but it seams so many missed it! Just thought you all would like to know. From Lily Monir MatiniAdded October 30, 2001 - So I haven't seen Tori since the 5 1/2 week tour in Cleveland, OH. That day was a time to remember because it was the first time I met Tori, at a very intimate afternoon meet and greet, made some great friends, and got front row center tickets for passing out temporary tattoos for mp3.com. Naturally, I was glad to see Tori again. Two years was too long a wait. And so much had changed, her approach to albums, her becoming a mother, and so on. I couldn't wait for this day. Two friends of mine from Oberlin College, Brad Walsh and Andy Campbell, Brad's best friend Candace, and myself were to head out for Detroit around 9 am. However, Candace was nowhere to be found, and there was no way to reach her. Finally, around 11 am, she shows up, after getting into an accident en route to Oberlin via Cleveland, in the craziness of rush hour. Thankfully, not a whole lot of damage was done, Candace was okay, and we sped off to Detroit. We arrived at the Fox Theatre around 1 PM, and a crowd of 30 people had already formed. We knew we were a little late, as some had gotten there fairly early for prime spots around 10 am. We parked the car, got our respective Tori-signing items, and proceeded to get in line. We made some friends with people towards the front of the line, and were thankful for additional companionship. It was cold, very windy, and everyone had been waiting for a few hours. Naturally, people started getting cranky when Tori hadn't shown up by 4 PM. Finally Steve came out, and reassured us that Tori would be there soon, and we should walk, not run to the barricades. At first, there was some animosity at the front of the line for the clump of the meet and greet people who weren't standing in line from the very beginning, but were much closer to the front. Then the animosity turned to the line of 10 or so people across the street, who figured they could jet across the street and beat the line -- with X Men's security, there was no hope for that. Eventually, Tori's van pulled in, the barricades were set up, we walked up to them, and the first two rows or people, about 15 people each, were able to get things signed and take pictures of Tori. Only 2 or 3 people got pictures with Tori. Tori looked great, in a navy v-neck/Johnny collar shirt, black jacket, dark indigo jeans, and white and navy Adidas superstar sneakers (brand new and bright white). I was fortunate enough to be behind the first lady at the front of the barricade. After her, Tori came to me, and recognized me from the Cleveland meet and greet two years ago! Too wild! She asked me about college, and what my major was. I told her I was pursuing entertainment law, and her eyes lit up. She said, "We need you to get things bubbling around here" or something to that affect. I knew what she meant. Then she signed my Venus lithograph and moved on. It was great. At one point in the meet and greet, Tori spoke at great length with one young lady -- about 10 minutes. Tori always shows how much she cares. After the meet and greet, my friends and I went to Johnny Rocket and devoured a good late lunch. Soon it was time to enter the venue. And what a venue! I've been to concert halls all over the US and Europe, and never before have I seen such an opulent, beautiful theatre. The Fox Theatre is the most gorgeous performance space I have ever seen -- it easily beats out the Kennedy Center, the Met, and several Broadway theatres I've visited. Picture Buddhist statutes in bronze, extremely detailed and well maintained patterns, mosaics, portraits, coral colored marble, turquoise backgrounds, with a 1920's/1930's feel that just makes you want to sink further in that velvet chair of yours. You could already feel the spirit of the show in those columns. This was going to be a fantastic night. At 7:30 PM, Rufus Wainright took to the stage, and performed a great, mostly acoustic set of songs. With a few anecdotes here and there, Rufus's clear voice set the tone for the evening -- clarity. And that's just what Tori continued to offer. After Rufus's set was over at 8:05 PM, there was a brief intermission, and Tori's set began around 8:40 PM. All we see is the Bonnie and Clyde character of Tori on a fabric panel (which a spotlight continuously pulsates on), which is attached to a curtain panel of slashed black fabric, with the lights playing through the holes to the rhythm of the song. It set an eerie stage for the show, but at the end of the song, when the curtain drops, the crowd bursts into cheers as Tori takes to the stage. Tori enters the stage in a classy, business-y brown suit, with the blazer top and slit up the side leg pants attached as a one piece bodysuit. Tori is wearing black fishnet stockings and black stiletto heels, reminiscent of the Gucci line, with the thick upper strap, chain, and pointed toe. This is my first time seeing Tori solo with the piano. And the main thing that comes across to me is her clarity and the signing tone of the piano matching, rivaling, and juxtaposing Tori's singing tone. This is what I had missed when the band performed with her! The sheer clarity of the piano! After Little Earthquakes, Tori performed I Don't Like Mondays on the Wurlitzer. This song was especially sad because of its theme, but when Tori improvised asking why, looking up as if she was asking God why he's asking her why she doesn't like Mondays, the piece was taken to a new, poignant level. After I Don't Like Mondays, Tori addressed the audience, "Hey everyone, how's it going? I haven't been to St. Andrews in a while. *Cheers from the audience* I remember that's where the vampires sleep. Great to see you all again. . *Cheers from the audience again* Doughnut Song was the next performed. When Tori did the "you can tell me it's over" section, I loved how beautiful she sounded on "so maybe it's over, come in Houston, don't let yourself down." Amazing. Tori then begins Spring Haze, but stops after the first verse, and speaks to the orchestra pit. " Do you need my help? Do you need a light, a Mag light? I'll get you a Mag light. For those of you who are thinking about getting a Bosendoefer at home, you should get a mag light and sit it right here (points to the middle of the piano music stand)...Get comfortable in your seat." Tori was speaking to some latecomers to the show, as they were trying to take their seats. Too funny. With this awkward moment, Tori launches into Bachelorette and the crowd goes wild considers this is the second time ever Tori has performed this song live. And it's absolutely beautiful. After "ya da die da boom," Tori uncanny as all hell, picks up right where she left off with Spring Haze at "billowing out to somewhere..." - again the crowd goes wild. Another aspect of this show that I noticed was how Tori really made each word's value of her lyrics stand out. I really began to see some of the underlying meaning in the poetry of her lyrics just be the way she enunciated, more so than she usually does. Her dynamics are especially on, going from controlled tone to wild yells, to soft whispers. So conscious. Awe-inspiring. Especially well sung lines were "...waiting on Sunday...so if I really get creamed, waiting for Sunday to drown" sometimes with the "to drown" syncopated very nicely. Hey Jupiter was next and excellent. I love her control when she plays both pianos, still so clear. And she had this absolutely fabulous menacing look when she sang, "boy your boots can leave a mess." Just great. Next came Beauty Queen (which the Bosendoefer's lower register was engaged) and Horses, who's Superfly section had so much singing tone I thought I was going to rise up out of my chair and spontaneously start flying to the ceiling. Almost ;-). It was cute to see Tori getting so intense while she was performing the piece, that her hair would get in her face, and she would remove strands from her eyes at only the most choice pauses in her song, as to not interrupt the flow or the mood. Once again, all elements of control in her performance were clearly present. Next came the b-side, Sweet Dreams. From the introductory notes, fans in the front row where I was sitting immediately recognized the song. Tori fans love all of Tori's music, but the especially rare and non-LP released b-sides (Bachelorette is also a b-side) always have a special place in our hearts. Tori is more personal and raw in the performance of the song, and its conception, considering it never made it to the album. On the same note, Tori has more freedom with the song, to take it anywhere she wants, because she doesn't have a formatted LP version to live up to, or a context to operate in. The lighting for the song was a little weird, in that on the back screen, it was completely blue with circular cloud-like spots speeding around and fading -- kinda cheezy. During the line, "they've even got your zipper between their teeth," Tori displayed her classic improv move - the V fingers around the mic, holding more significance than they usually do with this lyric. The line "your house is on fire" was especially loud and powerfully sung as well; Tori practically roared it. After Sweet Dreams, the sultry Leather was performed. The fans began to realize how far back into her catalog Tori was going tonight to perform older songs. This set an intimate theme for the evening, as Tori continued with Cloud on my Tongue. During the "circles and circles again section," Marcel added some reverb, which fitted the flow of the piece perfectly. "You can go now" was sung especially loud and powerfully as well. "Got to stop spinning" was sung softly and innocently -- very sweet. Tori then took a moment to address the audience again. "Hey you guys, love you back!" We have some new friends (referring to the additional keyboards including the Wurlitzer on the stage) that hang with us back at Cornwall. You know [its hard sometimes] living between a cow farm and a chicken farm." Then Tori launched into Crucify, once again reinforcing her commitment to the older songs in her catalog. She played the song on the stars and striped piano, on the left side of the stage. She was directly in front of me and I took advantage of the opportunity by snapping a couple shots with my flash. Bad idea. The usher found my camera and me and made off with it. No big deal. I'd get it back. I always land on my feet. But anyway back to Tori. The particularly well sung lines of this song were "why it feels like the way it is" and "always love" where Tori did a key change -- and then an improv (which is where my camera was taken away), and then changed keys again to come back to "got a kick for a dog" to finish up the song. When things couldn't get any better, Tori gives the audience yet another juicy b-side treat with Here in my Head. Joel was on the right side of the stage, sitting behind the wings but fully viewable to the left side of the orchestra pit. Guess he was watching for more cameras and to make sure everything was okay. Tori took her time with "do you know what this is doing to me" and really hit the message home. Next came the stark performance of Me and a Gun. With the first word, the audience became immediately silent, and all eyes were on Tori. Her harsh stare was concentrated dead center of the venue, then turned to the left at one point in the middle of the song, and back to the center for the rest of the song. Tori cracked at "I know what this means..." For most of the song, Tori is hunched over singing, but she rises up slowly at the end. To take the edge of the last song's performance, Tori launched into Josephine. Which was absolutely beautiful. Tori left the stage, and the whole venue cheered. We knew she'd be back for her two encore sets, the first started out with Rattlesnakes. Tori used both the Wurlitzer and the piano. The chorus had reverb under it, and sounded great. The next song in the first set of encores was Tear in you Hand, which was requested at the meet and greet earlier that afternoon. Tori was solid on "you know that power that you have." Tori left, and then came back on stage for the second and last set of encores. She began this set with Over the Rainbow, another request from the afternoon meet and greet. The song had an air of sadness to it. Tori sang it beautifully, but the song had special meaning for me considering the recent events of September 11. After Over the Rainbow, Tori launched into Take to the Sky, which for a long time was my favorite Tori b-side (before Flying Dutchman took over). The bridge of this song was incredible, as Tori never neglected the powerful, heavy lower register of her Bosendorfer. The song closing the evening was Mary, a b-side I have never heard live. "Butterflies don't belong in nets" sounded great, as Tori would slap the side of her piano. Again, Tori really engaged the lower end of her Bosendorfer. And she even scatted during the "woohoo" part, and every note was just perfect. The concert was amazing, and no one wanted it to end. Thankfully, I knew my evening with Tori wasn't over. Over the summer, I was on the planning committee for the DC RAINN fundraiser. I helped out with PR, trying to find sponsors, and had my father, who's a plastic surgeon, donate a couple surgeries valued at a few thousand dollars a piece, to auction off all proceeds going to RAINN. My friends from RAINN, Phyllis and Kelley, were kind enough to get me a backstage pass and comp ticket for the left side, second row of the orchestra pit. Originally, my seats with my friends were located 5th row, apart from the orchestra pit, something like section F1, Row E. So after the show, I begged the usher to give me back my camera; I told him I'd pay any price. He tried to be really stern, and told me those were the breaks. But I pleaded, and he made me wait till the section cleared out. I retrieved my camera, and headed backstage with the small group of 5 other people who won backstage passes from radio contests and what not. We waited backstage for about 30 to 45 min., even though Tori's management said it would only be "10 min." No matter. Any length of wait is worth it to see Tori. Eventually, the group was taken upstairs to Tori's dressing room -- which was just as lavish as the inside of the Fox Theatre, turquoise mosaic fireplace, candles everywhere, just beautiful. Tori was happy to see all of us, and not the least bit the tired and exhausted performer. She recognized me from the afternoon meet and greet, gave me a hug, signed a picture of the two of us together from the Cleveland 5 week meet and greet, as well as the rare sleeve of the Strange Little Girls promo. She asked me about a lady at the meet and greet, who gave Tori a picture of her son, who just passed away, along with a note. There seems to have been a misunderstanding, and Tori was only supposed to keep the note and not the picture. I told Tori I knew what she was referring to, but I didn't know the lady personally. Tori assured me that she sent someone to find the lady, and to let anyone in her management know if I see her on my way out. I told her I'd keep my eye out. I left the venue on cloud nine, having met Tori twice, getting tons of things signed, my picture taken with her, and taking in a great show. However, once my friends and I were outside the city limits, Brad asked me to chip in for gas. And I couldn't find my wallet. For the next hour, I was bawling my eyes out, going crazy, trying to figure out what to do. We were heading back to the venue, while I was on the phone with the head of security at the theatre, being told that nothing was found, and the entire backstage area where I was last with the wallet had already been taken down and cleaned up. Then I remembered, I didn't lose my wallet and it wasn't stolen! I gave it to a girl who I was waiting with to see Tori backstage. Stupidly, in the excitement of everything, I forgot to get any information from her or get the wallet back before I left. Luckily though, she was extremely kind and honest, and got in touch with me, and mailed the wallet back home. I went to hell and back with the possibility of that wallet missing. But it was all worth it for Tori. What a day! The reviews below were taken from the concert reviews section of The Dent Forum and added here on January 7, 2002Review by LornaBrigidOh my Gods, that rocked!!!!!!!! Thank you Tori, and thank you everybody for such a great first experience after 5 years of waiting!!!!! We ogt Bachelorette, Spring Haze, Here In My Head, the Doughnut Song.... it was amazing!!!!!! I didn't get my Cooling I begged for.... but believe me, it did NOT take away from my experience!!!!!! I want to goto more shows!!! *pout* It was sooooo great.... I cried randomly throughout the night! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by Sarah (toricrzy) well....she didn't talk *too* much but she did tell us in the beginning that she loved coming here (Det), that we're "yummy" and then she wondered about St. Andrews Hall (a small local concert venue here) and said she hadn't been there in a while but "that's where the vampires sleep" then, when she began spring haze one of the ushers was trying to seat some people but was taking a long time and they were just standing there (in the 2nd row) and so she completely stopped and said something to the effect of "are you having some trouble?" and then asked if they needed a light, that she had a little maglite on her. she kinda rambled about that while the usher sat them and then sprang right into Bachellorette and from that went directly back to Spring Haze at the "billowing..." part. This show was completely and utterly breathtaking. I think everyone talking about this tour being something extra special is right on. this show was my best so far, ever. i mean....c'mon! doughnut song, here. in my head, cloud on my tongue, tear, over the rainbow, mary!?! she about sent me to the ER with all of that! the tears all come rushing right back just thinking about it all. tori is beauty ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by Matt (Idioteck) I always rely on everyone else to bring the setlist and today, I'm screwed! Detroit was freaking awesome! I saw GR last night and I must say that this show blew it out of the water! There was a thousand percent more emotion put into the songs and Tori just seemed so "on" from the get-go. NO "Choirgirl" selections were played, but a good mix of b-sides and album selections made their way out. I really liked that only two of the songs (Me And A Gun & Bachelorette) were repeated from the previous night. Everything else was a new set! Little Earthquakes was a surprsing follow-up to the '97 Bonnie & Clyde opener, but had everyone rapt. I' Don't Like Mondays came through more clearly than on the CD, with fuller emotion and more expressveness. The Rhodes was very subtle. Doughnut Song was cool, as usual and the "come in Houston" part kicked my ass! Spring Haze was one of the night's highlights for me. I missed the last tour with Alanis because of some personal stuff and have never seen any of TVAB performed live. Tonight, I got both the lovely Haze and Josephine. The former was cut off mid-verse by Bachelorette and returned with a Precious Things-like drawn out and breathy delivery. The word drown was never so effective. The latter contains a phrase which is tattooed on my body actually, so *attention* Dent people, I actually got my first "Teary-eyed Tori Concert Experience" tonight, after being a fan for ten years. Funny, huh? I must say at this point, Tori's voice has never sounded so good live. I don't know if it was the acoustics, the venue or what, but she was clear and pronounced everything perfectly. Nothing was muffled or out of tune, which was awesome. I was sitting where I could watch her hands, which became very interesting. Beauty Queen/Horses was a good surprise and sounded so wonderful and dark and made me yearn for more stuff like Pele. Thank goodness tonight, I also had a tranquil and gentle Hey Jupiter to sate my appetite. Sweet Dreams and Take To The Sky were both spirited and fun, with "Sky" actually eliciting some crowd participation via some really off hand-clapping. Argh! Leather, Me & A Gun, and Cloud On My Tongue! Nothing against them, but enough already! Somewhere Over The Rainbow has taken on a new meaning in this crazy time of war or whatever we're calling it today. Kind of over it. The song, not the war. Here In My Head is always nice, but I really want some blood and guts at the end and I was sort of dissappointed by it's seeming lack of balls. I still like even the most weak Tori song and I shouldn't be so critical. It was still amazing. Rattlesnakes, Crucify, and Tear In Your Hand were all lovely and very much appreciated, The night's coolest moments, though, to me, were the ones where Tori gave her all on a closing-the-show rendition of "Mary", which Im sure is pretty shocking to many people. Her voice was loud and commanding and her tempo was quick. An uplifting way to end a perfect night. The crowd was cool. I met some Dent peeps. I told some 15 year old girl who was talking and singing all god damned night to shut the fuck up. I got my drink on. I got to go to a really cool venue that I had never been to before. I got to say hello to Mr. Tori Amos. And talked to Rufus Wainwright with my mom. It was an awesome night Sorry LB, I have a cold and can't sing well right now, maybe next time you'll get your Cooling! lol... Take care guys and I hope you all made it home safe!. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by space corona last night was my first tori concert. i really don't know any of her stuff from LE or YKTR or BFP....I really wished she would've performed "1000 Oceans" and "Concertina" --- but I LOVED that eccentricity with "Spring Haze"/"Bachlorette"/"Spring Haze" and how she tied such a risque/humorous thing to one of her own songs "Don't worry -- I'll finish the song..." HAHAHA! I love her. i just need to get my hands on LE, now...And though I never heard "Me & A Gun" before -- I LOVED it. and "Leather" too....she was a spectacle. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by heather (11heath) OK-HERE'S MY REVIEW i met lot of wonderful tori fans at the meet and greet-all such friendly people--except for the evil people across the street trying to make a plan to destroy our red-rover chain. as if they stood a chance!!! anyway, tori finally came, and she was so kind to everyone. she talks to you like you're her best friend, and like she is not this huge celebrity. very cool. i got to snap a bunch of pics and take one w/her as well, and i talked to her for a few minutes. she was telling us about tash's birth, and how it was a very difficult labor, b/c she was in the breech position, she was getting very personal w/no problems. then she said (about tash)-"she's magic, just magic." she was glowing. she is just so very friendly, asking every single person she spoke with, "how are you?" ok-the show. i was at grand rapids and i must say grand rapids was sooooo much better but i think it would be better than a lot of concerts, don't get me wrong, detroit was wonderful. i think i just like grand rapids' set list better. other than that, tori was totally with it, emotion in every single song B & C-creepy as always LITTLE EARTHQUAKES-a nice surprise, as she has only played this a few times this tour. it was very powerful I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS-one of my favs from the new album. this was great DOUGHNUT SONG--oh, i just love this. she changed some parts but it was just beautiful SPRING HAZE-interrupted by rude people, into BACHLORETTE-i absolutely love spring haze and it sounded gorgeous. tori was such a good sport about the people getting to their seats, BACHLORETTE was a shortened version, but very cute as it was in grand rapids. HEY JUPITER-i think i've just heard this live too much, but it was still beautiful Beauty Queen/Horses--favorite of mine, sounded amazing SWEET DREAMS-i was hoping for this b/c i've never heard it live. it sounds much different w/o the added drums and other instrument. but it was great-a definite treat. LEATHER-an all time classic. perfectly beautiful CLOUD ON MY TONGUE--ok, we got lucky b/c this is the first time this is being played on this tour. it was just excellen. i was so happy she debuted so many songs in michigan (famous blue raincoat and bachlorette in grand rapids) CRUCIFY-on the whurly. sounded nice, she change it a lot. before it she said something about living in cornwall and how this song was a new one, but really an old one, and about needing to change things up a bit or something to that effect. HERE. IN MY HEAD. this is one of my favorites. what a treat! ME & a GUN-very powerful. JOSEPHINE-beautiful RATTLESNAKES-i'm not crazy about this song but it did sound great. TEAR IN YOUR HAND- i just love this song. very passionate OVER THE RAINBOW- i was happy to hear this b/c marcy requested it at the meet and greet and i really wanted her to play it for her!!!! yeah!!! TAKE TO THE SKY-sorry to say, i get annoyed when people clap along to this song. other than that, it was beautiful. tori was really into this one. MARY-this was a request as well. not one of my favorites, but i liked it live better. overall-an excellent show. have fun everyone who still has shows to go to....you lucky ducks..... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by Becca Although this was obviously a fabulous show, I was upset with people in the audience. People were moving around CONSTANTLY. Getting up from their seats, really jumpy (like UP and DOWN and UP and DOWN) while in their seats, there were people talking really loudly by me, a chick singing REALLY loudly by me, a chick in front of me who was taking constant pictures with a VERY bright camera so I was temporarily blind for 10 seconds every fricken minute. BUT...Tori was fabulous. She seemed to be in a different mood than the Grand Rapids show (which was the best show i have EVER seen), and that made a difference. (thats not bad though!!!) She did Here. In My Head which made me SOOOO happy. I was able to go to the meet & greet on wednesday and my letter got to her while there (i wasn't able to give it to her because some very large dude decided to shove his way in front of me ) but, at one point I asked if she could do Here In My Head if she read it before the GR or Detroit shows and she played it (obviously) in Detroit...and even though she probably hasn't even had the time to read it yet...I'm just going to let myself believe that it was "for me." Take To The Sky was fabulous.....it was a great show definitely. I wish that that show had been first and GR second, just because GR was so amazing. But ya know what...I just saw Tori two days in a row....so...NO COMPLAINING!! I love that girl. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Review by myf13 Okay... Here goes... Rufus was wonderful. He spoke to the audience between almost every song. He told a hilarious spry about Bea Arthur from the Golden Girls. He met her and told her how she was like a grandmother to him. She replied, "I'm not your f-cking Grandmother!" He also signed peoples cd's in the lobby after his performance. How suiting that he open for Tori. A perfect match. Then, Tori. A vast difference between Tori and Rufus was the audience interaction. Tori spoke only 3 times between songs. Once after the second song which was little earthquakes, telling us how she thought Detroit was yummy and asked how a local venue, St. Andrews was, and that it was where the vampires slept, a joke for all the goth people in Detroit. After that she stopped in the middle of a song to ask someone if they were having trouble. They were in the 2nd or 3rd row and couldn't find their seats and they were just standing there. She said, don't worry, i'll finish the song. (There were signs posted saying that people would not be seated during her songs, only inbetween. Therefore I am sure it kind of annoyed her that these people were disrupting her performance. ) She asked "Mr. Joe" if he had a flashlight and talked about how she always kept a maglight around her bosendorf. The people were seated, and she jumped into bachelorette. The only other time she spoke was when she played her song on the instrument from woodstock. I wanted more interaction with her. I was truly dissapointed. It took away from my experience as a whole. But, overall, the experience was still amazing. I went with my hubby who isn't necessarily a fan, more like just tolerates my tori music blaring from the stereo. (He loves metallica, need i say more.) Anywho, even he said her vocals were impressive and how she flowed from piano to piano (and how she sits spread eagle while playing both!!!!!). The opening song was Bonnie and Clyde, I think it isn't live, it is a live recording. But, just as effective. I was holding back tears during the song. The poster of the B & C character was hanging on the curtains. She followed up bonnie and clyde with little earthquakes. All her songs were on the mark and as i said earlier, her vocals are amazing. She's metallica on the piano, but just as good, if not better with her voice. The sound system was awesome. At one point I closed my eyes and just relished in her voice. It's like crstal, pure and beautiful. I had the best seats i've ever had at a concert, front row in the mezzanine. The audience up there was great, one person yelled thank you tori after 'me and a gun' and it made the song even more emotional and meaningful. Someone on these boards (the blue haired girl who i thingk i saw outside when we were leaving) said the crowd on mainfloor was too hyper and fidgety.
It's amazing to watch tori live. she flows from piano to piano, she sings like she's posessed by the music in her heart. She gives every song a new twist and i was left trying to guess them more than i would have thought. I thought i knew them all!!! |
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