2023-09-09 03:17:49
There are the septuagenarian rock stars who fill arenas playing only the hits that made them famous and there is Peter Gabriel, who dares to appear in front of a full Videotron Center with a show half built around almost unknown songs public.
It was a daring bet, which the British progressive rock legend, aged 73, met with flying colors on Friday evening during the North American premiere of his tour. i/oin Quebec.
Seven years after his concert with Sting at the Summer Festival, the reunion was clearly expected. By setting foot on a stage overlooked by several screens of various sizes and before even playing a single note, he received a nice ovation. “I am touched,” said the man who spoke to the crowd in French all evening.
After joking that it was not him, but rather his avatar “20 years older, 20 kilos heavier and bald” who was in front of us, the concert took off in intimacy, at sound of Washing of the Waterplayed near a campfire with his faithful bassist Tony Levin.
Excellent cru
The rest of his excellent troop followed and we were able to set off on our adventure.
i/o, therefore, it is the title of a first album of original songs in twenty years whose publication continues to be postponed. Of the 22 songs heard during this delectable concert from start to finish, eleven should be included.
Observation: an excellent vintage awaits us and we can separate the titles (several of which have been posted on the listening platforms since the beginning of 2023) into two categories.
First there are the soaring, more introspective songs, a group including the splendid Four Kinds of Horses et Love Can Heal particularly attracted attention.
In a rather pop-rock department, the dynamics i/o, Road To Joy et The Court hit the target. Straddling the two, the increasingly catchy melody of Live and Let Live (a nod to McCartney?) managed to get the crowd dancing.
Classics to let loose
Between the discoveries encouraging attentive listening, Peter Gabriel of course drew on his classics. THE Digging In The Dirt, Big Time et Sledgehammer allowed the singer and the audience to let loose.
The album Sohis big popular hit of the 1980s, provided five tracks, including a remarkable rendition of Red Rain, while the duo Don’t Give Up highlighted the fair and sensitive voice of cellist Ayanna Witter-Johnson.
Placed at the end of this generous concert lasting two hours and 50 minutes, intermission included, the legendary Solsbury Hill, In Your Eyes et Bikoimpeccable, also had enough to satisfy the most demanding nostalgic fans.
Careful scenography
In addition to offering a succulent musical menu, Peter Gabriel expressed in his numerous interventions his concerns about the fate of the planet, the growth of artificial intelligence in addition to dedicating the song And Still to his mother, who died in 2016.
The scenography, focused on judicious use of screens and careful lighting effects, without being flashy, were well placed at the service of the music.
We note the use of a large diaphanous canvas, at the beginning of the second part, behind which Gabriel appeared multiplied, as a shadow play and as an abstract painter.
Unruly public
Everything would have been perfect, had it not been, once again, for the indiscipline of part of the crowd. Despite the fact that the concert was announced for 8 p.m., hundreds of people had still not returned to their seats when Peter Gabriel appeared.
The incessant and disturbing traffic still passes, but most of these spectators seemed indifferent to the music and were looking for their seats while talking loudly. It took a good fifteen minutes, and three songs, before things calmed down, and the same thing obviously happened again after the intermission.
There is definitely some good manners that are lost.
Peter Gabriel will be at the Bell Center in Montreal on September 13.
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