Lead Singer, Ed Kowalczyk has often likened the interaction
with the crowds at their concerts as a sexual or spiritual affair. They can
connect with their audience through the magic of their musical instruments.
Unlike most bands, +LIVE+ were formed in High School and their friendship and
brotherhood has kept them going for over 30 years.
Patrick Dahlheimer, Chad Taylor and Chad Gracey formed a band
in High School. Ed Kowalczyk saw them play and asked if he could jam with them at practice . They gave him a chance to sing Bryan Adams “Summer of 69” and decided to make him the
lead singer. They taught each other how to play music and started taking it
seriously in the last two years of school. Unlike other bands, who are put
together, based on their different skills, these are just four friends who were
lucky enough to play different instruments and form a rock group.
Originally performing under the name Public Affection, they changed it and released their first full album called Mental Jewellery. In 1994 they released their second album Throwing Copper , which sold over 10 million albums worldwide. After performing at Woodstock 94, +LIVE+ became one of the hottest rock bands in the World.
23 years later they are still able to generate emotions like
no other band, even though they split with Ed Kowalczyk for 8 years. Every song
has the signature +LIVE+ sound of cut and thrust. Most of their songs start
with a whisper and gradually build up to a scream. Each member compliments the
next and when you put it together, the sounds become magical.
Since their first gig back on New Year’s Eve, they have had
a standard setlist in order to ensure that the show flows from first to last, but
their first full show back in Cape Town, South Africa, thanks to AMP EVENTS SA, was
different.
We were fortunate enough to witness the band’s sound check. It’s
amazing how much effort, fine tuning and discussion they still put in, to make
sure their songs are just perfect. After “testing” out T.B.D, Pillar of
Davidson and The Distance, the band was ready to meet their 100 fans who paid
hard earned money to meet and see them up close
The Sweet Resistance were the perfect crowd warmers for what turned out to be a spectacular show.
The show itself contained 22 songs and over
two hours of their greatest hits. They played the usual suspects of Lightning
Crashes, Dolphins Cry, I Alone and Selling the Drama, but also played some old
gems like Rattlesnake, Iris and Run to the Water.
After an hour and a half, Ed appeared on the stage alone to
sing an acoustic version of heaven (which he forgot the words, but made up for it with his amazing voice) and Turn my
Head. Patrick and Chad Taylor then joined him for an acoustic version of Mirror
Song, which turned out to be one of the highlights of the evening.
The additions of Zak Loy and Robin Diaz on drums also
compliments the band and we hope they keep them as a permanent fixture. Zak is an amazing guy and has incredible style.
Some other great news and a secret which was revealed before the show is that the band was filming the show for a possible DVD in the near future. The merchandise store also sold autographed Vinyls and limited edition remastered Mental Jewelly Cd's.
We are fortunate enough to be travelling to Pretoria on Friday and Saturday for the show as one +LIVE+ performance doesn’t seem quite enough.
It was also stated that Saturdays show will be live streamed, so stay tuned for more information.
We do not want to ruin it for the Pretoria or Australian crowds, so wont give to much details, but we can promise +LIVE+ have gotten better and "harder" over time. The break has served them well.
Get down to the Sun Arena at Time Square in Pretoria this weekend for a show you will never forget.
*** The amazing pictures are all courtesy of Victor Menoita
We do not want to ruin it for the Pretoria or Australian crowds, so wont give to much details, but we can promise +LIVE+ have gotten better and "harder" over time. The break has served them well.
Get down to the Sun Arena at Time Square in Pretoria this weekend for a show you will never forget.
*** The amazing pictures are all courtesy of Victor Menoita
