by GrassySound on 17 Aug 2008 16:04
The second Philly show was great, albeit too short for my tastes (especially with ticket prices as high as they were.) Of course, I realize this leg was the same length elsewhere, so Philly was no different in this regard. At this gig, Driven To Tears may have been the most powerful version I've witnessed/heard on the tour. A terrific audience CD exists of this show, courtesy of FlyingGonz, who also beautifully captured the band's first Philly appearance on the tour, back in July 2007.
I saw four shows on this tour: two Philly gigs, Atlantic City, and the MSG finale. I remain most entranced by the first Philly show. While there's admittedly an enthusiasm about a first show which is difficult to match, listening back to the bootleg (as I've done numerous times) reveals an energy that seemed more intense than later in the tour. The band played better later on, but I think Sting was letting loose on the vocals more, and performing with a greater intensity. Those who have this show may want to check out the end of Next To You, where he really gets crazy between shouting out "Philadelphia", and "Next To You"; I've not heard this elsewhere, including the following night's show in Hershey.
I suppose explaining such a seemingly small element seems trivial, but there was something about that show that transcended the huge baseball stadium, the annoying people around me, etc, which allowed me to connect to the performace in a way I seldom do at concerts anymore. This show is, without question, one of the best concerts I've ever attended (out of over 200.)
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