Every time Incubus comes to Chicago I get excited. Partly, because the band is one that I have been connected to for a long time (one of my early interviews) and partly because I really do enjoy the music, have all the albums, and have even posted a poster on my wall. As for the live show, though, I have always thought the band lacked a real stage punch – which continued to be the case at their Northerly Island stop during the midst of a perfect Chicago July.
|
| |
Incubus with Simon Dawes
|
 Entertainment
Art
Charter One at Northerly Island
Chicago, Ill.
July 25, 2007
|
| |
|
|
They have an essence that is built from their consistent musical success, but just don’t have that big rock band punch in their live dish.
There are many songs I enjoy hearing from the boys, including one of my favorites “Wish You Were Here,” but I do wish the band could drive home more of an energetic Red Hot Chili Peppers set. They have the power rock music to create a mosh pit extravaganza, but fail to exhilarate the crowd.
Lead singer and bongo aficionado Brandon Boyd rarely interacts with the crowd in great detail. Given the connection is built in the music, as a fan, I crave something a little more. I want that bond between artist and fan that can often happen in a live setting.
For openers Simon Dawes, they did just that. Simply put, they marketed themselves perfectly – even venturing into the crowd after their set to meet and greet fans and sign as many as possible to their ever growing email list.
While nailing every song off the debut album “Carnivore”, the band built a connection with the crowd, maximizing the opportunity to steal a little of Incubus’ limelight and add a few more fans to the California-based band’s growing base. And to push the up-and-comers a little farther, Incubus’s popular guitarist Mike Einziger even joined the Simon Dawes (a name that includes none of the band members names) for late set jam session.
The best thing Simon Dawes has going for them is not only are their songs “Salute The Institution” and “Maybe Not Today” gaining some great acclaim from fans new and old, but also that they are a young group of guys who came together in junior high and even given the chance to tour with a band as big and powerful as Incubus, they are not jaded. They are just a bunch of guys, living life, and rockin’ out!
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
