Wow!
I saw this concert a few days ago, but didn't have the time to devote to writing it up.
I haven't been going to as many events as I used to, due to the pandemic. This one promised to be sort of outdoors, so I went.
It's a very interesting structure: kind of a tent, to keep off any precipitation, but then a substantial open gap at the sides, to let air through. Curiously, for an open air venue, it's nestled between two noisy transport corridors: the MetroNorth/Amtrak train track and I-95 -- the super busy corridor along the Connecticut Coast.
Its positioning guarantees it will be a noisy place, even without a concert. Necessarily, they're going to have to crank up the volume to allow the music to be heard over the background noise. I found it necessary to have ear plugs in for most of the concert.
The opening act was Walk off the Earth. This was a competent band with a female lead singer and 4 male instrumentalists behind her. This seems to be the configuration so often. The male instrumentalists seem to want to be able to concentrate on their instruments, without having to worry about stage presence, so they have a female do that. From what I can tell, the lead singer in such bands may make more money off specific gigs, but she doesn't have the flexibility and consistency of employment that the backup musicians have. They often get repeat gigs with other soloists. Seems sexist
They did some interesting things. They had a Beatles medley, where each line was a different song. They had 3 kids come up to sing one song -- during which the female lead vocalist went upstage and became a backup musician, with a guitar. They had one piece where the band all got together on one harp guitar to play a medley that included part of "Somebody that I used to know"
So, they were competent, but I did get impatient after a while. They went on until 9. Lindsey did join them for one number, but unfortunately the sound balance was such that her violin didn't carry too well.
She finally came on stage after 9, which was a huge relief -- hearing some of her familiar music, seeing her .....
And, then, she lost audio and had to mime for a while until it came back.
Ultimately, tho, she was fabulous. There were 2 instrumentalists behind her. One did drums and one did, I think, both piano and guitar. She both danced and did aerials. It was extraordinary watching her hanging upside down on a trapeze-like gadget 20 feet above the stage, spinning, and playing the violin -- just incredible.
She did the Bach Toccata & Fugue, which is normally played on the organ, but she pulled it off beautifully -- and as well as any classical violinist. It was very fast, with simultaneous notes and so impressive -- transitioning into a rock with the backup performers
But really the most phenomenal was Crystallize. I was able to take out the ear plugs for that one. She was up on that trapeze-like contraption all dressed in white and spinning around yet the notes came out so exquisitely, with a wonderful tone that I would call fruity (not sure why). I cried during the whole piece, because it was so overwhelmingly beautiful.
She also had 5 backup dancers who performed with her on many numbers. They were all excellent dancers, tho not multitasking with instruments.
She did one aerial routine in a hoop without the violin as well & one duet where she got the guitarist to dance with her. He did a good job, but not nearly so good as she did.
I was left in awe of this extraordinary performer. I always knew she was good, but in person it was astounding -- all the more so because on her albums she often has vocalists joining her, but this time she didn't, which made her ability to hold the stage all the more impressive.
Brava, Lindsey!
******
Addendum about parking difficulties
First, ticketmaster tried to scam me out of $40 for parking, when parking at this venue is free
Then, when I got there, I got directed into an entrance where I was prevented from climbing into the ramp and had to go around about quite far to get back. When you're going into the ramp at this venue, be sure to be in the rightmost lane.
I was somewhat late due to confusion at the ramp, but only missed part of the opening band.
******
Here's an instagram post with Lindsey performing with Walk the Earth and one of their kid soloists. Warning: SUPER CUTE
#LindseyStirling #WalkofftheEarth #BridgeportCT #HartfordHealthcareAmphitheater
