PET SHOP BOYS RING IN HALLOWEEN WITH FESTIVE PERFORMANCE AT MICROSOFT THEATER, LOS ANGELES
It was Halloween weekend and some of the freaks and ghouls came out to see the Pet Shop Boys at the Microsoft Theater, Saturday night. I ran into Jareth (aka David Bowie from Labyrinth), a man dressed in a green suit from head to toe, and when asked what he was he just said: “I am myself.” Unfortunately, Microsoft Theater would not let him in the venue as himself because his face was covered by a green suit, but he fixed it and he was let in, along with every other cosplayer.
It was Halloween weekend and some of the freaks and ghouls came out to see the Pet Shop Boys at the Microsoft Theater, Saturday night. I ran into Jareth (aka David Bowie from Labyrinth), a man dressed in a green suit from head to toe, and when asked what he was he just said: “I am myself.” Unfortunately, Microsoft Theater would not let him in the venue as himself because his face was covered by a green suit, but he fixed it and he was let in, along with every other cosplayer.
The show was supposed to go on at 9 p.m. but they held out for a bit because the seats were not quite full yet; actually they were far from full. I think people expected an opening act so fans took their time coming in. Finally, the lights dimmed and the crowd roared. Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe appeared on these platforms with circular backgrounds behind them, they started the show off with “Inner Sanctum” the seventh song on their new album Super. Song two was shockingly “West End Girls” off their debut album Please. Talk about sparking the nostalgia; I wore this cassette out when I was a kid, that’s for sure.
The Pet Shop Boys took us all on a time warp into the future. They are not the type of performers to get on stage and run around and get crazy; instead they focus on art and ambiance with a state-of-the-art laser light show. It was very impressive with beams of light going in every direction throughout the theater. Fans were amazed; you could here the “wow” and “whoas” in the crowd as they watched in awe. It was quite spectacular.
Tennant is not a man of many words, as he said himself on stage, but he did mention that Los Angeles has been very good for The Pet Shop Boys ever since Richard Blade (KROQ DJ, and Host of Video One) played them for the first time in 1984. That was a pretty special moment for those of us who remember Blade from back in the day, and the crowd cheered upon hearing his name.
The Pet Shop Boys ended the night with a few classics like ‘It’s a Sin,” “Left to my Own Devices,” “Domino Dancing,” and finally “Always on my Mind (Brenda Lee cover).”
Photography & Words: Wes Marsala
Written for Grimy Goods, November 1, 2016
ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN ENVELOP FANS AT THE OBSERVATORY WITH DAZZLING POST-PUNK NOSTALGIA
The stage at the Observatory in Orange County was dark and the backdrop displayed a distorted bunny(man) as the iconic Echo and the Bunnymen made their entrance. As Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant walked on stage, the crowd roared with excitemet. Echo and the Bunnymen were just now kicking off their North American tour, and they made their appearance cooler than ever.
The stage at the Observatory in Orange County was dark and the backdrop displayed a distorted bunny(man) as the iconic Echo and the Bunnymen made their entrance. As Ian McCulloch and Will Sergeant walked on stage, the crowd roared with excitemet. Echo and the Bunnymen were just now kicking off their North American tour, and they made their appearance cooler than ever.
McCulloch came out in his usual form. He was calm, cool and collected, donning black sunglasses and a stylishly messy ‘do. He played a couple songs and took a moment to walk back and light himself a smoke. He did another song with cigarette in hand. Given that he is a smoker you’d think McCulloch’s vocals would sound a bit weathered, lacking that smooth 80s sheen — but that was not the case. McCulloch’s voice was immaculate, and he seamlessly hit every note from songs written over 30 years ago.
The set was unfortunately a bit short. Echo and the Bunnymen came on stage at about 9:40 p.m. and ended just before 11 p.m.; however, they played all the songs you wanted to hear. From the brooding “Killing Moon,” to “The Cutter” and “Bring on the Dancing Horse” — Echo and the Bunnymen pleasured with all the hits. They ended their set (obviously) with their 1987 classic “Lips Like Sugar.” McCulloch did an extended version which was mind blowing. Judging by the looks and feels of the crowd, they did not want the show to end (and neither did I).
To add some extra spark to the show they played a couple medleys which included songs by David Bowie (“Gene Jeanie”), Lou Reed (“Walk on the Wild Side”), and The Doors (“Roadhouse Blues” and “LA Woman”). Sadly, Echo and The Bunnymen they did not play their rendition of The Doors’ “People are Strange” — needless to say, it was an impeccable performance through and through, however, a two-hour set would have been much more satisfying.
Words & Photography: Wes Marsala
Written for Grimy Goods, October 5, 2016
PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT DELIVER OVER THREE HOURS OF JOY DIVISION AND NEW ORDER AT FONDA THEATRE
On Saturday night, Peter Hook, the former bassist of two iconic bands (Joy Division and New Order) came out to Los Angeles with his band The Light to perform tracks off both Joy Division’s and New Order’s versions of the album Substance in its entirety. The show was packed with thirty-one amazing songs that spanned about four decades worth of music.
On Saturday night, Peter Hook, the former bassist of two iconic bands (Joy Division and New Order) came out to Los Angeles with his band The Light to perform tracks off both Joy Division’s and New Order’s versions of the album Substance in its entirety. The show was packed with thirty-one amazing songs that spanned about four decades worth of music.
The first set was New Order’s version. The set contained songs such as “Ceremony,” “Blue Monday,” “The Perfect Kiss” and “Temptation.” Joy Division’s set was next and we got to hear
“Warsaw” and “Digital” which is always amazing to see live. Without a hitch, Peter Hook and The Light closed out the night with “Atmosphere” and “Love Will Tear us Apart.” While both songs moved fans, a great moment for me was when he played “Dead Souls” which I’ve never heard live.
As a special guest, Moby came out toward the beginning of the show and did vocals for “Ceremony.” Peter Hook graciously introduced Moby out once again when he dedicated “Transmission” to the one-and-only Ian Curtis.
It was an incredible night of music that lasted about three and half hours. Fans of Joy Division and New Order definitely got their money’s worth, and then some.
Words & Photography: Wes Marsala
Written for Grimy Goods, Sept 27, 2016
