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TIME MACHINE TOŒR PICTURES
Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre - St. Louis, MissouriTIME MACHINE TOŒR PICTURES
August 22nd, 2010
The "Time Machine 2010-11" Tour spanned from June 29th through October 17th, 2010 and March 30th through July 2nd, 2011
| Tour Dates | --- | Set List | --- | Tour Book |
"Rush Rocks Verizon Amphitheater"
Musical band Rush, a St. Louis favorite, rocked Verizon Amphitheater last night. The show began at 7:45 and ended around 11.
The band is on their Time Machine Tour, not in support of a recently launched album, however; during the show several mentions of an up-coming album were made. Typically, Rush is known for touring soon after a release, and we can all hope to see them again soon.
The show featured a two-part set, with a short intermission in-between. The first set began with a 10-minute video clip, which they seem to be coming more accustom to, blending itself into "The Spirit Radio," followed by "Time Stand Still." The rest of the set list was as follows: Presto, Stick It Out, Workin' Them Angels, Leave That Thing Alone, Faithless, BU2B (new song), Freewill, Marathon, Subdivisions.
The first set seemed fairly tame, as lead singer Geddy Lee's voice seemed to still be warming up. Intermission was filled with more video to entertain the audience not on break.
The second set featured the entire "Moving Pictures" album, from start to finish.
"Red Barchetta" is always an amazing song to hear, especially live, encompassed with wonderful video accompaniment. "The Camera Eye," was an experience that had not been heard in more than 30-years prior to this tour. "Vital Signs," seemed to have been on life support as it never really seemed to get off the ground, however; for band members being nearly 60, these things happen.
A new song, "Caravan" was played, and drew much praise from the audience.
Neil Peart's drum solo deviated almost completely from his ever-evolving previous renditions. The only part that was the same, was his newest evolved jazz-infused bit, toward the end of the solo. Peart's solo was a bold deviant from his past, which had been decades in the making. It was fresh, new, and awesome. After the solo, the band seemed to have decided to "expend all ammo," as the show took off like a fighter-plane off a carrier deck.
Lee's voice seemed to falter a tad during the song "Closer to the Heart," however; "2112: Overture, and Temples of Syrinx," more than made up for it. The crowd was thrown into the mix with the interaction that Rush fans all know. "Far Cry" finished out the energized set.
Encore began with a corresponding video, and polka style intro to "La Villa Strangiato." The final song of the night was "Working Man," where the band, for the second time in the night, slowed the tempo down, and really changed it up with an almost reggae sound.
Overall, what Geddy's voice lacked, his keyboard, and bass playing more than made up for. Alex Lifeson, guitarist, played an amazing mandolin during the intro to "Workin' them Angels," and played the 12-string guitar masterfully during the intro to "Closer to the Heart." Lifeson played like he was 25-years-old, keeping up with the slave-driving tempo of Peart through out the show. Peart played hard, and slipped in filler beats any, and everywhere he could, driving the band to the edge of ability.
All together Rush, despite their age, absolutely ripped their instruments in half. Playing their instruments better than I have heard in many years. The play seemed to be super-technical, while maintaining the integrity of the songs as a whole.
Lee was also sure to poke fun, a couple of times last night at the pigeon incident, which plagued Kings of Leon earlier this summer at the amphitheater. Some bands got it, and some don't; after 36 years, I think we all know who does.
- Mark Livingston
