Showing posts with label Richard Blade. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richard Blade. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Mike Peters Remembered

Posted by Robert Kinsler

I was so sorry to wake today to the news that singer-songwriter great Mike Peters has passed away after a long battle fighting cancer. He was only 66.


Mike Peters performing at The
Coach House in 2013.
Photo credit: Bob Steshetz

I first caught Peters back in June 1983 when The Alarm opened for U2. I was blown away and immediately went out and purchased the band's then-newly released EP. A few years later The Alarm actually headlined a show at Cal State University where I caught them as well.


Famed DJ Richard Blade posted the following a few minutes ago on his Facebook page:

"So so sad to learn this morning that our dear friend Mike Peters of The Alarm has passed away. Krista and I spent so many happy times with him, his lovely wife Jules and their children. From concerts to backstage, to hotel rooms, dinner, breakfast, laughs, movies and shared tears over his incredibly brave struggle during his three decades of fearlessly battling cancer, he was one of a kind. To know Mike was to love him. He will be missed by so many as we remember his Strength and pray that he is Marching On."


Geoffrey Downes, left, with Mike Peters
in 2024. Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Downes.


Keyboardist-songwriter Geoffrey Downes of ASIA and YES fame just posted the following on X:

"Very sad to hear of the passing of Mike Peters. A lovely man and a very talented musician who I had the pleasure to meet last summer at one of his gigs in Tenby, South Wales."


Guitarist Billy Duffy of The Cult (seen in the photo on the right with Peters) posted the following earlier today on X:

"No words today can be enough 💔 A light has gone out in the world. Sending love to Jules, the boys and all the family.   #RIP Mike"


Peter Hook of New Order posted the following on X today:

"So sad to hear about Mike Peters. The Alarm was a great band & Mike was a great, proud Welshman who loved this crazy business and appreciated that it was all about the fans. God bless you mate. Love Hooky. X RIP X"




Below are links to read some of my articles focusing on Peters, including a memorable 2015 solo show at The Coach House, and a 2013 concert where Peters fronted Big Country.


Mike Peters solo concert at The Coach House in June 2015. Read it HERE


Big Country 2013 concert review. Read it HERE


Review of The Alarm's 2023 album Forwards. Read it HERE


Review of The Alarm's 2018 album Equals. Read it HERE


Finally, here is the official media release from the artist's publicist Rey Roldan about Peters' passing:


Mike Peters,
frontman of The Alarm,
loses his battle with cancer

APRIL 29, 2025 -- Welsh music icon, Mike Peters MBE, the charismatic frontman of legendary '80s rock band The Alarm and a tireless global advocate for blood cancer patients, has died at the age of 66 following a 30-year battle with the disease.

A voice of defiance and hope both on and off the stage, Peters first rose to prominence in the early 1980s with The Alarm, whose powerful anthems like "68 Guns" and "Strength" helped define a generation of alternative rock. Known for their rallying cries and heartfelt lyrics, The Alarm garnered a devoted international following, with Peters' raw vocals and commanding stage presence at the heart of it all. During a music career that spanned five decades, Peters performed with some of music’s greatest artists and bands including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and U2.

Diagnosed with lymphoma in 1995 and later with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, Peters refused to let his illness silence him. Instead, he turned his fight into a mission to help others.

Alongside his wife Jules, he co-founded Love Hope Strength, a music-driven cancer charity that revolutionized awareness and action around stem cell donation. Through its innovative “Get On The List” campaigns—often hosted at rock concerts and even atop mountains—the charity has added over 250,000 people to the global stem cell registry and helped secure thousands of potential life-saving matches for patients worldwide.

Last April, just before embarking on a 50-date US tour, he was diagnosed with Richter’s Syndrome, an aggressive form of lymphoma, and despite extensive treatment at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester, including a clinical trial and innovative CAR-T therapy, doctors were unable to prevent the cancer progressing.

Mike Peters: 1959-2025
Link: https://youtu.be/XxwcL7Qj20c?si=bcX9Xp5yj7k7de2U

Peters’ journey was one of resilience. He continued to tour and record music through multiple relapses, undergoing experimental treatments while using his platform to raise awareness and funds to help others affected by cancer. His passion for life and belief in the healing power of music inspired countless fans and fellow musicians.

Born in Prestatyn, North Wales, Peters never forgot his roots, often performing in support of Welsh causes and championing the community spirit of his homeland. His story and voice transcended music, touching lives far beyond the stage.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years and partner in purpose, Jules (58), and their sons, Dylan (20) and Evan (18).

Anyone wishing to donate to the Love Hope Strength Foundation can do so via this link Love Hope Strength Foundation - JustGiving



 
About Love Hope Strength Foundation
 
Love Hope Strength was co-founded in 2006 by the internationally acclaimed musician and healthcare campaigner Mike Peters after he was diagnosed with leukemia, his fellow musician and wife Jules, who has since undergone treatment for breast cancer, and their friend James Chippendale who had received a life-saving bone marrow transplant.
 
Led by volunteers, fueled by music and camaraderie, and propelled by a desire to give back and create positive change, Love Hope Strength strives to provide people affected by blood cancer a lifeline.

Sunday, October 09, 2022

Rock and Roll Reads: Richard Blade thriller, 'Bowie at 75,' Belle and Sebastian Illustrated Lyrics, more!

Whether you are looking to add a good book to your personal library or seeking out early holiday gift ideas, there are a number of wonderful new titles available in print now.





Title: 
Ghosts of the Congo
Author: Richard Blade
Publisher: BladeRocker Books
Hardcover: 335 pages
Tell me more: One of America's best-known and popular DJs, Richard Blade hosts a daily show on SiriusXM's 1st Wave and on KCBS. He has recently earned well-deserved acclaim for his writing, penning an autobiography (World In My Eyes), a collection of interviews conducted during the pandemic (The Lockdown Interviews) and a series of exciting novels including SPQR, Birthright and Imposters. Blending the action-packed adventure of an Edgar Rice Burroughs classic with the pulse of an edgy contemporary political thriller, Blade's latest novel Ghosts of the Congo will keep readers engaged and entertained. Blade has a gift for using sharp dialogue, winning characters and colorful detail to propel his suspense-filled storytelling across every page. From the ravaged streets of America's broken cities and top levels of power in Washington, D.C. to the most remote jungles of West Africa, the events that play out in Ghosts Of The Congo blur the line between fiction and modern history. The story revolves around a thrilling rescue mission to save a group of America's most important VIPs, including the nation's First Lady and the Vice President. Read this thrilling novel before some savvy producer makes it into a cinematic blockbuster. Information: RichardBlade.com.





Title: 
Bowie at 75
Author: Martin Popoff
Publisher: Motorbooks
Hardcover with slipcase: 208 pages
Tell me more: Acclaimed author/rock music aficionado Martin Popoff has turned his expertise and wordcraft to celebrate the legacy of the late David Bowie. The essential Bowie at 75 is a fascinating and well-researched volume that chronicles distinct sides of Bowie's wide-ranging career that sadly ended with the release of his final album Blackstar on his 69th birthday — that masterwork was released a mere two days before his death on Jan. 10, 2016. Popoff brings the reader on a fast-moving chronological journey through 75 "career highlights" of Bowie's life. The result is both a well-aimed introduction and exhaustive appreciation of his singular journey as a pioneering singer-songwriter, genre-defying rockstar and acclaimed actor. Fully illustrated with historic photographs (including 250 color images), memorabilia such as concert posters, 7-inch picture sleeves and more, this is an important and objective appreciation of one of one of rock music's most influential names.  Information: quarto.com.



Title: 
Belle and Sebastian: Illustrated Lyrics
Authors: Lyrics by Stuart Murdoch; Illustrations by Pamela Tait
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Hardcover: 128 pages; 40 illustrations in color and B&W
Tell me more: Scottish chamber pop outfit Belle and Sebastian has enjoyed acclaim for a winning parade of albums dating back to their 1996 debut Tigermilk. Now band leader Stuart Murdoch has teamed with illustrator Pamela Tait on the new hardcover title Belle and Sebastian: Illustrated Lyrics. The lovely collaboration features enticing visual reinterpretations of many of Belle and Sebastian's best-known songs including "If You're Feeling Sinister," "The Boy with the Arab Strap," "Piazza, New York Catcher," "Another Sunny Day" and "Nobody's Empire." A fateful project to be sure, Murdoch first fell in love with Tait's intricate and expressive illustrations when he rediscovered an old fan email sent to him by her a decade earlier. Now fans of Belle and Sebastian — as well as Tait's signature artwork - can share in the magic. Information: ThamesAndudsonUSA.com.




Title: 
Through the Prism: Untold Rock Stories from the Hipgnosis Archive
Author: Aubrey Powell
Publisher: Thames & Hudson
Hardcover: 320 pages
Tell me more: Those looking for a behind-the-scenes close-up look at the world of a number of classic rock masters will want to pick up Through the Prism: Untold Stories from the Hipgnosis Archive. Fans of Pink Floyd, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Who, The Police, Paul McCartney and others will all enjoy insights courtesy of designer, photographer and filmmaker Aubrey "Po" Powell. The multi-talented artist founded the graphic design studio Hipgnosis with Storm Thorgerson in 1968; this is a lavish edition to be sure with more than 250 illustrations and photographs spread across the volume's 320 pages. What's more, Powell is brutally honest as the shares previously-untold tales featuring a notable cast of musicians, actors, managers, comedians and world leaders. From the founding of Hipgnosis in the midst of rock and roll's golden age to surviving drug busts and sharing details about the birth of the most famous album cover of all time (Dark Side of the Moon), this is a must have title. Information: ThamesAndudsonUSA.com.



Title: 
Disturbing The Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave
Author: Bill Kopp
Publisher: HoZac Books
Paperback: 362 pages
Tell me more: Wire Train, Romeo Void, Red Rockers, The Nuns, Roky Erickson and Translator are only a few of the groundbreaking artists with ties to seminal San Francisco-based 415 Records in the late 1970s and early-to-mid 1980s. Now author Bill Kopp is revisiting the Bay Area's thriving indie music scene of that era via the wonderful Disturbing The Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave. Based on nearly 100 interviews with artists, industry executives, friends, producers, journalists and more, the book also features hundreds of photos, gig posters and memorabilia from the personal archives of those who were in the midst of the burgeoning music scene championed by 415 (pronounced four-one-five) Records. The book also features a foreword by Joel Selvin. Information: 415book.com.


Robert Kinsler


Wednesday, June 09, 2021

Recommended Releases: Crowded House, Mumps, Wolf Alice, Richard Blade's 'Imposters'

Three fantastic new audio titles and a must-read music-minded tale from famed DJ/author Richard Blade are featured in my column this week. 


Artist: 
Crowded House
Title: Dreamers Are Waiting (BMG)
You might like if you enjoy: Crowded House, Del Amitri, Paul McCartney, Neil Finn
Tell me more: One of rock's great genuine treasures, Crowded House is back with Dreamers Are Waiting. The Australian outfit's first new album since 2010's Intriguer, the new 12-track collection equals the strength of their previous recordings stretching back to their 1986 eponymous-titled debut. Singer-songwriter Neil Finn and company have crafted a collection that is as tuneful as it is impactful. The driving electronica-tinged "Whatever You Want" tackles human nature with the precision of a surgeon's knife; the melodic bounce comes in the service of Finn's wit: "The people will tell you whatever you want...Every night and every day / Some will fall upon their swords in order that / They might serve the greater good / But don't believe a word of it." The yearning melodic rocker "Playing With Fire" is infectious to be sure, but it is Finn's soulful lead vocals, the surrounding Burt Bacharach-mining harmony touches and bold horn section-bolstered arrangement that collectively make for something extra special. The dreamy expanse of "Bad Times Good," "Show Me The Way" and "Goodnight Everyone" reveal the rich diversity of Crowded House's approach. The lovely "Start of Something" – with its rich harmonies – recalls the magic of the Beach Boys' late-60s discography but laced with a modern touch. The soulful "Real Life Woman," animated "Love Isn't Hard At All" and mischievous "To The Island" are among the other gems on the essential set. Information: CrowdedHouse.com.



Artist: 
Mumps
Title: Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That: Best Case Scenario, You've Got Mumps (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: '70s punk and glam rock, Sparks, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" soundtrack
Tell me more: Led by front man Lance Loud, Mumps were a cutting edge 1970s punk rock band that was among the first to play at the legendary CBGB in New York City. Also regulars at Max's Kansas City, Mumps shared the bill with Talking Heads, the Ramones, Television, Cheap Trick, The Cramps, Blondie and even Van Halen (the latter at the Whisky-a-Go-Go in West Hollywood) during the band's seven-year run. Sadly, Mumps only released two singles before disbanding (1977's "I Like To Be Clean" on Bomp! Records and "Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That" on Perfect Records in 1978). The legacy of Mumps gets a well-deserved boost courtesy of Omnivore Recordings on the excellent Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That: Best Case Scenario, You've Got Mumps; the 23-track collection includes two previously unissued tracks and a number of bonus tracks (notably two previously-unissued songs from the pre-Mumps band Loud). Mumps' infectious sound and spirited approach shines brightly on the set; the ska-tinged "Just Look, Don't Touch," crunchy "Crocodile Tears," punk rocker "We Ended Up" and lively "Rock & Roll This, Rock & Roll That" are among my faves. The package includes a 16-page illustrated booklet featuring liner notes from Mumps members Kristian Hoffman (keyboards), Joe Katz (bass) and Paul Rutner (drums) as well as Lance Loud's mother Pat Loud. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.


Artist: 
Wolf Alice
Title: Blue Weekend (Dirty Hit/RCA Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Chvrches, Billie Eilish, Florence + The Machine
Tell me more: London quartet Wolf Alice are back with Blue Weekend, their third full-length LP and a strong follow-up to their acclaimed 2017 disc Visions of a Life (which won the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2018). The vast soundscape includes the arresting opener "The Beach," expansive dream pop of Delicious Things," luxurious "Lipstick On The Glass" driving modern rocker "Smile," lovely "Safe From Heartbreak (if you never fall in love)" and punk rocker "Play The Greatest Hits." Ellie Rowsell's affecting vocals are particularly dynamic on the genre-blending "The Last Man On Earth," unguarded "How Can I Make It Ok?" and electronic foray "Feeling Myself." In addition to Rowsell (vocals, guitar), Wolf Alice includes Joff Oddie (guitar, vocals), Theo Ellis (bass) and Joel Amey (drums, vocals). Wolf Alice will be headlining a U.S. tour in fall of 2021, including several dates in Los Angeles in late October. Information: wolfalice.co.uk.


Title:
Imposters: Two Boys Who Fooled America
Author: Richard Blade
Publisher: BladeRocker Books
Details: 298 pages
Tell me more: Audiences know him best for his work on radio, television and in movies, but Richard Blade is also a talented author who has penned an acclaimed best-selling autobiography (2017's "World In My Eyes") and several successful novels (2019's "SPQR" and 2020's "Birthright"). Now comes "Imposters: Two Boys Who Fooled America," a fast-paced real life yarn that fuses the excitement of '60s rock and roll with the political turmoil of that decade into a captivating story this reader couldn't put down. In 1966, two teenage boys from Southern California suddenly became the target of an unwarranted manhunt by the FBI. They successfully eluded the law by assuming the identity of a best-selling duo from the 1950s and embarked on the adventure of a lifetime. Although the story is true, Blade embellishes the saga and characters in ways that appear fully authentic while fully immersing the reader in a myriad of unlikely situations where the protagonists find themselves across their three-year adventure. Blade's lively writing style coupled with a truly incredible story of teens forced to grow into men while on the run plays out amidst the backdrop of the Vietnam War, political assassinations, protests and some of the greatest rock music of all time. Information: amazon.com.


Robert Kinsler


Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Summertime Reading For Music Lovers

Those whose interest in music and music heroes extends beyond merely listening have plenty of choice reads to choose from this summer. From a forthcoming thrilling fiction title penned by famed DJ Richard Blade and a biography from soul singer Eddie Floyd to the ultimate document covering the touring history of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame greats Rush, here are three great titles I've enjoyed devouring in recent weeks...




Title: Birthright
Author: Richard Blade
Publisher: BladeRocker Books
Softcover: 218 pages
Tell me more: Author Richard Blade's thriller "Birthright" is a fast-paced and involving story spanning from the crime-ravaged streets of 19th century London to modern-day America, England and Ireland, with current events very much a part of the compelling story line. Blade's clear and colorful writing style brings his three far-flung protagonists fully to life, as well as the darker and equally-vivid characters who pursue them. Jack the Ripper's final murder is the starting point for a thriller that is enhanced by events that are never less than plausible; a solid mix of action, character development, lively locales and the effective infusion of current affairs — including the coronavirus pandemic — help catapult the reader through "Birthright." I tore through this novel in a day cheering for the lives of professor Alex Turner, his young assistant Cate Shannon and teen Eddie York in their quest to solve a monumental puzzle while simultaneously trying to survive frightful villains out to kill them. Richard Blade is one of the most celebrated DJs in the U.S., having been a mainstay at KROQ-FM for many years; he is now a host on both SiriusXM and KCBS. The same passion he has championed as a groundbreaking DJ is displayed via top-tier storytelling across the wonderful  Birthright." Information: RichardBladeBook.com.



Title: Knock! Knock! Knock! On Wood: My Life in Soul
Authors: Eddie Floyd with Tony Fletcher
Publisher: BMG
Hardcover: 302 pages
Tell me more: The just-published "Knock! Knock! Knock! On Wood: My Life in Soul" is a wonderful and truly joyful look back at the 60-year career of master soul singer-songwriter Eddie Floyd. Best known for his bona fide classics "Knock on Wood," "Raise Your Hand," "634-5789," "Big Bird" and "I've Never Found a Girl (To Love Me Like You Do)," his unique first-hand account of a rich life (Floyd celebrated his 83rd birthday in June 2020) jumps off the page with each chapter. In addition to revisiting a life's journey taking him from an Alabama reform school to his rise as both singer and acclaimed songwriter, readers will be treated to once-in-a-lifetime tales such as the day he met Bruce Springsteen (who is a tremendous fan of Floyd) and they performed "Knock on Wood" and "Raise Your Hand" in concert together in Memphis in 1976, Muhammad Ali attending his sixty-ninth birthday and earliest memories of working with his great contemporaries (Wilson Pickett, Booker T. & The M.G.'s, bluesman Willie Dixon, Otis Redding and more) on stage, in the studio or via songwriting sessions. The autobiography also includes a number of marvelous images of Floyd and his family, as well as promo shots, concert photos and other images of him throughout his long career — including moments shared with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Jones and Muhammad Ali. "Knock! Knock! Knock! On Wood: My Life in Soul" works as both a celebration of the life and career of Floyd as well as an important history of many of the key moments and players in the rise of soul music, notably at famed Stax Records in the 1960s and '70s. Information: BMG.com.



Title: Rush — Wandering the Face of the Earth: The Official Touring History
Authors: Skip Daily and Eric Hansen
Publisher: Insight Editions
Hardback and ebook: 496 pages
Tell me more: Weighing in at well over six pounds, the mammoth "Rush — Wandering the Face of the Earth: The Official Touring History" covers the complete history of the Canadian trio's treks encompassing the period of Sept. 6, 1968 to Aug. 1, 2015. With the passing of master drummer/band lyricist Neil Peart on Jan. 7, 2020 and the recent 5-year anniversary of the band's final show on Aug. 1, the publication of this tabletop book has taken on even greater significance; this is truly a labor of love from authors Skip Daily and Eric Hansen and rightfully celebrates the most successful Canadian music group in history. Peart along with singer-bassist-keyboardist Geddy Lee and guitarist Alex Lifeson created a series of enduring albums whose collective power was further enhanced whenever the trio went out on tour. "Wandering the Face of the Earth" is filled with revealing facts, essential details and a plethora of previously-unseen photographs that chronicle the band's career on the road. A mix of stunning concert shots, actual concert setlists, colorful ticket stubs and well-written text make for a fantastic journey down Memory Lane. For example, this writer was able to revisit the history of his first time seeing the band perform (at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa in May 1986 with the Fabulous Thunderbirds opening), a date where reserve seats were a mere $17.50! Information: InsightEditions.com.


Robert Kinsler


Monday, June 22, 2015

Jack's 10th Show gives fans plenty to love

My review originally ran on The Orange County Register's Web site on Sunday, June 21. You can find the review in today's Life section of the print edition of the newspaper. A special "thank you" to Kelly A. Swift for permission to run her photos with my review.

Roland Orzabal, left, and Curt Smith of Tears for Fears on June 20, 2015. Photo: Kelly A. Swift

Jack's 10th Show

Who: Tears for Fears, Bush, Cake, Everclear, Lit, Richard Blade
Where: Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
When: June 20

ENTERTAINMENT

Jack's 10th Show gives fans plenty to love


A. Jay and Jeremy Popoff of Lit
at Jack's 10th Show on June 20.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift
Five artists performing over the course of five hours – Lit kicked things off at 5:50 p.m. and Tears for Fears finished its set at about 10:45 p.m. – produced a fast-paced and eclectic mix of ’80s and ’90s hits at Jack’s 10th Show at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre on Saturday night (June 20, 2015).
Like many of Jack FM’s previous multi-artist mini festivals, this was a party-minded affair that allowed fans to make the day their own. Many of the seats around me were empty until evening, with many fans opting to eat, drink, check out merchandise and entertain themselves in the expansive grassy area outside. There was a long line of people trying to win prizes at the Totally ’80s Bar booth (who wouldn’t want their own Rubik’s Cube?), and many concertgoers were busy checking out the drums and guitars at the Yamaha Music Experience booth.
After radio personality Richard Blade kicked things off on the main stage, taking requests and hosting a kind of name-that-tune game, it was time for the real action. Orange County’s Lit played 40 minutes of rock that included its best-known hits and enticing new material. A new reggae-tinged melodic rocker likely titled “Make Love Easy” that is part of a new crop of songs the band has been working on in Nashville was particularly effective, while fans got to their feet and sang along to the group’s biggest hit, “My Own Worst Enemy.”
Everclear was a good choice to include in the day’s lineup, but lead singer Art Alexakis’ hoarse vocals detracted from the power of “Heroin Girl,” “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine.” An acoustic-style version of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” also failed to excite.
Cake performing at Jack's 10th Show in Irvine on
June 20, 2015. Photo: Kelly A. Swift
Cake’s 40-minute outing was a bona fide joy, highlighted by singer-guitarist John McCrea’s offbeat personality, consistently impressive harmonies and trumpeter Vince DiFiore’s stellar work. The keyboard-anchored “Long Time” and psychobilly burner “Stick Shifts and Safety Belts” were early highlights, while the cool rocker “Sick of You” and a reworked version of Black Sabbath’s 1970 classic “War Pigs” delighted fans later. When the band realized it only had a few minutes left, Cake quickly kicked it up with a buoyant version of “The Distance.”
Gavin Rossdale of Bush performing at Jack's 10th Show.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift
British rockers Bush had the prime slot, performing as the night grew dark and temps had dropped dramatically. The Gavin Rossdale and his group’s post-grunge sound had the near-capacity audience on its feet for more than an hour. Hits aplenty were unleashed with power, including “Machinehead,” “Everything Zen,” “Glycerine” and others, allowing the band to rock relentlessly. Toward the end of the set, Rossdale left the stage and ventured far into the audience, providing a dramatic element to the band’s set.
Tears for Fears’ intoxicating and nuanced rock was the perfect follow-up to the hard edge of Bush. More than 30 years after the release of seminal studio discs “The Hurting” (1983) and “Songs From the Big Chair” (1985), the duo of Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith continue to champion songcraft like few others. Tears for Fear’s 70-minute set was heavy on hits, but thankfully, that wasn’t a bad thing.

Curt Smith of Tears for Fears on June 20, 2015.
Photo: Kelly A. Swift
The dramatic opener “Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” the Beatle-esque “Sowing the Seeds of Love,” the haunting “Pale Shelter” and the swirling “Head Over Heels” have lost none of their luster over the years and were performed with perfection. Lesser-known songs (“Secret World” and “Closest Thing to Heaven” from the band’s outstanding 2004 release Everybody Loves a Happy Ending) were equally stirring. An interactive six-minute version of “Shout” closed out the night, the crowd on its feet and happily singing along.
Review: Robert Kinsler