November 6th, 1997
The Warehouse, Toronto, ON
Headlining for Econoline Crush
******+/*****
Wow… I can't even begin to describe how good it was. This was the best concert I've ever seen in my life. They just had this presence on stage… almost controlling their audience. Most of the performance was reserved for songs from the new album, "Transmission" but also included a fair amount of material from "The Edges of Twilight" and not much from "Splendor Solis."
Most of the songs from "Transmission" were done as they sound on the CD. The ones that stick out most in my mind were "Psychopomp," and "Alarum." But for anyone who was there, the most powerful song through the whole set was "Release". Jeff Martin introduced it as a song about a complicated subject-love. Through the whole song, the crowd was completely still. The only time I've seen the mosh pit actually stop for one song at a concert, usually during slower songs they just throw each other around more gently… this time they just stopped. This was definitely one of the highlights.
And what Tea Party concert would be complete without any acoustic songs or exotic instruments. Most of the songs off "Edges" were done this way including an instrumental song entitled "Winter Solstice" from "Splendor Solis". It was like listening to the "Alhambra" LP… but it's just something you've got to see live if you're a die-hard Tea Party fan.
Another song that was very impressive was "Save Me"… complete with a few verses of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt" in the middle of the song. Again, it's something you just have to experience for yourself.
After about 90 minutes, the band walk off stage, but due to the request of the audience came back to play ½ hour encore. This included an amazing "Turn the Lamp Down Low" which included a wicked-ass percussion solo from Jeff Borrows. Stuart Chatwood deserves recognition for his excellent job playing bass and keyboards for the band. In my opinion, the Tea Party has one of the best frontmen in the history of Canadian music (keep in mind the fact that I'm a rhythm guitarist). The band ended their set by "leading us into a Temptation."
The atmosphere of the Warehouse was perfect for the Tea Party. And the lighting they used gave their performance an added dimension. Here's a suggestion: if this tour is coming to a venue near you and you still don't have a ticket (and if they're not sold out yet)-buy one!!! Even if you're not a fan, you're guaranteed to become one.