The Backyard, Austin - TX - 4th/8/03
David started the night off with 'Nightblindness' and moved in a relaxed way
through a wonderful set that included plenty of his newer material ('Other
Side', 'Dead In The Water', 'Freedom', 'Be Mine', 'Last Boat To America',
'Real Love', and 'Kangaroo'... though 'Caroline' and 'Easy Way to Cry' were
conspicuously absent). Of course, he played plenty of songs from White
Ladder ('Babylon', 'Sail Away', 'Silver Lining', 'We're not right', 'My, oh
My' were in his normal set and 'This years Love' and 'Please Forgive Me'
were encores... 'Say Hello, Wave Goodbye' did not make the cut). Of his
older material, he played 'Gathering Dust', 'Shine', 'Late Night Radio', and
'Hold On To Nothing'. I was disappointed that 'Wisdom', 'Meet Me Upstairs'
and 'Coming Down' didn't make it, but I suppose you can't please everyone.
He did a cover of a Gary Newman song called 'Baltimore', too. But the
HIGHLIGHT of the whole evening was the band's stunning rendition of 'All the
Love'. Trust me, if you haven't been to a DG show, you will be astounded
that this song has never been released -- MUCH more powerful than the Other
Side (especially live). The band totally rocked it out and David's vocals
were REALLY emotive and intense, even for him, on this tune.
Austin-ites love DG, as this is one of the first cities in the US where he
got radio time. So, predictably, the crowd was into the entire set and stood
for the whole show. It was a very warm evening and David was really pouring
sweat -- I noticed he had to wipe his face non stop and it seemed to annoy
him a bit, but he was, of course, still quite affable about the sweltering
Texas heat. I was impressed by just how fantastic his voice is live --
records just don't do him justice!! I have his 'Live at the point' DVD, so I
was a bit aware of the difference between his recorded and live range, but,
still, it was quite something to see it in person and be around 5,000 other
folks who find him just as amazing as I do. He's a the top of his game,
vocally, without question. He ended the evening by jumping off the piano
platform and randomly dancing around on the stage, sans guitar, during the
last song of his encore set ('Please Forgive Me'). He was clearly having a
grand time, and so was everyone in attendance.
Live shows are his strength, in my opinion, and he didn't disappoint. DG is
a dynamic performer and his spellbinding talent was on full display on
Monday night. The only upsetting thing about the evening is knowing that it
will be 3 or 4 more years before he comes back to town... almost makes me
wanna live in the UK.
Written by Blake Powers - 9th/8/03
David's set on Monday, August 4th at the Backyard in Austin, TX was a
fantastic way to start out the week! Turin Breaks opened the show and
reminded me of Oasis a bit -- a very relaxed group with loads of acoustic
guitar and swirling keyboard layers to round out their pop-ish repertoire. I
think they'll see some commercial success in the states if they keep touring
with acts like DG.
