SPARKS

[allydodd]

It's been a hot trio in the UK, so far, both in terms of exciting gigs and the blistering heat. Two nights in London, then the first Manchester one were among the best ever. And, I've only seen Sparks seventy times.

Always, for me, there's a little trepidation before the first Sparks show after a wee gap. Maybe the dynamo will not be glowing quite so bright, I always fear, (as observed among countless bands for whom it is natural running low on steam). I give thanks that every time, against the ever beating clock and tight belts, Sparks have unleashed a performance which proved me wrong, with a cheerful whomp to my pessimism.

Typically unprepared, I stumbled up to the Hammersmith realising that my phone was too ancient to download the Eventim app and too late emailed their customer services once eventually finding a spot where wifi would work on the phone. Already there was a queue swelling, with swell people lovingly familiar from past musical adventures. They all volunteered to help. Once in the Duke of Cornwall, I was among more cherished friends, and Spyke kindly downloaded the app onto his phone to retrieve the ticket. As we shuffled down the snaking line, one of the security guards, was beaming a knowing smile, calling out "Just keep right on walking" while waving us in. Suddenly my mood had lightened up. Incidentally, Eventim did get back to offer help.

And that opening night of the UK leg in London stunned! As the black clad lads, and more colourful Russell, sprung onto stage in the summery heat, you knew it was going to rock. Our vantage point was at the rear of the stalls and we watched the heads bobbing up and down to the introductory number at the front of the stage. Yeah, they were sounding great!

Indiscreet about the set-list I won't be but it's integral to how the show went. Live, the new songs were delivered with the same punch as the old ones, and received equally well. With 28 albums, you can't please all of the people all of the time, but the show reflected the enormous time span. Ending on the right song is so important.

Certain themes struck. Overwhelmingly apparent was how Sparks have always energised music. Obvious was how energetically they'd performed it, how innovative they'd been in composing, recording ahead of the game. Evidence is in as much the influence heard among inspired other artists, and even later genres, as it is in Sparks' sizeable back catalogue, which had never sounded stronger than these three nights.

Another theme, mentioned in one of Russell's rare but charmingly brief introductions, was how Sparks were relevant to what was happening in the world. Russell was on a roll and perhaps was cautious about losing any of the relentless pace; there was a lot to get through too.

A similar theme us fans were expressing from the set-list was how relevant Sparks were to themselves, families with lyrics that seemed to see right in to their own lives, and brought water to the eyes heard live in a sweating, sea of waving arms in unison. Sparks fandom is the most connected in the world, and the respectful approaches underpinning trusting relationships founded by relatively small pockets of fandom (which included likes of Simon in England, Ruud in the Netherlands) and the others during tougher times suddenly grew global during the 2008 Spectacular when fans flew from across the planet to settle in the month-long community dedicated to Sparks, sustained and thenceforth expanded by the internet. Last night, I finally got to meet Peter, gradually getting to know and like him through posts on this form from 2008 onwards, then later Facebook, (admittedly the only reason for me signing up to social media was Sparks). A lot of discussion there was in the pubs, not just among old friends, but new pleasing fan encounters, and everyone seemed open to express the emotional impact of those songs. Indeed, I managed to exchange contact details with many, but regret not getting round to it for others.

And if the opening night wasn't the best show in town, it was bettered by the Thursday. Upon arrival, it seemed you couldn't move. Yet as soon as the band started, we were dancing and clapping along.

Then Manchester on Saturday, now that may have even surpassed that.

Russell and Ron looked almost bowled over by the cheers that grew louder and louder until the inevitable ending.

Great the band were - Sparks have a habit of attracting the best musicians, best people.

Eli Pearl, (who has his own fans within the fandom), was a ball of fire throughout, whether on outstanding guitar solos or backing vocals.

Evan Weiss, now the most longstanding member of the line-up, interchanging on lead and rhythm guitars with Eli was not just holding it all together but bolstering the latest tunes. Incidentally, he's got a solo EP freshly available on Bandcamp.

Evan's brother Darren coped well with the unenviable task of filling Stevie Nistor's shoes on the drum pedal in a set-list demanding for any drummer.

Max Whipple's excellent bass playing especially enhanced the new material.

All the audience were aglow afterwards, and the crowd included fans of just about every age, although there were clusters reflecting career high points. So, having just hit the number two spot, we can all rejoice in the Mad era having popularity beyond all that.

[Spyke]

Thanks very much for putting this together. You've got a lively way with words which really captures the spirit of a Sparks show!
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"but we can hear what others can't hear..."

[miss sparks]

Thanks for the gig review, always enjoy to read.

[waterloosunset]

I can't read this until after the Haarlem show (I'm trying to not know every song on the set list), but I'm looking forward to reading it. Getting on a plane to Amsterdam in 3+ hours. Woohoo!
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better drop the requirement that everything be great