The Psychedelic Furs at Music Box – Hollywood, CA

The most extensive coverage you will find - Saturday night’s concert at the Music Box in Hollywood got off to an early start as The Psychedelic Furs took the stage quite sooner than expected for a headlining band of their prestige. By 7:30 pm Richard Butler and company had hit the lights in front of a packed house resembling what one could expect a 1980’s high school reunion to be like. It was a gas as The Furs broke into Dumb Waiters, the opening track from their 1981 LP Talk Talk Talk which immediately set the pace for the rest of the night. Following such an entrance was the number Pretty in Pink which rocked the crowd and brought upon a super chorus sing along like only a hit of that nature can.

The remainder of their fixed Talk set went off like one would have hoped for, very spot on! Talk in its entirety flowed extremely well, never hitting a dead spot or moment of dullness; it was the right album in The Furs catalog to play from start to finish. The appropriate She is Mine closed out their first set, marking the end of Talk and evoking a roaring applause from the sold out Saturday night crowd.

After a 15 minute breather, the Furs returned to the stage to kick off their hits set with the ever moody Sister Europe. The very minimal setup worked hand in hand with their lighting rig which brought upon a sense of atmosphere that fit like a glove. Richard Butler looked and sounded great all night, but it was during the cult classic Love My Way where he really began to work the stage often taking on another persona, much like the way David Bowie did with his famed character Ziggy Stardust.

The nights biggest amazement happened to be the driving force that is Mars Williams, the Furs very own sax man (see part 2 of the video for proof). His stage presence was the ultimate boost in performance and a bit more in your face than the somewhat absent keyboard leads. His saxophone solos drove the crowd absolutely wild and were awe inspiring, never had a saxist gotten the love that is usually only showered upon lead guitarists or vocalists. The second set saw more crowd pleasing numbers like the angsty President Gas, the tear jerkish Heaven, the celebratory Heartbeat (super saxy goodness right there!) and set closer Heartbreak Beat.


    Part 1 of the video overview


    BONUS: Part 2 of the video overview


The Furs then performed an emotionally moving encore that had the floor moving like a John Hughes 80’s high school dance party.

The tasteful Forever Now, and set closer India were the perfect way to end the epic set that only the Furs could deliver in such nostalgic yet fresh fashion. As the lights turned on and masses of fans made their way toward the exits I thought to myself “Why isn’t this band headlining the Hollywood Palladium or Bowl?!, they’ve got enough hits to fill such venues!”

The Furs are in top shape and were the band to see that night, and as always are a supreme live act that’s got the hits and charisma to keep fans coming out to their shows year after year. The Music Box had the right celebratory feel, and everyone could agree that there could not be a better host of such a party like the one and only Psychedelic Furs. If you’re in need of a Furs fix, check out their website for upcoming tour dates, you may still have a chance to catch them on their amazing 30 years of Talk Talk Talk tour 2011!

Set list:
Dumb Waiters - Pretty In Pink - I Wanna Sleep With You - No Tears - Mr. Jones - Into You Like A Train - It Goes On - So Run Down - All Of This And Nothing - She Is Mine
Second Set: Sister Europe - Love My Way - Heartbeat - President Gas - Highwire Days - Heaven - Heartbreak Beat
Encore: Forever Now - My Time - India

 

 

-Louie Bones-
Big Wheel Music Staff Reporter

                   More photos of the show can be seen HERE

 

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