Scenestar

ARTICLE BY FREDERICK CURSON
PHOTO BY STEVE DOUBLE

OCT. 1 | HOLLYWOOD—“Open your eyes I see, your eyes are open.” Whether you know this lyric mainly from Adult Swim’s Robot Unicorn Attack online game or it rekindles for you nostalgia for the ’90s, you almost always can identify a feeling with “Always,” the 1994 single Erasure is probably best known for. Very few bands from the ’80s and ’90s are still around and touring as successfully as Erasure is today. Comprised of singer Andy Bell and keyboardist Vince Clarke, Erasure proves that you don’t need hot, young kids to sell a good music show; you just need amazing musicians who are dedicated to their craft and fans.

Tonight the fans put out immense energy, which was enthusiastically reciprocated by the band. Starting with “Sono Lominus,” Bell appeared in a ruby-red sequined jacket and a black Roman centurion helmet, while Clarke hid behind a gargoyle that his keyboard was placed behind. As they slowly raised the crowd’s energy like a ray of sunshine warming up the soul, Erasure barely let the fans bask in the first song’s glory before jumping into “Always” and creating a frenzied sing-along.

Soon the sequined jacket would come off to reveal a leather vest-corset—sexy! Despite the lack of oxygen most would expect from wearing something that tight, Bell proved his pipes were just as fresh as they were 26 years ago when the duo first started. Mixing old and new songs together, not saving the singles for last, Erasure performed a lengthy 22-song set. Clarke would eventually step out from behind the huge, red-eyed gargoyle to strum an acoustic rendition of “Alien” at the edge of the stage, sitting down with Bell and giving additional sincerity to the ballad.

As soon as the energy level started to fall with the next ballad, Bell ripped off his corset, donning a U.K. flag tank top. The band then segued into “Love to Hate You,” bringing back their presence as a goth favorite from the ’80s.

Tonight was my first time really being exposed to this band, and Erasure surprised me with the tones of darkness their performance could reach. It definitely highlighted how they were comparable contemporaries of Depeche Mode in the ’80s. Bell’s vocal range is very respectable, as he can reach a sexy, deep, bassy grumble and then bring his voice up to a falsetto wail—all without breaking a note.

For those of you who didn’t make it, wondering if this sold-out performance was one you should have bought tickets for when you first heard about it: Yes, you should have. I haven’t seen the Palladium this packed since the NIN farewell tour. The crowd’s energy was THERE with the band. So if you’re a huge fan, find a bootleg.