Just got back from seeing Liz at the Avalon, it was a great show but I'll leave it to anyone else who was there for a set list. She was very comfortable onstage, and joked a bit. I thought the band was just fine, they seemed in sync with her and played as if they enjoyed being there. Afterwards she talked and signed right next to the stage, and I got a ticket signed (actually initialled). I may be in some people's pictures because a few were snapping away. Someone mentioned the music they played before she went on and she said she picked some of it (a Springsteen song I can't remember and one other) but not all of it. Since her clothes are usually reported, I'll keep up the tradition. She was wearing a short sparkly green knit dress thing with a wide lavender belt that had a silver loop "buckle." She kept pulling the neckline down to expose her shoulders, but it usually rode back up. I didn't notice her shoes.
Perspective: I'm a 30+ year old musician who was active in the LA music scene from 1987-1995. I'm now a family man with a wife and two kids and Liz is one of the very small handful of artists that still excites and intrigues me. I'm sure there are many more that I would enjoy but there's not a lot of listening time in my life anymore, so that's my reality for now.
I've been to dozens of concerts and shows in my life but only get to 1-3 per year now. Of course, Liz Phair had to be one of them.
The Show:
Awesome. MUCH better than I expected and MUCH SHORTER than I expected. She was in exceptional voice--lots of banter with the appreciative crowd, and the band and sound were hot. She played for about an hour and fifteen minutes, I believe, and maybe it wasn't really that short, but to me it was! It was like a Liz greatest rockin' hits set--and it did rock! I'll put the list together the best I can, but I didn't hang out afterwards or get a set list or anything. The order won't be dead-on but it'll be close--at least most of the songs will be correct.
Polyester Bride
She opened with this. Not my favorite but a good opener to get warmed up and get the sound right.
Rock Me
Much better live than I expected. In spite of the cliched chorus, this is a great song and was performed with great energy.
Never Said
Didn't expect her to pull that one out. I haven't been following things to closely lately, but didn't expect in nonetheless.
After this, the order is fuzzy, but...
Help Me Mary
Big surprise and the highlight of the night for me. I was with a friend who I was teaching about Liz, and I had recited the lyrics to this one but really didn't think she'd play it. Not only did she play it, but she played the SHIT out of it. What a fantastic performance.
I'll list the balance of the set and then finish commenting:
Red Light Fever
Perfect World
Extraordinary
Uncle Alvarez
Why Can't I
Divorce Song
Favorite
Glory
6'1"
Fuck and Run
Why Can't I
Supernova
Encores:
Flower
Johnny Feelgood
Flower was performed with the whole band. She did make eye contact with the audience and seemed to dig the reaction.
As I mentioned, lots of banter. She talked about Halloween and how the daughters of the Mom's she hangs with now all want to be rock stars. Liz liked the concept of "saucy" girls going out saying "trick or treat."
Most significant banter:
After playing the last song, she said in a very direct, open and very heartfelt manner, "Thank you LA. I hope you'll keep coming to see my shows--this is where I live and this is what I want to do."
Please feel free to write with any questions or any aspects you would like me to elaborate on. It was a terrific show.
- -Michael