I don't know Gary personally as a friend. But I have seen him perform many times, and met him a couple of times after all the "fan" stuff was over. The guy who my wife and I spent a little bit of time with twice is subdued, intelligent, witty, and thoughtful. The persona we see on stage...that's how he's always been. Part DLR, part Freddie Mercury, etc. Gary makes himself the flamboyant frontman. He's entertaining. Can it be a little odd? Totally. But he and the band are putting on a "show."
The goofing around on stage is part of it. Nuno is just as playful, just not as flamboyant because he's playing all the time (which, as a four piece band, is what the sole guitarist has to do). I totally get that Gary's persona on stage can be weird, but it's all in good fun. Do you think the story of Francis is supposed to be this critical, serious commentary? I mean, it's fun, and there is a message, but it's tongue-in-cheek. They got more serious with III Sides, and when performing those songs, there is little goofing around, with the social commentary.
I love Gary. Such a nice guy, hell of a singer, and while his gyrations may throw some people, I find him entertaining (if not a bit goofy).
I hope his voice recovers. This past tour, at least at my show, and from what I heard, a few shows before and after my show, he was having vocal trouble. But, he was absolutely AMAZING last summer at the two shows I saw. So hopefully it was a bug he's gotten over. I'd go again, but this next leg is for Canada and some other tertiary markets for the band. I'll give Extreme this -- they did what they promised: A full-on, old school tour. Two-hour shows, all over the globe, with multiple U.S. treks. I really respect that.
I hope a new album is in store for 2025. I believe it's the band's 40th anniversary.