Too much vocals and sometimes I questioned the selection of which parts to do live, when there were cases where you’d clearly need a backing track to do both. But I agree that their show was overall good, and increased my likelihood of checking out one of their albums, which I suppose means they achieved their goal as an opening band.
Interesting point about the keyboards, Litho. Personally, I’d most prefer to have a keyboardist who does what he can live, and no backing track, but I could also imagine having someone play the main melody and using backing tracks for the rest. But I understand that there are difficulties either way.
Nightwish was awesome; it was great to finally see them. I’m still processing having heard Ghost Love Score live. I couldn’t stop smiling all through the first half. And I think up to the moment when Floor actually did the final note, I kept expecting something to somehow stop it from happening—but, of course, she did it perfectly as usual. I’m not a big concert goer (I’ve probably been to less than a dozen ticketed shows), but that’s probably the highlight of my concert-going life.
I have never been fully convinced by Greatest Show on Earth as the big closer, especially since I think it’s well below GLS as a song. Having seen it live, I’m finally won over. It’s perfect for that place in the show, and even though GLS is the better song, the order is correct. This was my second-favorite song of the night.
And an unexpected highlight: How’s the Heart. It’s a song I liked but didn’t love, but the stripped-back arrangement, Floor’s introduction inviting the audience to think of important people in their lives (which imbued it with personal meaning for me, and probably for many others), and Floor’s belts on the final chorus won me over and made it a better experience than songs I enjoy more.
Other highlights: 7 Days to the Wolves, Dark Chest of Wonders and Shoemaker.
Overall, I thought the Human Nature stuff came off well live. I think my opinion of everything but Harvest improved (and I already liked Harvest).
IMO, Troy has settled into his role as the #2 singer. He had more power tonight than on the livestream, and carried off some Marko parts better than I would have expected (prime example: 7 Days to the Wolves chorus). I only really felt Marko’s absence, vocally, on Ever Dream, where Floor just feels a bit overtaxed doing both parts, and I Want My Tears Back, where the second chorus sounds off being the weaker one. I think it would be interesting to experiment with switching the choruses, so that Troy sings Dear Alice and Floor sings Sleepless Nights. I’m sure it would take some rearranging, but it would recreate the effect of the original, where Marko is much more powerful than Annette. But overall, I think the band is well-suited to continue without adding a male singer, because Floor and Troy between them can cover most of what’s needed. I am sad that we will probably never get The Islander or While Your Lips Are Still Red again, and Endlessness at all. But all things considered, it’s not the worst thing.
Topic: Nightwish... (Read 318303 times)
