Having seen many a Tom Cochrane concert over the past few years, it’s impossible to say that the man, and his band, don’t bring their A game to every show they play – because they definitely do! But Saturday night was somehow special. Maybe it was being the birthday girl with a road trip – maybe it was that the forecasted rain held off and the temperatures were a balmy Hawaii rather than a smoking hot Arizona 🙂 Or the lake, or the crowd… and definitely the band! Saturday night had a spark to it and Tom Cochrane lit the fuse.
Jumping out with ‘Mad Mad World’ and ‘Brave and Crazy’, the tone was set from the start – we’re here to get you dancing and singing – and so we did! The band was in fine form with Jeff Jones (Jonesy) on bass grinning from ear to ear, Davide on drums (in the dark! that man needs a spotlight), and phenom Kenny Greer bouncing between guitar, and keyboards & slide – the latter which features prominently on ‘Lunatic Fringe’ (and another song who’s name escapes me). The clear mournful notes of the slide echoed out into the dark and across the lake I’m sure and the audience was spellbound.
‘Avenue A’ made the setlist in the middle and afforded us to hear Cochrane’s vocals without the electric band behind him.. the man still has great pipes and can belt it out crisp clear and soulful. Shivers.
‘Good Times’ directed the band and audience gently back into the heavier louder rocking tunes, and ‘Sinking Like a Sunset’ came just a little late to coincide with the actual sunset but the night sky was still dramatic to view behind and above the stage. ‘No Regrets’ created a singalong with fist pumps during the chorus.
With over 250 published songs it must be bloody difficult to choose which to fill the 1.5 hr set list with! Last song of the night was ‘Life is a Highway’ and the crowd perked up like they knew it was the last one! Very eerie, very interesting! Watching people across the entire audience from standing in front, to sitting near the back – most everyone was on their feet, dancing, singing, pointing at each other and total strangers.. one fellow even filming an entire section of dancing laughing concert goers – it was amazing to watch and be part of! A short encore and the band jumps back on stage to round out the evening with a stunning ‘Lunatic Fringe’, and ‘Boy Inside the Man’ before reluctantly saying their goodbyes and heading off into the black.
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