MUSICMusic Reviews

Jamie Lidell at Lee’s Palace – April 8, 2013

Written by Mike Gallagher

It was Music Geek night on stage at Lee’s Palace on a soggy evening in Toronto that saw the skies putting on an impressive light show, a fitting prelude for Jamie Lidell who rolled into town last night to promote his eponymously titled fifth album.

Years ago I saw Lidell at Lee’s promoting his excellent second album, Multiply, and was blown away by his charisma. I’m stunned he’s still relegated to playing the same rooms years later and not entertaining much larger audiences.

One of Liddell’s band members from his Compass tour, Ludwig Persik opened the proceedings. Watching Ludwig was similar to sneaking up on someone performing in front of their bedroom mirror. Ludwig’s awkward but earnest dancing and enthusiasm strangely endeared me, as it did much of the audience. Hard to hear his second last song due to the obnoxious Chatty Cathys that couldn’t keep quiet, Ludwig appeared genuinely happy with the audience’s response and shuffled off stage.

I’ve seen Jamie Lidell a number of times over the years and each tour has been quite varied in its presentation. From a one-man beat-boxin’-and-loopin’ soul genius to full-on band mode, Lidell has always put on an energetic and entertaining show.

His new album underlines a love of 80s era Prince and his Paisley Park cohorts, which might explain the Millennium Falcon-like apparatus Lidell appeared behind when he took the stage. Back to a one-man show but relying more on pre-recorded backing tracks, his set was a heavy dose of the new album with some throwbacks to old material.

Opening with a funky “I’m Selfish” that shut most of the room up, it was the lights that were really the initial jaw dropper. More suited to a laser Floyd experience in a shed, the blue and pink hues and “laser” show lent the evening much more of a Saturday night club party rather than damp Monday evening gig. “A Little Bit More” from Multiply was an early highlight, but there was hardly a bum note to the evening. The show was dazzling to watch and Liddell’s enthusiasm is hard to match, although the almost capacity crowd did its best to keep up.

Which brings me to my sole gripe for the evening. If you spend $20 to go see someone in concert, why show up and not pay any attention at all? At points during Ludwig’s set the chatter was embarrassing, although more accepted for an opening act. But when you’re turned away from the stage talking over the headliner, clearly you are not at the right place. Catch ups with friends can be done at coffee shops, bars, etc. Sure we live in a free country, free to do as we legally please, but I’m tired of needing earplugs to shut out the chatter of those around me.

About author

Concert reviewer at Live in Limbo.