Creature of Comfort: Bowie at Hershey
May 19th, 2004Seeing that David Bowie’s A Reality Tour has moved on to better and brighter places in the past week since Liz and I saw him in Hershey, it almost seems pointless to talk about it this far after the fact. Well, almost.
If I had to point to a singular memorable moment, it wouldn’t be a guitar solo or some outstandingly long and poignant note. I’ve been to too many Bowie shows in my lifetime and I know the songs all too well to start playing favorites. Rather, I’d probably point to the enjoyable frivolity that’s been making up the entertainer’s stage presence these past few years as the main mark of distinction. In hindsight, the set list seemed very similar to the celebratory nature of his 50th birthday bash at Madison Square Garden. That is to say, there were a lot of hits. But I don’t think that’s a mark of anything significant. Despite the loss of Reeves Gabrels’s edgy guitar, Bowie’s current music hasn’t seemed to suffer one bit. I’d venture to say it’s getting better (fanboy status duly noted).
As proof, he’s just as content at performing an art piece such as “The Loneliest Guy” (which spotlights two suspended and upside down trees) as he is to take a request for “Let’s Dance” from a sign holding female member of his audience.
“Happy birthday, lady,” he intones after finising, moving on to the next number without missing a beat.
In essence, the guy just seems perfectly comfortable with himself.
As one observer from this succinct post-show wrap-up summarizes:
Witty banter, constant smiles and winks, friendly comments and a playful heart stood before us last night. Granted we all still think there is a painting somewhere in an attic of a 57 year old man, but for now we’ll take what we can see. Until last night, New Orleans was the number 1 Reality show yet….Hershey surpassed that and put it in the dust. Never before have I had so much fun at a gig, jammed so hard, and felt like I got hit by a truck the next morning as I did for Hershey.