Review: Dead Can Dance

Live at the Auditorium Theatre

By: Dennis M. Kelly

Live Photos By: Beth Shandles

Published October 21st, 2005




The night was filled with magic, muses and incredible music which filled the majestic halls of the Auditorium Theatre here in Chicago, IL. On the final show of their world tour, the Dead Can Dance had this 4,000 seat theatre filled to capacity with a more than eager audience.

As everyone was still taking their seats, I could not help but notice the beauty inside this theatre; full of rich, ornate designs and paintings, the setting was perfect. The names, Mozart, Beethoven, Verdi, Rossini and a few others were inscribed on the walls, and Gerrard and Perry seemed fitting additions to the list, but somehow didn’t seem likely to happen, unfortunately. Behind the stage hung a luxuriant, dark red curtain which was artistically arranged to complete the glorious setting.

Promptly at eight o’clock, seated or not, the show began and the sounds of a low drone reached out to the audience as the song “Niereka” (from the 1996 album, Spiritchaser) opened up the show. A deep blue light surrounded Lisa Gerrard, Brendan Perry and their fellow musicians on stage, accentuating the mystical mood that their music created.

Upon the official word of the Dead Can Dance break up back in 1999, it seemed that this day would never happen, but thank God, Brendan and Lisa are back (at least for this world tour anyway). For some (like myself), who have only seen their performance from their video “Toward the Within”, this has been a dream come to fulfillment and more. The video successfully captured the essence of their show, but it in no way compares to the experience of being there with them in a theatre as lavish and extravagant as this.

Brendan Perry sang with an intensity and passion on songs like “The Ubiquitous Mr. Lovegrove” and “American Dreaming”. The lighting on “How Fortunate the Man With None” helped give a magical feel as Brendan took us through the ages in a nine minute span. Lisa Gerrard’s vocals were stirring as they resounded through the theatre in a way I’ve never heard before. Her vocals have always somehow been able to capture the sounds of all the sadness of mankind over the centuries and also a dark beauty that is hard to put into words; it was equally hard to focus on watching her sing as it was so overwhelming. Songs like “The Wind That Shakes the Barley” had absolute silence except for the sound of her voice, everyone was spellbound by her. It was clear the audience was moved by the show, as many would offer standing ovations between songs, often-times surprising even Lisa.

The set list offered a great variety of well known songs that spanned over their lengthy career as well as a few songs that may not be as known like “Dreams Made Flesh” from the This Mortal Coil album “It’ll End in Tears” and “The Lotus Eaters” from the Dead Can Dance box set “1981-1998”.

Between songs, they were a well oiled machine, switching musicians around as well as the instruments being played; it was impressive how efficiently they prepared for each song. Brendan was the main speaker to the audience, informing us that they are selling copies of each performance on this tour and also he introduced the band to us. I regretfully, did not catch all the names of the equally talented performers that were on stage with them, but feel they did a great job; everything sounded perfect.

“Rakim” saw some of the audience dancing to the world beat and the songs end signified the first encore of the show. For at least five minutes, the audience screamed, clapped and even got to a point of stomping; it was pretty intense hearing the level of which they wanted more music.

When they returned to the stage, again, Lisa smiling and seemingly amazed at the audience, they retook their places and hit the audience with a somewhat faster paced rendition of “Black Sun”. Ending the first encore with the powerful song entitled “Yulunga (spirit dance)” the lighting on stage circulated patterns on the back curtain, likening it to spirits flying in through air, it was very well done.

Another 5 minutes of screaming and stomping brought them back for their second and final encore, which consisted of “Severance” and “Hymn for the Fallen” sung by Lisa. It was an amazing piece, hearing her sing all in English with almost a jazz kind of feel to the song. It was a positive song to end the night with, having lyrics like “So don’t worry, all will wash away when we pray”. It was a bit unexpected, but nothing Brendan and Lisa do really surprises me as everything they do is amazing.

At the end of the show, Lisa said “The people of Chicago are very special” a very kind remark to make, indeed and I believe it is safe to say that we Chicagoans feel that Dead Can Dance is very special and we hope this will not be the last we hear of them… come back again soon!

5 out of 5 stars
Dennis M. Kelly

For more information about Dead Can Dance, please visit their official website at: http://www.deadcandance.com/

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