Melissa Etheridge brought her “Medicine Show” tour to Los Angeles Saturday night and it was the perfect cure for anything that might be ailing you.
Etheridge was all smiles as she took the stage promptly at 8:00 PM for what was her final show of 2019. She opened with her rocking 1992 single “Ain’t It Heavy” and from that point on it was an evening of hits (I’m The Only One, I Want To Come Over), deep cuts (Chrome Plated Heart, Royal Station 4/16) and new tracks (Wild And Lonely, The Human Chain, I Know You, The Medicine Show) from her most recent album “The Medicine Show.”
Backed by her current touring band: David Santos (bass guitar), Eric Gardner (drums) and Max Hart (keyboards, rhythm guitar and peddle steel guitar) the four piece unit sounded amazing and had the crowd dancing and singing along throughout the show. I was especially in awe of Etheridge who’s lead guitar playing was impeccable. As a singer she has always gotten rave notices for the power of her voice while her guitar playing is rarely mentioned. I’m here to correct this oversight because as a guitarist Melissa Etheridge rocks!
Etheridge is also that rare live performer who still knows how to engage the audience and make even the biggest venue feel like an intimate club. Between songs she told stories about her past, present and what the future might bring. These interludes added context and depth to each and every song she played.
The venue itself was the perfect setting to enjoy an uninterrupted evening of music as the Walt Disney Concert Hall doesn’t allow you to take pictures and videos on your phone and will only seat people between songs. These two aspects plus perfect acoustics and sight lines made me wish that all my favorite performers would make this hall there number one stop when playing in Los Angeles.
After 31 years of recording albums and touring the world Melissa Etheridge still has that spark in her eyes and passion for the music and for her fans new and old that’s a great thing.
– SET LIST –
Ain’t It Heavy
If I Wanted To
Let Me Go/I Want To Come Over
Royal Station 4/16
Wild And Lonely
Nowhere To Go
Ruins
You Can Sleep While I Drive
This Human Chain
I Know You
Chrome Plated Heart
Come To My Window
Bring Me Some Water
The Medicine Show
I’m The Only One
– ENCORE –
Like The Way I Do
Pat Francis currently hosts the popular comedy/music podcast “Rock Solid,” called 1 of the 8 great music podcasts to put in your ears by USA Today and featuring artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Sammy Hagar and Susanna Hoffs. His frequent appearances on Jimmy Pardo’s top rated podcast “Never Not Funny” are fan favorites. Pat began his entertainment career as a stand-up comic in Chicago, IL. After touring the country and performing in 42 states at comedy clubs and colleges, he relocated to Los Angeles, CA. There he appeared as a comedian on Comedy Central, AMC, the UCB and is a yearly regular at the San Francisco Sketchfest. For the past 5 years he has also served as Co-Host of the yearly event Pardcast-A-Thon which to date has raised over 700,000 for Smile Train. When not entertaining people in person he also makes his living as a Story Producer for reality television programs. It is also important to know that Pat is a monkey in a human mask.