Photos by Chris Besaw
Review by Kelly Besaw
Tori Amos triumphed at a sold-out show at the Landmark Theatre in Syracuse, NY, on
Monday, August 3, delivering a masterclass in piano work and jaw-dropping technical
prowess and command of the keys.
Amos took the stage at approximately 8:30 pm and immediately began navigating
through decades of material with dynamic control, moving effortlessly from delicate
emotional motifs to heavy rhythmic cadences in the set opener, “Fire to Your Plain.”
Amos, along with her stellar backing support, wove complex arrangements that turned
the stage into an immersive storytelling world.
The band, led musically by longtime collaborator Jon Evans on bass and anchored by
drummer Earl Harvin, was precise and on point even as Amos improved several of the
song intros. One highlight performed midway through the set was the ever-popular
“Icicle,” enhanced vocally by the three-person backing choir affectionately known as the
“Angel Witches.”
Amos and company drew a passionate, fiercely loyal, and Gen-X-heavy sold-out crowd
that leaped to its feet instantly when Amos took the stage. The fan base cheered as
Amos worked her way through the set, which included many songs from her newest
album, In Times of Dragons. A highlight was the performance of fan favorite “Past the
Mission,” where fans cheered and sang along. The merch line wrapped around the
historic venue twice, further proving that the local devotees had been eagerly awaiting
her return.
She finished off her main set with “Blue Lotus,” and took a bow to roaring applause and
then rejoined the stage to finish off the night with “God” and “Precious Things.” Amos
performed with raw emotional intensity that left her fan base hanging on every lyric right
up until the very last note.
Setlist
Fire to Your Plain
Shush
Crucify
Honey (with improv intro)
Mary
St. Teresa
Icicle (with improv intro)
Winter (with Garlands intro)
Black-Dove (January)
Past the Mission
Fast Horse
Blue Lotus
Encore
God
Precious Things
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