Review: Ryan Adams – Regent Theatre 03/03/2012

A promo for the show near home

It was a truly magical night when Ryan Adams took the stage at the exquisite Regent Theatre in Melbourne.

I have been a fan of his for years (Gold is one of my all time favourite albums) and it was my fourth time seeing him live. I was really looking forward to seeing the intimate one-man show he had planned.

It certainly did not disappoint.

No photography or recording was allowed during the show so that the audience (and performer) was not distracted. With people unable to tweet, facebook, text, etc, during the show, all eyes and ears were firmly planted on Ryan Adams.

As he walked out to start the show, the crowd erupted with cheers and whistles that died down to a deathly silence as he took centre stage. Every little sound could be heard, from Ryan Adams rustling around in his chair to coughs echoing around the theatre.

He opened the show with the beautiful “Oh my sweet Carolina”. His voice sounded perfect, accompanied by his guitar, almost haunting. The set list was filled with old favourites (like New York, New York and Come pick me up) and new songs from his latest album. Each song was received with overwhelmingly loud applause and appreciation.

He spend the night ‘working the room’ (as he referred to it), moving between his guitar and the piano. He played such an amazing stripped back rendition of “The rescue blues” on piano that an audience member shouted out to him about how great it was. ‘Thanks dad’ was his cheeky response.

Again, there was minimal lighting at his show. My boyfriend refuses to come with me to see Ryan Adams now for this very reason but I don’t mind. During the set, a person shouted out to asked him to turn on some more lights. This request was of course ignored (as they always are) but was done so with humour this time.

Speaking of comedy, there were some very funny moments throughout the show. Halfway through the night he said that he had some jokes prepared but hadn’t spoken much because he figured that he could fit in two more songs if he talked less.

But lucky for us, he started chatting a bit more. He spoke about his reputation of being a ‘villain’, his old band ‘Turkey Nut Sack’ (he joked that they were huge in the nineties and almost opened for Pearl Jam at a house party – if only they could have found the house…) and played a version of ‘Mr Cat’ – a homage to his ninja movie watching, brave dog attacking cat, who is also apparently very soft.

I was laughing so hard that I wasn’t sure if I was at a Ryan Adams music gig or comedy act…

Two and half hours later, sadly it was over. I could have stayed there all night watching his flawless performance and enjoying his light banter. 

Well played Ryan Adams, well played.

Set list

Oh my sweet Carolina
Ashes and fire
If I am a stranger
Dirty rain
My winding wheel
The rescue blues
Please do not let me go
Do I wait
Firecracker
Everybody knows
Dear Chicago
Sylvia Plath
Let it ride
English girls
Chains of love
16 days
Hardest part
Lucky now
Mr Cat
New York New York
Two
Come pick me up

Encore

Holy diver (Dio cover)
Avenues
When will you come back home