Musical Box yesterday - Amazing

BillyRay · #1 07-13-2008, 12:52 PM

I saw The Musical Box yesterday at the Festival d'Été de Québec and I must say that they've taken Rush's place as the best live sound ever. I've went to my share of outdoors show on the Plaines d'Abraham and most of them sound mushy, unfocused and are too damn loud. NOFX was a prime example of live sound sucking immensely. No vocals, ear bleeding treble and too much kick in the mix.

Yesterday, everything was mixed correctly. You could hear the (maginificient) vocals. Every nuance on the drums was heard and the bassist had the best live tone I've ever witnessed. It was punchy, sharp and snappy without being screechy: some of my friends thought it was too loud, but Rutherford's playing on the records is in your face most of the time.

The band is also very, very, very talented. Everything is tight, tight, tight, including stage theatricals, lights, video, etc. If you have the chance to go see them in the future, don't miss your opportunity. They give a kick-ass old-school Genesis show. I was saddened when I heard that Yes couldn't make it, but after experiencing The Musical Box, I don't regret that they couldn't come.

dave64o · #2 07-13-2008, 07:30 PM

I'm a huge fan. I've seen them six times already and have been blown away each time. I know several naysayers, but none of them have seen the band perform yet. The ones who gave them a shot have come away as amazed as I've been.

If you're a fan of OLD Genesis (IOW do you know songs like Harold the Barrel, Return of the Giant Hogweed, The Knife, The Fountain of Salmacis, et. al.?) then you're in for a treat. Definitely go and enjoy!

By the way, my wife was in Quebec last summer for a conference and my son and I also went for a mini vacation. We were there this same week and got the enjoy the festival as well. We had a GREAT time there.

BillyRay · #3 07-14-2008, 06:47 PM

The naysayers in the crowd were the one complaining about the lack of Phil Collins (ie. easily listenable material) or they took the "everything is limp sinced" angle. I've seen lip synced shows and this wasn't one. I'm not even sure how much backing tracks and layering there was: the bassist, like Rutherford, used bass pedals so even though he was playing acoustic, it was possible to have a simple bass going on. Everything sounded so damn good, but it also sounded LIVE.

And I don't think Genesis would endorse a band that played to a CD...