Anyone meandering through Boston Friday evening, July 8, 2011 who heard threatening rumbles of what sounded like an earthquake need not be concerned. The explosion was country superstar Keith Urban delivering a two hour, hard-rockin’ country music performance of seismic proportion.
No, I Don’t Think Hank Done It That Way ! but Boston’s sure glad Keith Urban did.
If you were lucky enough to have a ticket to Keith’s Get Closer concert at the Boston Garden (TD Garden) Friday, July 8th you know exactly what that means. If you weren’t … you missed both a record-breaking performance and entertainer.
For a venue large enough to host a 19,000 capacity crowd, there was a very close, intimate feel to the entire evening. The curtain fell, the crowd rose, and for two hours Keith Urban left not one entertainment button unturned.
He immediately Put You In A Song then spent the evening electrifying, engaging and entertaining this standing ovation crowd. He wasted not one second Getting Closer in song, in spirit, in the crowd. And I’ve finally caught my breath, so let me fill you in on this amusement park themed concert that rolled through town.
To say Urban brought his passion for and feel of a summer carnival indoors is an understatement. But make no mistake about it, this was no circus act. From the props to the gimmicks, to the lighting, atmosphere and set list, Keith Urban’s Get Closer Tour is well planned and well orchestrated.
The ginormous Ferris wheel screen took turns highlighting Keith, the band, random footage and the audience. A side show that caused a symphonic squeal from the crowd as they recognized themselves going ’round. The remainder of the Ferris wheel danced in sync and intermittently with lighting, engulfing you in an illusion of amusement park fantasy as Urban physically, vocally and spontaneously emitted an electrifying pulse creating an atmospheric connection.
Keith Urban may not be selling out double-billed 50,000 seat stadiums. He may not even be selling out every venue. But most importantly, Keith’s not selling out the crowd.
Whether you were hung up in the less expensive balcony, front and center with expensive floor seats, encircling the venue in the loge or comfortably rubbing elbows with the echelon in the clubhouse, Keith noticed, included and acknowledged you.
As he did both the venue and the team that hung a banner overhead. Admitting “I don’t play hockey but I do plan on trying to make you feel as good as they did that night” Urban’s shout out to the Boston Bruins Stanley Cup winners caused a sonic explosion of clapping, cheering and howling that surely left the Zakim shaken – an eruption that could only be settled by Keith strumming a few strings on his Fender.
Urban definitely had his work cut out for him. And with a discography as large and awarded as Keith’s, I had pre-concert concern as to how he would possibly put together a set list. But leave it to Keith to have meticulously arranged an unending arcade of amusement.
The evening was by no means, though, an un-sequenced rolling set list. This carnival was well concepted and well concerted. Whether it was a guitar giveaway during Shirt, the enchanting seduction of Georgia Woods, the illusion of a star filled Long Hot Summer night or Keith’s Grammy winning, concert-themed and memory-inducing ‘Til Summer Comes Around, every performance was a prize to take home.
Re-introducing an old favorite, Urban put his Jeans On and took off. I’m not sure where he got the energy and stamina to continue after what he’d already delivered. But continue he did with high-powered guitar solos, engaging crowd dynamics, luscious ballads and country-rockin’ uptempos. Like Gumby, Urban played limbo with the microphone during an electrifying performance of I’m In, flawlessly picked a Who Wouldn’t Wanna Be Me outro while lying face up on the stage floor, and while I personally miss the depth of its piano performance, Keith’s encore of Tonight I Wanna Cry left me in teary-eyed reminiscence of … some Stupid Boy !
So who got the “big teddy bear”? It’s honestly hard to hand out. But I’d have to say it went to Keith’s Kiss A Girl sing-along performance which evolved into a Kiss A Girl sing-off contest with an earth-shattering eruption applauding a contestant named Brian from Attleboro, Massachusetts unquestionably as the evening’s “big teddy bear” winner ! This guy was a natural and Keith was enjoying every engaging moment.
Well, “if I could press play, repeat, how happy I’d be, wherever I’d go I’d have you there with me” definitely sums up this amusement park themed concert experience. So I’ll leave Keith’s grand finale for you to enjoy yourself if you’re smart enough to have snagged tickets to Get Closer to him.
But as the saying goes, “you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” And while Keith painstakingly went out of his way to roll this indoor amusement park concert atmosphere into town, there was one major flaw – the evening eventually had to end and neither Boston nor Urban wanted to face it.
8 Responses
A lot of reviews on Keith’s “Get Closer” tour have been very supporting, but I have to say, YOU GET IT, and very few reviewers do!!! Thank you so much. I’ve been to one of his concerts this year and have 3 more to go. Can barely wait until the next one! Keith is an exciting and intelligent performer who gives his all to every person there, and I feel very blessed to be able to see him perform live.
Thank you, Nancy, for your compliment on my review and your support of Keith Urban. I’m sure he’d be very happy to hear how delighted you were to be able to see him in concert. I’ve seen Keith several times myself and I honestly was speechless after his Boston concert so I’m glad I was able to portray in words what he exhaustively yet happily portrays in his performance. Have fun at all your other Urban concerts and be sure to come back and share your experiences with us here and share this review with others.
I loved your article, Christine–yes, I think you “get it.” Every word you’ve said about Keith Urban’s concert is absolutely true. He is without a doubt one of the most dynamic, energetic and multi-talented in the business today, and his music transcends any genre. If it’s excitement people are looking for or just plain good music, the “Get Closer” tour is a must. Keith gives you your money’s worth, and no one can beat him when it comes to interacting with his audience. He’s been entertaining since he was eight years old and has not shown any sides of slowing down. He loves what he’s doing and tries to make sure everyone in the audience is having just as good a time as he is does singing and playing for them. He’s never still a minute whether he’s on the stage or running through the audience.
Well, lowezl, you certainly know your Keith Urban trivia. I’m glad you enjoyed my review. Thank you for your compliment. But more importantly, I’m glad you enjoyed and enjoy Keith Urban’s artistry because that’s who and what the article was about and for. And thank you for taking the time to post your passionate comments here. It helps promote Keith to others who visit. Feel free to copy the link and share it with your friends. That’s how word spreads (especially these days) And enjoy your concerts.
I went to his concert in NJ, and I sat at the opposite end of the arena, and it was still the best concert I’ve ever been to. His songs are all amazing and fun to sing along to. He really engages the crowd and he inspired me to learn how to play guitar. I couldn’t agree more with the article.
Hey BT,
Thank you for your compliment on the article.
I couldn’t agree with you more !!!
I saw Keith in Boston and sat at the opposite end of the arena. I’ve been to several of his concerts and had closer seats. But the end of the arena by far was better than I’ve ever seen him before. Because of how he has this concert laid out, the end of the arena afforded you the opportunity to see everything straight on and clearly, like you were looking right into his face.
I agree with you, he is an amazingly talented artist and gifted performer and glad to see others participating in sharing their support of what he does through comments such as these.
I’m glad you were able to “Get Closer” to Keith in concert and heart this summer ! Be sure to share the article with your “friends”.