Erasure @ Kingsbury Hall

The stage for Erasure's 2011 Tomorrow's World Tour is something of a post modern, nuclear symbol of a ruined cathedral. Gargoyles sit watch on either side of the stage, and the exaggerated Church window in the back looks out over a desert landscape, after all the album title is Tomorrow’s World.

Andy and Vince opened the show at Kingsbury Hall in Salt Lake City, Utah with "Sono Luminous" from their 1995 self-titled incandescent album. It was an unexpected treat, leaving half of the audience wondering if it was new or old, while the die-hard fans chanted along in awe. Lead singer Andy Bell wore a Trojan helmet and glittery red jacket during the opening number, complimenting the Bordeaux outfits of the longtime Erasure backup singers known as "The Gazelles." Songwriter/music-arranger Vince Clarke stood behind a gargoyle set piece, also in red, doing his computer thing. Vince recently tweeted, "...am determined to 'not close my eyes' whilst playing the guitar for 'Alien'..(people might think I'm a musician)."

The acoustic version of 'Alien" from 2001's Loveboat was a rare slow moment at the heart of the set featuring Vince Clarke playing an acoustic guitar whilst seated next to Andy, both center stage. It was especially moving when compared to the barrage of non-stop high-energy hits from the likes of "Victim of Love," to "Stop!" New singles were sprinkled in as well, like "When I Start to (Break it all Down)" and "Fill Us with Fire," plus "A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot" from the band's up-coming 14th studio album, Tomorrow's World, released in the U.S. on October 3, 2011. The new tracks were bluesy and dark, giving Erasure a keener edge over predecessors like "Chains of Love," and "Ship of Fools," classics drenched in poppy human emotion.

But let’s get back to the costumes. Andy discarded the Trojan helmet after the first track and continued shredding layers throughout the next few songs. At one point Vince hopped down from his gargoyle perch to snip the rear lacing of Andy's sexually charged lace vest. Doing so revealed a toned and muscular Andy Bell in the upper buff. It was no surprise to see his body drenched in glistening, energetic sweat.

But he wasn't shirtless for long. Soon the flamboyant electro superstar tossed on a sleeveless Michael Jackson tee, honoring the fallen king of pop. The shirt was embroidered with sparkling white-glove diamonds, and after Andy slid on a pair of MJ-style shades, the mood was set. Andy Bell is no Michael Jackson but it was clear he wasn't trying to be. Instead, Andy rocked his own blend of spastic dance moves and unique robotic shuffles, which when combined are commonly referred to as "The Andy Dance." This by itself is worth the price of admission.

Labeled "the definitive synth-pop superstars" on the band’s Wikipedia page, Erasure is an unstoppable force of energetic radiance. With 26 years and 14 studio albums under its belt, 2011’s Tomorrow’s World Tour has all the ingredients of show stopping perfection. See this concert if you have the chance because it’s guaranteed to make you smile.


C. Jake Cordova
http://www.facebook.com/JakeCordova