22nd September 07: COLUMBUS (OH) | Nationwide Arena - Setlist, Photos, Reviews **SPOILER**

[Christian]

22nd September 2007 - COLUMBUS (USA)

Venue: Nationwide Arena
Doors: 1900hrs
Showtime: 2030hrs
support: none
all tims are local



Soundcheck
to follow, if available

Setlist
Behind The Lines / Duke’s End
Turn It On Again
No Son Of Mine
Land Of Confusion
In The Cage / The Cinema Show / Duke’s Travels
Afterglow
Hold On My Heart
Home By The Sea / Second Home By The Sea
Follow You Follow Me
Firth Of Fifth / I Know What I Like
Mama
Ripples
Throwing It All Away
Domino
Drum Duet
Los Endos
Tonight Tonight Tonight (intro)
Invisible Touch

I Can’t Dance
The Carpet Crawlers


Stories, photos and discussion is now up to you!

[Squonkman]

For anyone going to the Columbus, Ohio show Sat night that the word on the street from the official forum and a few of the other forums is that the meeting place of choice pre-show is a pub called the Frog Bear and Wild Boar which is right next to the Nationwide Arena. Anyone going to the Columbus show here? You can catch the Ohio State game in the afternoon and walk to the concert from there.
__________________

[Squonkman]

bump for reminder----I hope to see someone, anyone at the Frog Bear pre and post show per above. I will probably be wearing a Pure Reason Revolution shirt. (until I can buy me a nice new Genesis t shirt).

[Visionsofangels]

Originally Posted by Squonkman

bump for reminder----I hope to see someone, anyone at the Frog Bear pre and post show per above. I will probably be wearing a Pure Reason Revolution shirt. (until I can buy me a nice new Genesis t shirt).

Hey Squonkman,
I just want to say that i hope you really enjoy the show, ("know that it's your show!")
And you get the chance to sing and dance your little ol' 'white socks' off ..
We want details & pic's please, when you next come on line.

[Christian]

@ Squonkman: if you have "tons of pics" - no problem, my mailbox is VERY big

[Squonkman]

just a quick post to say................


WOW. Awesome. I will add a full review here soon. I need a little time to gather my thoughts and reflect a little.

Christian, how do I send you my pictures to add to the site---do I email them to you? and if so where, what address?

[Visionsofangels]

Originally Posted by Squonkman

just a quick post to say................


WOW. Awesome. I will add a full review here soon. I need a little time to gather my thoughts and reflect a little.

Christian, how do I send you my pictures to add to the site---do I email them to you? and if so where, what address?

Hi there, looking forward to full review

[Squonkman]

Originally Posted by Squonkman

just a quick post to say................


WOW. Awesome. I will add a full review here soon. I need a little time to gather my thoughts and reflect a little.

Christian, how do I send you my pictures to add to the site---do I email them to you? and if so where, what address?

Well, here goes.......


I drove to Columbus, OH from St Louis on a beautiful Saturday morning, and as I crossed over the Missisissippi, with the Gateway Arch glistening in the sun behind me, embarking on the 5.5 hour drive, it hit me---I actually am going to see Genesis live again after 20 years. Last time was early 1987 in Kansas City, MO on the Invisible Touch tour. They had acutally booked 2 dates in KC that tour in 1987 and I was going to see the second show also, but the second was cancelled due to Phil having a cold and having some voice problems. An ominous sign of the future? as I would have no idea at that time that I was possibly never going to see Genesis again. They didn't play in St Louis on the IT tour (hence my KC trip), and they also skipped us in 1992 for the WCD tour, so I didn't see that one. I had a ticket in hand for Ray Wilson and Co to play at the Fox Theater in St Louis on the Calling All Stations tour, and we all know what happened there.

So as I crossed the flat farmland country and praries of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio, I couldn't believe I was finally going to see my band again live. which would be my 7th Genesis concert. To get psyched, I actually started out with a little Gabriel (Security) in the car, as I didn't want to overload too quickly on the Genesis tunes, but soon I was playing Seconds Out completely, as well as The Longs and a little Three Sides Live. Also had with me the 4 encore series shows from this tour I had already bought (Rome, 2 English shows and Helsinki) so I already knew what to expect soundwise and the setlist. Nonetheless, I still actually had butterflies of anticipation.

I had originally hoped that maybe I could get there early enough to make the 3 pm Ohio St football game, scalp a cheap ticket, and take that in before the concert, but I ran a bit behind and road construction on the way slowed me up a little. So I pulled right into the Nationwide Arena area by about 4:30 pm, very easily finding the new looking arena at the edge of the Columbus downtown. Right next to what they call the Arena District is a whole area of nice restaurants and bars, with one, the beforementioned Frog Bear and Wild Boar, sitting literally within a few hundred feet of the Arena entrance, with a nice beer garden overlooking the arena. Got a close parking spot and noticed Genesis shirt wearing people already filing toward the Arena that early for the 8 pm show. Got camera ready---a small one that could fit in my pocket and/or hid if I needed to. Pure Reason Revolution shirt on, and off I went.

The Frog Bear was already hopping because it was swarmed with red clad Ohio State fans watching the game on the bars multiple hid-def tvs, creating a wierd mixture of red clad football fans and Genesis clad concert fans. It was a cool festive atmosphere already around the Arena, and one outside vendor was already selling concert souveniers. I had one task at hand, due to the fact I had an extra ticket due to a late cancellation for the long trip unfortunately, so as I wandered near the ticket window, I noticed there were scalpers already selling, so I was worried about my chances of recoupment. Lucky for me there was a guy trying to buy a ticket at the window as I walked up, and hearing they had nothing close on the floor, was about to sit up in the rafters when I psssst him and told him I had one, dead center, 20th row that I would gladly resell to him, with a little discount thrown in. He couldn't believe HIS luck, and gladly paid the near face value for the ticket. I found out he had driven in from Buffalo NY that day, having missed the Buffalo show earlier in the tour.

Figured I might as well get my Genesis t shirt and hat now (already had the program and book from ordering thru the official site) as my pocket was now filled with more cash, then headed a few hundred feet to the bar where I then imbibed for a few hours and watched the rest of the Ohio St game which they won handily 58-7 (the game would warrant a mention several times from Phil).
........cont


Part 1

[Squonkman]

[part 2]


there were some other forum members (from the official and the Discography forum) supposed to be meeting at this bar, but with the huge game and concert crowd packed in, it was tough to figure out who was who. Anyway, met a bunch of great Genesis fans and it was interesting hearing how people from all over were at this concert. Met a couple from the Detroit area about my age who introduced themselves to me after overhearing me telling another younger couple to not expect any "Phil solo songs" much to the chagrin of the young guy's wife. The Detroit couple also loved the older 70s stuff and were planning on seeing them in Detroit and Cleveland also. Met some people who flew up from Dallas. Then there were the four guys who all had Rome Genesis shirts on who had been backpacking in Europe when they found out that Genesis was putting on a free show---so they all went. They were recent Ohio St graduates and were pumped to see them again, and I talked to them for awhile about our Genesis experiences---they were fairly new to the band and wanted to hear how the past tours had been. Thanks for the shots guys. I was impressed by the mixture of 40s and even early 50 somethings with younger fans, no doubt helped by the college town crowd.

Finally, it was nearing showtime as I decided to go in about 7:30. This arena was actually a very nice looking building with a red brick facade, and it looked new and spotless. No close checking of pockets thankfully allowed me to get the camera in, I grabbed a few brews for myself and the Buffalo guy who bought my ticket (a thank you for helping me recoup the potential $200 loss) and headed for my seat. While in the beer line got into another conversation with some younger female fans who again were thinking they would be doing some "Phil songs" and seemed confused about which were Genesis songs and which were Phil's.

Down to my seat--- Wow. Literally dead center. So nice to sit down on the floor and I was not disappointed----20th row, absolute dead center (as you will see from my pics that Christian will post). I should have taken more of the stage setup beforehand, but I was busy getting the camera ready (a recent purchase, so learning on the fly), and meeting the people around me. A few people noticed I had a real camera (rather than a cell phone) and quickly gave me their email addresses and wanting copies of my pictures.

Seeing the stage in person, I was actually struck by the fact that it was not as HUGE as I thought it would be---the actual stage set up (not the backdrop) was actually very intimate, and I was amazed that the stage was somewhat low (a few feet higher would have eased the picture taking a bit). The place was filled and buzzing with aniticipation and I sensed a festive crowd, no doubt helped by the Sat night date and the football game that had just concluded. People from all over sitting around me---Michigan, Chicago area, New York.

Then the opening montage, the sounds of JFK (yeah, nice touch) and the white lights signify the opening blast of Behind the Lines! and we are off.
That feeling of surrealness in seeing again what I had been thinking about and reading about and anticipating for so long.......wow. Balancing camera, beer and wanting to soak in everything, it was almost like information overload.

Behind the Lines/Duke's End

Other than maybe Dance on A Volcano, couldn't have picked a better opening tune (which Christian and I both called very early on as the opener). It sounded crisp and tight from the beginning. I love the fact that Phil started out drumming and would be hitting the skins quite frequently. I immediately took note of how much bigger Chester's drum kit was than Phils. Phil seems to have downsized his kit over the years as the ones that he played with on other tours were definitely filled with more toms. I was a little surprised that the volume didn't blow me away---my memory of past Genesis concerts was that it was louder and the drums were REALLY loud, but that may be due to advancing age! more than anything, although I have no doubt that they may have toned it down due to Phil's hearing issues also.

Turn it On Again

The segue into TIOA was perfect and this got everyone clapping right away. I don't know about the rest of the arena, but we on the floor were standing the whole show (except for a few songs--see below). My view was perfect from almost dead even with Phil's mike stand.

No Son of Mine/Land of Confusion

the crowd stayed pumped for these more well known songs and Phil's voice sounded fine. I had been a little worried that a reported cold had left some people to comment that he didn't sound as good at the third Philly show, but I heard no signs of fatigue. My listening to the encore cds no doubt prepared me for the lower key of some of the tunes. I do have to admit that Land of Confusion didn't sound quite as powerful as I had remembered it back in 1987 on the IT tour, I think partly due to the fact that it is kind of buried behind 3 other strong sounding tunes to start out the show. btw, I did not see Phil do his singing into the cell phone bit during any of this as he was doing at other shows, unless I completely missed it.

Cage/Cinema Show/Duke's Travels/Afterglow

Phil greeted the audience, which was nice and boistrous on the opening tunes. A lot of clapping and some singing along nearby, and I noticed a lot more women at this concert then even what I remember of the tours in the 80s after they had "pop" success. Phil mentions that it sounded like "your team had a good day today" and that got a huge roar. His "old people" bit got a nice chuckle, and I told the Buffalo guy next to me (who last saw them on the Mama tour) that he was in for a treat for the next 20 minutes or so. The Cage visuals were great. I have to confess though I missed the incredible vari-lites of the Mama tour, which really showcased this tune. The transition into Cinema Show gave me that first shiver of familiarity, as the lights spotlighted Banks, Rutherford and Collins as Phil hit the skins and Chester took a break for a second. Although they cut a bit out from the 3SL version of Cinema, it still was great hearing this again-----I didn't want to get preocciped with snapping pictures so during some of these songs I just took in the music and listened intently.

I could sense during the Cage medley for the first time the signs of people unfamiliar with the material around me---some even sat down (just a few) and a few women took bathroom breaks! Sad. I was air drumming etc, trying to not look like a total nerd, but this really got me into the show. The transition into Duke's Travels I think could use a little more smoothness and space---to my ears it sounds kind of abrupt. And while I would have rather heard all the Duke stuff in one chunk, it was still cool to hear this live again after first hearing it 27 years ago on the Duke tour.

Aftergflow was sublime and provided me more goosebumps. It was cool that the lighting reflected the old concert tours with the reddish afterglow and backlit stage, with a little dry ice to boot for old times sake. That was the first time I felt----yeah, just like the old days. I thought Phil sung it very well, even with the lower key, and I have always loved the closing double drum conclusion after "I miss you more", with Phil's rolling toms kicking in with Chester.

Hold on My Heart

With Phil bringing out the stool to sit on, this gave the crowd, even the floor, the excuse to sit during this one. As expected, many took bathroom breaks during this one.

cont

[Squonkman]

well fudge, lost the whole last part, now have to write it all over.....


[part 3]

Home by the Sea

for me one of the true highlights of the show. Despite the fact that I have seen this played live 3 times previous, and countless times have seen it./heard it on videos and boots, I never tire of this, probably the best 80s tune they ever did IMO. I like the darker, heavier more menacing Genesis, and this song didn't disappoint. Spot on, and intense. Phil got the crowd into it with his "scary scary stories" and got the crowd doing the "wooooooooooohs" alot and even a few times during the song. The lighting and video effects were cool, and this was impeccably played, no messups that I could hear. One of the true highlights of the show for me.

FYFM

a nice contrast from the heavier HBTS, you can tell Genesis thought long and hard about balancing lighter songs with the longer instrumentals etc. So the alternating was a good idea, if you notice. Chester played that shaker round thingamijig and this song got the ladies singing again.

Firth of Fifth/I Know What I Like

launching right into the instumental part of FOF sounded a little odd and abrupt to me, too bad they couldn't do the whole song, but I was glad to hear any of it. Thinking, when did I last hear this live---probably 1982 encore tour? Daryl gets a lot of grief from older Hackett fans, and I am a huge Hackett fan, but Daryl really does a good job of injecting a little of his own personality but still keeping close to the Hackett blueprint in the guitar solo. I could tell some people around me didn't know what the heck this instrumental was but the Buffalo guy next to me and I exchanged a knowing glance and smile of recognition. My only quibble during this and in Home by the Sea was the absence of the really heavy deep bass pedals from days of yore that literally made you feel like your chest was going to cave in. No doubt due to the lighter volume, I didn't quite feel that same depth of bass pedal. But overall, I was air drumming and air guitaring to this one while others had blank looks on their faces (when does he sing Sussudio?)
IKWIL got the crowd back into it, and Phil got a great response after his tamborine dance with the "hey heys" and the crowd really responded as it seemed like he did that longer than what I heard on the recordings. The crowd sang to the chorus too, and yes, even that Stagnation bit which some of us got. Great video shots of years gone by during that one.


Mama/Ripples

they launched quickly into Mama, once again showcasing the heavier darker Genesis. I was amazed that Phil can sing this one and he seemed to have no problems. I had been concerned about reports from the last Philly concert that his voice was suffering a little and he had a cold, but he was smooth tonight, and even with the lower key he sounded good. After Mama he "apologized" for the dirty "lewdness"? did he say of that song and introduced one of the true gems of the Genesis catalog. I was disappointed to see alot of the crowd, even on the floor, sit during this one, but there were also many singing the chorus of Ripples. The lighting was reminiscent of the only other time I had seen this song live, on the Duke tour, with the greenish backlights and yellow tones. Despite the fact that they chopped out about a minute and half from the instrumental compared to the 1980 version, it was still sublime and Daryl does not get enough credit for playing Hackett like on that guitar solo. Is wierd to see Phil sitting with nothing to do for a few minutes. Overall, a pure gem, one of the reasons I was willing to pay 200 bucks to see this concert.

continued.......