I know I am late with my review of Erasure's new tour, which the synth pioneers are out promoting their new album Tomorrow's World, which drops on October 4. I have good reason for why my review took so long. Not only was opening act Frankmusuk turning it something fierce on the 1's and 2's at Splash as well as the opening act (which I will get into in a second), but I just got 100% of my hearing back today, I spent my goddaughter's birthday with her yesterday, and I had an intense date with my personal trainer. Baby, when I tell you Erasure turned it out on Tuesday night (their final show at Terminal 5 in NYC was yesterday), hunny they as well as Frankmusik had me clutching my pearls. But first, let's talk about Frankmusik, shall we?
While waiting for my friends to show up (long story and they were beyond late), I happened to catch the electronic DJ/producer/singer up on the Terminal 5 roof where he hung out a bit before going on stage to do his thing. I was a bit bummed when I went on the roof to get a few drinks at the bar and I headed down unfortunately missing a few minutes of his opening song. But when that fierce drum beat (which was provided by an actual drummer and not a beat from a computer) pulled me towards the floor, I couldn't stop myself. i sang them songs like my ass was on stage doing the performing. It got me some attention, but when you actually have a good singing voice, you don't give a shit of the looks.
Anyways, I am pretty familiar with Vincent Frank's music, but I had never witnessed him live. mashing up his old and new songs with How Will I Know by Whitney Houston, Music Sounds Better With You by Stardust, Around The World by Daft Punk, Call On Me by Eric Prydz, and so many more to mention, not only had me gagging, but got Frankmusik something he well deserves from the usually fickle NYC crowd. The respect, swaying hips, and adoration from a crowd full of gay men and heterosexual women, some who had no idea who Frankmusik even was. While I would never want to see him get as big as the mediocre American pop singers who get paid way too much money to give lackluster performances, Frankmusik is the real deal, and he could teach so many of these performers how to not only sing their ass off, but give a live performance that will be talked about for years to come.
Frank's set was done by 8:30 (he did a thirty minute set), so we had to wait until 9:00 for Erasure to go on. And when they did, boy was it worth the wait. The lights went down and Andy, Vince, and two background singers entered the stage, which got not only myself excited, but my friend blurted out, "oh! I see costumes!" Anyone who has seen Andy Bell perform live knows damn well he ain't never entered a stage not wearing some flashy ensemble. When the lights came up and Andy stepped to the mic to sing the opening song, he was wearing a red rhinestone blazer, black slacks, and a Roman soldier's helmet giving every bit of DIIIVAH! Andy and Vince sang the hits, as well as a few tracks from Tomorrow's World (which sound every bit as Erasure, but Frankmusik's production added a thicker, current dance vibe that will have the kids gagging for years to come. Andy also bantered between songs, telling the audience he named the gargoyle prop on stage Nancy Grace (which definitely got a chuckle out of me since I can't stand her loud ass) and halfway through the concert Andy told Vince he couldn't breathe (before he went into the song Breathe) so Vince brought out the scissors and cut the back strings off the corset tank top he was wearing to change into a Michael Jackson muscle tee (Andy's fit muscular build had me gagging as well. Madonna wishes she looked that fierce).
For the encore he sang Oh L'Amour, A Little Respect, Stars, and Stop! This was my first time seeing Erasure in concert, and I was completely star struck the entire time seeing someone like Andy, who has not only been an inspiration as an openly gay pop star, but to myself as an artist, and if there was anyone who got an education in the art of real performance from Frankmusik and Erasure, it was myself. If this tour comes around again once Tomorrow's World is released, future pop star of the world need to check them out because it'll definitely be worth it.
Sono Luminus / Always / When I Start To (Break It All Down) / Blue Savannah / Fill Us With Fire / Drama / You've Got To Save Me Right Now / Ship of Fools / Chorus / Breathe / Victim of Love / Alien (acoustic) Push Me Shove Me / Love To Hate You / I Lose Myself / A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot / Breath of Life Chains of Love / Sometimes / A Little Respect / Oh L'Amour / Stop!
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