Grant About Town - October 2, 2007

Genesis at United Center

With a career that has spanned 40 years, 150 million albums sold and numerous transformations, English band and longtime G favorite Genesis was certainly not lacking in material when it came to play the first of 3 sold out shows at the United Center. The question was: How do you reconcile all of the periods - the prog rock of original lead singer Peter Gabriel, the still progressive yet less theatrical period after drummer Phil Collins took over lead singer duties in the mid-70's, and the more radio-friendly pop orientation from the 80's forward - into a coherent live show.

Part of the answer came when (much to the dismay of many diehard Genesis fans) Gabriel was not able to fully commit to being a part of the Genesis reunion despite initial interest in doing so. Depending on the source, early guitarist Steve Hackett either dropped out when Gabriel could not commit or wanted to join the tour but was passed on by the other three members. Whatever the case may be, Collins, along with keyboardist Tony Banks and guitarist/bassist Mike Rutherford decided to hit the road as a three-piece along with longtime collaborators Chester Thompson on drums and Daryl Stuermer on guitar to round out the quintet.

Some 20 years after I had last seen them on the "Invisible Touch" tour at the Hartford Civic Center in 1987, Genesis managed to strike a balance between the old and the new as they ran through a catalog of their many hits. The transition from one era to another was not always super smooth and the results ranged from sublime and powerful (the fantastic 70's medley of "In the Cage"/"The Cinema Show"/"Duke’s Travels"/"Afterglow", the two-part 80's hit "Home By the Sea"/"Second Home By the Sea") to cheesy (the clunky ballad "Hold On My Heart" from 1991's "We Can't Dance"). However, the sound was quite crisp and clear for an arena show and the musicianship was always tight throughout the 2 1/2 hour performance. Collins alternated between frontman duties and banging away on the drums side-by-side with Thompson, Banks created lush harmonies on keyboard and Rutherford sported a doubleneck bass and 12-string guitar.

A few other odds and ends from the show: Amazing video screen on the stage. Wow. Just stared at it for minutes on end during the show. At one point, it was in synch with the notes being played by the band, like the little lines going up and down on a stereo display. Concert t-shirts ranged in price from $40-50, which certainly raised the eyebrows and lowered the wallets of my buddy Rob and I. Our seats were great, section 109 lower level on the corner right over the tunnel to the locker room. We had folding chairs on the aisle, nothing in front of us but a railing (both a foot rest and my makeshift drum kit for the night) and could get to the nearest bathroom in about 30 seconds so the beer was flowing. What more could you ask for?

In a repeat of my experience at The Police concert in Connecticut, I had the requisite "Older audience member asking the younger one in front of him to sit down" episode, which made me shake my head and laugh. This isn't a movie theater or your living room, for christ sake. People stand at concerts, and sometimes they sing and dance, too. Next time stay at the retirement home and watch the concert on DVD. If I ever get that lame, please don't let me go to rock shows anymore. One more thing for the band. Would it have killed you to include "Abacab," perhaps as a kick ass closer instead of the slower paced oldie "Carpet Crawlers" which had many people (myself included) heading for the exits. Kind of a weak finish, but a fine night overall.

Genesis Set List - October 2, 2007 at United Center

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 / Invisible Touch

Encore
I Can’t Dance
Carpet Crawlers