It's been a while since I've posted here, but I have much to share after seeing Alice in Chains in New York on Tuesday:
a) my review of the band, featuring new singer William DuVall
b) show my first attempts at concert photography. I realize I'm no Todd Owyoung or Carrie Musgrave, but all things considered, I'm fairly happy with the results.
Since my trusty H1 is a point-and-shoot, I was free to snap away all show (DSLRs and other "professional" cameras would've required a photo pass). And thankfully, the lighting was usually bright enough to get relatively stable shots without long exposures. Granted, the H1 is very noisy at ISO 400 (its max), so I've also had to experiment with Noise Reduction.
The H1's zoom was invaluable in getting shots as the sold-out crowd would not have been easy to traverse.
So, how is the "new guy"?
Truth be told, it was initially hard to tell - the crowd singing along with openers "Rain When I Die" and "Again" all but drowned the band out! But as the set progressed, it became clear that DuVall had both the chops and charisma to carry this band.
Duvall and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Jerry Cantrell make a good team. It's Cantrell's harmonies and guitar riffs that maintain the Alice in Chains sound on new tunes like "Check My Brain" and "A Looking in View."
Duvall's guitar contributions helped fill-out the band's layered sound.
The crowd was very loud and enthusiastic, eating up old faves like "Down in a Hole" and the multipart new offering "Acid Bubbles."
Even an old, beat-to-death-on-rock-radio standard like the set-ending " Man in the Box" whipped the audience into a crowd-surfing frenzy.
This show demonstrated that Alice in Chains are not destined to be a 90's grunge nostalgia act. Energized by their new singer and the public's warm reception, they are a band with a future.
A sample setlist can be found here. It's not exactly the show I saw, but it's pretty close.
More photos to come on My Flickr Page: UmlautSteve's Photos
Thanks again to friends Brian & Colleen for the extra ticket and overnight accommodations! Good to see you guys - and Jeff - again!
