My first night back at the Saenger Theatre since before the
hotel collapse in 2019 and there was not a better way to experience it. I could
not have guessed that I was about to see one of the most amazing concerts of my
entire life.
I was not expecting Kiesza. Yes, I saw her name on the bill,
but I did not believe that she had the power to bring me back to the 1980s like
she did. And I was blown away. With her big red hair, sexy black clothes, totally
rad 80s-inspired rock/pop sound, and crazy dance moves, she was a one-woman
show on her own. With the addition of two other ladies on the guitar and drums,
it was a full-on female powerhouse. She played through her hits along with some new songs that she demanded to
play because she's a true musician wanting to be heard. Her microphone had a tail
whip on the end that she would swirl over head before she high-kicked her knee
to her ear. Very impressive to see in person.
Lindsey Stirling is more than a musician. She is a dreamweaver.
She has the ability to craft a world in her mind and immerse you into it
sonically, visually, and physically. Lindsey and her four dancers traveled
through time, entering into various scenes and rewriting history to their
liking. They began in an ancient time roaming the wild lands and defending their
tribe during "Artemis." They made their way to the Renaissance and waltzed
through palace ballrooms in "Masquerade," they sailed the high seas during the
time of world exploration during "Master of Tides." This particular song was incredibly
engaging as it demanded that the audience choose their own adventure throughout
the song. Should they fish or should they swordfight? It was up to us.
Lindsey's show was punctuated by moments of levity and
comedy and she changed her costumes on stage aided by a gaggle of men as she
told stories about her life and career. There was a heartwarming interlude of
Disney songs including the theme from "Up," "Toy Story," and more; claps go to
the little dog Luna who ran across the stage a time or two during this special
moment.
Lindsey's show went out of this world for the second half.
Instead of exploring the Earth's history, she brought us out into the solar
system and beyond to worlds that exist only within her. She levitated high
above the stage while her dancers played with her impossibly long dress during "Between
Twilight" as if she was a living star and her trailing dress was her light. She
shined in a glittering white dress and wig for "Sleepwalking."
The evening ended with a bombastic entrance into her world
of comic books. She donned a fiery red wig and jeans in order to battle with an
enemy for "Roundtable Rival." She completed her amazing show with "Guardian," a
tribute to her father and friend who succumbed to cancer.
Kiesza and Lindsey Stirling have both battled adversities while
trying to find their unique places in the world of modern music. This tour
proved to me and countless others that they've found it.
