Air Supply Concert Review: Elk Grove Village, IL!
To the Review….
Here’s a question for you: What is the one thing you wouldn’t expect to see at an Air Supply concert if you have never seen the likes of Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell, and their band, playing the songs you know and love?
Answer: A kick-ass drum solo, that’s what!
But I digress, let’s start how this came together.
I’m talking to a friend of mine, and on their music speaker I hear some Air Supply.
“Is that Air Supply?” I comment.
She mentions her love for Air Supply, and another friend who is nearby joins the conversation. Suddenly we are all about Air Supply when a revelation comes out, “You know, they are playing a free show in my town?”
And so it began, the checking of the calendars, the making sure we were all free, and a trip to Elk Grove Village, Illinois was set.
Air Supply is on the road for their “A Matter of Time” tour, in support of their new album by the same name, as well as celebrating fifty-plus years together. I’ll tell you what, if you have any remembrance of any of their classics, the likes of “Even the Nights are Better,” “The One That You Love,” or “All Out of Love,” head to their website, and try to catch them on the road.
Just hope they aren’t playing a festival kind of place, and you end up getting there a little later than planned.
The date arrived, but first some sustenance was needed, so off to a local restaurant we went. There should have been plenty of time, but while the food was excellent, service was a tad slow. Alas, our planned early arrival at Village Green in Elk Grove, Illinois was delayed just a tad too long. The power of Air Supply was in place, and the place was packed.
This was my first visit to Village Green, and it’s kind of an interesting venue with a stage at the end of a long, rectangular parking lot. Along the sides of the parking lot were some grassy parkways and trees. It was “Bring your own chair” seating at its best. My best guess was the area holds about 5,000 people, but what do I know?
My photo pass was secured, but the best seating the group could procure was about two-thirds of the way towards the back of the parking lot. Our fault for underestimating the love of Air Supply and just being later than we planned.
While our lawn chairs were way at the back, as a photographer, for three songs, I have the best location, right in front of the stage. I left my friends and took my spot next to a wonderful lady, whose name I sadly forgot, but I explained my intrusion was temporary. She was content with my photo assignment, and we had some nice chit-chatting about her love for Air Supply and that Mirko Tessandori, the keyboard dude in the band, was her man. I was also grateful for her because she completely had my back. You see, there was a woman a few rows back who was bemoaning that I was standing in her way. My protector shot back at her that I would only be there for a few songs, and she should pipe down. I wish I knew her name because I might have to hire her as my private, photographer security.
Showtime arrives, and the band makes their way to the stage, where, lo and behold, Mirko sees my “security” lady and gives her a big smile as she waves at him. Out comes Russell Hitchcock in a black suit adorned with colorful birds, and Graham Russell in a jacket that I’m jealous of.
As “Sweet Dreams” began, it was time for the smooth sounds I remembered as a youngster, finally seeing a band whose songs I have been singing for some forty-plus years.
While yes, they are out supporting a new album and single, don’t fret, the show is not a “What song is this?” show. Nope, this is a trip through everything you know and love. And then some.
As the show rolled, the likes of “Even the Nights Are Better,” “Every Woman in the World,” and “Two Less Lonely People in the World” had everyone singing along.
But about halfway through the show was where our late arrival truly became a difficulty.
It was time for the part of the show called “G’s Spot.” Get your head out of the gutter, it’s a nice interlude where Graham Russell gets a little spotlight, doing some crowd banter, reading inspired words, and playing around on guitar. In a normal venue I’m sure it works well, but for an outside venue where they don’t have supporting speakers in the back, and it is in the direct line of an O’Hare Airport landing path, all of the intimacy was lost in the struggling to hear him as planes flew overhead and the evening katydids overpowered the speakers.
I guess that’s a reason I’ll need to try and see them again!
In any case, the working of the G-Spot finished up, and the hits continued. Then came the unexpected, sandwiched between the lovey-doveyness of “Lost in Love” and “Making Love Out of Nothing At All,” and I’m talking about a rocking, cello duo spotlighting Jessika Soli and Kat Findlay, complete with bows that looked like lightsabers flying across the strings. And then, there it was, yes, a drum solo with Pavel Valdman showing that an Air Supply show isn’t just about snuggling with your partner.
As the show wrapped up, the encore of the Badfinger song that most remember by Harry Nilsson, “Without You,” and yes, recorded by Air Supply on the album “The Earth Is…,” had the crowd excited, and the closer, “All Out of Love,” gave everyone one last chance to sing along to a band most of them grew up with.
The boys sounded great, the band was more than solid, and I have to admit that I did not realize the guitar talent that is Graham Russell, especially as I discovered he plays a right-handed guitar, strung upside down, as Graham is left-handed. Very cool!
If you are catching Air Supply at a free, outdoor festival, hope that it isn’t in a flight-path, and don’t underestimate the draw of Air Supply by thinking you can show up late. If you do, just sit back, snuggle with your honey, and sing about love. That’s what Air Supply is about, and that’s what you’ll get at their show.
It’s two “lovey-dovey” thumbs up with a surprise drum solo and some wicked cellos. Catch them while you can!
That’s it for this one! I’m Andy!! L8R!!!
