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Saw PG last night at Radio City and it was great (as expected.thanks Peter), but it seemed that there were times when the audience was a little more inhibited than one would expect in other venues. PG was obviously trying to get people to interact during the second set (and some of us did) and I personally thought the room might have had a dampening effect on his efforts. Any other Gabrielphiles who attended last night's show think the same.or just me?

Was at the show as well last night. Thought it was outstanding. I think the venue made things a little confusing. The sound was great in the third row, but everyone was a little reserved feeling they were at the symphony, not a rock concert.

Yes, a night at the opera sort of feel. Felt bad in a way.hope PG didn't think it was a reflection on his performance. Like you I thought the show was incredible and looked/sounded great at seat 412.

Radio City is a great venue for a show like the "New Blood" tour, but it definitely leads to a more sedate audience. However, there really were only a few songs that encouraged much in the way of interaction.I'd say "Digging in the Dirt" and "Solsbury Hill". The rest of the songs were quieter, slower, and required the audience to listen more intently. The volume was just right for listening, but not loud enough to overcome the crowd if they had started to sing along. Note also that the sight lines in Radio City are not designed for people to stand. The slope is gradual, not like an arena (the Garden, or Giants Stadium) so when people stand the audience members in the back are blocked more than usual. This was my first Gabriel show, been a fan since forever but just never managed to catch a show. I certainly would love to see him in a full band format, but I think last night was exactly what I expected and also pretty much what I paid to see, hear, and experience. Bravo Peter, now how about a full band tour next year?

John3, Your point is taken about the set up of the hall. I enjoyed the venue itself and PG in it. If money grew on trees I'd have been there for tonight's show as well. Though I would also add "Red Rain" to your list. Perhaps my experiences elsewhere created an expectation of audience participation that was really a moot point at Radio City. I'm with you.a full band tour next year would be great!

Well, I was the fourth row and the section was rocking (especailly the drunk guy next to me), so from what I saw, the intensity level in Radio City was more than in Berlin. I was really surprised to read in the Tour Guide that Radio City audience on the first night was not as into it as in Berlin. I beg to differ. I'll eventually get a proper review up, but I'm still recovering and my Mom is ill and keeps waving me away when I attempt to nurse her. I think I may have to soon drag her kicking and screaming to the doctor's. Anyway - Great avatar, Sculore!

Whoops. I was at 5/2 show, not 5/3. Did you want impressions for either of the shows or just 5/3? Sorry if I minunderstood.

Hello. I was at both shows. The first night, the audience was much more enthusiastic. I loved both shows, but truthfully, I would rather see Peter and the band. Lou Reed made an appearance last night (the 2nd show) and performed "Solsbury Hill" in typical Lou Reed grunge style. In addition, his backing vocalist, not Melanie, is outstanding. She has a beautiful, haunting voice, which fit in very well with the selected songs. I had also noticed alot more empty seats for the 2nd show, although both shows were sold out. I can only hope that the douche that bragged about buying all of the great seats and then trying to sell them here at ridiculous prices got stuck with a handfull of tix. However, I doubt he's admit it. Anyway, I just saw 2 great performances, and now await a full blown PG tour with Tony Levin and company!!!!

I agree that the audience did seem a bit tempered as compared to the many concerts that I've seen in the past, and I pray that PG and every other folks involved do not interpret that as bad feelings toward the performance. I think that part of this can be attributed on it being a Monday night (not the biggest "night out" for NYers). In addition, the crowd (myself and those around me at least) was comprised of older fans - I just can't whoop it up like "back in the day"! I also believe that the mood that an orchestra brings, esp as it commenced in the 1st set, does not lend itself to jumping out of your seats right away - you want to savour every note of something very unique. However, many (myself included) were happily compelled out of our chairs by the middle of the 2nd set. Lastly, I also agree that RCMH does tend to make one feel the need to stay more composed than at a rock show; sometimes that feeling comes from those around you. I saw David Gilmour perform at RCMH several years ago & there were audience members hissing and complaining about people that danced (the nerve!) Thank you to all who had anything involved in putting this fabulous event together - I feel lucky to have been able to attend!!

Totally agree we were at Sunday night's show mind you after a 42 mile BikeNY tour the show was perfect we were so ready to relax and really listen to the music. At many points in the show you could hear a pin drop which was kind of neat almost headphone like experience. Radio City does put one into a more respectful mood not as rowdy as one would be at an arena but the music did seem to require it so it was a perfect choice. There were disappointed fans however around us who had no idea when they bought the tickets that it would be a orchestral show. My assumption was that they had not heard or puchased "Scratch My Back" and were listening to it for the very first time. I suspect they will apprecatiate the show after the fact especially if they ppurchase the album. GGreat show Peter! Like the others would love to see a US tour again but with full band Guitar and Drums.

I would have loved a nice quiet crowd (during the first half) in Berlin.

I found many people around me noisy and disrespectful of the others around them. the chatting, the fidgeting, the texting the phone camera's that take crap shots, why does anyone bother.does no one know how to sit and listen to a show anymore? someone yelled out "Harold The Barrel" and "Step It Up Peter", so rude and I got the impression most people had no idea what the particular Gabriel concert was reall about. to me it was a meant to be a sedate evening, its what Peter put together, not every concert should be a party.

Radio City can be rockin', it depends upon the type of music. If you bought Gabriel tickets for this tour and expected a night of No Self Control drum fills and Harold the Barrel, you are seriously misinformed and haven't been paying attention to the context of the new album and the heart level magic of this particular tour. I think fans in general don't get up and dance anyway, even for music that vastly deserves it. I've been at Santana, Gabriel, U2 etc. shows where people whine to have you sit down. Concerts aren't the same anymore in that regard. The Grateful Dead had every person in Radio City groovin' in 1980. I too love interactive dancing, singing, concerts but this concert however is one that we are being called on to interact on a much different, yet higher level. My 2 pennies.

A lot of great replies to my query. It was interesting to read the different lines of thought on this.thanks to everyone who has responded. The "heart level magic" comment rings especially true for me. At least PG's music usually has effected me on a much deeper level than merely being a good collection of tunes.in that light, Radio City would be a fitting venue. I guess it is all how you look at it. I would agree about the rudeness of some in the audience. The couple behind me were chatting during some of the songs.maybe not ones they had heard on the on the top forty? Yeah, the drunk guy was in the section to my immediate left and I thought he needed to have been gently removed to a less conspicuous location. I bet he got got a real work out jumping up and down with his arm in the air. The is a difference between audience interaction and the "play Freebird!" sort of behavior some were exhibiting.oh well, to each their own.

Rraven, Almost forgot.thanks for the comment about my avatar.it is a surrealistic self-portrait.

Peter had a chance to really WOW us by bringing out that voice of his with an Orchestra. It wasn't just strings because the wind instruments, chimes and bass drum were a large part of accenting as well. His choice of Ana Brum as singer was also excellent. It's really wonderful to see Melanie with PG! We should have attended both shows and are trying to figure out what was wrong with us?!?!?! If you love PG's classic anthems, his voice range and his quieter, deeper moments; This was hit out of the ballpark. All the moments in each song we love when his voice gets loud and echoes were done to a T!!! He picked all the right ones, repeated Red Rain from the night before and even In your Eyes was arranged for this format!!!! I was a bit sad that Nusrat was taken out from STN, but , perhaps the song now carries forward for future. It was wonderful with the girls as well!! Radio city Music hall was a well chosen venue as the sound surrounded us and made us a part of it. It is interesting to hear from the stage that the action travels out and they didnt seem to think anything from audience was getting back? They were dancing and shouting on mezz2! Lou Reed was quite a surprise including what he did with Solsbury Hill. The "boom boom boom" shook the place!! The only negatives were softly crinkling chip and candy wrappers in the upper mezz and several people who clearly did not buy the album, research the project, or understand what the format was going to be (what Peter was trying to do on this unique visit). A couple of these were vocal at times but yielded to peer pressure to be quiet. One of these was carrying on in the restroom about "other people's songs" and "Liza Minnelli being on next," it was very humorous. If Peter comes out with the bootleg versions and / or a DVD, this is a MUST!! The arrangements of his older stuff was absolutely out of this world!!!!! We have to have the second set of his own songs with orchestra on CD!! There was not a dry female eye on the mezzanine for most of it (the guys won't admit it)! It was a quiet emotional journey and I think it was supposed to be a more subdued listening experience. The screens and visuals worked great in there, we thought it was an excellent venue. Too bad if Peter didnt get the enthusiasm back. I noticed he couldn't get them to sing back at him though. I was disappointed by that. It would be a shame if peter didn't think it was one of his best sounds EVER!! We loved it!!!

I originally purchased tickets for the May 3rd show for the hubby & I but couldn't make that show so purchased tix for the May 2nd show and included my 2 children this time (ages 10 and 12.one of which is named "Gabriel") lol. So glad I did. They enjoyed it immenseley & I hope I am fostering a more "refined" taste in music with them both. They liked PG before the show & now ask to hear his music, including the new CD!! Makes mama proud!!

Funny story about the surprised audience during intermission. I waited in the somewhat-epic line for the ladies room. A very New Jersey woman spoke in a very New Jersey voice much louder than all the other murmurs in line: "WHAT'S WRONG WITH HIM? Everything from this whole album seems so DEPRESSED. I think maybe he needs to get laid." "Oh no," says her friend only slightly more quietly, "He just got married. So i don't think that's it." I chuckled to myself as they continued the conversation: "Oh?!" says Loud Lady, "Who did he marry?" . etc. Intensity, resonance, soul, passion, an inhibited and spiritual album (and performance) about love, loss, terrorism, and all the other beauties of living and dying in this world. Brilliant. Utterly brilliant. And poignant (not depressed). I wouldn't expect everyone to get that. But, then again, I'm glad that so many did. I was back in orchestra G and the overall acoustic mix of the hall there was very good. I was deeply affected and move by the concert and performance. Well done. Also would love to hear another full band tour. Or anything PG wants to do really. It's all going to be brilliant. Would be wonderful if you could limit #/tickets per individual most carefully, though - the digital scalpers really had their way with these tickets and I had to pay $250 by auction per ticket to have a chance to see this show. I was online the moment tix went on sale, just got shut out in the instantaneous sell-out.

Keep in mind the "orchestra" type setting is not very conduvice to interaction even with Peter's music or his intrepretation of others. Each movement, each stanza is to be lsitened to intently and applause (polite or wild) is usually reserved to the end of the performance. I think it s a case of people aren't sure how to react. I also feel that losing yourself in the beauty of the music, stark, slower, and minimalist as it is for Scratch my Back lends itself to a more intensely sedate analysis of the music itself and the intrepretation by the audience. Who wants to hear drunken louts holler PLAY FUCKING BIKO during a rest? I have NOT seen thsi show yet (Im going tomorrow night at the Hollywood Bowl) but I suspect people who are there for the hits will be disappointed. Those who are there to experience the genius of Gabriel will be elated. Just my $0.02. Dylan Mattina