Spencer Sutherland —The Drama Tour
Spencer Sutherland’s The Drama Tour definitely lived up to its name. The stage is adorned with drapery, a candelabra and a giant throne in the middle. Lights go down and an announcement starts, telling us about the journey we are about to embark on and Sutherland runs out. Immediately music starts and energy is radiating off of him, he doesn’t stay in the same place for more than three seconds. All smiles as he looks out into the crowd who is just as excited to see him. Dressed to the nines in a purple set with yellow fringe down the legs and shoulders, a medieval theme develops. Sutherland moves through Alive, Everybody, Let Me Loose, and God Save the Dream before slowing down with Melanie. As the song comes to a close he says, “I’ll be right back,” I’ve never had an artist leave five songs into the setlist. Possibilities run through my mind, and outfit change? Another announcement? Or maybe a special guest? I impatiently watch the stage, when I hear him again, I whirl around to see him at the back of the venue. I am able to get closer and I want to, completely ensnared in the pull of Spencer Sutherland. Back of the venue song is Modern Heartbreak. This song feels more intimate and shows that he doesn’t need a stage and props to captivate an audience. This song, he lets the crowd take over the chorus and still dazzling the crowd with power vocals that demand your attention. Sutherland lets more of his personality show as he prompts the crowd to serenade a birthday girl with the classic song, she definitely gets the full experience as his band joins in for a one of a kind rendition. He starts to read signs and talk to the crowd, asking questions about a breakup another audience member went through that day. Even bringing up two people which turned into a proposal! (She said yes!!) I am reminded how much more an artist can do at a smaller venue, less restrictions, much more fun. We move through the rest of the setlist and he covers Don’t Stop Me Now warranting an obvious uproar from fans. As we are coming up on the final songs he leaves again, only to return in a custom Dallas Mavericks jersey. And for the encore a third and final outfit change where he is adorned in the black jacket featured on the cover of the Drama album with “The Drama” spelled out in pearls on the back. He thanks the audience with a final bow and the same little announcer man from before comes back concluding the show. Walking back to my car I am replaying all that happened. A night full of fun, love and happiness. Sutherland embodies this while performing, he was meant to be on stage. I am extremely excited to follow all that he does in the future.
