Setlist: I Think You Know, Secret Society, Weakness, Stood Up, Lost Horizon, Buffalo Grass, Beloved Infidel, Hit Me Like a Train,
Wouldn’t You Like to Know, Sweet Kindness, Woman’s World,
Afterlife, Down With the Ship, Honest Work, Rock Love, God Said,
Fascist Christ, Hawking, Worldwide Epiphany
Encores: I Saw the Light / Can We Still Be Friends / Hello It’s Me,
The Last Ride, Fade Away
Todd presented a career spanning set which generally avoided the bigger bangers but still remained an immersive and compelling selection of songs. His voice is still in good shape and his guitar playing is as incredible as ever. Name any great guitar players you have heard and I would say that Todd could run any of them close or better them. His very distinctive style and dynamic playing was a constant jaw-dropping joy. The curious could be directed to his lead guitar work all over Bat Out Of Hell for just how Todd’s guitar can make a song sing. Where Todd did lack was in audience interaction. He was a riveting focus of the band but I think he spoke once to the crowd all night. He let the music do the talking, which is fine but unusual.
I don’t think there was any dip in the set, and highlights were plenty. ‘Secret Society’ had a slinky funk groove led by long-time Rundgren compadre master bassist Kasim Sulton. Just a glorious song with some stellar guitar and four-part harmonies. Beloved Infidel had a more intimate feel with soft measured vocals while Hit Me Like A Train was a stronger riff heavy take on the original song. I wasn’t expecting the reggae chops of Down With The Ship but this highly amusing crowd-pleaser was a definite highlight. God Said soared and floated around the theatre and it hit me just how stunning the band is. You know when sometimes you see a band and you can tell – you just know – they are superb musicians. These guys made it all seem effortless. A big shout out too to the incomparable Prairie Prince (from the Tubes) who has also been with Todd for many years. A terrific percussionist.
The encore opened with a medley of three of the songs the audience was waiting for – I Saw the Light / Can We Still Be Friends / Hello It’s Me went down a storm. Keeping the classic feel going Todd fired off The Last Ride and Fade Away leaving everyone smiling. He got a standing ovation and I was ready for some merch, but there wasn’t any. He does things his own way does Todd.