More from Portland
- Mhole was right in front of me at the AI concert. Later we danced together at the LiMBO show. You can read her Idol show recap here.
- My Idol friend Mrs Trep also shared her experience from the Portland shows; her account is available here. (link corrected)
More from Me
I reviewed my videos from last night and wanted to share a few additional thoughts and impressions about the Portland concert. Below are observations about the performances, the audience, and a few memorable moments that stood out. This summary aims to capture the atmosphere and musical highlights from the evening for anyone interested in a concise, first-person concert review.
- Vocals and performance: Taylor sounded a bit winded during a few numbers — notably “Living for the City,” “Do I Make You Proud,” and “Takin’ It to the Streets.” He’s delivered stronger vocal nights before, but last night’s set was still engaging. His delivery felt quirky and animated, with a lot of stage presence and energy even when the voice seemed taxed. At times he almost skipped the big note in “Do I Make You Proud,” and he occasionally missed or shortened a lyric, but the performance never lost its charisma.
- Unexpected arrangements: He surprising the crowd by inserting Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” into the middle of “Living for the City,” a playful interpolation that added a fun twist to the set and kept the audience on their toes.
- Local color and props: Someone in the comments noted that the parrot heads used during the show resemble the mascot of the local minor league hockey team, the Portland Pirates; the mascot is named Crackers. That little bit of local reference got a chuckle from fans in the crowd and added a local flavor to the evening’s visuals.
More on the LiMBO show
The LiMBO after-party set was a highlight of the night. Their blend of covers and extended jams created a relaxed, celebratory vibe that fit the late-night setting. Here are a few standouts and personal impressions from that performance.
- Meeting the band: I’d hoped to chat with the members after the show, but the crowd was thick and the post-show area filled quickly. It was a bustling, friendly scene, and while I didn’t get a long conversation, the energy from fans made the evening feel lively and communal.
- Standout arrangement: A stripped-down take on “Tiny Dancer,” featuring flute and Brian Less on keyboards and vocals, was genuinely moving. The simplicity of that arrangement allowed the melody to breathe and gave the song a delicate, almost intimate quality. Brian’s interpretation of Elton John’s “Honky Cat” also stood out — his keyboard work and vocal phrasing brought a fresh, enjoyable twist to that classic.
- Extended jams: Their version of “Not Fade Away” stretched out into a long, hypnotic groove that kept building. It was one of those moments where I closed my eyes and simply absorbed the music. The sustained energy of that jam kept the crowd engaged and dancing.
- Front-row experience: I was positioned at the side of the stage and managed to get several good photos. Being close to the performers made the evening feel more immediate and immersive; it’s always a treat to see musicians up close and notice the small details in their playing and interaction.
- Upcoming shows: I’m excited for the Wilkes-Barre gig on Sunday. Brian Less mentioned the band will be there, and hopefully some friends from the tour will join too. The lineup and the promise of more live music make it sound like it will be a lively, possibly chaotic, fun night.
- Additional reading and schedule: For context about the next LiMBO appearance, there’s an article about Sunday’s show linked below, and the remainder of LiMBO’s After Idol Party tour dates are listed after that.
Sep 23 2006 10:30P Daniel Street Club Milford, CT
Sep 24 2006 10:00P The Woodlands Inn and Resort Wilkes-Barre, PA
If you were at either show or have impressions of these performances, feel free to compare notes. The Portland evening blended familiar Idol moments with spontaneous live-band energy, and both the headliner and LiMBO delivered memorable, if imperfect, performances that made the night worthwhile for fans of live music and pop performance alike.