Peter Gabriel @ The Greek Theater, Berkeley 06/10/11

[El Dingo]

Very disappointing.

I have never seen Peter Gabriel live even though I have memorized every album up to "Us". I was expecting to be swept away by hits and obscurities cloaked in a Genesis-like stage show.

What I got was slowed-down versions of his songs and covers ('Heroes' - Bowie, 'My Body is a Cage' - Arcade Fire) played by a symphony orchestra. Gabriel's voice was great but the arrangements were a total snoozefest. The stage FX were large LED panels flashing abstract designs.

To add insult to injury the GA seats were on the steep lawn. All other shows I've seen at the Greek had the bleachers as GA.

I hope to see him again with electric instruments, African percussion and a crazy stage show.

[Drunk Monk]

I would have worked RM for this if I didn't have a prior engagement. I, too, memorized just about all his stuff until So (and I'll always remember a particularly stirring version of Sledgehammer...that guy's drunk!) Now I'm glad I missed it as it would taint my memories. I saw Gabriel at Oakland many moons ago, back when he was still crowd surfing and I was paying for tickets. He was amazing then. And I worked Womad in GGP in '93. I have this memory of restraining a tripper when Ziggy Marley played and trying not to groove to it because it excited the patient. Alas, Peter...

[Haggis Killer]

I saw him at Womad, too. Not a bad set, from my recollect. Still, the only time I've seen him. And I didn't have any trippers to deal with, so I got lucky there.