Live @ Ithaca College 

by Rebecca Clark

Live put on an astonishing performance on March 29, 2003 at Ithaca College. The Ben Light Gymnasium was packed full and the crowd was watching with anticipation as Lake Trout opened. The audience didn't really get into Lake Trout's music and just stood there apathetically watching them as they played their short set. They sounded similar to the Dave Mathews Band mixed with the sound of Live.

   After a lengthy set change Live finally hit the stage. The crowd began screaming and a few of the guys up front were jumping up and down with excitement. During the 2nd song one of guys in the front row screamed at guitarist Chad Taylor asking "can I have your sun glasses?" Taylor responded by nonchalantly taking them off and tossing them to the eager fan, who immediately put the sun glasses on with pride and a huge grin on his face. 

Lead vocals/guitar Ed Kowalczyk interacted with the audience by pausing between songs to talk to the audience and introduce some of their new songs. Kowalczyk also kept reminding them to go out and pick up their new album, which will drop in stores May 20. 

Live's set was a good mixture of their old classic songs and new songs. Some classic songs played were "All Over," "Selling the Drama," and "Lightning Crashes." During "Lightning Crashes" and "Dance wit You," the audience immediately simmered down and began swaying along with the music and sang along with Kowalczyk. Along with lighters a few cell phones were held up into the air as members of the audience called friends that could not be there to listen.

When they played "Lakini's Juice," the energy became strong and the audience went wild jumping up and down with their arms stretched high as they bounced up and down. 

During their long set of almost an hour and a half they also performed "Beauty Of Grey," "Freaks," "Voodoo Lady," and a few new songs such as "Heaven," Like I do," and "What Are We Fighting For." Ending the set with "I Alone," the lights went out and the crowd screamed for more.

After a few minutes they came back on stage to sing a 3 song encore. "Dance With You," "Shit Town," and "White Discussion."

Overall Live put on an amazing live performance and gave fans a taste of what is to come out of their new album. Be sure to go pick it up when it drops in stores May 20th AND GO SEE LIVE IN CONCERT! If you don't you are missing out on an energetic performance and you will be missing out on one of the BEST live bands EVER.