The Del Amitri Concert, August 7, 1997
August 7, 1997 The Roxy, Atlanta GA.
by David Lyonss

New year, new album, same venue, same great band -- even with the new additions... possibly better. I have to say I was pretty psyched to see the show, even if I had to go this one alone. Atlanta radio plays little to nothing of the Dels -- a little Roll To Me now and then, but that's about it. It's pretty difficult to find someone to drag to a show where they think all they are going to hear is cheesy VH-1 music.

So anyway, I got there pretty early and so did the rest of the crowd (probably about 75% of capacity...the balcony was closed). Jackopierce opened, and the I think most people were there to see them. They are a pretty good band from Dallas that is getting a lot of attention here in the southeast, and for good reason, they are excellent. Those of you going to later dates are in for a treat -- get there on time!!

As an aside, for those who will be seeing Cowboy Mouth open, you are in for a fantastic show!! They are from New Orleans and are HUGE in the southeast -- They're an unbelievably fun band and really get the crowd going.

Anyway, when Jackopierce finished, a lot of the crowd shifted, or left or whatever, so I found myself towards the front -- I stayed back about a row or two to let some of the more attractive female members of the audience up there (I'm 6'7", and wouldn't want to deprive the boys a look at some of the FINER things in Atlanta!!). As the Dels took the stage, and much to my surprise, Justin's shaved his head!! Not ALL they way bald, but he's down to less than half an inch -- quite a change -- however the signature sideburns are still in tow.

I must say as they started to play, even with the new members the band has not missed a thing. In fact, I think the harmonies might even be tighter! I was very pleased.

Justin talked sparingly, mentioning a little bit of shopping they had done in one of the more eclectic areas of the city -- Little Five Points. For the most part, the boys FLEW through the 20 song set. The lack of interraction was a little disappointing, but I would have to say, about 50% of this crowd was there for Jackopierce and stayed on to check out what the Dels were all about, and there were very few who reacted at all to any song older than the Twisted album. I turned around from time to time and saw a LOT of blank stares...By the end of the show, however, whether it was the beer or the music, the crowd was definitely more into it...

Soapbox time!! I know, I know, songs like Roll To Me and Not Where It's At have to be written, recorded, and sung to get radio airplay, sell albums, etc, etc, etc, but Guys, please comfort your loyal fans and tell us the cheesy little pop songs will be few and far between!! Ok...sorry... I had to get that off my chest...

I think they did a great job of mixing old with new throughout the set, and though there are always going to be songs you wanted to hear and didn't (THIS SIDE OF THE MORNING!!! HINT HINT!!), you simply can't please everyone.

Set List:

Some other sucker's parade
Just Like a Man
Always the Last to know
Cruel Light of Day
Not Where It's At
Paper Thin
Here & Now
What I Think She Sees
Roll To Me
Jimmy Blue
The Ones that you love lead you nowhere
Hatful of Rain
Won't Make it Better
Start With Me
Stone Cold Sober

Encore One:
Medicine
Tell Her This (requested from the crowd)
Be My Downfall

Encore Two:
Driving With The Brakes On
Kiss This Thing Goodbye

We were outta there by 12:30 believe it or not!! Like I said, they FLEW through the set, but it was worth every millisecond.

I was planning on driving the two hours to go to the show in Birmingham as well, but as luck would have it, a friend of mine from Delhi India happened to be flying through town (Sure, sure, a likely story, huh??).

That's it -- no groovy backstage stories or anything along those lines. Have fun when they come your way!

Dave