Dido
Aqualung
May 19, 2004 - Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA

 
    

Pre-show/Opening Act:

My brother and I got to the venue a little bit after 8. First I went ahead and located our seats which was at stage left. Not bad at all. When we entered the opening act Aqualung was already playing. I couldn't really pick up much of what was going on thinking that Aqualung was a band, but then the guy was talking about a baby and I guess that news flew over my head so that explaining why the guy was going solo tonight. Aqualung was good, but nothing really stuck in my mind right away so I decided to hold off on buying the cd. I originally didn't think about taking notes, but then did since this is definitely a show I wanted to remember.

Dido:

Stoned: This is my personal favorite off the "Life for Rent" cd. What a nice way to open the show. However, right away I noticed Dido's vocals getting lost among all of the other instruments. Of course the Paramount Theatre always had issues with it's sound quality, but eventually as the night continued things got better. Let's see Dido was wearing a white v-neck tank top that was semi-transparent over blue jeans. Unlike other flashy performers Dido had no outfit changes.

Here With Me: This song got a welcoming applause and it was the first song that Dido really started moving about on the stage. Vocals were still a little muddled, but like with "Stoned" I loved the instrumentation from the band. After this song, Dido was telling the crowd about her stay in Seattle yesterday and how she went whale watching. I think she said she mistook some boats for whales too. LOL.

See You When You're 40: Wonderful. 

Life For Rent: Dido chatted with the crowd before starting this song. There were quite a few shouts from the crowd. Mostly "I love you"s. There were also some weird comments. One which had a guy saying something that Dido should stand up....Dido of course was confused saying "but I am standing up." Then she went to talk about "Life For Rent" and how she was pretty much homeless at the time.

Hunter: This song was probably one of my favorite live tunes of the night. It had a very tribal sound to it. Dido encouraged the crowd to get out of their seats and quite a few people were dancing...mostly the ones near the front few rows all the way on the other side of the stage. The woman by my brother had quite a problem though keeping her clapping to the beat of the music. It's the thought that counts I guess.

Isobel: I was hoping songs from "No Angel" would be represented. At this point I was watching the other band members. The bassist, well at times it didn't look as if he wasn't playing at all....but the sound was there. *shrugs*

My Life: This song came with some great percussion. The woman who was working in that circle of instruments was going at it non-stop with everything from glowing drumsticks, rain sticks, and something that looked like a gold digger pan. Who knows, but she was pretty interesting to watch. The rain stick was absolutely beautiful. I should get one of those if I ever leave the northwest.

Honestly OK: This is another song with another tribal like sound. Dido played tambourine on this one and Alex came out with a small hand drum and did some amazing solo numbers. At the end, he tossed his hat off into the audience.

Don't Leave Home: Dido said that this was not a love song, but rather one about addiction. This was probably another one of my favorite tunes to hear at the show. Afterwards, Dido got more "I love you"s and she commented on how her shirt must've been more see thru than she thought. That was pretty funny.

Who Makes You Feel: The set turned into a beautiful starlit background.

Take My Hand: Although it's a bonus track, it's my favorite song off of "No Angel." This was probably my favorite moment out of the whole night. I was surprised to learn it was one of the first songs she wrote. It got the room standing and it went off almost like a remixed version. Very cool.

Mary's In India: Then the stage cleared out and Dido appeared with a guitar. Someone from the crowd then yelled something about Dido being shy. "Me? I'm not shy. You've seen me through my top with these lights" was something to the extent of what she said. Then she went on saying that the next song was not true, and if it was she would have been a beyotch. Never of course...not Dido. This was Dido's vocals at their best in an acoustic setting.

Thank You: Before this song the audience were yelling things to Dido again...."thank you for the ticket....and something getting translated into borrowing soap (which turned out to be "awesome song"). Dido said it was hard to hear anything up there and that it was kind of fun. After the soap issue cleared up a nice transition into "Thank You" which she explained that she wrote in the bathtub after having a rough day. Near the end the crowd jumped in to sing the chorus. Dido complimented the crowd saying that it was the best singing on the American tour so far. She also mentioned that she would be peeing a lot with the drinks she had in her dressing room.

Sand In My Shoes: The crowd got up to dance to this one as well...and throughout the night there was quite the lighting show. Near the end of this song was a strong strobing effect. My eyes!!!! At least I had my hearing.

White Flag: This was introduced as the last song of the night. With much applause and another sing along from the crowd.

[encore]

Do You Have A Little Time: Was the first song of the encore. She said she wrote it for someone else, but then came to realize that the song was about her. During this number Dido was pretty much by herself on the keyboard.

Happy Birthday: Dido got the audience to sing happy birthday to their bassist. They brought out balloons, confetti was tossed and of course the guitar player came out with a present and they had a cake.

All You Want: another good one!

See The Sun: Dido picked up the guitar one more time and said "thank you" in a high voice...then said that was not cool and said "thank you" in a lower tone. LOL. Then she introduced the last song of the night which was about friendship. A good pick to end the night.

Post Show:

Everyone left the show with I guess a sense of comfort. Not excitability as with other concerts I've witnessed. Just to go in and enjoy the music. I had a wonderful time. 

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