06/30/2024
--NASHVILLE, TN--
Thousands of fans clamored for entry into the Ascend Amphitheater, downtown Nashville's premier open-air venue, anxious to witness Sarah McLachlan's first full-band tour in nearly a decade. They were treated to prime Sarah McLachlan with a setlist of songs, both old and new, packed to the brim with the deft emotional acuity that set the Canadian singer-songwriter apart from her contemporaries during her rise to stardom in the early 90's.
Her band was in fine form tonight with guitarists Lyle Workman and Luke Doucet trading lead duties. The latter also thumped the bass on the rare occasion that longtime Sarah McLachlan collaborator and background vocalist Melissa Mcclelland performed in a near-duet capacity with Sarah. Together with Mcclelland and Workman, drummer Matt Starr anchored a tight rhythm section with acoustics that made the outdoor venue feel like a bombastic arena setting.
Though the tour was labelled as a celebration of Sarah McLachlan's award-winning album "Fumbling Towards Ecstasy", hits like "Building a Mystery", "Sweet Surrender", and author-favorite "Witness" from 1997's "Surfacing" also found their way into the setlist, a treat for fans who prefer to celebrate her entire catalogue. Fans were also given a glimpse into Sarah's new material via an emotional and sincere piano-laden ballad titled "Gravity", a track from her upcoming album.
Fans both young and old, male and female, casual and devoted left their seats to dance and sing along with each song played during Sarah's 2+ hour set. Mixed between songs was playful banter and stories reminiscent of VH1's "Storytellers" series, providing context to the songs that served to enrich the experience and ingratiate Sarah to a newer generation of concert-goers. Pride Month, the indelible bonds forged between women, and the growing pains associated with parenting were among the subjects touched-upon between hits.
The audience was sent home with a beautiful and harmony-driven rendition of Sarah McLachlan's piece de resistance "Angel", complete with backing vocals from Mcclelland and Doucet. On the way back to the parking lot, multiple fans (who were likely born before Fumbling Towards Ecstasy's original release date in 1993) remarked that the performance was, in a word, sensational.
Sarah McLachlan's sensational Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30th Anniversary Tour continues tomorrow at Candence Bank Amphithetre at Chastain Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Take it from me, you won't want to miss it!
