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| Dave Stewart & Vanessa Amorosi @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Last Friday evening, the SAP Center in San Jose eagerly embraced the arrival of the 'So Happy it Hurts' tour headlined by Bryan Adams, with the charismatic Dave Stewart gracing the stage as the opening act. And let's be clear, we're not referring to the Oakland A's All-Star pitcher Dave Stewart from the Bay Area, but rather the legendary Dave Stewart of Eurythmics — a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer responsible for timeless hits like "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" and "Here Comes the Rain Again." Having missed the chance to witness Eurythmics live during their heyday, and having almost resigned myself to the unlikelihood of a reunion tour featuring the classic duo of Annie Lennox & Dave Stewart, this San Jose performance was on my radar as soon as it was announced. Watching Dave Stewart, accompanied by his 8-piece all-female ensemble, was nothing short of the next best thing—a remarkably faithful yet refreshingly modern interpretation of the iconic Eurythmics classics.
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| Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Regrettably for Dave and his band, the echoes of their opening anthem, the Eurythmics classic "I Need a Man," reverberated through the venue, revealing that a considerable chunk of the audience was blissfully unaware of Dave's musical impact. Undeterred, the band embraced the challenge with gusto, determined to captivate the crowd before the headliner, Bryan Adams, graced the stage at the stroke of 9 pm. Dave's hour-long performance unfolded as a masterful tapestry of Eurythmics' greatest hits, and his ensemble rose to the occasion with unwavering prowess.
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| Yasmin Ogilvie & Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The lineup boasted a harmonica virtuoso hailing from Brazil, the enchanting Indiara Sfair, who breathed added dimension into the melodies. On saxophone, the sensational Yasmin Ogilvie added a layer of sonic brilliance, while the bass grooves were skillfully crafted by the talented Julia Lamb. The keyboards, a vital pulse in the ensemble, were expertly handled by the captivating Hannah Koppenburg.
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| Judith Hill @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
In the quest to fill Annie Lennox's formidable shoes, Dave orchestrated a vocal triumvirate of unparalleled talent. Hailing from the land Down Under, the charismatic Vanessa Amorosi assumed the lion's share of lead vocal duties, infusing each note with her distinctive flair. Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Judith Hill and Stevvi Alexander complemented Vanessa's lead vocals, seamlessly trading their voices on selected songs throughout the set, creating a harmonious spectacle that resonated with the nostalgic spirit of the night.
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| Vanessa Amorosi @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Vanessa's soul, a potent elixir of emotion, resonated through the air, casting a mesmerizing spell that set the enchanting tone for the evening. Her commanding vocals took center stage during the rendition of "I Need a Man," a performance that transcended mere musical notes, becoming a visceral experience for all in attendance. The seamless transition into "Love is a Stranger" revealed an unexpected twist – the ethereal voice behind the song belonged to none other than Dave's daughter, the enigmatic Kaya Stewart.
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| Kaya & Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the melody unfolded, Vanessa, Judith, and Stevvi intertwined their voices, combining alto backing layers that transformed the atmosphere into a celestial symphony. The harmonies were so rich and resonant that, for a moment, it felt as if a celestial choir, comprised of a hundred voices, had descended upon the arena. The chorus reverberated, filling the space with the thunderous pulse of bass lines and drum beats, creating an auditory landscape that went beyond mere sound – it was a sonic tapestry, intricately woven with threads of passion and rhythm, enveloping the audience in an otherworldly embrace.
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| Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The tempo took a gentle descent into a soul-stirring rhythm with the haunting strains of "The Miracle of Love." The performance unfolded with a poignant touch as Dave, solitary and introspective, embarked on an acoustic guitar solo that set the stage for the musical journey ahead. Vanessa once again seized the spotlight, her voice a vessel for the emotive narrative of the song. This wasn't a mere duet between her and Dave; instead, it was a nuanced dance of melodies where the backing band, in a rare moment of restraint, served as the delicate backdrop to the main narrative.
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| Vanessa Amorosi @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As the song progressed, the atmosphere became an intimate expanse of sound, allowing the poignant lyrics and emotive delivery to take center stage. Amidst this tender sonic landscape, Dave, not content to merely strum the chords, unveiled his guitar prowess with a mesmerizing melodic solo that wove seamlessly into the fabric of the song. The audience, caught in the spell of this musical alchemy, witnessed a moment where each note was a brushstroke, painting a vivid tableau of "The Miracle of Love," and Dave's guitar solo, a heartfelt punctuation, resonated as a testament to the song's profound emotional depth.
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| Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Before the onset of the next song, "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)," a moment presided over by Dave's formal introduction of Kaya. In a revelation that added a familial touch to the performance, Dave shared that Kaya, with her inherited musical prowess, is the goddaughter of none other than Annie Lennox. Kaya seamlessly reclaimed the spotlight, steering the ship of lead vocals once more, and the tempo surged, reigniting the energy in the room.
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| Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Yet, it was the subsequent track, "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain," that unfurled as the awakening for the audience, prompting them to recognize the musical marvel unfolding before their eyes. Vanessa reassumed her role as the lead vocalist, but the song metamorphosed into a collective masterpiece, transcending individual performances. The ensemble cast a spell as the backing vocals harmonized with precision, Yasmin's saxophone emerged as a luminous force, and Indiara's harmonica sent shivers through the audience. Amidst this symphony of talent, Julia's bass lines stood out with a pulsating resonance, elevating the composition to new heights. As I looked back at their full set, "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain" emerged as the unequivocal standout, a crescendo of musical brilliance that left an indelible mark on the collective consciousness of the audience.
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| Vanessa Amorosi @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The somber notes of "Here Comes the Rain Again" followed, once more casting a contemplative spell that gently lowered the tempo of the set. Dave's acoustic guitar, a poignant companion, interwove with Vanessa's vocals, guiding the audience through a gradual crescendo that reached its zenith, leaving a lingering resonance as the song concluded. A palpable shift occurred in the crowd, as engagement soared and Dave, sensing the heightened energy, rallied the audience to clap to the beat with the opening chords of "Would I Lie to You?" The crowd had finally emerged from their slumber and was engaging with the band.
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| Judith Hill @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
The ensuing performance was a vibrant ensemble piece that drew all vocalists into its magnetic orbit, unleashing a surge of energy that reverberated through the hall. Judith and Stevvi, in particular, showcased their brilliance, becoming beacons of intensity within the dynamic interplay. The entire band contributed to the sonic marvel, marking another highlight in the set. The momentum surged onward with "Missionary Man," a moment where the band, now firing on all cylinders, radiated a contagious energy. Despite the electrifying atmosphere, the Bryan Adams crowd remained seated, a phenomenon that continued to astonish. The intensity and dedication of the performance can be witnessed in this fan-shot video, encapsulating the fervor and musical prowess of the evening:
Regrettably, the audience finally rose to their feet during the concluding performance of "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)," and it would have been surprising if anyone had remained seated. Dave walked to the edge of the stage extension, and behind him, all the vocalists united for the opening anthem, 'hold your head up, keep your head up.' The anticipation gradually heightened as we awaited the initial synth notes, and then, bam! Vanessa's voice seamlessly matched Annie's on this track. It was a fantastic conclusion to the set! I can't help but ponder whether Dave might have fared better headlining slightly smaller venues, such as the SJ Civic or the Mountain Winery. Perhaps, with a more concentrated branding effort on the Eurythmics name rather than Dave Stewart, which was somewhat overshadowed in the Bryan Adams marketing campaign, he could have attracted a more devoted audience. Let's hope he considers this option once the Adams tour comes to an end and hopefully make a return to the Bay Area!
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| Dave Stewart @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
As Bryan took the stage, the palpable vibe in the air revealed that the vast majority of the audience had turned up for him – a scenario not uncommon in the grand spectacle of any arena tour. However, what set this particular sea of concertgoers apart was its predominantly female contingent, or the number of romantic couples, all set to embark on a nostalgic journey through Bryan's extensive 18-album repertoire. At a whimsical juncture, he playfully half-jested about struggling to recall some of his earlier tunes. Yet, in fairness, Bryan's creative output since 1980 stands as a testament to his prowess, boasting an impressive collection of 75 singles! The man undeniably possesses the artistry to craft a compelling pop song.
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| Bryan Adams @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Bryan's on-stage banter proved to be both entertaining and captivating. Among the poignant moments in his set was a heartfelt tribute to the late Tina Turner, who passed away last year. Bryan attributed the launch of his career to her when he was a youthful 25. Another noteworthy instance during the performance involved Bryan taking a pause to acknowledge the various signs that enthusiastic fans had brought along, waving them in hopes of catching his attention. Some signs proved too distant for his eyes, prompting him to relinquish his central spot and venture down the catwalk to get a closer look. Among the signs, one celebrated an 8-year-old's birthday, while another boldly requested the woman holding it to join him on stage for a duet. Bryan responded with a jest, humorously suggesting they assess her prospects in the not-so-distant future.
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| Bryan Adams @ the SAP Center (Photo: Kevin Keating) |
Fast forward towards the end of the show, and the woman got her wish as you can see in this fan shot video:
I was impressed at Bryan's ability to deliver one hit after another throughout his extensive 29(!) song set. We in the SAP Center audience undoubtedly received exceptional value for our money, and were treated to an unforgettable one-two punch of musical brilliance from both Dave Stewart and Bryan Adams on that memorable Friday night.
Thanks for reading and be sure to check out our interview with Dave Stewart here -- and while you're at it, you can follow us as well here: Instagram | Facebook.
