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Opening night and it has been several years between tours and over six years between records of new material. Within that time, Sarah became a mother, lost a mother and adjusted to the new life within that. It was an understandable hiatus but it was made apparent that her fans truly missed her and were ready to welcome her back. Taking the stage with a full band behind her, Sarah launched into Fallen, the first single off her latest release Afterglow. She had an endearing nervousness and even admitted during the show that she was incredibly worried hoping people would show up. She then thanked everyone for still being there for her after so much time had passed. She even treated her fans to a line of Nelly's Hot In Here, which left everyone laughing. The set list was full and rich and integrated many of her most intimate and beautiful songs, including several from Fumbling Towards Ecstasy. Sarah played Wait, a song that claims, "You know if I leave you now, it doesn't mean that I love you any less. It's just the state I'm in. I can't be good to anyone else like this." There was also Elsewhere, a song about discovering who you are outside of the idea those around you have defined. But definitely one of the highlights of the evening came during Fear, a courageous song written inside of complete vulnerability. Sarah's first two records, Solace and Touch, were all but forgotten in a set list that included material consisting mostly of post-1993 recordings. That was one of the only draw backs to the set. But, with new songs like Perfect Girl and Train Wreck, the void was nearly filled. There was also the incredible cover of The Beatles' Blackbird, (a song Sarah recorded in 2002 for the I Am Sam soundtrack). During the song, the arena fell completely silent. For a moment, the large venue gave way to the feel of a small theater as Sarah's angelic voice brought the large crowd closer together. After two encores and nearly two hours of music, one of the last songs Sarah left the audience with could not have been a better conclusion to the evening. Fumbling Towards Ecstasy seemed to serve as the answer to every song Sarah had performed throughout the night. From the helplessness of Hold On to the self-deprecating judgment of Stupid, Fumbling simply managed to find the peace inside of it all as Sarah repeated, "Peace in the struggle to find peace. Comfort on the way to comfort. If I shed a tear I won't cage it. I won't fear love." |
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