Feature by Mitchell Kissack: Evoking images of Australia’s Sydney Opera House, the Bank of America Pavilion is situated right on the water in Boston’s south harbor. Since the venue opened over a decade earlier, it has undergone several name changes and seen acts such as the Pretenders, Bonnie Raitt and the luminescent Tori Amos grace the stage with their presence. In addition to the open-air amphitheater, one can get a brilliant view of the renovated harbor, the Boston skyline and industrial piers. Being the first concert I’ve attended that wasn’t a floor show, I was marveled at the fact that no matter where one is sitting, he/she has a great view of the stage. Which is fortunate; Tori Amos is an artist that needs to be seen clearly when she performs in order to really absorb the experience.

For those who aren’t in the know about Tori Amos, here’s a refresher course. Since her debut album Little Earthquakes came out in 1992, Amos has become one of the industry’s most active touring acts. She’s clocked in over 1,000 shows in three continents and is known for her exceedingly devoted fan base that tends to follow her like dead-heads from coast to coast as she tours. Known to change her set list at every stop (with over 200 songs to choose from, can you blame her?), fans (who adoringly refer to themselves as Toriphiles) frequently record shows and share them amongst each other via P2P and torrent sites. 2009 heralded Amos’ tenth world tour supported by her latest studio album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin. Boston was Amos’ last stop on the US leg before heading overseas to Europe so the show was highly anticipated not only due to Amos’ love of the city but because of what she might drag out to perform.

I got to the venue nearly twelve hours before the show was set to start and was immediately greeted by three fans sitting at the front gates. After exchanging names and casual pleasantries, I discover that they've come to Boston from Phoenix and Denver just to catch the last US show. As the hours pass, more people begin to emerge with similar stories, making me feel like a newbie not only because this is my first time seeing Amos live, but because I only drove an hour to get here. Thankfully, everybody is welcoming and instant friendships are made.

After about six hours of sweltering in the middle of an oppressive New England heat wave – with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees – we rush to the back gate to have a quick meet and greet with Amos. Sauntering out in a bedazzled blue dress and sun hat, Amos meets with everybody who's lined up. She signs autographs and takes photos while maintaining an almost holy radiance about her. As I walk myself up to shake her hand, I immediately lose my composure and gush about what an amazing artist she is and manage to ramble on for a good few minutes before Amos looks up, calls me a “curious little fruit,” hugs me, and moves on to the next fan. And I walk away, clutching my signed vinyl copy of her new album.

After listening to parts of the sound check and bumming around Boston with fellow Toriphiles, new friends part ways and go to find their seats and wait for the show to start. Opening act One eskimO comes out on stage at about 7:30 to perform a quick five song set. The standout of the group is Jamie Sefton, the bassist, who in the middle of a song picks up a trumpet and begins to simultaneously play his two instruments at once. Vocalist Kristian Leontiou also captivates with his sultry voice, and I wouldn't mind hearing more from the band. But when 8:30 rolled around, the show really began.

As drummer Matt Chamberlain and bassist Jon Evans begin to play the opening cadences of “Give,” fans immediately jump to their feet to cheer as we all know who's about to emerge. Donning a white dress, silver leggings and high heels, Amos trots out to her trademark Bösendorfer piano and to her three keyboards and begins to play. The passion that erupts from this remarkably short woman is felt throughout the amphitheater and fans do not sit back in their seats until the fourth song (Under the Pink highlight “Bells for Her”)

After tearing through 10 emotionally charged and captivating cuts from various albums, including my new favorite off Abnormally Attracted to Sin, “Flavor,” Amos decides to ratchet it up a notch. Sending Matt and Jon into the wings, Amos performs three songs by herself, including one of my personal favorites, “Silent All These Years,” an improv that confirmed the existence of her upcoming Christmas record and “Cool on Your Island,” a track from her 80s synth-pop phase.

Seeing Amos live and hearing her on an album are two totally different and exclusive experiences; being able to witness her quirky mannerisms and ability to alternate between four different pianos in one song in person causes one’s jaw to drop and bow down to her prowess.

As the band return to play six more songs, I can't help but notice Tori is all smiles. Her love of Boston is visible and as she performs “Strong Black Vine,” a song that usually closes her shows. One can’t help but feel a pang of sadness and wish that it wasn’t over so soon. Thankfully, Tori seems to catch on to that and as she heads off stage to prepare for the compulsory encore, the opening beats of “Raspberry Swirl” come on and the crowd’s energy seems to rise once again to near dangerous levels. Amos reappears not as Tori, but as Santa, one of the alter egos created for 2007’s American Doll Posse. Wearing a white flapper dress and splashing what looks like a martini on the crowd, platinum blonde Santa tears through three exhilarating songs for the encore, including the tour debut of “She’s Your Cocaine.”

Two and a half hours later, the show is over. My cells still vibrate with the energy from the show, and I can’t help but be totally slack-jawed by what I just witnessed. It’s truly impossible to pinpoint a highlight of the show, as every song was performed to perfection and Amos’ connection with the fans was startlingly strong. Boston loved Tori Amos, and she loved us right back.

Feature By:
Mitchell Kissack
IN REVIEW ONLINE