{image1}Even after the lights dimmed and the roadies were long finished bustling about the stage, the youngish, chatty crowd at The Pabst Theater idled in the back, clinking drinks and carrying on like it was another day at the bar. But once the first rich notes emitted from the piano, the crowd was rapt. Within the first few bars, the theater was eerily still, save for the deftly maneuvered fingerwork of Aqualung, and his powerful, yet soft, vocal chords.
A wildly attentive and excited crowd welcomed Aqualung, a.k.a. Matt Hales, back to The Pabst Theater Thursday night. The four-month gap between shows proved to have a snowball effect for the British pianist and his band. Apparently absence does make the heart grow fonder. And it is not hard to see why. Behind an impish smile and gangly frame lies mischief, plenty of sardonic humor and incredible talent.
With an air of ease and familiarity, Aqualung chatted with the crowd in between songs, telling funny anecdotes or silly quips. Or simply being a quirky, playful guy.
Opening with a series of sweeping, emotional, piano-driven songs, including the gripping "Extraordinary Thing" and the Radiohead-ish "Feels Like the End," it was a nice break when he switched to guitar midway through the set.
Aqualung explained in his sophisticated British accent, "When I sit at the piano, I feel orderly, proper;" (pause for mischievous smile) "When I strap on a guitar, I want to piss about."
While the crowd laughed, the theater swelled with explosive riffs and loud, fast drums to a song called "You're Leaving Me Now." Aqualung brought the humor back with his version of the theme to "The Muppet Show" -- a request vocalized by many audience members -- and an impromptu hymn about Milwaukee.
Always the showman, Aqualung rounded out the evening with "Seven Keys," a love song written by his wife, and the ever popular "Brighter than Sunshine."
Complementing the evening were opening acts Tracy Bonham and The Perishers.
Bonham, with her flinty voice, edgy lyrics, and expertly mastered talents in violin, guitar, and piano, opened the Talent Showcase with songs from her new album "Blink The Brightest." Highlights include "Whether You Fall." "Naked" and "Mother, Mother," plucked from her powder blue violin.
Sandwiched between Bonham and Aqualung were The Perishers, a Swedish pop-rock group that may have drawn as many fans to The Pabst as a headliner. Their truly engaging performance -- the stage held six different personalities -- was impeccably tight and masterfully blended into one amazingly harmonious sound.
Making use of a myriad of "uncommonly rock" instruments, such as the glockenspiel, the tambourine and the kazoo, this seemingly fresh-faced ragtag garage band is poised to become something huge. Although you couldn't tell from the shy gratitude twinkling in their eyes, the constant crowd around them might be an indicator.
