The show was at a storied Orlando concert venue that opened in 1963 (one of the cities oldest) now called The Plaza Live. Like many theaters spanning that timeframe, it went from a cinema, to a theatre space and finally the current music venue. Having already mapped out our route there and prepared what to bring in advance, the day of the show was problem-free and smooth sailing. On arrival (a bit early) we chatted awhile with those fans camped out in front hours before entry time who *have to be in the very front!* I’ve always found that location is not really the best spot for overall sound quality. Yes, you are *as close to the performer* as you can be, but you’re also often just under the stage monitors that provide the vocals and overall sound. A few rows back (which is where we wound up) is always the best for perfectly balanced audio.
Sophie dazzled instantly with her purple frock trimmed with feathery plumes at the sleeves and skirt line. The band starts the show wearing those now famous animal masks first introduced during her Kitchen Disco shows. As the crowd of adoring fans sing along, you can really notice how bass and drums sound so much fuller during a live show. It's one more reason why you need to be there.
The second song (met with delighted squeals and applause) was her first completely solo single release "Take Me Home." Having received the blessing and permission from original songwriters Bob Etsy and Michelle Aller, Sophie added lyrics and have made this song her own (sorry Cher). Masks now off the band, the leggy, glamorous stars joyfully slinks her way through it all.
As Sophie has been known to do throughout this tour, she engages with the audience of whatever particular city she is in, talking about some of the interesting things unique to their area.
Her mention of Orlando's very first "theme park" - the now personally beloved Gatorland - even impressed iconic "gator queen" Savannah Boan.
Next up was the ever popular fourth and final single from her debut solo album "Read My Lips" - the uplifting "Music Gets The Best Of Me." Co-writing this one with the perfect-match-for-her-at-that-time songwriting team of Gregg Alexander (who's big hit with his band The New Radicals "You Get What You Give" is still played frequently on Alternative Rock channels) and Matt Rowe, is still one of her best. Of note on this particular live performance is how much joy you can see in Sophie's face when singing this one. She's literally beaming at points when dancing along with it. Also noted is how the bass and drums really stand out (again, the benefits of being there live).
Next Sophie played one of the most popular tracks from her third album, 2007's "Trip The Light Fantastic," with the playful "Me and My Imagination." This came by way of of selection from her now famous "wheel spin" where songs are listed on her spinner. Wherever it lands is the song she will play. It's a fun way to keep each live performance unique to that night.
The song is a product of her at-that-time collaborations with hitmaker/vocalist Hannah Robinson and Producer/songwriter Matt Prime. Having reached top 20 on the UK Singles Chart, the chorus lyrics ask "try to keep me entertained," This particular live performance emphasizes keyboard chords between Sophie's verse lines.
After playing a spirited version of her song "Hypnotized," an early highlight of the night was when Sophie and her guitarist Pablo stepping out front for a heartfelt acoustic version of "Youngblood." Calling it "the most romantic song she's ever written" the lyrics are touching and the performance equally breathtaking. Originally appearing as the lead single off her fifth studio album "Wanderlust," it served as the beginning of her co-songwriting and production partnership with musician Ed Harcourt. It served as a “comeback success” of sorts for Sophie as it was her first single to enter the UK Singles Chart since 2011's “Bittersweet.” It peaked at No. 34 on the UK Singles Chart (spending three weeks there) and at No. 3 on the UK Indie Chart, making it her fifteenth best-selling song in her home country.
As Sophie scurries off stage, the band begins playing an instrumental version of Hana's "Hearing In Colour." The diva soon returned in a costume change from her purple outfit to a sleeveless yellow mini dress to complete the vocals on this synesthesia themed song. That lead to her launching into this next song.
"Ready For Your Love" came out of a 2024 collaboration with award-winning electropop German DJ and producer Felix Jaehn.
Returning to give the "wheel spin" another go, Sophie landed on this next song, much to the delight of the captivated audience.
The wheel selected the best song from her troubled (and transitional) second album "Shoot From The Hip" with the single "Mixed Up World." A particular favorite of Heather's (and one would assume most young women) the final foray with songwriting team Alexander and Rowe emphasizes resilience over confusion, reminding oneself to "remember you're a real tough girl."
Next up was a wonderful Sophie leading sing-along rendition of "Get Over You." Who can resists the sheer joy of vocalizing those "Ai Yi Yi Yi" segments.
Reaching the "medley" portion of the show, the highlight of course is Sophie's first ever hit song "Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)." Created out of a collaboration with DJ Cristiano Spiller, who himself sampled his contribution from the Vince Montana Jr. and Ronnie Walker written and Carol Williams sung Salsoul Orchestra song "Love Is You." Sophie penned all the lyrics, with subtle enhancements from co-writer Rob Davis.
The back half of the performance features funky guitar strumming, Ciaran's electric piano melodies and a heavy emphasis on percussion. The hits just kept on coming now, with the latest single "Freedom Of The Night" followed by a near religious experience via a cover of Madonna's "Like A Prayer." Both wonderfully done with Sophie recreating her video ribbon twirl, and cathedral lighting on the later.
Then it was time for a number from her fourth studio album "Make A Scene'" and it's first single "Heartbreak (Make Me A Dancer)." Initially released as a dual release between Sophie and English production duo The Freemasons (James Wiltshire and Russell Smalls). Songwriting credits were shared equally between all three as well as the inclusion of Richard ("Biffco") Stannard. It was a pretty successful hit for each of the separate artists albums, with some decent play in the USA. Reaching No. 1 on the MTV Dance Chart, it remained there for 13 consecutive weeks.
Of course the most anticipated song was set to close out the main portion of the show. Sophie told the crowd to "do what you will with Murder On The Dancefloor," so Heather and I did, dancing and singing along with everyone else there.
With this celebratory revival and stunning 2024 success for this track first released over 20 years ago, the song became a viral phenomenon after providing the soundtrack for a pivotal scene in Emerald Fennell's film "Saltburn." That lead to it re-charting globally and marked Sophie's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100. The track now has over 800 million streams across all digital streaming platforms. Co-writer Gregg Alexander has said that he's reconnected with Sophie after the song's recent success, and that he realizes things worked out as they were meant to be. He's happy that new people are discovering the song and is content with riding the rollercoaster of the song's new popularity.
With the band now back in their animal masks, Sophie leads the crowd in a final sing-back-to-her celebration. At the songs conclusion they all wave goodbye and head off the stage. Most of us are pretty confident there will be an encore, but we clap and chant to bring her back all the same.
Not to be disappointed, Sophie and her band came back out on stage and launched into one of her most popular hit songs "Bittersweet." Another dance floor success and third single from "Make A Scene," Adding Hannah Robinson again to the songwriting team (which included the three others who helped shape "Heartbreak") succeeded again in creating a universal theme most anyone could relate to. This performance here tonight continued the sultry dance arm movements and overall joy of the live event.
As the band continued to play, Sophie disappeared once again until we suddenly heard a gasp from the crowd as she appeared in radiant light at the middle of the room. Being helped up onto a riser, she sang an intimate, acoustic guitar accompaniment rendition of her best known song from her original band Theaudience, "A Pessimist Is Never Disappointed."
Taking Sophie back to her very beginning as a recording artist, the Billy (Paul) Reeves penned song serves as an acknowledgment to her earliest days. As the 19 year old lead vocalist (and image) of britpot band Theaudience, this third single release from that bands debut album peaked on the UK Singles Chart at No. 27. Sophie has been performing this song from time-to-time over the years at live shows, and including it here was a perfect touch. Sophie's rendition here is note perfect, including all the “charm” alluded to in these almost too-sophisticated-for-pop music lyrics. Reeves was certainly a gifted songwriter and one wonders what he could have accomplished if he had gone as hard at it as, say someone like Gregg Alexander (or for that matter, Sophie herself) has. Nevertheless, THIS song is still a marvel after all these years, and would have been the perfect lead song to any of the numerous “coming of age” Hollywood movies that have come out over the last 20 years. Coming full circle, it was "Saltburn" that did it for her.
With that the show came to it's conclusion. As previously mentioned, there had been some communications with Sophie about meeting up to speak after the show. However the venue staff were firmly in a get-everyone-out-of-the-venue-asap mode and it took some fast talking from myself to convince them that "no really - Sophie said it was ok to meet us!" Fortunately, the staff member I chose to pitch my appeal to (I tried to pick the most friendly face) said she would investigate. After a nervous moment or two, she came back to say "yes" - the communications chain she began the process through reach the right people and we were quickly escorted over to some chairs near the stage door. As I observed instrument-tech and overall backline provider (and would later discover a surprisingly good wall climber to enter locked out of rooms) Josh Beanz break down the stage equipment, we were told someone would get us to head back.
That someone came in the form of tour manager Dominic, who was a friendly fellow that made sure we made it through the labyrinth of passageways leading to the stars dressing rooms.
Dominic to the right of Jackson there
As we continued to wind through the passageways that lead to our destination, I asked Dominic about all the world traveling he'd been doing lately as tour manager of Sophie and her band. He had a cheerful attitude about it all, and I must admit that getting to visit all those places while working has to be quite an experience. We were sat outside the dressing room door and told to wait for Sophie to appear.
As we waited, taking pictures by the dressing room door signs seemed like a good idea.
Before we knew it, Sophie emerged from said dressing room, walked over to us and said "hello." She had changed out of her performance costume and was now wearing a more casual t-shirt with patterns on it, and an angle length skirt. She still had her stage makeup on and of course looked stunning. After the obligatory 'how are you's' and "good to see you's' I introduced her to my daughter Heather. Sophie was under the impression that she had met Heather before, but this was actually the first time. We both agreed she must have seen her picture on social media and that's how she knew her. Never one to waste an opportunity, I asked if we could take a picture together and of course she agreed. Road Manager extraordinaire Dominic offered to take the photo and we commenced to that.
Happy times with Dad, Daughter and Idol
We continued to chatter about the show, her music and the fun things she puts on social media all the time. For instance Heather wanted to know if she had named the three kittens that were recently born. Sophie said she had not, because other family members had already claimed them, and she wanted to let the new owner name the kitty.
While we continued to talk, the bandleader, bass playing legend and super dad himself, Richard Jones emerged from his dressing room and joined us. The talk became more animated now and I reminded him of a conversation we had 14 years ago, when I first met him in New York (at that pier show with The Freemasons I mentioned earlier). I asked him if she still felt that Paul McCartney was his bass playing role model and he said yes he still was. I saw Paul would be playing at the Corona Festival that Sophie and crew would be at soon and they were excited at the prospect of seeing him play again. Once again not wanted to miss out on a photo op, I asked if we could take a picture with Richard.
Richard sporting his Loup GarouX t-shirt
We chatted some more and then Dominic asked if we would like a picture with all 4 of us together. Never one to turn down such an opportunity, we commenced to take the best picture of all.
As we chattered on further, Sophie graciously secured tour t-shirts for Heather and I, and we joked about how we would walk side-by-side down the street to display all of the shows. That, if fact is what we did a few days later.
Instagram searches on various Sophie-related hashtags provided surprisingly positive results as well.
Sophie and Richard were so friendly and down-to-earth - No star tripping here. We talked about so many different things in the however-long-it-was (having lost complete track of time) we were allotted. We said our goodbye's as they at least one other meet-up to get to, as well as prepare for a long over six hour drive to Atlanta.
As Dominic helped us navigate our way out of the venue - there was some climbing down off the stage involved - we headed out the venue and found ourselves out behind it. Having to walk all the way around it, we spotted Josh and crew loading up all the equipment into the trailer that is pulled behind the tour bus. Being a serial picture taker, I grabbed a quick snapshot of it.
Which also makes an appearance in Atlanta photo from the next day.
While I curiously watched the hard work that a tour crew must do to get everything securely in their places, none other than Sophie and Richard come strolling out from another exit area (right near to the tour bus) and commence to greet some fans who had waited there after the show to meet her.
Drained as we were from this amazing show and incredible experience afterwards, it was all we could do to stumble to the car and head home.
A truly memorable night with an iconic star who has been accurately described as having "stature that goes beyond the music, and she's now become a British national treasure."
Indisputably!
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A review of her most recent single and video "Freedom Of The Night" can be found here.
Stream "Freedom Of The Night" here.
Join the Sophie Ellis-Bextor mailing list.
Connect with Sophie online:
A Complete Review of Sophie's Full-length Album "Hana" can be found here.
A Previous Review of Sophie on this site (including links to all the other features on her) can be found Here.
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2 comments:
Love all the detail in bringing back this unbelievable experience! 🥰 Not only getting to see an amazing show, but actually getting to meet her afterwards! 😲 If I didn't know it actually happened, I'd think it too good to be true! 🤩
I know, Heather. Not only was the show a brilliant display of all her hits, but the cherry on top at the end of the night is the ultimate buzz! 🐝 😽
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