Travis
Moore Theatre - Seattle, Wa.
January 23, 2004
By: Christina Martinez - ModernRock.com
Travis fans got out of their assigned seats and headed for the stage as the band invited them to rock the house.
After a two-year absence, the Scottish band returns to the U.S. to promote their latest album 12 Memories. However, songs from their second album The Band Who seemed to dominate the set.
Indeed the fans in Moore Theatre saw a new side of Travis, a darker tone. Yet the band was still able to exhibit the rock love ballads that they have traditionally been known for. An added plus is they still appear to enjoy performing and interacting with their fans.
Lead singer Francis Healy was able to range his vocals as he does so eloquently on their albums, and the rest of the group proved an equivalent dynamic.
”As you age you start to smell like pee,” said Healy when introducing “Mid-Life Krysis.” The witty gentleman weaved comedy and conversation throughout the set, and during songs, leaped his small frame across the stage with energy.
Guitarist Andy Dunlop climbed the speakers at one point. Bassist Douglas Payne danced infantile while playing the xylophone in “Somewhere Else.” Neil Primrose jammed his drums and sat silent as a drummer usually does. And this time around, a guest pianist/percussionist joined the group to elaborate their more complex tracks.
Creating a sense of intimacy, Healy performed “Flowers in the Window” minus the PA and the rest of the group. The audience began to chant towards the end of the song, and though a change of pace, it was a point where one felt affable with the music and its artist.
Alternating from their first album Good Feeling to The Man Who to The Invisible Band and finally on to 12 Memories, Travis demonstrated that all they want to do is rock. Forget the assigned seats on your ticket – Travis rocks you out of it and has you singing along to a number of their songs.
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