Gig review: Fun Lovin' Criminals
rocked the East Coast beginning on November 29th in Philadelphia as they kicked off their abbreviated US tour. The band played an hour and half set which included a stellar mix of their hits, classics, and plenty of new
tunes from "Welcome to Poppy's". While the band rocked the small restaurant/bar/nightclub called NXNW
(North By Northwest), the small crowd didn't appear too psyched. That didn't stop Huey from telling jokes and two nights later, he got his digs in about the Philly crowd as FLC played an even tighter set at the Bowery
Ballroom in their hometown of New York City on December 1st. That show was much more relaxed
Unfortunately, their US tour was trimmed a bit. Originally slated to start in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at Club Laga, the US tour turned out as followed:
The set list included songs from all of their releases including (note: these are not in order by the set list from the concert but rather by the CD release): "The Fun Lovin' Criminal"
Review by Stacey |
and better overall as the guys were in their element, playing to friends, family,
and fans. The set list was almost identical minus "Too Hot" and plus "10th Street." But they lit up the crowd with every song. Plus, they brought along very special guests Cooley
High who opened up for them with an ecletic mix of songs that rocked the ballroom. Mateo played DJ between sets, and Super Bad Brad took the stage to sing the "Ave Maria"
before Fun Lovin' Criminals played their set. It was a fun-packed night from start to finish beginning with the opening chords of the first song they played, "Loco", to the
ending chords of their encore, "The Fun Lovin' Criminal". Huey joked with the crowd and told stories before the songs - notably a story about Mickey Rourke slipping
something in a drink which inspired him to write "What Had Happened". The band was clearly in their element, from singing "Friday Night" changing the lyrics to "Monday
Night" as it was Monday night in the city, to playing their latest single and Ramones-inspired song, "Lost It All". Few bands perform with as much gusto
and clarity as FLC. There was an aura of sheer joy in the club - a true homecoming for this talented band.