PHILADELPHIA, PA- Freshly reunited trio Daniel Ash, Kevin Haskins, and David J, collectively known as Love and Rockets, graced the stage at the Fillmore in Philadelphia. This reunion has been one of the most eagerly anticipated in recent history, especially after the unexpected dissolution of the Bauhaus tour. Fans, including myself, pondered, “Well, now would be the perfect time for it.” Yet, it seemed unlikely given Daniel’s new project, Diamonds and Ash, David’s engagements with The Night Crickets, his solo and DJ performances, and Kevin’s potential plans for a companion book to his best-selling “Bauhaus”.
A glimmer of hope emerged when Beggars Arkive began reissuing the band’s back catalogue. Still, reunion talks remained idle. A rumor quickly debunked by the L&R camp gave way to an announcement for an appearance at the Cruel World festival in Pasadena. Things started materializing and, within a month of that, the North American tour we’d been hoping for was announced – 16 dates in total.
My anticipation for this tour reached fever pitch. You see, in the 80s and 90s, I held tickets for three different shows, each one missed due to personal miscalculations. Love and Rockets have been one of my all-time favorite bands. Thus, I decided that, come what may, I would attend their concert this time around. This was a golden opportunity I wouldn’t let slip by again. When I was approved to cover the show, my brain practically exploded with excitement.
Opening act Vinsantos Defonte quietly took the stage, offering the crowd a warm introduction and a story before settling behind his keyboard. He insisted on making himself comfortable first, removing his glittery silver pumps. Joined by guitarist Agness Twin, whose haunting yet powerful vocals added a mesmerizing layer to their set, Vinsantos delivered a performance high on melody and onstage banter.
With its cabaret style and life-storytelling stand-up comedy flair, his set was truly distinctive. Underneath the makeup, the fashion, and the jokes was a gifted singer-songwriter and pianist telling tales of overcoming bullying and abuse. Still, he remained positive, reminding his audience that life improves and that he is the one in the spotlight, sharing his gift of song, and not those who tormented him. It was indeed a special performance.
As the set change ensued, I had the chance to converse with other attendees who had traveled considerable distances for the show. This really underscored the band’s far-reaching legacy.
The backdrop screen behind the backline displayed a sunrise over the Earth as Kevin Haskins, clad in a black polo shirt and jeans, took his place behind his Roland drum kit. He was followed by his brother David J, resplendent in a crushed red velvet suit with his bass at the ready, and finally, Daniel Ash, dressed in ruffles and a sparkly jacket, wielding his Danelectro Longhorn bass. All three donned glam sunglasses. Despite expectations for a high-energy opener, they chose to start with “I Feel Speed,” from their self-titled album, a song reminiscent of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.” Regardless of the song’s pace, the crowd was thrilled to see them for the first time in 14 years, or for some, the first time ever.
They smoothly transitioned into “No Big Deal,” with the music serving as the only introduction. Bathed in red lights, they moved through the song before segueing into the familiar train whistle and chugging guitar riff of Express’ “Kundalini Express.” This marked the pace for the set, a collection of hits, deep cuts, and “My Dark Twin,” a new song from their recently released disc of the same name.
Visually, the lighting and backdrop screen heavily incorporated the psychedelia the band is known for. Sonically, the meticulous execution of these songs was an aural delight. The overall production was well-considered, expertly supporting the music of these three masterful musicians and songwriters.
Their eclectic set featured songs from all their albums, excluding any from the “Hot Trip to Heaven” album. Iconic numbers like “An American Dream” and their biggest hit, “So Alive,” were showcased in the first set, with the latter featuring iconic women’s legs from the original music video gyrating rhythmically across the backdrop.
The thundering drum line of their grooviest song, “The Mirror People,” got the crowd going, as the band tore through the number. The first set ended on a high note with the super manic “Yin and Yang (The Flower Pot Man)” played flawlessly by Kevin Haskins.
Following a brief hiatus, the band returned for an encore with two of Express’ best deep cuts — “Holiday on the Moon” and “Love Me” — before delighting us with their cover of The Temptations’ ever relevant “Ball of Confusion,” which incorporated a verse from Edwin Starr’s “War.” After thunderous applause, they returned for a second encore, a gently lilting outro for a beautiful night, “Sweet F.A.”
Both Daniel and David have stated that they have no plans to continue beyond this tour, making this “last blast” a spectacular finale. However, if they chose to continue, there is undoubtedly a revered love and place for this band and their creative, unforgettable music. As this leg of the tour wraps up with three dates at the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles next week, no announcements have been made about potential UK dates or additional locations. It was an honor to witness and capture this moment if it indeed marks the end for the dynamic trio known as Love and Rockets.”
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