LIVE: IL DIVO – February 25, 2022
Venue: Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater
City: St. Petersburg, FL
Dates: February 25, 2022
Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)
With the world coming out of COVID related lockdowns and pandemic pauses in travel, gathering, and entertainment there are a lot of bands and performers getting out there and bringing their music to the masses. Il Divo is no different as they started booking their 2022 tour and then the unspeakable happened. It was announced in late December 2021 that original member Carlos Marin had passed away and fans worldwide wondered what was next for the remaining three members David Miller, Sébastien Izambard, and Urs Bühler. There was only one thing they could do. That was to honor the dates they had booked, but more importantly, honor the memory and legacy of Carlos with a Greatest Hits tour that would showcase the bands catalog. Honor Marin they did as they kicked off the tour in St. Petersburg, FL at Mahaffey Theater. Once the trio hit the stage, they broke into song with a cover of The Jackson 5 classic “I’ll Be There” and it was one of the more emotional moments I have ever seen during a live performance as the three each took their turns singing verses and sharing the harmonies and choruses. As the song worked through to its end, the three were emotionally shaken and shed tears, shared hugs, and just basked in the memory of Carlos. Once the needed moment had passed, they addressed the elephant in the room and then approximately 9:01pm on a Friday night, performer Steven Labrie joined the trio on stage… not to replace Marin but to deliver the songs in four-parts as the band has delivered show after show since 2004. While different in appearance, sound, and overall vibe, it was also similar and familiar. The overall sadness of the loss of their friend and brother in music never quite left the stage, but it was obvious Miller, Izambard, and Bühler needed this evening and performance as much if not more than anyone else in the venue. Their comfort with their guest vocalist and his contribution was evident from the moment he joined them on stage and through the first song or two with them. What the future holds for these guys only time will tell, but for the moment they are doing what they do best, grieving the only way they know how, and sharing the process with each fan that eases back into a theater chair and joins then for an evening of hits.
FULL SET OF IL DIVO PHOTOS HERE
IL DIVO LINKS:
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Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries
About the Author (Author Profile)
ToddStar - that's me... just a rocking accountant who had dreams of being a rock star. I get to do the next best thing to rocking the globe - I get to take pictures of the lucky ones that do. I love to shoot all genres of music and different types of performers. If it is related to music, I love to photograph it. I get to shoot and hang with not only some of my friends and idols, but some of the coolest people around today.Subscribe
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