LIVE: ERIC GALES – December 8, 2022

Venue: Bilheimer Capitol Theatre

City: Clearwater, FL

Dates: December 8, 2022

Review and Photographs by: Todd “Toddstar” Jolicoeur (www.toddstarphotography.com)

As the 2022 concert season comes to a close, there are still a few shows trickling into local theaters, halls, and venues… including a phenomenal show from blues guitarist Eric Gales.  He brought his Crown tour to Clearwater, FL’s Bilheimer Capitol Theatre.  With a January 2022 release Crown to promote, Gales and his band took the stage and proceeded to bang their way through eleven tracks from the disc.  His band flanked him from left to right as he seemed to stalk the stage throughout his performance.  There were moments of reflection, moments of clarity, and moments I had never seen or experienced before at a live show.  As Eric worked his way into the set, he didn’t quite reach the second track and he was overcome with raw emotion and explained to the packed venue that while he appreciates the crowd wanting him to rock through the set, he had to process and deal with stuff as it came and couldn’t got on until he felt moved to do so.  He worked through two very driven and emotional renditions of “You Don’t Know The Blues” and “Survivor” and had another moment and had to take a few moments to himself.  The music spoke to us all as the pace, emotion, and intensity ebbed and flowed from the stage, across the crowd, and back to the stage from song to song as Gales and his band performed more tracks from the latest release, including “I Found Her,” My Own Best Friend,” and “Too Close To The Fire.”  While comparisons can be made between Gales and others performing today, there is something about Eric that holds him out from the others.  His past and backstory – which he shares throughout the story – combined with his current trajectory, make him special and memorable.  I couldn’t wait to hear one song in particular and Gales did not disappoint when he ripped through “I Want My Crown” to close out the show.  Be sure to check out the tour dates below and grab tickets to a show in 2023 after Eric and his band have taken time to enjoy the holidays and recharge.

SETLIST: Carmina Burana – Death of Me – You Don’t Know the Blues – Survivor – The Storm – Put That Back – My Own Best Friend – I Found Her – Take Me Just as I Am – Cupcakin’ – Too Close to the Fire – I Want My Crown

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ERIC GALES SHOW PHOTOS

ERIC GALES LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TOUR DATES

Tags: featured

Category: Live Reviews, Photo Galleries