REVIEWS:

From Amy:

OMG I had the best time at Fiona's concert at the Tabernacle in Atlanta last night! Not only was she one of my all time favorite singers, but it was one of the best shows I have ever seen.  I'll start from the beginning...

The Tabernacle is this really cool bar, and it's not as big as I expected it to be, but big enough.  There was only standing room on the ground floor, no seats so me & my friends got a seat on the 1st balcony that was there on the left of Fiona.  I couldn't believe how close we were to her! I could see her perfectly, she was only a few feet away!  The only problem was when she was on her piano, her back was to us, but when she got up to dance we could see really well.

The show was supposed to start at 8pm, and first this guy came out, nobody announced his name, and played some songs on a guitar and a piano.  It was really slow songs and kinda depressing, we weren't too crazy about him.  He ended at 8:30 pm and someone from the sponsor radio station 99X came on a half hour later and said that Jurassic 5 would come on next, then Fiona.  But Jurassic 5 never made it, I wonder what was going on with that, and Fiona suddenly just came on the stage and sat at her piano.  I didn't recognize her at first because she had on a light blue hooded jacket and her hair was caught inside it.  She took off the jacket and had on a green tank top and black skirt.  Very Fiona style, very cute. 

She was well worth the wait.  You wouldn't believe how even the songs that are kinda slow, like Carrion, could rock so much! Her voice sounded exactly like it did on her cds, very deep and cool, and she can play the piano really really well.  Her band was also amazing! She started playing at the piano, and rotated that with dancing to the faster songs.  The songs that really blew us away that rocked the house were Sleep to Dream, Carrion, Fast As You Can, Mistake, Limp, hell there was nothing that wasn't good! It was funny, like when she started 5 songs I said to my friends "This is one of my favorites!"  and they were like "Every song is your favorite, you love her!" And I do, I really do! It was so amazing to see her perform.  Everytime she danced the crowd when crazy, she was so awesome! Her dancing is so uninhibited, it's the kind of dancing I think everyone would do if they didn't care what other people thought of them, but with some Fiona style added.  I loved it! 

She told us that she was happy because normally her concerts have only been 1/4 full, and ours was a packed house.  It really was packed and I was sooo glad she was happy about it!  She later apologized to the people standing by the stage saying that she had been spitting a lot, lol!  I saw her using the throat spray a couple times, and when she talked she sounded a little bit hoarse, but her singing was excellent and you couldn't tell.  Later, she said how they only had the bus for 2 more days and didn't know what they were going to do without it (because she's going to Japan soon maybe?).  She introduced the band in such a cute little way and people went crazy for them because it was so good.

On the Bound was her first song, and Fast As You Can was her last before the encore.  Everyone went crazy screaming and clapping for Fiona to come back out, me included.  Then she sang a really jazzy song, then "Kissing Me My Love" or something like that, I really loved that one.  Then it was over :(  But it was the best concert I have ever gone to! Fiona is amazing. 

After we went outside and stood by what we thought was her tour bus.  There was a truck there that equipment was being moved onto, and then the tour bus started to back away, I think only 2 band members, not even, were on it.  People started to say that her bus was on another street, but we were too tired to walk all the way over there. 

Overall, this concert was so amazing and if you have the chance to go definitely do it! I would go again in a heartbeat.  Even my friends that went that didn't really know who Fiona was enjoyed it very much so. She rocked so much live, and her dancing is so cute! I loved every minute.

Amy

?, Fiona, Laced, & Sarah

From Sarah:

It's 3:00 am - and I just walked in the door after spending the day in Atlanta to see the Fiona show.

Let me just preface this little spill by saying two things: First off, this was one of the most amazing days that I've experienced ever...and you'll understand why in a few minutes. Let me also add that I am going to try to give a detailed explanation - but honestly, I'm too excited & tired to think right now...so bare with me :) 

My friend Oz & I arrived in Atlanta around 1:30 pm. After a bit of exploration, we found the Tabernacle and got in line & stake our claim @ a front standing spot for the 8 pm show. Upon arrival @ the main entrance, we realize that no one's waiting yet...except 1 guy named Jon. So we sat down w/ him, talked for a while...and just basically started waiting. @ around 4:30 or so Laced (my great buddy from the Fiona Apple BBS) showed up...she is very very cool - I am so glad I got to meet her. :)  As time went by, people started showing up, but it wasn't till around 5 pm that more than 1 or 2 @ a time came.  As we were talking, we notice the 99X sponsors (Atlanta's premiere alternative rock station) meandering around. All the sudden this guy comes up and asks us if we're the "meet & greet winners." "If it involves meeting & greeting Fiona Apple...I'm your girl!" I screamed. :) 

Of course we weren't, but we joked around w/ the guy saying they we would do anything to *be* those winners. After several minutes of conversation - something strange happened... He didn't laugh his ass off & say "Yeah right, I'm not taking you backstage!" HE SAID; "Lemme see what I can do" (Since we had explained how long we had been @ the venue already - and he could see how much it would mean to us)  After freaking out for a lil' less than an hour over the possibility of meeting Fi, I have had enough. I wanted to know if this thing was for real. "What do I have to do to get backstage?" I asked. In hindsight, it probably wasn't the best thing to say to a complete male stranger :) But he was completely cool. 

Within 20 mins, my concert buddy Jon waves @ me to come up to the "executive entrance." "We're going in" He tells me. @ that moment, it hit me...this was happening.  It was no longer talk, or a maybe...it was a certainty - I was meeting FIONA! Involuntarily, I began to shake like crazy. My heart was racing and I couldn't keep a straight thought in my head.  Within 20 mins, Jon, Laced & I were inside watching Fiona's band do a sound check.

Luckily, I just happened to have my "When The Pawn..." cd in the car - so I ran out before hand & grabbed it for her to sign. Within 30 mins or so Fiona appears on stage... In a practically empty venue...belting out bits & pieces of her setlist...she sang excerpts from "Sleep to Dream", "Paper Bag" and "Fast as you can".  Laced, Jon & I just sat on the floor staring up @ Fiona who was breathtakingly close, (only about 10 feet away). Calming each other down, and trying to hide tears, we watched on as she got the sound perfect for the concert.

After a few more sound adjustments, Fiona came down off the stage to meet the 16 special people who actually got to come inside.  No doubt everyone knows how tiny she is - but man, you really dont know until  you stand next to her...And she is so unbelievably beautiful!  Man, I just couldn't believe how pretty she was up close.  One of the promo guys from 99X started introducing us around, since we were all silent in shock! I thought I was going to just burst out into tears when she shook my hand...I could barely even talk!  Luckily, Jon tapped me on the shoulder and reminded me to give her the present I had brought her (a bracelet & letter in a hand woven bag) I was so awe-struck by just being in Fi's presence that I completely forgot!  After she said hello to everyone, I actually got to tell her how much she is loved by her fans (and me). I know I said a few more things, I just can't exactly remember what right now - I was just so ecstatic to be talking to her! 

She is so sweet and timid...makes you wonder where all that fire comes from in her music :)

Next she signed various souvenirs, I got my cd autographed; "Hi Sarah. Fiona Apple" Then came the best part, Laced & I got our pics made with Fiona!!!  I used my camera, and the 99X guys took pics as well.

After the meet & greet, we headed back outside again to wait in line for the show. I didn't think much else could top what had just happened...So I tried to make myself calm down :)

About 30 mins later, we were back in the venue, I was actually the 2nd person to get into the front door :) I ran right to my spot in the front row, center stage. 

The cool thing about the Tabernacle is that the stage came up to my collarbone, and there were no barriers between the crowd and the stage. So we were RIGHT on the stage... literally...there was nothing between us & Fi! :)

@ around 9:00 pm or so - after a rather subdued singular performance by the Eels - out came Fiona.  I must say something about the Eels. I really really enjoyed the lead  singer's acoustic set. I thought he did an amazing job by himself. I even purchased their new cd - and I recommend it to all of you :)

Fiona took her place @ the familiar piano. Performing her usual opening set:  On The Bound, To Your Love. Next, she moved to the mic for "Criminal" & "Limp". It was when she began "criminal" that I realized how AWESOME our spots were. We were so close to Fiona, I actually had to tilt my head up towards the ceiling b/c she was literally standing 3 feet in front of me. During the middle of the show she made a comment about how she was sorry that  she was standing right on top of "us" in the front row. I was screaming "Don't apologize!!!" :) The remainder of the set list was virtually the same as the other shows during this tour; "Paper Bag", "Sullen Girl", "Love Ridden", "Carrion", "Sleep To Dream", "I know" "Get Gone", "The Way Things Are", "Mistake", "Fast as you can" and of course the 2 covers: "Kissing My Love" & "Just one of those things"

I was mesmerized throughout the entire show - 2 hours passed like 20 mins...it was my most amazing concert experience EVER! (and I got to see her again on Saturday April 22, in Knoxville as well) I don't believe that any concert could top this one. I have to thank the promotional guys from 99X for being so fucking cool & helping make a long-time dream come true!

Lots of love,
Sarah :) (shad0wb0xer23@aol.com)
(http://onthebound.bizland.com)

First of all let me say that I am not one of those die hard fans who knows everything about Fiona and the band. Although I now find myself trying to find where they will play next...and finding her music stuck in my head... 

Anyway on with my experience at the show... My girl and I went to Atlanta for Easter weekend and while driving in heard that she was going to be in town on the radio that very night... ...Talk about a fate laden event... Needless to say the first stop in Atlanta...FIONA APPLE tickets! I first fell in love with Fiona after watching her "criminal video" when it debuted years ago...(little boyish crush, ya know)... The Atlanta show was quite an EXPERIENCE... the music...the people in the crowd...the band...everything... Fiona has a certain allure to her...........I won't attempt to try and explain it.

We arrived at the Tabernacle, which for those of you not familiar with Atlanta...this place used to be on of the largest churches in the Southeast back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, it's an old historic building that was renovated when the Olympics came to Atlanta in 1996 and they turned it into a music hall/bar/night club. It's a beautifully ornate theatre/sanctuary that's been redone with modern art...a nice retro style-ly effect..

Anyway.. she came out to sit at her piano with a little girl smile, the crowd went wild, she was so personal throughout the entire show... We where sitting DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER while she was playing her piano. To the right of the stage or "stage left" in the lower balcony. She was so preciously cute throughout the show and I bet she hates me saying that but she was very very adorable. She thanked the crowd for singing along and for being there and smiled like an angel. The Tabernacle was packed...like sardines in a can but everyone was in such a good mood and so friendly to each other. Believe it or not my favorite song she did was the "fuckin' go" song She really got into it and you could see her true self expressed in her
mannerisms and her voice, just her overall performance. She introduced the band members in a personal fashion and it was ever so groovy, they played a little jam and then she introduced a member  while the other members of the band faded into a different little tune, then the whole band jammed and faded into another member's introduction.

Very personable, very original, very unique, you felt like you were at a
show where you KNEW the band on a personal basis. Like a garage band at a party who plays their sets and then sits and visits you awhile. 

After the show we walked outside and waited next to a bus we thought was her tour bus, the security people told us her bus was around back so needless to say we walked around to check it out not knowing if they were BS-ing us or not. We got back there and they were loading equipment, after an anxiously-patiently endured wait. The Bass player came out and walked down the wall of fans desperate to get autographs. Signing one for them all. He was so cool, we talked for a bit and he was giving out cards to his website, we asked him to take a picture and he just ducked under the security barrier tape and came out and joined us for a picture. He talked to us like we were long lost friends, we talked about everything all the different tour cities they'd been to, the show, the music, space and astronomy.  I loved it. Obviously, their success didn't go to their heads. A girl asked for his autograph and accidentally dropped a condom she was holding, he politely and advisingly said "better hang on to that", but was still a gentleman in talking to her and didn't take advantage of her lust. He must have visited with all of us for over an hour. Some guy came up and begged him to give Fiona a driver's license, just in case Fiona might be interested, he didn't crush his spirits, he said "...Are you sure you don't need your license?, plenty of bars out there..." But nevertheless he pocketed this guy's license...

Then Fiona came out she walked down the wall of fans and signed autographs and sat still for a second for you to snap a picture. She spoke to one fan who came in a wheelchair and waited for over an hour just to meet with her, it was very touching. Fiona stood in front of me and like a little boy I clammed up, we made eye contact, You've got to love those angelic puppy dog eyes, a speechless single moment in time, then she twitched her lips and signed her autograph for me. I guess she knows the effect she has on people. I dreamingly fantasized that she was puckering her lips, although like I said it was a fantasy... She had a Secret Service bodyguard with her, American James Bond, who kept saying "...come on Fe it's time to go!!!..." She would just roll her eyes and continue interacting with her fans. Fiona kept signing autographs and talking to the fans for a least 20 more minutes, which goes to show you she really cares about her fans and is the type of person who does her own thing...

I admired her music years ago when her first album was released, and she is a very beautiful girl, but then I saw her perform, where she truly expressed herself in concert, she gave you a window to her personality, she was touchingly personable, all in all seeing her in concert, makes you admire her even more...

The people at the show were also friendly, I drove in from Arkansas and met a "new friend" who flew in from Pennsylvania, we're exchanging photos from the show and planning on seeing Fiona again,

The experience of FIONA APPLE LIVE IN CONCERT............"How do you explain it?" -MM...........

Take care everyone, I hope you get the chance to see FIONA live, I drove 12 hours....It was well worth it...
Best wishes to you all,
MM
matchu1@hotmail.com

       Wow.....I am at such a loss for words! Last night (4/20) was Fiona Apple's Atlanta show. It was the best concert I have ever been to (and I've been to quite a few!). Where do I begin!?!

        We arrived at the Tabernacle around 7:30pm, and after walking around the area for a few min., we decided to "get lost" near the back entrance. Immediately, I saw the famous Tan Tour Bus. My friends and I started talking to the security guys, and found out that Fiona was on the bus.  We tried several attempts to get autographs etc. but the guys wouldn't let us. I asked one really nice guy if he knew any info on getting backstage, he told me my best bet was to hang out by the bus at the end of the show.

        We tried fighting our way to the front of the stage, which is a story in itself. Eventually we settled on the 2nd floor, front row. Then some guy from the Eels came out and started banging (sitting, pounding) on a little piano. Then he grabbed a guitar and started singing some odd bird song. I had read a little about him in previous reviews and was expecting the worst. Actually, after the weird bird song, the music wasn't that bad....

        After waiting for a while Fiona finally came out. She was wearing a cute little green top and black skirt. She sat down at the grand piano and the music to "On the Bound" started. At this point I was shaking, I couldn't believe I was actually seeing her! I was in a daze from the first to last song, crying during "I Know" and "Love Ridden", "Sullen Girl" and even "Sleep to Dream". Every song she played was amazing, my favorite was "Sleep to Dream". She danced and was joking around, and seemed happy. Some of her songs sounded better than on her CD! By the end of the concert, I was dancing and having so much fun. Right before her last encore song, Me and my friend ran back out to the tour bus hoping to see Fiona.
       
        There were four girls already there and we were all trying to find ways to get closer to the bus. The crowd got larger and larger but I was happy to be in front. The bus was about 10 feet away from us, and I couldn't believe how amazing it was! Then we waited....and waited.....and waited (shout outs to the 4 girls next to us from Brenau, and the guy next to us with the set list) finally the band came out and got on the bus. Then the bass player, Keith something, came over to the crowd and started talking to us. He signed an autograph for me and was talking about some movie with a robot or something. After he got back on the bus we waited.......and waited some more, until my friends were ready to give up. I wasn't about to give up that easy....within 5 min. after my friends started heading to the car, Fiona came out! She stood right in front of me...I couldn't believe how beautiful she was! I asked her to sign an autograph and she did, she was tired but still really sweet. When she handed the autograph back to me my friend grabbed me and was like lets go, so I didn't really get to see how long she stayed and signed autographs....There were only about 15 people left in the little crowd.

        It was so cool of her to take the time to sign autographs after the show, I know she must have been tired and I'm sure it was the last thing she wanted to do, but she did! It was a great show and I am so happy I got to
meet her....I can't wait until she comes again!

Jan