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Fi and her "Magic Rice" FHW gift from Jenn!

Erica, Fi & Jenn

REVIEWS

After waiting more than 3 years for this day, it finally came. As soon as my friends and I were ready, we all took a bus into Boston. Even though the day was rainy, it didn't make any difference at all. When we arrived in the city we met up with David and Nanikita and walked around Boston for hours. I pointed out the place that did Magic Rice (they write whatever you want on rice and put it in a tiny bottle with water then slip it on a chain) A while back I had one made for Fiona that said "FHW" written on the tiny grain of rice. At that point it didn't even hit me that I may have the opportunity to give it to her in person. 
Finally, the time was approaching, we went to grab some dinner at the Corner mall and we got to put our artwork, and write things in the Treasure book. After sitting inside for a while Erica, Shannon and I waited for Fiona's Tour Bus to arrive. When word came that it was backing in, we ran out and waited to get our first glimpse of Fiona. When the bus doors finally opened, Fiona stepped out and started walking toward us. She stopped in front of us and took pictures with some of the other people and signed autographs. After a few minutes she went in for the sound check.

At about 6:20 we went to line up at the doors of the Orpheum and at 6:30 they started to let us in. As soon as they ripped the ticket, I walked in and went directly to get a T-Shirt at the stand. As soon as I got it, I went to the bathroom and put it on =). After all that we proceeded to the theater and the man told us where our seats were. I had no clue how close the Front Row was! It was the best. I was very excited and I walked around the theater talking to some friends. A few minutes after that, my friend Erica and I were surprised with the most awesome thing. Backstage Passes! I could not believe this was actually happening. After they played some music and more people filed in "Deathly" by Aimee Mann came on, and then after that J5 came on and opened for Fiona. The song was actually supposed to come on before Fiona but they messed up.

J5 came on and showed their stuff. Not my kind of music, but I have to say they really were not bad. The beats of the songs kept some people moving and the excitement of the audience was really nice. A half hour later, Fiona leaped onto the stage and spastically jumped around. It was very funny, and she was obviously very happy and excited. The audience rose to their feet and gave Fiona a loud, warm welcome. As she sat down at the piano and began to play On the Bound, I felt the song surge through me. Fiona live is definitely an experience you wont get from your CD player no matter what kind of awesome equipment you have. She truly has an amazing voice and its so cool, because you can tell she feels her music. Every song that she sang was great and so amazing live! When she got to the last song, a truly UNBELIEVABLE version of Fast As you Can, she danced around very uniquely and fast to the music. By the time she was done with the song I was still jumping around inside. She left the stage after that and seconds later, loud screaming, stomping and clapping came from the audience. After a few minutes Fiona came back and performed two killer cover songs, Just One of Those Things by Cole Porter, and Kissing My Love by Bill Withers. You can tell she has a lot of fun singing cover songs. After she left the stage the audience began filing out of the Orpheum. I could tell that people were thrilled by her performance because everyone was happy! At the backstage door, my friend Erica and I met up with David and Nanikita and a few other fans, and went backstage. We sat downstairs waiting for her to come in and met Paul Thomas Anderson (very cool guy). A few minutes later Fiona walked in wearing a long coat and gloves, she talked to some people on the other side of the room and then approached us. Paul was presented with his "PTA The Fuckin, Director" hat, and Fiona came over and gave me a huge hug. I gave her the necklace and she took off her gloves to take it out of the box. By the expression on her face she thought it was real cool. She held it up in the air and posed with it for the camera. Erica gave her an apple charm that said "Fiona" on it. When she opened it, she looked at us and said "Wow! You guys really put thought into this, Its like my Birthday!" We all talked for a bit and then we took pictures together. After a while her tour manager came down and told her that they had to get going. Fiona gave everyone a hug goodbye and then she left with Paul. We went outside and saw Keith, Fiona's bass player. He was very cool and extremely funny. That concluded my night, but the memory will be embedded in my head as long as I live.

First of all, hi David & Nanikita!

This show was just phenomenal. I honestly think that this was one of best shows I have ever seen! Before the show, to help make it this good, was the fact that I had the chance to meet Fiona. I waited out in the cold rain for 2 hours, but she came over and talked to us. She was graceful enough to sign my Tidal cd cover, my poetry book, and she even took a picture with us on her way to do sound check. She was so sweet. Don't believe anyone who says she is rude or mean...she is absolutely wonderful.

Jurassic 5 did a really good job. I don't really listen to hip hop, but their brand was old school, and they were full of energy. Really entertaining, and I didn't get bored at all, like I usually do during an opening act. Next was the best part of the entire night, Fiona!        

She came on and danced around before going on to the piano to sing "On The Bound". She was so cute. When she got over to the piano, she put on the best show I'd seen in a long time. She blew me away, she sounded GREAT!!!!! I liked the way she sounded and acted much better this time around than the last time I saw her, in 1997.She was so much more at ease in front of the crowd, and we were so receptive of her. Over all, there was a great energy, and it continued through the entire set. She sang all of When the Pawn, a couple from Tidal, and she did a great cover by Cole Porter, and a song from Bill Withers as her encores. I wish that I could have stayed there and listened and sang along all night. It was such a let down when I had to leave...I would have liked to stay in the cozy world of Fiona for much longer. This concert is just amazing...I am really glad I got to see her again...Take care David and Nanikita!!!

From Christina :

I  waited four years to see Fiona, and it was well worth it. Although most of the crowd was rude and decided to scream in the middle of every single song, it was an experience I will never forget. I met a few very nice people, and finally, David Nanikita, who are very generous and whom I am extremely grateful to! 

Jurassic 5 was good, though I am not a hip hop fan, they surprised me. Their first song was a take off of the All In The Family theme song (my all time favorite show), and I have to say, they are a talented bunch. :) One of the guys reminded me of a character on the HBO show, Oz. Good luck to them in the future.

Fiona came out in a pink tank top and black skirt (I don't understand how she wasn't cold....) and started off with a very passionate performance of On the Bound, followed by a version of To Your Love I want to have on cd....

3) Criminal - we met eyes for about five seconds, and I tell you, I have never felt so good in an extremely long time....there was such a strong connection... Tears, realization that I was thirty feet from her...
4) Limp - more tears, more realization, acceptance; happiness
5) Sullen Girl - the second she started playing the piano part the tears started rolling. The song means so incredibly much to me, and I didn't expect her to play it. In the middle of the song people started screaming, which pissed me off. I couldn't believe that ANYBODY would scream in the middle of Sullen Girl. 
6) Paper Bag - good, except for the fact that almost the entire audience was singing along with her. I don't have a problem with people enjoying live music their own way, but the crowd was being downright rude in some parts.
7) Get Gone - great except for all the screaming
8) Love Ridden - BEAUTIFUL...absolutely fucking gorgeous....everyone should experience this song live
9) Sleep To Dream - one of my favorite songs. She treated us to a little mess-up in the beginning, not getting her starting pitch, asked the pianist to give her "the fucking note again." Very cute. :) I was so happy to hear this live. Matt Chamberlain is THE man....those drums were amazing. Love the bass.
10) Carrion - WONDERFUL. I totally wasn't expecting to hear this; it was quite a surprise. 
11) The Way Things Are - It occurred to me that I was waiting after the show to see her and that I could give her something, so I wrote a letter to her. I told her that I don't put her on a pedestal but that I appreciate her passion for what she does. Wonderful girl she is. :)
12) I Know - some people don't get that just because she stops singing, doesn't mean she's done stating her point. Right after she sang, "Don't have to say it" people immediately started screaming, and I was thinking, No, wait, she's not done speaking... I love how the piano in that song says what she doesn't. Somewhere at the end I screamed at someone to shut up...they were moaning/screaming at every single most inconvenient place you could possibly think of. I think they were drunk or high or something. I met a couple later on who had heard me tell the girl to shut up and they thought it was great. It needed to happen earlier. There was also a guy who kept making sexual comments toward Fiona, completely disrespecting her. 
13) A Mistake - mic problems caused her to roll her eyes....
Introductions...very cute and funny...
14) Fast As You Can - beautiful... GREAT little dance along with it. Reminded me of a porcelain doll. So much sass!
Encore
Just One Of Those Things - absolutely gorgeous. Love to hear it again.
another song I don't know the name of - very passionate

After the show I met Andrea and Derek, two very cool people who I am glad to have talked to. We made fun of the little rich girls who all have to have the same clothes and complain that $200 isn't enough spending money for a concert. Unbelievable how many people were talking on their cell phones during the concert. All in all, it was the happiest I've ever been, although my feet were soaked, cold, and frozen, and my face was so numb I couldn't feel what was dripping out... ;) Hopefully I'll be able to see her again later in the tour. 

Christina Sepp

From Nicole:

Ok, my Boston review is definitely going to be shorter than my CT one! Number one I have to work early in the morning, then off to the Wilkes-Barre show! Ok, first off, J-5 was cool again. 2nd off, the sound was so much better at this show! Everything sounded so clear and just amazingly powerful! Thirdly, the audience was sooooo energetic and supportive of Fi. It was the first show I've ever seen everyone standing for the entire show, even though we had seats. I don't mind people saying things out loud once in a while to Fiona during the show, especially if it's just a compliment. I don't seem to get as bothered by it, as the rest of you who are reviewing. I just don't like when it's something rude, etc... I honestly think Fi doesn't mind it either. It helps her feel like she's doing a good job. She didn't have as much stage banter at this show as CT, she just got out in the beginning and said she can't think of anything to say. That she read the paper to help her think of something to say about the news, but all she wanted to say was that she "ate at Abe and Lou's for dinner". Then she said that all she knows is that she was going to put on a fucking great show! I almost died inside laughing, that was the coolest thing I've ever heard her say! It's very symbolic of her newfound confidence she seems to have. She is so much more comfortable performing now than she used to be. She is wonderful! Oh, somebody wrote something in a review (CT or Boston?) about how Fiona must be cold wearing little tank tops, but don't you think you'd be hot dancing around, singing your heart out under spotlights? I still loved "Get Gone" , and "Love Ridden". "Sullen Girl" and "To Your Love" are my honorable mentions. Lastly, I loved how she made a comment before playing "The Way Things Are" about how she loved playing the piano for that song, because I have always loved the piano part in that song after her loud part. Ya know, "How can I fight, beside you?" and then she pounds away on the piano...Da,da,da,da,da,da,da...Da,da,da,da,da,da, etc...Ok, it's time
for me to sleep. But before that, I must thank David and Nanikita yet again for the generosity in helping me see Fiona backstage. I finally got to give her my flowers and goodie bag. She was so happy. I love her, and I love you guys. Oh, readers, see that hat that Paul is wearing in the pic of Fi and Paul? Dave and Nanikita are probably too modest to say this, but they had that hat made for him and gave it to him that night. It says "PTA -THE Fucking Director" isn't that great?! They're so thoughtful! Anyway, off to bed. Adios! Be sure to check out my pics!

---Nicole

When Fiona Apple first hopped on stage Friday night at the Orpheum, it was immediately clear that this young singer's boundless energy would provide the audience with more than just a routine performance. After a tremendous presentation of "On the Bound" and "To Your Love," two songs from her latest offering When the Pawn, Apple addressed the crowd and briefly explained that she was going to give us a "fuckin' fabulous show." I couldn't have said it better myself.

Performing all ten tracks from When the Pawn, as well as several hits from her debut CD, Tidal, Fiona Apple proved her vocal range and incredible talent Friday night. Her voice, which has matured greatly over the past few years, is now capable of some rather startling sounds. For instance, on CD, the moving "Sullen Girl" is soft and mournful as Apple sings "but he took my pearl/and left an empty shell of me." Live, the lyric becomes "but he took MMMYYYYYY pearl," her larynx releasing something not unlike a roar. However, Apple's most ferocious moment came during her performance of her current single, "Limp." From the song's tenuous opening notes, the audience became visibly and audibly elated. Those still sitting jumped up and sang along as Apple delivered perhaps the best angry chick song since Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know." Her poetically vicious lyrics kicked in soon after the drums came marching in: "And when I think of it/my fingers turn to fists/I never did anything to you, man/but no matter what I try/you'll beat me with your bitter lies/so call me crazy, hold me down/make me cry, get off now baby/it won't be long till you'll be/lying limp in your own hands." On an extended instrumental bridge, Apple danced spastically in place, triggering many in the audience to do the same. It was a moment of euphoric and uninhibited release, and proved to be the soaring high of an already powerful set.

Apple was similarly energetic for her performance of her biggest hit to
date, "Criminal." While not as notable as "Limp," it was still great fun.  Another kiss-off song from When the Pawn, "Get Gone," began veiled in a deceptive calm. But soon Apple brought forth that same turbulent energy, kicking off the chorus with two simple words, "fuckin' go!" The former was one of her favorite words Friday evening as well, punctuating her occasional discourses to the audience. It was in these moments between songs that much of Apple's spirit came through. She bounced about the stage like a child on a sugar rush, frantically pulling her skirt up and tugging at her pink tank top. When she spoke, it was only to say she didn't know what to talk about. But the audience really didn't care, as they weren't there to have a discussion, they were there to enjoy the music of one of today's most powerful artists.

While most of her performance was undeniably rocking, Apple also performed several of her most touching ballads. "Love Ridden," a highlight from When the Pawn, was endearing. Her most delicate moments, however, were during "I Know." A soft love song uncharacteristic of Apple's more volatile personality, her performance was rich and absorbing. Combined with the cutely tacky Christmas lights that lit up her piano during the song, "I Know" brought more than a few smiles to the crowd. Apple waited until deep into her set to perform When the Pawn's leadoff track and fan favorite "Fast As You Can." You had to be stiff as a corpse not to get up and dance along to this song, as the captivated audience transformed into a sea of bobbing heads and flailing limbs. In one particularly inspired moment, Apple used hand movements to punctuate the rapid-fire line, "so I'll fight again, again, again, again, again." After her stirring rendition of "Fast As You Can," she returned for a short encore, playing two covers. First was a surprising shift for Apple, as she sang along to a scratchy vinyl recording of Cole Porters' "Just One of Those Things." The band was hauled back on stage, however, for the show's final song, a rollicking take on Bill Withers' "Kissing My Love."

Apple's opening act, the hip-hop group Jurassic 5, managed to win a few new fans, but for the most part the audience seemed to politely tolerate the group. After all, old school-style hip-hop isn't exactly in line with the musical taste of most Fiona Apple fans. It was clear from the moment Apple stepped on stage that this sold-out show was a well-deserved treat for Fiona fans. Although her set was a bit short - Apple was on stage for only about an hour and twenty minutes - virtually no one left disappointed. Apple made the Orpheum Theatre burst with ecstatic musical energy and artistry, delivering one of the finest shows you can see today.

From Victoria:

Yes, I know its a little late but I had no way of getting on a computer!  I had a lovely time in Boston...but enough about me, let's move onto FI!!!!  The show was amazing...Fi put so much energy and she was totally revved up for the show.  The venue was ok...I got decent tickets for going 1 hour before the show and scalping...left center row H...approximately 30 rows back.  Anyway, I knew the show was off to a good start when Fi ran out and pranced to the piano.  She was full of life and On The Bound was a great song to open to.  By Criminal she took off her black sweater and got ready to give it her all.  During Criminal, she danced her heart out and really started to get the whole crowd into it.  The venue was a litte funny...I had some
trouble seeing Fi between a whole slew of people in front of me.  I was extremely surprised she played Carrion and Fast As You Can had the best dance ever.  You could tell she was feeling the music and was having a great time.  She admitted she "talked too much" on her last tour so she just gave us these funny speeches about how she had no clue what to say and the best line of the night was "If I am standing up here that doesn't have to make me a stand up comedian!"-or something to that extent.  I loved Limp...and the crowd did too.  Sullen Girl was amazing and the encores were fabulous!  I absolutely adored the first song (which I don't recall the name to) where Fi sang solo with music from an old record in the background.  It was truly amazing.  Its 7 AM and I am writing a review....so if this doesn't make sense...blame the time!  One thing that DOES make sense at anytime-day or night-is that Fiona puts on one of the most amazing and touching shows I have ever been to in my life.  Fiona is truly amazing.

Fi and Paul