Semisonic frontman Dan Wilson is touring Australia as a solo act for the very first time with just a microphone and guitar (and occasional keyboard) between himself and the audience.
Wilson stood before around 2000 fans last night at a sold-out show for headliner Martha Wainwright.It is a tough gig going on first at someone else’s show, but Dan keep the audience focused.
Wearing an Obama t-shirt (made by his brother Matt), he pointed out how it hadn’t gone unnoticed to him that the world has a better attitude to the United States this week than a few weeks ago.
Dan had a front row view of the Dixie Chicks / George W. Bush showdown when we worked with the Chicks co-writing their ‘Taking The Long Way’ album. It earned him a Grammy Award for the song ‘Not Ready To Make Nice’.
He didn’t play that one last night, or their song ‘Lullaby’. You might get his version of some Chicks licks at his sideshows in Melbourne and Sydney.
He did play his old Semisonic hit ‘Closing Time’ and at various times had the crowd not only whistling (badly) but also singing along (not so badly). He also dropped in a few tracks from the new album 'Free Life', such as the current hit 'Breathless'.
Dan Wilson will perform tonight at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne and at The Factory in Enmore, Sydney on the 19th.
