Tori Amos

I saw Tori last night in Oakland at the Paramount Theatre. My third Tori show, second at the Paramount, and second with my wife. I've been obsessed with Tori since the wee age of 14, maybe 15. If only I'd been more attentive I'd have seen her in those early years and until last night, I always resented my younger self for missing out on that more down-to-earth Tori show. The other two times I'd seen TOri perform live she was backed with her wonderful and talented band. When we saw her at the Paramount last, it was for the tour she was touring in support of American Doll Posse. I dug the album, but I was NOT a fan of the wardrobe changes. It seemed as if she was in some sort of image-based obsession phase. I'd read that she had recently undergone plastic surgery and over all that last show had the Tori magic but there was just a feeling of something missing. Well, Ears With Feet the world over, I'm here to tell you that Tori is back in full force. The show last night was the show I'd wished I could have seen in my teens. The lovely goddess, almost always two sets of keys on either side of her, no backing band, and a light show that astounded me. She played a full set of songs we all knew every word to, in addition to an AMAZING cover of "Love in a Hopeless Place" as well as "Tiny Dancer". Prior to this show, I was weary that I'd have the same lackluster reaction and that I'd not feel a yearning to pursue seeing her again in my lifetime. Last night show was wholly refreshing to my soul. Her renditions of "Floating City", "Scarlet's Walk", "Sorta Fairytale", and "Jackie's Strength" brought tears to my eyes. The venue is absolutely gorgeous and helps to enrich the beauty of the show. Here's to many more amazing Tori shows. Maybe, in the near future, I'll gather the gumption to wait in line for a meet and greet. It would be an absolute dream.

We saw Tori at the Chicago Theater, which is a beautiful venue for her music. I haven't seen her for about 10 years, the last time being in early 2000. The first time I saw Tori in Milwaukee (way back in the mid-1990s, after she released Under the Pink), it was just her and a piano. The next couple of concerts she was with the full band, which I enjoyed, but not as much as that first time with just the piano. So last night I was expecting to see the whole band set up for the Unrepentent Geraldines tour, only to find it was just a piano and keyboard set up on stage. Which was incredible. She played several songs off Scarlet's Walk, which is one of my favorite albums. Many of the songs she played she utilized both the keyboard and the piano at the same time - one hand on the piano and the other hand on the keyboard. I found her mesmerizing.
What I have always most appreciated with Tori concerts is the venues she picks. The theaters are always beautiful and intimate. And she always does a 'request' - last night it was mash-up of "Dust in the Wind" and "Africa" (and honestly, she should do a full cover of Africa, it was absolutely beautiful). It was just a wonderful, beautiful night in a gorgeous theater, listening to one of the most incredible songwriters of all time.

A Tori show can be two things: A transcendent experience of one of the best live performance artists history may ever know, or a self-indulgent mess where you wish she'd just play the hits.

The majority of the crowd is going to be dead set with the former, the +1's dragged along by their girlfriends are going to most likely end up the latter.

A typical show will have a setlist that spans the entirety of Tori's music, and also Leather if I'm in attendance. There's no guarantee she's going to play your song or anything you really like, and that's the joy of it. What you will get is an artist that pours her entire existence into the performance and can convince even a jaded fan who hasn't really appreciated the last 3 or 4 albums, that this is in fact still your favorite and always will be.

I personally prefer the shows where she brings at least some of a band (drums + bass) and others will prefer just Tori and her Piano (and sometimes other strings and keys instruments) but either is guaranteed to be a fantastic performance for sure.

Her latest album "native invader" received moderate reviews by the musical press. Neverthleless and as I am a fan, I decided to come to her concert in Paris (even if I saw her many times these 20 last years).

First good thing, she played alone with just a piano and synthetisers and we really love her when she does that on stage.

The first 45 minutes were a travel in her debut albums and it was hypnotizing (come to her show only for this first part).

After, she started to sing her new albums which contains 2 or 3 excellent songs and some others disapointing.

During 2 songs, she showed a big picture on stage on which it was written "Fake muse network" which was clearly inappropriate. Mixing music and political opinions is never a good idea....

The rest of her concert was plaisant even if her new album does not have the magic of her debut albums.

However, it was a good show and I will see her again when she comes back in Paris in 3 or 4 years.

Breathtaking.
That woman... What an artist. What a voice. Those breaths in between. Inhales and exhales. The whispers. Those kicks to the piano. Every single detail she has is so stunning. Each song was so special and magical. Each moment was so so so special. She is just captivating you. I could listen to her forever. Absolutely go and see her singing if you have chance. You are not gonna regret it. And you'll never forget. Because Tori Amos is one of the greatest voices in our Era. And a strong woman figure as well. Very cold. Very powerful. Very close. Very heartbreaking. She is a great storyteller. I feel simply lucky to discover her as an artist.
It is gonna remain one of the most magical nights of my life. I am so glad that I got a chance to witness this beautiful artist's performance. I hope I'll see her perform again one day.
Inspiring. That's it. Inspiring.

This was an incredible show! Tori has come back with a vengeance.

Her setlist was equal parts fiery and melancholic (and it's no coincidence that the stage backdrops changed halfway from a fiery forest to a snowy mountain range).

This setlist had plenty of classic Tori & Bosendorfer songs, but there were also a few keyboard-heavy songs with some backing tracks. Iieee is a badass opener and I adored her piano-keyboard combo on some of the songs.

Tori is really on fire and her vocal delivery has been very different from the Unrepentant Geraldines tour. The songs are very emotional and her vocals really convey this very well.

Highlights for me were Iieee, Blood Roses (of course), Beauty Queen/Horses and A Sorta Fairytale.

Great show! Her voice is awesome. I've seen her numerous times and being judgmental at every show. Judgemental to the fact that the songs on which I grew up on she doesn't play on her setlist. I only knew one song out of like 15. Evanescence was the same way last week at the Ryman. I saw Depeche Mode recently and even though they have a new album out over 80% of the songs were from the 80's & 90's. The songs that made them famous. Now I check the setlist's online to even see if it's worth going to before I spend $70. I will probably see Tori Amos again hoping she plays Precious Things. A song I haven't her her sing since the 90's but has performed it at other concerts. To me hearing that song live is worth the $70.00

First of all, I've actually seen Tori 89 times - not 41 like it says here (not all shows are listed on the site, I guess).

That being said, it's obvious Tori is one of the best live performers we have. Although a tiny woman, she can fill a room to the rafters with her emotion. And whatever you might expect from one of her shows, don't depend on that. She's known to switch things up and just go where the moment takes her. I've seen her in every type of venue, and I definitely prefer the smaller side of things.

She is very interactive with the audience, and knows a lot of her fans, as we obviously see her multiple times per tour. She is magical, graceful, professional and never disappointing.

this was my 10th time seeing Tori live, and as always I was left amazed. I always have chills and am very emotional seeing her perform. Hearing a couple of my absolute favorite songs last night truly left me watery eyed. If you are a fan of Tori old or new and have never seen her live GO! It is one of the best performances you will witness. Her 2 hour set seemed like it was only minutes and I was glued to the stage. Thanks Tori for the great night. This night fell on a very hard day for me as it was the one year anniversary of a very close friend's suicide, I feel that the power of her music was very healing for me on this tragic day. Music is magical and Tori has that gift! Love Loyalty and Respect

Being a huge Tori Amos Fan, I was extremely excited to see her again for what is probably my 10th show or so. Tori sounded superb and she played a variety of songs from all her albums. Tori was great. I wish I could say the same thing about her fans. If you want to sing and dance, then make sure you are down in front of the stage or have nose bleed seats. If you attempt to sing and dance along as she performs, you will be told to "shut-up" and "sit-down". If you talk during the show, you will be told to be quiet. It would have been a great show if ALL fans were permitted to enjoy. If you plan on attending, plan on staying in your seat and being still.