[ATTENDED: September 8, 2025] Sparks
Back in 2022, I dragged myself all the way to New York City (which seems to get harder and harder to get to every time I try) to see Sparks at Town Hall. I had never seen them and I was convinced they’d never play anywhere closer. It was worth the grief because the show was wonderful. Imagine my surprise when one year later they announced a show at the Keswick Theatre. But I had tickets for another show that night, so I missed them.
And now a year later they are back at the Keswick! to tour their new album Mad!
Sparks is, without question, a weird band–they have a song about a Jansport backpack after all. I got into them back in 1997 when they released an album of re-recorded versions of their best songs and called it Plagiarism. Despite the occasional hit, they remain largely unknown in the States. They are from the States even though many people assume they are from Europe. Sparks are Russel Mael (vocals, aged 76) and Ron Mael (everything else, aged 80).
Before the New York show they hadn’t toured the U.S since 2013. So I guess seeing them is a rare opportunity. Perhaps I should have gone last year. But at least I went this year and, amazingly the setlist was almost entirely different!
I walked into Keswick and the place looked like a fire had just been put out. There was SO MUCH FOG! There was an amusing sign that said “tonight’s show special effects FOG.” And all the employees were joking how they couldn’t see anything.
I sat in the middle of an aisle and waited for the band. The backing musicians came out first: Evan Weiss – guitar ; Eli Pearl – guitar ; Max Whipple – bass ; Darren Weiss – drums.
Then Ron sat in front of a keyboard, the letters of Roland rearranged to spell Ronald. And Russel came out in a floral print suit. And they began, as they should, with the song “So May We Start” from Annette.
They started that way last time too, so I assumed the show would be much the same. But it wasn’t! (more…)
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