Terri Dunbar-Curran
TO MARK the 20th anniversary of alternative band Live’s Throwing Copper album, songwriter and former Live lead singer Ed Kowalczyk is bringing his live unplugged tour to GrandWest’s Grand Arena on September 25 and 26.
The gig will see Kowalczyk and guitarist Zak Loy perform all 14 songs off the iconic album, as well as a few other popular hits.
“Officially it’s called an unplugged experience,” says Kowalczyk, “but it’s much more than that. It really rocks.”
The artist carries a video screen with him, having produced visuals especially for the show. “It was really fun to do. It was good to explore the songs visually and create some exciting things. The fans are really really enjoying it.”
Having honed the concert experience over the past year, Kowalczyk says that it’s definitely evolved as they’ve become more comfortable with it.
“But we try to throw a few surprises in with every market we go to. We play the entire album, one to 14, just like it is.
“It caters to the fans who enjoy the entire album. It really is a very special thing that the fans have expressed is so cool for them,” he says, adding that they stay true to the original.
Making the change to an unplugged set wasn’t difficult at all. “Mostly because although the album is a really big rock record, as far as song writing goes, I wrote most of them with an acoustic guitar. So they very naturally go back to that.
“People think it won’t be as visceral or powerful. But they are surprised. The lyrics stand out so much more.”
For Kowalczyk, the song Lightning Crashes has always been “the little song that could”. It was never thought of to be featured as a single. “It’s always been a special song for me. I can see the joy in the fans and they tell me how much it means to them – it’s part of their soundtrack of life.”
South African singer, Tailor, will join Kowalczyk for one song. The pair collaborated on the duet Angels on a Razor on Kowalczyk’s solo project The Flood and The Mercy. Tailor will appear at all of the shows.
In addition to touring, Kowalczyk is also busy writing and producing his third solo album which he hopes to have completed in time for the end of spring in the US. The tour will see him continue on to Canada and America through the beginning of November.
l There are still VIP Meet & Greet tickets available for both nights, 0861 915 8000.