Ready to Hit the Road Again in 2007

Those in attendance at Edgefest 2006 in Tempe, Arizona received a real treat last night, the opportunity to see Incubus perform their only full length public set in 2006. According to singer Brandon Boyd, Incubus hit the stage for their first show in “the U.S. in over two years,” continuing, “so if I get a little tipsy, it’s not my fault.” The band was poignant and right on mark and certainly did not dissapoint! The mix for the most part was pretty good, with the exception of the bass, which was really ‘fuzzy’ and cranked way up in the mix (subsequently drowning out other parts of the band, especially during softer parts, e.g. Mike’s guitar solo in “Sick Sad Little World”).

As usual, bass player Ben Kenny and guitarist Mike Einziger energetically bounced around the stage for the better part of the nearly hour and half set. Singer Brandon Boyd spoke more than usual and seemed in particularly good spirits. The crowd received a special treat, a cover of the Prince tune “Let’s Go Crazy” (however the seasoned Incubus fan knows that this tune has been previously performed live), after word Brandon remarked, “Do you all know that song?” After the crowd applause, he said, “good ‘cause it kicks ass and I was like nine when it came out.”

Incubus also played two new songs, “Anna Molly” and “A Kiss to Send Us Off” the former of which is the forthcoming lead single from "Light Grenades" (Nov. 28th 2006) and is already available online (currently illegally), but is scheduled for official release in mid October. Brandon mentioned “Anna Molly” by name only noting “we’re going to play another new song,” when they performed, “A Kiss to Send Us Off.”

“Drive” was performed with Mike on electric guitar and Brandon on vocals, with the rest of the band kicking in full gear after the second verse (this was the usual way it was performed on their last tour). Brandon strapped on the guitar only once during the evening to perform the solo on “Pistola”, after which he smashed the guitar on stage during an ambient jam (in an effort to get feedback and distortion) however this seems to be a pretty clear indicator that the band seem ready and itchin’ to hit the road again in 2007, e.g. I can’t say I’ve ever seen Incubus destroy their instruments in any capacity.

Incubus
Sept. 30th 2006
Tempe, Arizona
Onstage 9:35

Megalomanic
Wish You Were Here
Anna Molly
Nice to Know You
Warning
Sick Sad Little World
Drive
Stellar
A Kiss to Send Us Off
A Crow Left of the Murder
Nebula
Let’s Go Crazy [Prince Cover]
Warmth
Pistola
Under My Umbrella
E: Pardon Me

Offstage 10:55