Photos: Guster’s ‘We Also Have Eras’ tour tells tales at Madrid
Guster. photo by Allison Scavo
Guster
The Madrid Theatre
Tuesday, March 13
Guster is currently on their “We Also Have Eras” tour, putting a new spin on the execution of concerts. An Extra Long Evening with Guster, their hilarious and true set, is a performance of songs through a play. It begins with the origin of the band and its expansion into who they are today.
While most bands use the end of a set to showcase their hits, Guster took this opportunity to sprinkle hits throughout the show and end with new songs from their new album, Ooh La La. They also teased other songs, including Grateful Dead’s “Morning Dew,” so as to add emphasis and flare to the storytelling aspect.
With this being my first Guster show I have no point for comparison, but I love this style of performing. I learned so much that I wouldn’t have experienced in reading a biography. Their talent was evident through not only musical ability but also superb acting. They memorized hours’ worth of scripts and made it look easy. Frankly, I wish other bands branched out and adopted the idea of a play about them.
All photos by Allison Scavo
Guster setlist
Act 1
Sketch 1 – Dorm Room
Parachute
Sketch 2 – Enter Brian
Happy Frappy
Sketch 3 – Harvard Square
Demons
Airport Song
Sketch 4 – Lillywhite
What You Wish For
Center of Attention
Barrel of a Gun
Sketch 5 – Tour Bus
Jesus on the Radio
Sketch 6 – Joe Joins Band
Keep It Together
Careful
(Nothing but) Flowers (Talking Heads cover)
Lightning Rod
Satellite
The Captain
Sketch 7 – Evil Producer
Thunder Song
Act 2
Do You Love Me
Sketch 8 – Joe Leaves Band
Lost at Sea
This is How it Feels to Have a Broken Heart
Long Night
Doin’ It By Myself
Sketch 9 – Dave Gets Mad/Appreciated
Mind Kontrol
Terrified
Sketch 10 – Covid
Keep Going
Black Balloon
Come Downstairs and Say Hello
Encore – Camp Fire set
Happier
Amsterdam
