A show that may have flown under the radar for some but one that was circled on my calendar since it was announced was the double bill of Extreme and Living Colour. They both graced the Riviera Theatre stage this past Wednesday night. Extreme released a new record called ‘Six’ that was released in June 2023 and are still doing dates in support of it. While Living Colour has been working on their 7th studio album, they been keeping their chops up on the road by supporting Extreme.
Living Colour took the stage at 8pm sharp and played a 45 minute set. I saw vocalist Corey Glover last year do a solo show (ironically at the same venue opening up for Soul Asylum) and then, he was still on top of his game. This show was no different. Living Colour are one of the most underrated bands to come out of the 80’s. They have made their mark since their groundbreaking album ‘Vivid’ came out back in 1988. Outside of Glover, the band has guitar great Vernon Reid and the solid rhythm section of Will Calhoun and Doug Wimbish. They opened up their set with a cut off the 1993 album called “Leave it Alone.” This is one of my favorite songs from the band so I knew that we were in for a great show. Again, with a shorter set, the band made its presence known and flourish on songs like “Open Letter (to a landlord). To me, easily the best vocal performance that I seen any vocalist do in 2024. What Glover did was simply incredible. So many ranges were hit in that song. Then Reid crushed it during the bands most popular track in “Cult of Personality.” A fantastic set by the band!
I was excited that I was finally getting to see Extreme. I was supposed to see them in Rochester, NY earlier this year and I was unable to make it. I was glad to get a makeup with this show being announced. Also, this was the first time in 6 years I got to see them so I was excited to see some of the new tracks to be performed live. Extreme is led by original members Gary Cherone on vocals, Nuno Bettencourt on bass and Pat Badger on bass. They were accompanied by long time drummer Kevin Figueiredo who has been with the band since 2007. They opened up It (‘s a Monster) off of their album that put the band on the map in ‘Extreme II: Pornograffitti.’ The rocking “Decadence Dance” was up next. The first new cut of ‘Six’ was “REBEL.” It sounded great but I couldn’t wait to hear the “OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW.” This song became one of the favorite Extreme songs and seeing it live I have to say the band didn’t disappoint. Following this tune was my all-time favorite Extreme song in “Hole Hearted.” A small drum set was set up in front as Figueiredo joined in on the fun. Cherone got the audience involved as the harmonies by Bettencourt and Badger were on cue. Things slowed down as Bettencourt joked about making a wardrobe change as his tech came out to give him a hat to wear. He talked about the story of how he acquired the hat too. Bettencourt asked for everyone to have an orgasmic experience by sitting down as he did a snippet of Eruption” and the beginning of “Cupids Dead.” A couple of songs later, another new track in “Thicker Than Blood” was delivered. Then the band’s biggest hit in “More Than Words’ was played. Van Halen was injected a few times throughout the set as a snippet of “Eruption” and a full rendition of “Aint Talkin’ ’bout Love” were played. The band showed their love of Queen too by doing the intros to “Fat Bottom Girls” and “We Will Rock You.” The only complaints I would have is that I would have liked Extreme to play full versions of both “Kid Ego” and Mutha” and that the band omitted “Stop the World.” Other than that, I thought it was a great show by Extreme!
Overall, it was fantastic show buy two bands who don’t get enough love as they should. Hoping it’s not years either band is back in action in the Western New York area.
Setlist:
It (‘s a Monster)
Decadence Dance
#REBEL
Rest in Peace
Hip Today
Teacher’s Pet/Flesh ‘n’ Blood/Wind Me Up/Kid Ego/Mutha (Don’t Want to Go to School Today)
We Will Rock You (Queen cover – snippet)/Play With Me
OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW
Hole Hearted
Cupid’s Dead/Eruption (Van Halen cover – snippet)
Am I Ever Gonna Change
THICKER THAN BLOOD
Midnight Express
Stairway to heaven (Led Zeppelin cover – snippet)/More Than Words
Fat Bottom Girls (Queen cover- snippet)/ BANSHEE
Take Us Alight/That’s All Right (Elis Presley cover – snippet)
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love (Van Halen cover)
Flight of the Wounded Bumblebee
Get the Funk Out
Encore:
SMALL TOWN BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE/Song for People
RISE
We would like to thank Catie Monck from Primary Wave Music for the credentials to review the show.
