Evan Dando, the iconic frontman of The Lemonheads, took to the stage at Boston's Wilbur Theatre on Thanksgiving Eve, leaving fans with a sense of disappointment and frustration. The setlist read like a greatest hits tour, but something was amiss.
Dando, often referred to as the only constant in the ever-changing Lemonheads lineup, seemed disconnected from his own music. His vocals were lost in the mix, and even when he attempted to convey emotion through screaming, it came across as insincere. The energy of the performance was palpable, but it was also a sad reminder that Dando just isn't feeling it anymore.
The problem wasn't with the material; The Lemonheads' power pop remains as sharp and timeless as ever. Classics like "Confetti" and "My Drug Buddy" were played without care, the band members seemingly having found their groove once again. But on stage, Dando was a cipher – an unyielding mystery that refused to yield its secrets.
Even when stripped down to acoustic guitar and voice for a solo set midway through the show, Dando's stage presence couldn't shake off the feeling of disconnection. His raggedness added a desperation to "I'll Find A Way (To Carry It All)", but it was still clear that something fundamental was missing from his performance.
It's a shame about Evan, indeed. The Lemonheads once were the go-to band for anyone looking for power pop perfection – now they seem like an act going through the motions. Will they find their way again? Only time will tell.
Dando, often referred to as the only constant in the ever-changing Lemonheads lineup, seemed disconnected from his own music. His vocals were lost in the mix, and even when he attempted to convey emotion through screaming, it came across as insincere. The energy of the performance was palpable, but it was also a sad reminder that Dando just isn't feeling it anymore.
The problem wasn't with the material; The Lemonheads' power pop remains as sharp and timeless as ever. Classics like "Confetti" and "My Drug Buddy" were played without care, the band members seemingly having found their groove once again. But on stage, Dando was a cipher – an unyielding mystery that refused to yield its secrets.
Even when stripped down to acoustic guitar and voice for a solo set midway through the show, Dando's stage presence couldn't shake off the feeling of disconnection. His raggedness added a desperation to "I'll Find A Way (To Carry It All)", but it was still clear that something fundamental was missing from his performance.
It's a shame about Evan, indeed. The Lemonheads once were the go-to band for anyone looking for power pop perfection – now they seem like an act going through the motions. Will they find their way again? Only time will tell.
... i feel like evan dando's performance was just so lost 
... his vocals were really off and it seemed like he wasn't invested in the show at all 
... but you're right, the lemonheads' music still holds up super well 
... they've got this amazing power pop sound that never gets old 
... i'm hoping dando finds his mojo again soon 
... can you imagine how epic it would be to see them back on top, playing their hits like "confetti" and "my drug buddy"? 
Evan Dando just looked so lost up there it was actually kinda heartbreaking to watch he's been the glue that held The Lemonheads together for so long and now it seems like he's struggling to connect with his own music 
what happened to that spark? 
i get it, we all go through creative blocks but this felt different it was like he was just going thru the motions trying to recapture some of that magic that made The Lemonheads iconic in the first place 
. maybe this is an opportunity for him to figure out who Evan Dando is again & find that spark 
. his vocals being lost in the mix is super sad, cuz that's part of what makes him so iconic... even when he's screaming, it's not the same as when he's pouring his heart out 