Enjoy the following review of the show by seeLOUDER contributor and long time fan – Karla Rogers, photos by Elisa Sherman:

All we’ll ever need is here, Right NowThe day had finally arrived. Four years in the making. Ryan Star finally made his way back to Seattle. The similarities were there, intimate setting, acoustic guitar, fantastic rock star – but that’s where they end. I am in no way saying anything bad about the first time I saw Ryan in concert four years ago – it was amazing – but the difference between that concert and this concert are light years.

Ryan has grown into himself. He has become an artist to be reckoned with. If you love Ryan, like Ryan, or even if you don’t, seeing him in concert is an absolute must. Every song that he sings he puts every piece of himself into, his heart, his soul, and most definitely his body. He has extremely high energy on the stage that is infectious. Ryan also has great interaction with the audience, he keeps them laughing, clapping, and singing along. Most of all, he keeps them watching and listening for what comes next.

Ryan came out mellow, sat down at the keyboard and played We Might Fall. Next he brought the energy up for Brand New Day and Right Now. Then he played a haunting version of Last Train Home. Last Train Home has never been my “favorite” of his songs, but this version gave me chills. It’s funny how a song you’ve heard a million times can somehow sound different all of a sudden. That’s how Ryan sings. He ended that song by breaking into a portion of Meatloaf’s I Would Do Anything For Love. Most of the audience probably weren’t even born when that song came out. Then he broke out a cover song. I’m always up for a cover song when it comes to Ryan because he sings anything well, and he sang one of my favorite songs of all time – In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel. I’ve heard him sing that before, I think it was on a video chat thing, but it’s never the same as it is live three feet from your face. The next song was Breathe, which seemed to be an audience favorite for obvious reasons. Next up, he brought it old school with Take a Ride with Me. I have seen him sing this one live before and I knew it was going to be awesome, and I was not wrong. The energy was through the roof. He ended his set with two of my favorites, Start a Fire and Back of Your Car. Start a Fire was played in a more mellow fashion than what is on his CD, but was possibly even more powerful and passionate that way. He also threw in a little Airplanes during Back of Your Car.

I was trying to come up with proper English words to describe how intensely awesome this concert was, but I am at a loss for true words. I’ve been a fan for a very long time, and last night I felt such an amazing sense of pride for him. He’s come a long way and he has such a bright future ahead of him. Wherever this ride takes him next, I’ll be there cheering him on.

Full Gallery –
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157624830828921/show/

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Some photos from the night…

Featured Slideshow –

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157624712857334/show/

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For those that might not recall, Lacey’s niche part in “Rock of Love” was that she was also a muso (like Michaels) – I guess she is! She fronts the all-star Lords of Acid (headliner) is all the fire that she had, and that flails via her long locks. Tour ends in mid August – wonder what she’ll be up to next?

Photos of Lacey fronting Lords of Acid as they burned through Seattle stop-
http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/tags/laceyconner/show/

Playing last night at The Acme on Hill Top in Tacoma were three frenetic, punk/metal influenced bands: Sleeper Cell, C.F.A, and 12 Gauge Saint. All three bands were full of energy; the saying “If it’s too loud you’re too old” really applied here.

When I walked into The Acme to shoot the show, Lindsey from 12 Gauge Saint and I talked about the shoot. She graciously asked that the drummer be included since he is new to the band. She was extremely nice, but when she took to the stage a completely different persona emerged and I thought, “good God if I don’t get this shoot right, this woman could kick my ass!” While I was never really in any danger, you never know. All of the bands were interested in seeing their performances on my 3″ screen after their sets.

The Acme (1310 Tacoma Ave) is a great bar; clean, with an interesting mix of fun patrons, and a superb whiskey selection. Located in downtown Tacoma, it’s one of the oldest bars in the area. Steve Campagna, the bartender/proprietor, is very genuine and no nonsense, just like his bar. He has created a real neighborhood atmosphere at The Acme over the last few years. Last night I heard it referred to as “underground” and I think that’s fitting. In a recent poll conducted by in-tacoma.net, readers voted The Acme as one of the best bars in Tacoma for 2009 – not too bad for a place under new ownership. If you’re in the neighborhood, check it out.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157621595529998/detail/

flickr set – http://www.flickr.com/photos/emswazzu/sets/72157619719609359/detail/