Hearing Scott Weiland would be doing a solo show at the Showbox, I knew I wanted to go being a long time Stone Temple Pilots fan. Although I am a fan, I had lowered expectations for the show...as anything could happen. I wasn't too impressed with the STP show at Bumbershoot last year, but then I realized it was the location I was sitting in. As soon as I moved everything was perfect.
The Showbox was great for the most part although they made us stand out in the thunder and downpour of rain beyond when the doors were to open. It was worth it though to get a spot near the front.
The opening band, The Color Tuning were quite alright and they had a good live performance engaging with the crowd (as best as any opening act could do).
Scott came on stage a bit late. I didn't keep a setlist since I could see one on the stage. They did stray from that a bit the list a bit but they did keep some of my favorites like "Mockingbird Girl" and "Barbarella" from Scott's debut cd, 12 Bar Blues. They also decided to keep some of the big STP songs like "Vasoline" and "Interstate Love Song" as well. "Interstate" was saved as the lone encore song complete with bubbles. Yes we got strobe lights AND bubbles.
There was probably a song or two from Velvet Revolver days.
A majority of the songs were from Scott's latest sophomore album, Happy In Galoshes. Scott's voice changed a bit since he first appeared on the music scene, and with this latest release I guess it reflects in a Dylan-esque style. Just take a listen to "Tangle With Your Mind" for example. It's an odd comparison to make, but I hear it.
What I was a little surprised by was how much musical interlude there was within the songs. Scott ran over to this little machine (no idea of what it could be called) and manipulated the buttons which set off different lights on it. I don't know. Could've done without that part. I was also a bit disappointed when Scott first came out. His microphone wasn't working properly so he was barely audible even up close. They worked on it during the song which just basically ruined it with all of the feedback.
Overall if you're a big fan of the Stone Temple Pilots or Scott Weiland for that matter I think you'll be pleased with the selection of songs and performance in a more intimate club tour rather than large scale arenas.