An Evening with Finger 11 @ The Grand Theatre

An Evening With Finger Eleven

Finger Eleven
Saturday, February 22
Grand Theatre – Kingston, Ontario

Review by Stuart Roberts
Photos by Stuart Roberts and Bernard Clark

If you’ve never been to a Finger Eleven concert, well then honestly you’re missing out. F11 brought to the stage a catalogue of all their hits, from “I’ll Keep Your Memory Vague” to “Living In A Dream”, “Good Times” and more. By the end of this ninety minute plus sold out show at the Grand Theatre in Kingston the crowd were on the receiving end of what I believe to be, one of the best rock shows ever in that venue.

F11 started off the night with a seven song, acoustic set that had all five members in great spirits as lead singer, Scott Anderson was in fine form exchanging comments with fans, answering a few questions, and encouraging everyone to sing along to “One Thing” to cap off the acoustic set. The enthusiasm to sing along was contagious throughout the theatre.

Twenty minutes later, with chairs backstage, acoustics resting and beat boxes tucked away, that’s when the fun began. Crank it up, and let it wail! F11 is definitely in their element when it comes to rockin’ out. This Burlington, Ontario based quintet that started out almost thirty five years rolled through a ten song rock set including “Tip”, “Falling On”, “Pieces Fit” and a brand new track called “Adrenaline”
I was amazed at the wild, out of this world moves that guitarist Rick Jackett brings to the show. Strap off the shoulder, guitar swinging around the body, and yielding his mighty axe in ways tempting the gods and gravity. This show was tight, everybody rocking out in their given role. Scott on vocals interactive with the audience, James on guitar adding more power chords and backing vocals, Sean Anderson on bass, firm and on the spot, steadfast in delivery, Steve Mollela solid with the beats on drums.
If there was ever a formula in how to form the ideal rock band, F11 would be my model to follow.

The encore capped off with Pink Floyd’s “Welcome To The Machine” which you will find on their greatest hits collection. The final song of the night started with a quick taste of Genesis’ “That’s All” which transitioned smoothly into a let’s give it all we got version of “Paralyzer”.

Reviewing shows is probably one of the toughest things a photographer has to do besides trying to catch that right moment worth sharing. But as a music fan, familiar with rock music for almost five decades, let me tell you that Finger Eleven is the real deal. If you haven’t experienced a Finger Eleven show, then put F11 on your must see hit list. Camera or not, I’m at their next area show.

Here’s What They Played

Acoustic Set
1. 1000 Mile Wish
2. Slow Chemical
3. I’ll Keep Your Memory Vague
4. Change the World
5. Whatever Doesn’t Kill Me
6. Not Going to Be Afraid
7. One Thing
Electric Set
8. First Time
9. Absent Elements
10. Above
11. Tip
12. Falling On
13. Adrenaline
14. Quicksand
15. Them vs You vs Me
16. Pieces Fit
17. Living in a Dream
18. Together Right
19. Good Times
Encore:
20. Welcome to the Machine (Pink Floyd cover)
21. Paralyze

YouTube

Adrenaline

Paralyzer

One Thing