Sparks El Rey, Los Angeles, CA October 17, 2017 Story and photos by Stevo Rood Check out Stevo Rood’s gallery on Live Music News and Review’s Facebook page HERE. To submit a review or story for consideration hit us at [email protected] Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements. From the video channel of ArmenTerminator: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0SmVk7VbYw

It was two years ago when Russell and Ronald Mael of Sparks last performed in Los Angeles, and that was a collaboration with Franz Ferdinand as FFS. So, it was no surprise that the fans of LA (and a number of folks who flew in from out of town) packed the El Rey Theater all 3 nights for the end of the U.S. tour.

The band has been touring lately promoting their most recent album entitled Hippopotamus. With 24 albums produced since the band was formed back in the 1970s, the show consisted of old favorites like “Number One Song in Heaven,” “This Town Ain’t Big Enough for the Both of Us,” and “Dick Around” along with five tracks sprinkled in from the latest release. One track from Hippopotamus, “Life with The Macbeths,” was sung as a duet with guest opera singer, Rebecca Sjöwall, who really brought the song to life.

As the show finished, including two encores (“Hospitality on Parade,” “Johnny Delusional,” “Amateur Hour,” and finally, “Nicotina” from their 1982 album Angst in my Pants, the band, and then just Russell and Ronald, spent time on the stage, enjoying the moment of the fans clapping and cheering for them. It was kind of touching and reminiscent of an opera where the audience is grateful for what they have experienced and the performers genuinely appreciate what they have and can just take it all in without racing offstage.

    From the video channel of Olga Trofimova: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miS2qX9icKY   Set List: What the Hell Is It This Time? Propaganda At Home, At Work, At Play Good Morning When Do I Get to Sing “My Way” Probably Nothing Missionary Position Hippopotamus Sherlock Holmes Scandinavian Design Dick Around Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) Never Turn Your Back on Mother Earth I Wish You Were Fun My Baby’s Taking Me Home The Number One Song in Heaven This Town Ain’t Big Enough for Both of Us Life with the Macbeths (with Rebecca Sjöwall) Encore: Hospitality on Parade Johnny Delusional (FFS cover) Amateur Hour Encore 2: Nicotina   To submit a review or story for consideration hit us at [email protected] Check out the Live Music News and Review.com Facebook page for updates and announcements.