Love and Rockets, Vinsantos DeFonte @ King’s Theater

by Kevin McGann | Jun 12, 2023 | Shows

Love and Rockets at King’s Theater (photo by Kevin McGann)

This past weekend, Love and Rockets made their long-awaited return to NYC’s Kings Theater after a 24-year absence. The group, made up of Daniel Ash on guitars and vocals, David J on bass and vocals, and Kevin Haskins on drums, have embarked on what they’re saying is their final tour as Love and Rockets and if so, it will go down as one of the best reunion tours in history. They sound great, the songs still hit decades later, and the stage production made for some eye-popping visuals.

They kicked off the night with the atmospheric “‘I Feel Speed,” the stage a smoky landscape with both Ash and J silhouetted by spotlights shone through the unlit concentric circles of LED lights behind them. From there they kicked into an amped up version of “No Big Deal” as the stage lit up and both band and audience alike showed they were there to rock. Especially when they went straight into the rollicking “Kundalini Express” with its sing-along “Doot Doo!” that could be heard across Kings Theater.

The former Bauhaus members at times could be found in the smoky, hazy silhouettes that opened the night, but this was no goth show. Love and Rockets bring a more 60’s psychedelic sound and the visuals projected on the huge screen behind them would be welcome to any number of current psych bands on tour. The ever-changing colors emitted from the circles that were the backdrop to each member added the overall effect, especially in tracks like “Judgement Day,” “The Light” and “No New Tale to Tell.” Their biggest US hit, 1989’s “So Alive,” came mid-set with its video as the backdrop and was followed by the band’s own deep cut choice, “Deep Deep Down.”

Of course, there were the trademark visuals of their early albums with their red, black, and white artwork that were on random display for early tracks like “Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man)” as well “Holiday on the Moon,” and “Love Me” which were played during the first of two encores which also included ‘”Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World is Today).” They closed the night with the title track of their 1996 album, Sweet F.A. which seemed like the perfect night cap for this triumphant return. Hopefully they rethink this being the end of the road and make a go of it again in the future—NYC will be ready for them if they do.

Opening the night was the terrific multi-disciplinary, Vinsantos DeFonte. Part cabaret, part Liberace torch bearer, part stand-up comedian, and all heart. Behind the make-up and the fashion and the jokes lies a gifted singer-songwriter and pianist telling his tales of growing up and dealing with bullying and abuse. But he’s also quick to remind those listening that it does get better and remind them that he’s the one on stage, in the spotlight, sharing his gift of song, and not them. Truly a special performance.

Scroll down for setlist, pics of the show (photos by Kevin McGann)

Setlist: I Feel Speed, No Big Deal, Kundalini Express, The Dog-End of a Day Gone By, Judgement Day, Haunted When the Minutes Drag, An American Dream, No New Tale to Tell, So Alive, Deep Deep Down, My Dark Twin, The Light, Mirror People, Yin and Yang (The Flowerpot Man) Encore: Holiday On The Moon, Love Me, Ball of Confusion (That’s What the World Is Today) (Temptations cover) Encore Two: Sweet F.A.