Keith Urban Performs Electric Valentine's Concert in Toronto    

Singer Keith Urban Performs at the Mod Club in Toronto, Wednesday. (CP/Aaron Harris) Canada.com
 
  Victoria Ahearn, Canadian Press
Published: Wednesday, February 14, 2007

TORONTO (CP) - Country singer Keith Urban didn't let the distance between himself and his superstar wife, Nicole Kidman, get him down on Valentine's Day - their first as a married couple.

The Aussie crooner with the honey highlights put on an electric performance for about 600 fans in winter-weary Toronto Wednesday night and at one point even declared his hit "You'll Think of Me" as "our screw Valentine's song!"

"Yee haw! It's good to be back in Canada," a jeans-clad Urban said with a huge smile while onstage at the Mod Club, the mysterious concert location not revealed until the day of the show.

A record label rep confirmed Kidman, a fellow Aussie he wed last June, was not in the city with her 39-year-old Grammy winning husband, who had flown in from Los Angeles to promote his album, "Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing."

Released in November, the disc debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Album Chart late last year, giving him his second consecutive No. 1 album. The first single, "Once In A Lifetime," has also set a record as the highest debuting song in the history of the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart.

It was the first song Urban performed at the event, which saw fans pour in from across the country. The majority of those in the crowd had won tickets through contests.

Nancy Chan, 43, of Toronto nabbed a pass through the Keith Urban fan club monkeyville.net. She's been a member of the club for about a year.

"He's just like everyone else. He's down to earth," Chan said of the amiable musician, who was positively beaming throughout the hour-long, intimate concert, stomping his feet and swaying his sweat-soaked head from side to side.

Rick Matchett and his wife travelled from London, Ont., for the show.

"The guy's got so much passion when he sings and he can bring that emotion across well," he said. "Not to mention he's a God on the guitar. He's just a phenomenal entertainer."

It was just the second concert for Urban since he checked out of the famed Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif., where he was seeking treatment for alcohol abuse - something he has said Kidman helped him get through.

His previous concert had been a benefit soiree in Chicago last week.

Urban warned the crowd at the beginning of the night that the band might not sound like "slick professionals," but his energy and effervescent attitude with the band and the crowd proved otherwise.

"Something in my colonial blood feels right at home here," Urban, who lives in Nashville, said to the riled-up crowd after remarking on how well his Canadian fans have supported him.

The multi-talented artist performed a mixture of old and new songs in the set, including "Tonight I Wanna Cry," "Days Go By" and his latest single, "Stupid Boy," which is currently the No. 1 country single in Canada for the third week in a row.

Earlier in the evening, Urban was presented with several platinum awards for the new CD, which he will start touring for in June.

He'll first hit Phoenix in June and swing through Canada in September, starting Sept. 16 in Vancouver. He's also scheduled to stop in Calgary Sept. 18 and Edmonton Sept. 21. More Canadian dates are being added, said his label.

On the Net:

www.keithurban.net  

--Last edited by smartmove on 2007-02-15 14:51:36 --

SMOKIN' GUITAR MAN
smartmove
Posts : 123
   Posted 15/02/2007 23:51:00 (15/02/2007 02:51:00 PM) 71.76.245.216 - Modération        


A second review from Globe and Mail

Urban Looks Fit in Small Club Show

Appearance served belatedly to announce songs of his third album Love, Pain & the Whole Thing, put out during his stint in the Betty Ford Clinic
BRAD WHEELER

TORONTO — Keith Urban took the stage in Toronto looking fit as fiddle, not that there was a fiddle around to compare him to. The hunky Aussie musician — celebrated for his top-selling records and his marriage seven months ago to actress Nicole Kidman — is nominally a country artist; his middle-road arena fare is closer in style to Bryan Adams than alt-country poster boy Ryan Adams.

His appearance at the Mod Club Theatre last evening served belatedly to announce the songs of his third album Love, Pain & the Whole Thing, released last November while Mr. Urban was weeks into a three-month stint at the Betty Ford Clinic to address his alcohol abuse.

Last night's show was part of a press tour that he's undertaking to publicize the album and his new, post-rehab self.

Appearing with his five-piece band, the blockbuster artist (who does not wear a cowboy's hat nor boots) told a media throng and a crowd of 600 or so contest winners that he hadn't played a club in a long time. The truth is, outside of a benefit show in Chicago a week ago, Mr. Urban hadn't played anywhere since October — barn dance, club, arena or otherwise. And yet the singer-guitarist displayed no discernible rust during a high-energy hour-long set.

"We're not going to act like we're professionals, or put on a slick show," the personable singer-guitarist said to a mainly female crowd. "We're just going to play some songs." Which is precisely what he did, and to the considerable pleasure of an audience that had tumbled rose-cheeked into the stylish venue after spending hours lined up outside.

Beginning with the Once in a Lifetime, the album's slightly countrified, rocking first single, Mr. Urban was at ease and emotive, whether playing old hits such as the encore Better Life or tracks off the latest album. Despite his catchy songs and requisite quavering voice, Mr. Urban's easy magnetism seemed to be his chief drawing card.

"He's such an inspirational performer," said Toronto's Adrienne Leopold, an aspiring songwriter who arrived at the venue five hours before the show. "And he's so accessible." Asked if Mr. Urban's looks — sort of a more rugged version of Jon Bon Jovi — had anything to do with his appeal, the fan conceded that he was "definitely hot," but that that wasn't what she admired most. "He's genuine," she said. "He gives so much of himself as a performer."

Already a popular recording artist before he married Ms. Kidman, Mr. Urban's pairing with the porcelain-skinned fellow Australian thrust him further into celebrity. Although the couple was expected to appear at Sunday's Grammy award ceremony in Los Angeles, neither showed. The pair haven't made an appearance at a public event since Mr. Urban's emergence from rehab in January.

It wasn't the actress's name that was on the lips of Mr. Urban's fans, rather it was the lyrics of his songs that they knew so well. On the solo acoustic Raining on Sunday, the singer took whole choruses off, letting the audience do the work.

Earlier in the evening, Mr. Urban met with radio-contest winners from as far away as Calgary and Edmonton. After which, he was presented with awards for his top-selling Canadian records


SMOKIN' GUITAR MAN
Jadelady
Posts : 197
   Posted 16/02/2007 01:10:04 (15/02/2007 04:10:04 PM) 144.134.101.6 - Modération        



Great to here, thanks for posting that  

lowezl
Posts : 101   Posted 16/02/2007 02:12:05 (15/02/2007 05:12:05 PM) 70.180.156.158 - Modération        


Great reviews!  I got to see the video of his AM performance this morning.  Keith looked great, sounded great, and appeared to be in really good spirits. He must have been very pleased by the warm reception the crowd gave him in Canada.  Thanks for posting the articles.

SHIRT
Posts : 479
Perth, West Oz "When the
shadows cloud those pretty little
blue skies livin' inside
you..I'll find a way to
shine"
   Posted 16/02/2007 03:54:15 (15/02/2007 06:54:15 PM) 59.100.186.78 - Modération        


Oh Boy!!  All these great reviews are really making me Keith-hungry!

Laugh, Live, Love,
Care, Connect, be Challenged http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c336/pezza555/urbanpromo1.jpg
smartmove
Posts : 123
   Posted 16/02/2007 06:43:06 (15/02/2007 09:43:06 PM) 71.76.245.216 - Modération        


Another great review from addPop:

Keith Urban Takes Toronto By Storm
Published: 2/15/07 at 12:02 AM
Written By: Sarah Millar

TORONTO, Ont. (andPOP) - Toronto may have been hit by a snowstorm Tuesday, but it was hit with a second storm on Wendesday night - this one courtesy of country superstar Keith Urban.

Urban put on one hell of a show for select fans and the press at a "secret" concert at the Mod Club in Toronto.

The crowd was hopping as soon as the country singer took the stage, often singing louder than Urban. So for a good chunk of the night, he turned his microphone around so the crowd could take over on vocals while he played the guitar.

The native Australian, who left rehab a few months ago, said this was only the second time his band has played together since October, the other coming recently in Chicago. His tour doesn't start until April (it won't hit Canada until September), but the boys just wanted to play.

And play they did.

Despite the concert being on Valentine's Day, Urban didn't give his concert a romantic theme, far from it. He played such non-loving hits as "You'll Think of Me." After the song, he said, it's a "screw you Valentine's Day" kind of tune. (His wife, Nicole Kidman, did not make the trip to Toronto.)

He also played his current number one single in Canada, "Stupid Boy," the top country song in the country for four weeks in a row.

After his first two songs, he chatted up the crowd. When a woman yelled out, "I love you Keith!" the country superstar blushed a little before replying, "I love you too, sweetheart." He then jokingly commented that the woman must have started drinking early in the day.

He continued to joke along with the crowd, but it was clear Urban wanted to play. Other songs he performed included, "Once in a Lifetime," "If You Wanna Stay," "Your Everything" and "Days Go By," among many more.

When he asked where everyone was from, a few people in the front yelled Calgary. The singer took the bait asking how many other Calgarians were there; there were a few shouts.

"Ah, four more," he said wryly.

Urban's performance was only scheduled to last 45 minutes, but instead he took the stage 10 minutes early, and played 15 minutes past the scheduled cut-off time. Before leaving the stage after playing two songs as an encore, he shook hands with the fans in the front row.

His original goal may have been to promote his new album, "Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing," but it was clear from the opening chord that Urban just likes to play his music and jam with his buddies.



SMOKIN' GUITAR MAN
smartmove
Posts : 123
   Posted 16/02/2007 07:04:58 (15/02/2007 10:04:58 PM) 71.76.245.216 - Modération        


Boy! This news sure beats talking about Amanda skunk face!

SMOKIN' GUITAR MAN
teemaree
admin
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I'LL GIVE THEM THEIR MONKEY.
   Posted 16/02/2007 07:09:30 (15/02/2007 10:09:30 PM)        


yeah amazing reviews!

Central Coast Australia.
Angel's fly because they take themselves lightly.
smartmove
Posts : 123
   Posted 16/02/2007 07:14:44 (15/02/2007 10:14:44 PM) 71.76.245.216 - Modération        


Another great review from JAM! Music

Mod Club, Toronto - February 14, 2007

By SHERRI WOOD -- Sun Media
 
TORONTO - Neither the weather nor the secrecy surrounding the Keith Urban "buzz gig" at the Mod Club last night could keep Toronto fans from celebrating Valentine's Day with the country music mega-star.

Fresh out of rehab for a much-publicized cocaine addiction, following an even more publicized wedding to Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman, the 39-year-old Australian country singer made a stop in Toronto as a teaser for his upcoming North American tour in support of his latest album, Love, Pain & The Whole Crazy Thing.

The album has been a huge success.

The first single, Once In A Lifetime, set a record as the highest debuting song in the history of the Billboard country charts and the latest single, Stupid Boy, is currently the number one country single in Canada for the third week in a row. Before the concert, Urban was presented with a platinum record for his latest effort and three double-platinum awards for Golden Road, Be Here and the Livin' Right Now DVD.

Indeed, Canada loves this guy, and -- as evidenced by the approximately 600 screeching fans at the show last night -- Toronto especially digs him.

"It's so good to finally be back in Canada -- I didn't think we'd make it, but Happy Valentine's Day!" said Urban, to a roaring response. "It's nice to be here. We haven't played a club show in a long time. We're not going to act like slick professionals tonight -- we're just gonna play some songs."  

And just play some songs they did.

With his five-piece band, a smiling Urban tore through most of his new material (and a sprinkling of old favourites) with technical precision and a surprising amount of energy.

Which was met with even more energy from the raucous, hollering, foot-stomping (and yes, even cowboy-hat-wearing) crowd.

For those out of the know -- this ain't your grandma's country music.

It's crunchy, guitar-heavy (at times, there were four guitarists slamming at once) and loud. If it wasn't for the twang-tinged vocals and the lovesick bumpkin lyrical tales, you'd think you were at a rock concert.

Urban's an accomplished guitarist, his vocals are extraordinarily strong and his band -- a talented array of multi-instrumentalists -- is bang-on tight.

Highlights included show opener Once In A Lifetime, solo acoustic number Raining On Sunday (Urban, who seemed to get a kick out of the crowd singalongs, gave up the mic to the audience, who in turn sang the chorus in it's entirety back to him) and Stupid Boy, which stood as quite the showcase of Urban's stellar guitar work.

The ladies loved the love songs, of course.

But it was You'll Think Of Me, his token pack-yer-bags-darlin' song, that Urban sang with more conviction than any other song of the night.

Ironic that the number that Urban called his "screw you, Valentine song" turned out to be the best offering of the evening.




SMOKIN' GUITAR MAN
smartmove
Posts : 123
   Posted 16/02/2007 07:28:04 (15/02/2007 10:28:04 PM) 71.76.245.216 - Modération        


From Toronto Star:

Urban feels T.O.'s love

TANNIS TOOHEY/TORONTO STAR
Popular country music star Keith Urban was without wife Nicole Kidman Feb. 14, but fans at Toronto’s Mod Club were loving him. He was here promoting his latest album.  

Feb 15, 2007 04:30 AM
Ashante Infantry
entertainment reporter

Valentine's Day provided the ideal backdrop for Keith Urban's return to Toronto.

The county rocker's trip here to promote his fourth solo album, Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, was postponed last fall after he checked into rehab for treatment of alcohol abuse.

Better late than never was the unspoken sentiment of the enthusiastic crowd of about 300 contest winners and fan club members who landed invites to the exclusive concert that capped Urban's day.

The hour-long Mod Club gig provided an intimate glimpse of the New Zealand-born, Australia-raised, Nashville-honed Grammy winner who sells out arenas and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart with his latest.

A romantic vibe flowed through the audience, with couples swaying to the burners as well as the ballads.

Urban had left his own bride of eight months, actor Nicole Kidman, behind in L.A.

But earlier in the day, during a live performance for Canada AM, he told fans that he'd written "Stupid Boy" – the No. 1 country single in Canada for the fourth week in a row – for his wife.

"We haven't played in a club in a long time," the singer-songwriter-guitarist said as he took the Mod Club stage with his five-piece band. "We're not going to pretend we're professionals giving you a slick show; we're just going to play some songs."

It was only Urban's second multi-song performance since wrapping up a three-month stint at the Betty Ford Center last month. He is slated to kick off a world tour in April. (No Toronto dates have been announced yet).

He launched last night's set with the upbeat "Once In a Lifetime," the first single from Love, Pain & the whole crazy thing, which set a record as the highest debuting song in the history of the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart.

He followed with a selection of old favourites and new songs that showcased his deft guitar playing and earthy, seductive vocals, as attendees sang entire verses back to him.

Clad in scuffed shoes, jeans and a black T-shirt, Urban, 39, has tattoos on both buff arms, lanky hair with honey-coloured highlights, and the prettiest teeth I've ever seen on anyone who rocks that hard.

Carolyne Hall, 40, and Cathy Craggs, 50, left their spouses in Brantford to come see him.

"My husband asked if I'd rather spend Valentine's with Keith than with him," said Craggs.

[g]"Well, yeah, but I gave him a gift certificate."

Hall presented her husband with chocolate cupcakes and a card before ditching him and driving to Toronto.

For his part, Urban pledged his affection for his Commonwealth cousins. "For some reason my songs go No. 1 here before anywhere else," he acknowledged graciously.

"The guy's got so much passion when he sings and he can bring that emotion across well," he said. "Not to mention he's a God on the guitar. He's just a phenomenal entertainer."

I totally agree with this quote.