LIVE REVIEW: KICK - THE INXS EXPERIENCE

INXS, an amazing band gone too soon. After the loss of vocalist Michael Hutchence in 1997 that was, for all intents and purposes, the end of this legendary band. November 22nd of that year was the day the music died for one of Australia’s biggest musical imports. Sure, they tried to carry on but could never replicate what they had with Michael and in 2012 called it quits for good.

Unfortunately, I became a fan too late and never had the opportunity to see INXS. I would have to satisfy my urge for live INXS via YouTube videos which as we know are not even close to the real thing. Enter KICK – The INXS Experience. I’m thinking I must have stumbled across KICK when perusing INXS live videos and was blown away by not only the almost identical look frontman Cory Massi has to the late Michael Hutchence but the voice as well. How does that even happen to not only have the look but sound the same? It’s almost as if the powers to be decided this world did not get enough Michael Hutchence and packaged him in an almost indistinguishable Cory Massi.

Now I typically do not review tribute bands but this to me was more than a tribute band, it was the re-incarnation of a legend and I had to see for myself if KICK – The INXS Experience lived up to the hype and the amazing quality of the YouTube videos.

Fortunately for me KICK was hitting the road and one of their stops was going to be at the Tupelo Music Hall in Derry, NH about 20 minutes from my house. Side note if you have not taking in a show at Tupelo you are missing out. This is one of the best small venues in the area with a great line up. I highly recommend checking it out. Now back to the show!

So, on Friday November 8^th I was going to find out for myself if they met the expectations. I should also mention KICK is the only INXS tribute band endorsed by Hutchence’s sister Tina. And on this evening, we would get the huge honor of her attendance. With her book Michael: My Brother, Lost Boy of INXS in hand they have joined forces on tour to make this evening unforgettable. Also, this show would be a special one as it would be KICK’s 100^th live performance. This night was already shaping up to be a great one.

When I arrived I wasn’t sure what to expect? Would the people show up? Would they enjoy it? Would they participate? What was Tina going to be like? What was the band going to be like in person? The first question to be answered would be what Tina would be like. She is an extremely sweet, soft-spoken and very inviting person. You get the sense that’s what Michael would have been like if giving the opportunity to meet him. Just a wonderful experience to meet her. I did pick up a signed copy of her book as well and looking forward to diving into that.

As I entered the hall the question of whether the people would show up was answered, they did. The nearly 700 capacity seating venue was filled in nicely. I would say they were at about three-quarters capacity and to me for a tribute band playing a venue of that size this was a great showing.

As I settled in and got ready for KICK to take the stage, I could feel the energy of the crowd, there was excitement. This wasn’t going to be a sit back and watch type of show. These people were ready to sing, dance and embrace the music of one of their favorite bands. This was shaping up to be an electric night.

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From the first lines “Live baby live” of show opener “New Sensation” all the way through their 26 song set list Gary Forbes (drums), Todd King (guitar/vocals), Jason Taylor (guitar/vocals), Don Leslie (bass), John Cassidy (keyboards) and Tom Wheat (saxophone) kept the crowd highly engaged. And they weren’t just up there going through the motions they were performing with energy and passion; they were having fun. Massi played out the part of Hutchence’s to the fullest, not just in looks and vocals but also in swagger. He involved the crowd in a way that Michael would. I was blown away. Not being able to see the real thing this is as close as I’ll get, and I wasn’t disappointed. Neither were the few hundred others in attendance as they got up from their seats to dance and sing along. Not only that but we got 26 songs! Just an amazing performance worthy of a Vegas residency (if anyone in Vegas is paying attention this should be a very serious consideration).

INXS may be no more but you can relive the legacy with KICK – The INXS Experience as they continue their full-blown U.S. tour. I hope these guys are around for a while as I for one will be in attendance any time they hit my area and for those INXS fans out there I suggest you do the same. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Setlist: