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Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. AT&T Stage)
A lot of Tom Petty fans were trying to run down a dream Sunday night: seeing the veteran rocker perform for the first time (and possibly the last) as the big-deal headliner of the fifth ACL Fest. But that dream was temporarily dampened by a deluge just 40 minutes into Petty’s intended hour-and-a-half set. After a half-hour wait, he got back onstage at 9:40 p.m., promising to play until 10:15 p.m., a performance that stretched past 10:30, plus an encore that included “Runnin’ Down a Dream.”
The fans who stayed - and they were a vocal, teeming horde - were treated to a set starting with “Listen to Her Heart,” chimey Rickenbacker guitar and all, then the greeting, “Hello, how are you? You look good out there!” before “Mary Jane’s Last Dance.” The song’s line, “never slow down, never grow old” got special emphasis from one audience member who sang along – and it pretty much epitomized the rock ‘n’ roll vibe of this festival, at which fans of all ages congregated, no longer regarding rock with the prejudiced attitude that it’s only for the young.
“We’re having so much fun here in Austin, Texas,” Petty said in typical insert-town-name-here fashion before adding, “We’ve got quite a few songs to play for you here tonight. Hope you’re not in a hurry.” Apparently, plenty of people were not. They lustily sang along with “I Won’t Back Down,” thrilled to “Free Fallin’ ” and even seemed to get into the very ZZ Top-sounding “Saving Grace,” from his “Highway Companion” album. As the storm closed in, Petty launched into “a little British blues” – the tasty old Fleetwood Mac nugget “Oh Well,” on which Petty spiritedly shook maracas as Benmont Tench pounded the keys, Mike Campbell handled guitar, Ron Blair held down the bass and new Heartbreaker Steve Ferrone hit the drums. They managed to squeeze out a fine version of the Traveling Wilburys’ classic “Handle With Care” before the rains came. But a sizable audience waited for his return, and as the audience members rocked out to ’80s classic “Don’t Come Around Here No More,” they seemed to be enjoying a fine finish to another ACL.
(Photo by Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: 2006 Reviews
Comments
By Regina
September 21, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this
Tom Petty was brillant! He and the Heartbreakers gave a masterful show. Never slow down never grow old!
By Melissa
September 20, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know what the deal with the sound was? We were pretty far back- but earlier in the day- we were at the same spot and heard the band play on that stage- and it sounded fine. Is there some sort of noise ordinance after a certain time? We left because I really didn’t like hearing the people surrounding me sing over the band!
By rick
September 19, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this
Tom Petty put on a great performance in spite of the rain! He showed great mastery of the stage and didn’t miss a beat. Visually it was stunning, with lightning surrounding downtown Austin combined with stage strobe lights and camera flashes going off. I used my cell phone to record “Free Fallen” to my office phone. Played it back five times this morning.
By rick
September 19, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
Tom Petty put on a great performance in spite of the rain! He showed great mastery of the stage and didn’t miss a beat. Visually it was stunning, with lightning surrounding downtown Austin combined with stage strobe lights and camera flashes going off. I wish his vocals were louder, but I used my cell phone to record “Free Fallen” to my office phone. Played it back five times this morning.
By George
September 18, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
When there are 50,000 people standing shoulder to shoulder soaking wet with steam pouring off of them it is hardly the time to walk down to Baby A’s for a margarita. The rain lasted two minutes so why in the hell did it take him a half an hour to come back on stage. There was really no reason to stop the show at all except Tom was afraid his hair might get wet. What a girl.
By SB1226
September 18, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
I think Tom takes the cake! This was my first year for ACL and I enjoyed every bit of it, minus the sunburn. I totally enjoyed the variety of music and attendees. For those of you that left bc of the rain Sunday, you missed an amazing performance and the cooler weather! Great job ACL directors and volunteers!!!
By Just as "petty"
September 18, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
It’s too bad Tom Petty had to be an egotistical, diva-esque, attention whore. I refused to go see him because he made both the Bodeans and Muse (the best performance of this entire festival) stop their sets 15 minutes before their SCHEDULED time, so they wouldn’t infringe on his set time. What a baby.
By Kevin Lenahan
September 18, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Tom Petty was really great before the rain came. But after the rain (and the “power down”), it was pretty bad. You could not hear the band to well. Plus all the stupid, drunk “fans” who would not shut up and kept saying how awesome Tom Petty is and I have all of his CD’s and did you see that time on Letterman and …… SHUT THE F* UP!
By cynthia
September 18, 2006 07:42 AM | Link to this
Tom Petty showed alot of love to Austin last night! Just wanted to say it was definately worth waiting 7hrs rain and shine for that performance……He was awewsome!!!!!!!