Renaissance

The Lansdowne theater is absolutely outstanding. The refurbished theater looks like it did in the early days of its opening in 1926. It is so beautiful and they nailed it. You have to see it for yourself. Renaissance was absolutely outstanding also. It is their last live performance ever and it was at the Lansdowne theater. Very special night for their farewell. It was being filmed for a release in the future. But when Annie said this is the absolute last time you'll see Renaissance live it really hit you like wow this is something. Time goes so fast enjoy every day.

We were expecting a lot more playing and a lot less talking. The theater is fabulous, and the band was good, but there was too much talk and not enough music.

Wonderful show, Annie has such an amazing voice, so glad I got to see her again. My daughter and I stuck around after the show and met Annie who is such a lovely person! I asked the person looking after the Merch table if I could get a copy of one of the tour posters that were hanging on the walls of the venue to get Annie to sign, he wasn't sure if he could but I could leave my address and if he was able to obtain one he could mail it to me. Even though I told him I live in Canada he said no problem, but no promises either! It was so cool to receive the poster weeks later with everyone's autographs! THANKS merch person, I did get his name, but at my age if I don't write it down it's gone! LOL!

Very good show. The band played well, and managed to reproduce their signature symphonic sound to an amazing degree. Annie Haslam's voice was mostly pretty solid, and she hit all the high notes. She also told many entertaining stories between songs. On the downside, the sound mix was a bit off (Annie's voice was mostly not loud enough), although the volume was spot-on (i.e. not too loud) for this style of music. Also there was an unfortunate technical difficulty that meant guitar player Mark Lambert had to skip the electric solo at the end of encore song "Ashes Are Burning". All in all, I'm delighted to have been able to hear this music played live so well on this final tour.

Great music at a great venue. Hope Annie is ok after taking a tumble. She was a real performer and didn't interfere with the show going on. Great Night

Annie Haslam was amazing as usual. Unfortunately, I ended up seated between two 300+ lb people who took up both arm rests. A sardine had more room in a can. Left the concert during the intermission and missed the 2nd half.

Entertaining show with two one-hour sets surrounding a half-hour intermission. Annie Haslam continues to exercise her incredible range, but I think she is rightfully concerned, after more than 50 years of performing and touring, about attending to her physical and mental wellness in declaring this the final tour for the group. I believe her when she said that at the outset of her show. We should feel fortunate that her wonderful body of work is preserved nicely on vinyl.

I was introduced to Renaissance about 1976, attended my first concert in 1979 and have attended at least a dozen concerts over the years. Many times the locales were in the Rochester, NY area but other locales included Buffalo and Albany, NY, as well as a couple in NJ. I was never disappointed and enjoyed the reparte that often happened with audience members, the new "twists" so the performances of the same songs were somewhat different, and of course the "mistakes" that can happen with live music. Last night's "In Gratitude Final Tour" performance for me was the best ever - and it seemed so for the entire audience. The set selection was much like a Greatest Hits selection. As I listened to so many of my favorite songs I had memories of past performances. I also had a sense of melancholy if this is indeed the final tour (Annie offered a slim chance that it might not be) But mostly I enjoyed what I considered to be their very best performance. Annie's vocals seemed as good and maybe better than ever. Mark Lambert was terrific with his vocals and his guitars. Rave Tesar was absolutely brilliant on the piano. Newcomers for me were bassist John Galgano and keyboardist Geoff Langley. They were terrific instrumentalists and strong with their vocals. I know drummer/percussionist Frank Pagano from somewhere (maybe Renaissance?) who really did a great job of supporting the total band sound without overpowering as some drummers are inclined. I don't know that a finer group of instrumentalists could be found. I you are a fan of Renaissance find a way to one of their remaining concerts no matter how far you have to travel. You will be delighted that you had the chance to experience their best concert ever! I will continue to hope for years to come that there will be one more concert tour.

The venue wasn't good. That's being gracious about it. We were packed in like sardines. It was worse than flying economy class. However, all things considered, I was grateful for the chance to hear Annie Haslam's truly amazing voice before they call it quits. The concert t-shirt is a work of art. Really. Maybe the most beautiful one I've ever seen. The poster is the same image as the t-shirt. I'm going to frame it and proudly hang it up on the wall of my man cave, next to my Robin Trower concert poster.

Annie was as amazing as she always is. The band was superb! I was a little disappointed that some songs from the early days of hte band weren't included in the set lits.

Great show as always! Loved being able to chat with them after the concert and get autographs!. They were gracious as always and make you feel like you matter to them!

The show was just amazing! Renaissance always sound terrific but when you add the Chamber Orchestra - it’s incredible and inspiring! Hearing some of Annie’s solo songs with the Orchestra was phenomenal! I can’t wait to see them again!

Fabulous Renaissance concert at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Thursday night. The core band of Renaissance with lead singer, Annie Haslam, as always, was perfection. They were backed by the chamber orchestra of strings, woodwinds, and brass to create a huge symphonic sound. These musicians performed music truly worthy of the wonderful acoustics for which this hall is known. The set list was full of surprises including both famous Renaissance songs as well as Annie's solo, co-written pieces. Annie was in excellent voice and in between songs she shared some band and personal history. The audience of longtime Renaissance fans gave each song a very warm reception, standing ovations, shared their genuine love for Annie and the whole band. Look for a live concert CD to be released in 2023 if you missed the shows of this special tour.

It was incredible. I cannot believe how great Annie’s voice still sounds. And I love her sense of humour. You can tell she (and the rest of the band) are really enjoying themselves. This was the second time I have seen them with the chamber orchestra and that really adds another dimension to the show. They did a number of songs I haven’t heard them play before, which was great. Of course, this meant some other favourites were left off the set list, but that’s all the more reason to see the band each time they come around. The venue was wonderful as well. All in all, it was well worth the drive down from Ontario, Canada.

Annie's voice, as always was exceptional. However myself and others were disappointed at the song selection the group played. I overheard several people who were in attendance saying they were disappointed that they didn't sing the songs that are most well known to their fans and instead focused on Annie Haslam's solo career. Yes, there were selections from TOTC, Novella and Sheherizhad, but the majority of the concert didn't focus on the songs the group is so well known for. In a word, disappointing.

Took a few songs for Annie to get warmed up, but once she did she was magnificent. As was the rest of the band. So glad to finally see them after 40ish years.

The Lansdowne theater is absolutely outstanding. The refurbished theater looks like it did in the early days of its opening in 1926. It is so beautiful and they nailed it. You have to see it for yourself. Renaissance was absolutely outstanding also. It is their last live performance ever and it was at the Lansdowne theater. Very special night for their farewell. It was being filmed for a release in the future. But when Annie said this is the absolute last time you'll see Renaissance live it really hit you like wow this is something. Time goes so fast enjoy every day.

We were expecting a lot more playing and a lot less talking. The theater is fabulous, and the band was good, but there was too much talk and not enough music.

Wonderful show, Annie has such an amazing voice, so glad I got to see her again. My daughter and I stuck around after the show and met Annie who is such a lovely person! I asked the person looking after the Merch table if I could get a copy of one of the tour posters that were hanging on the walls of the venue to get Annie to sign, he wasn't sure if he could but I could leave my address and if he was able to obtain one he could mail it to me. Even though I told him I live in Canada he said no problem, but no promises either! It was so cool to receive the poster weeks later with everyone's autographs! THANKS merch person, I did get his name, but at my age if I don't write it down it's gone! LOL!

Very good show. The band played well, and managed to reproduce their signature symphonic sound to an amazing degree. Annie Haslam's voice was mostly pretty solid, and she hit all the high notes. She also told many entertaining stories between songs. On the downside, the sound mix was a bit off (Annie's voice was mostly not loud enough), although the volume was spot-on (i.e. not too loud) for this style of music. Also there was an unfortunate technical difficulty that meant guitar player Mark Lambert had to skip the electric solo at the end of encore song "Ashes Are Burning". All in all, I'm delighted to have been able to hear this music played live so well on this final tour.

Great music at a great venue. Hope Annie is ok after taking a tumble. She was a real performer and didn't interfere with the show going on. Great Night

Annie Haslam was amazing as usual. Unfortunately, I ended up seated between two 300+ lb people who took up both arm rests. A sardine had more room in a can. Left the concert during the intermission and missed the 2nd half.

Entertaining show with two one-hour sets surrounding a half-hour intermission. Annie Haslam continues to exercise her incredible range, but I think she is rightfully concerned, after more than 50 years of performing and touring, about attending to her physical and mental wellness in declaring this the final tour for the group. I believe her when she said that at the outset of her show. We should feel fortunate that her wonderful body of work is preserved nicely on vinyl.

I was introduced to Renaissance about 1976, attended my first concert in 1979 and have attended at least a dozen concerts over the years. Many times the locales were in the Rochester, NY area but other locales included Buffalo and Albany, NY, as well as a couple in NJ. I was never disappointed and enjoyed the reparte that often happened with audience members, the new "twists" so the performances of the same songs were somewhat different, and of course the "mistakes" that can happen with live music. Last night's "In Gratitude Final Tour" performance for me was the best ever - and it seemed so for the entire audience. The set selection was much like a Greatest Hits selection. As I listened to so many of my favorite songs I had memories of past performances. I also had a sense of melancholy if this is indeed the final tour (Annie offered a slim chance that it might not be) But mostly I enjoyed what I considered to be their very best performance. Annie's vocals seemed as good and maybe better than ever. Mark Lambert was terrific with his vocals and his guitars. Rave Tesar was absolutely brilliant on the piano. Newcomers for me were bassist John Galgano and keyboardist Geoff Langley. They were terrific instrumentalists and strong with their vocals. I know drummer/percussionist Frank Pagano from somewhere (maybe Renaissance?) who really did a great job of supporting the total band sound without overpowering as some drummers are inclined. I don't know that a finer group of instrumentalists could be found. I you are a fan of Renaissance find a way to one of their remaining concerts no matter how far you have to travel. You will be delighted that you had the chance to experience their best concert ever! I will continue to hope for years to come that there will be one more concert tour.

The venue wasn't good. That's being gracious about it. We were packed in like sardines. It was worse than flying economy class. However, all things considered, I was grateful for the chance to hear Annie Haslam's truly amazing voice before they call it quits. The concert t-shirt is a work of art. Really. Maybe the most beautiful one I've ever seen. The poster is the same image as the t-shirt. I'm going to frame it and proudly hang it up on the wall of my man cave, next to my Robin Trower concert poster.

Annie was as amazing as she always is. The band was superb! I was a little disappointed that some songs from the early days of hte band weren't included in the set lits.

Great show as always! Loved being able to chat with them after the concert and get autographs!. They were gracious as always and make you feel like you matter to them!

The show was just amazing! Renaissance always sound terrific but when you add the Chamber Orchestra - it’s incredible and inspiring! Hearing some of Annie’s solo songs with the Orchestra was phenomenal! I can’t wait to see them again!

Fabulous Renaissance concert at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall Thursday night. The core band of Renaissance with lead singer, Annie Haslam, as always, was perfection. They were backed by the chamber orchestra of strings, woodwinds, and brass to create a huge symphonic sound. These musicians performed music truly worthy of the wonderful acoustics for which this hall is known. The set list was full of surprises including both famous Renaissance songs as well as Annie's solo, co-written pieces. Annie was in excellent voice and in between songs she shared some band and personal history. The audience of longtime Renaissance fans gave each song a very warm reception, standing ovations, shared their genuine love for Annie and the whole band. Look for a live concert CD to be released in 2023 if you missed the shows of this special tour.

It was incredible. I cannot believe how great Annie’s voice still sounds. And I love her sense of humour. You can tell she (and the rest of the band) are really enjoying themselves. This was the second time I have seen them with the chamber orchestra and that really adds another dimension to the show. They did a number of songs I haven’t heard them play before, which was great. Of course, this meant some other favourites were left off the set list, but that’s all the more reason to see the band each time they come around. The venue was wonderful as well. All in all, it was well worth the drive down from Ontario, Canada.

Annie's voice, as always was exceptional. However myself and others were disappointed at the song selection the group played. I overheard several people who were in attendance saying they were disappointed that they didn't sing the songs that are most well known to their fans and instead focused on Annie Haslam's solo career. Yes, there were selections from TOTC, Novella and Sheherizhad, but the majority of the concert didn't focus on the songs the group is so well known for. In a word, disappointing.

Took a few songs for Annie to get warmed up, but once she did she was magnificent. As was the rest of the band. So glad to finally see them after 40ish years.