Tragedy....It just didn't measure up.....
by LTDAN on 1/27/25Duke Energy Center for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater - St PetersburgRating: 2 out of 5Bee Gees were one of the most iconic bands of the 70's. Each of the brothers brought their own unique sound to the stage and their sounds "blended"not only with each other, but with the music.
NY Bee Gees get a C for effort but it's a low C. What was expected? A Studio 54 / Saturday Night Fever vibe of disco floor lights, and a sound that would carry us back to that era.
Sadly, NY Bee Gees missed on all of it (for me...and my date). Vocals were far far too loud, drowning out the music and missing the "blend", the sweet spot. Lead singer hit the high notes, but a bit too high...and far far too loud. My girlfriend and I both at the same time compared the sound to Alvin and the Chipmunks....
The "Robin"guitarist however nailed it, but unfortunately he had very few and short solos...
Percussion, spot on outstanding!
Female vocals were good but not noteworthy...again very strained through the amplified volume.....almost trying a bit too much.....
Stage set was seriously lacking.....everything. As previously mentioned, this should be a vibrant disco Studio 54 setting, but unfortunately it came across as a low budget traveling garage band that would be more suited for a church basement, not a grand venue like the Mahaffey. Yes they had a disco ball....that was grossly under lit and spinning so fast that the entire effect was lost in a blur.
Granted, they've been doing this for 11 years, so I guess something works, but.... We left after 2 songs following the intermission. I felt bad about cutting out early, girlfriend not so much. My guilty feelings were gone as soon as I found myself in a line of cars also leaving early.
To the band, I would ask that they invest in some flashier stage settings and for Gods sake, find a new sound manager. They have a decent sound, relatively close to the Bee Gees but after 11 years, I would expect much better.
Apologies, but I will pass on this show if it should come through West Central Florida again....