Gallery Article - CONCERT REVIEW

“We were told we were a heritage band,” he said. “That’s tantamount to us having nothing more to say. We have plenty [expletive] to say! We are 60. We’re older, wiser.” He paused and his bandmate Roland Orzabal added, “Sexier!”

The British duo’s biggest U.S. success came 37 years ago with two consecutive No. 1 hits, “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Shout.” They were just 23 and have aged accordingly. Sexier? You be the judge. Orzabal’s long dark flowing locks from the videos and album covers of yore are now all white, making him look like a mildly nutty professor. Smith’s features have become more angular, his once boyish face now a study in living life with all its jagged twists and turns.

Their new music is also more contemplative, less anthemic. But the band tackled the challenge with verve and urgency, playing seven cuts from the new album during the 19-song set. And without apology and with a touch of temerity, they played four consecutive cuts from the latest album at one point and didn’t cause a massive bathroom and beer break exodus.