Air Supply Chevalier Theater, Medford, Massachusetts (USA)
Written by worldOneFm on November 15, 2023
One of the most successful duos of all time, Air Supply has been active since 1975. The Australian-English combo, which consists of Russell Hitchcock (vocals) and Graham Russell (vocals and guitar), were one of the most constant presences on Top 40 radio in the ’80s. They are also a very successful concert draw and have performed over 4,500 shows.
Air Supply performed to a packed house at the Chevalier Theater in Medford, Massachusetts on November 10, 2023.
The duo opened quite strong with “Sweet Dreams”, followed by “Even the Nights are Better”, arguably their best song, and “Just As I Am” (Air Supply’s most recent Top 20 hit).
The subject of love is all over the band’s catalogue. Whether declaring it or losing it, the pair have perfected the interpretation of what a love song should be. As the band has no doubt been responsible for many engagements, marriages, and has aided millions who have had to nurse a broken heart.
The feelings of affection continued with “Every Woman in The World”, and the pleading vibes were quite present on “Here I Am (The One That You Love)”.
Digging into their vast repertoire, they pulled out a pair of deeper cuts as “Chances” (from their breakthrough disc, “Lost In Love”) and “Goodbye” (a gem from 1993’s underrated album, “The Vanishing Race”).
In reference to the 50 years of friendship between Hitchcock and Russell, Russell said that the reason for their long partnership is that they have never had a fight. A rarity in the music business as most bands are notorious for their in-fighting and break ups.
Russell also spoke of how they met at an audition for the play “Jesus Christ Superstar”, and joked about the huge afro hairstyle that Hitchcock was donning at that time.
After Russell did a really tasteful acoustic guitar solo, Hitchcock then joined him for a stripped-down version of their 1982 hit, “Two Less Lonely People in the World.”
The show climaxed with “The One That You Love”, “Lost in Love”, and an epic version of “Making Love Out of Nothing at All”. Penned by the late Jim Steinman, who was responsible for Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell” record, “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” is a masterpiece, and sure could have found a place on “Bat Out of Hell” (had it been penned a little earlier).
The encore consisted of a cover of Badfinger’s “Without You” and concluded with 1980’s uber-smash, “All Out of Love,” closing out a night of samplings of some of the best music that the ’80s had to offer.
