Regina Spektor

9/25 @ Calvin Theatre

WOW. Regina Spektor's concert last night was everything it's supposed to be, and more. I would never have guessed that so much sound could come out of someone so small and sweet looking. Let's just say Regina can stand up for herself.

Only Son opened for her at the Calvin, the ex-lead guitarist of the Moldy Peaches. I mostly missed his set, as my friends were late, and then I had to have an overpriced mediocre beer, but it sounded good. Then Regina stepped on into the low pool of light and proceeded to entrance the entirety of the audience for a solid hour. She played a lot of her new album Begin to Hope, as well as a large number of songs from the previous Soviet Kitsch. All of it was wonderful. Her cover of the Beatles' Real Love was also wonderful.

The great thing about Regina is watching her play. She has a an amazing voice, she's entertaining, she's playful... but watching her hands linger on the piano keys can make you forget everything else. Technically, Regina is an amazing pianist, and I was actually grateful to be sitting in the balcony of the Calvin. Those on the ground floor would not have had such an excellent view of her hands.

One moment I loved: Regina, holding her light blue guitar, legs spread for balance, playing the beginning notes of That Time. She messes up, stops. "Oh fuck." And begins again.