The Eels is an American rock band known for their distinctive sound and introspective lyrics. The band was formed in 1995 by singer-songwriter Mark Oliver Everett, commonly known as E, who is the only constant member throughout the group’s history.
The Eels’ music spans a variety of genres, including alternative rock, indie rock, and folk rock, and they have gained a dedicated following over the years. The show I saw was the last of the Lockdown Hurricane 2023 Tour which had been postponed due to Covid. The opener was a rapper (I don’t like rap at all) that I hated.
He may have been good at what he does but I thought it was horrible. Next up was Puddles Pity Party starring Puddles (Mike Geier). The 6 foot-8-inch clown was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, grew up in Richmond, Virginia, and has been based in Atlanta, Georgia since 1995. The sulking serenader gained momentum after hitting the road as a guest performer on the 2010 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Live tour and the 2013 Eels tour.
He was great! Actually, it was my first time seeing him but I wouldn’t turn down another chance. He is a very good singer and really funny. The Eels then hit the stage with 5 straight rockers before even taking a breath.
Eels UK/Europe Dates 2023
- MARCH 26, 2023 NOTTINGHAM, UK – ROCK CITY
- MARCH 27, 2023 LONDON, UK – ROUNDHOUSE
- MARCH 28, 2023 BATH, UK – BATH FORUM
- MARCH 30, 2023 BELFAST, UK – THE LIMELIGHT
- MARCH 31, 2023 DUBLIN, IRELAND – OLYMPIA THEATRE
- APRIL 2, 2023 GLASGOW, UK – BARROWLAND
- APRIL 3, 2023 MANCHESTER, UK – ALBERT HALL
- APRIL 4, 2023 SOUTHAMPTON, UK – 02 GUILDHALL
- APRIL 5, 2023 NORWICH, UK – EPIC STUDIOS
- APRIL 7, 2023 AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – AFAS ARENA
- APRIL 8, 2023 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM – FOREST NATIONAL
- APRIL 11, 2023 LUXEMBOURG, LUXEMBOURG – DEN ATELIER
- APRIL 12, 2023 STRASBOURG, FRANCE – LAITERIE
- APRIL 14, 2023 VIENNA, AUSTRIA – ARENA
- APRIL 15, 2023 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY – AKVARIUM KLUB
- APRIL 17, 2023 BOLOGNA, ITALY – ESTRAGON
- APRIL 18, 2023 MILAN, ITALY – ALCATRAZ
- APRIL 20, 2023 REIMS, FRANCE – LA CARTONNERIE
- APRIL 21, 2023 PARIS, FRANCE – SALLE PLEYEL
- APRIL 22, 2023 RENNES, FRANCE – LE MeM
- APRIL 24, 2023 ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – HALLE 622
- APRIL 25, 2023 LAUSANNE, SWITZERLAND – LES DOCKS
- APRIL 26, 2023 NIMES, FRANCE – LA PALOMA
- APRIL 27, 2023 BARCELONA, SPAIN – RAZZMATAZZ
- APRIL 29, 2023 VIGO, SPAIN – AUDITORIO
- APRIL 30, 2023 MADRID, SPAIN – LA RIVIERA
Eels USA Dates 2023
- JUNE 8, 2023 SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA – BELLY UP
- JUNE 10, 2023 LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FONDA THEATRE
- JUNE 11, 2023 BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – THE UC THEATRE
- JUNE 13, 2023 PORTLAND, OREGON – REVOLUTION HALL
- JUNE 14, 2023 SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – THE NEPTUNE THEATRE
- JUNE 16, 2023 SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – METRO MUSIC BAR
- JUNE 17, 2023 DENVER, COLORADO – GOTHIC THEATER
- JUNE 18, 2023 LAWRENCE, KANSAS – LIBERTY HALL
- JUNE 20, 2023 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – FIRST AVENUE
- JUNE 21, 2023 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – METRO
- JUNE 23, 2023 PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – CARNEGIE OF HOMESTEAD MUSIC HALL
- JUNE 24, 2023 PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – KESWICK THEATRE
- JUNE 25, 2023 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – PARADISE ROCK CLUB
- JUNE 27, 2023 NEW YORK, NEW YORK – WEBSTER HALL
- JUNE 28, 2023 SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND – THE FILLMORE
- JUNE 29, 2023 CARRBORO, NORTH CAROLINA – CAT’S CRADLE
- JUNE 30, 2023 ATLANTA, GEORGIA – VARIETY PLAYHOUSE
The show was well done with a mix of rockers and ballads. They had an ongoing comedy bit with an announcement on screen when each of the band members achieved their exercise goal on their Apple watches. Little Joe, the youngest member, and drummer had an excellent drum solo during the Nancy Sinatra cover, Drummer Man. I really enjoyed the overall performance.
Eels Setlist at the Variety Playhouse 6/30/23
- Steam Engine
- Amateur Hour
- Me and the Boys (NRBQ cover)
- Watcha Gonna Do About It (Small Faces cover)
- Good Night on Earth
- Anything for Boo
- Jeannie’s Diary
- 3 Speed
- The Gentle Souls
- Peach Blossom
- Who You Say You Are
- That Look You Give That Guy
- Climbing to the Moon
- The Deconstruction
- I Like the Way This Is Going
- Dog Faced Boy
- My Beloved Monster Really Got Me
- Drummer Man (Nancy Sinatra cover)
- Novocaine for the Soul
- I Like Birds
- Are We Alright Again
- Baby Let’s Make It Real
Encore:
- Friendly Ghost
- Last Stop: This Town
Encore 2:
- Earth to Dora
- Wonderful, Glorious
- God Gave Rock and Roll to You (Argent cover)
This playlist may not be 100% correct – It is for the previous show on the tour
The light show and backdrop were very well done. They had a Moon that could be a vivid image of the actual Moon or change to the Earth. They would also project cartoon band member faces there too. I would definitely like to see the Eels again. E’s voice was pretty gravelly though, probably due to age and a long tour.
Further Reading
Sources
- “Puddles Pity Party” https://www.puddlespityparty.com/
- “EELS Setlist” https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/eels/2023/variety-playhouse-atlanta-ga-63a78e6b.html
- “Mike Geier” (Updated April 17, 2023) https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Geier&action=history
- Eels The Band
- Eels Official Website
- “Eels” https://www.allmusic.com/artist/eels-mn0000174752/credits
- “Eels” https://www.concertarchives.org/concerts/eels-10f94802-b15d-4599-8226-6678ea0e15bd
- “EELS Concert Setlists & Tour Dates” https://www.setlist.fm/setlists/eels-bd6e59a.html
- “Novocaine For The Soul” https://songmeanings.com/songs/view/41689/
