Rex Orange County took Boston fans on an emotional joyride Oct. 18, as a stop on his FINALLY: A Theatre Tour, based off of his new album The Alexander Technique.
The Boch Center – Wang Theatre did not know what was coming when Rex took the stage on Friday night. He opened with his first song on his new album, “Alexander,” which gives a somber introduction to the night.
Fans could be heard screaming as a giant spotlight shines on Rex against a dark backdrop sitting on a doctor’s table.
The poignant song, “Alexander,” takes listeners through a story about Rex expressing his back pain to a doctor. The song follows a story path of self-realization where he finally understands that his back pain is only an excuse for the pain he holds in his heart.
Rex made his way into the audience for the second song of the night, welcoming the audience to the show through the song “Therapy.” He was able to interact with fans on the floor, making his way up and down the aisles and taking the time to make this concert more intimate than his Pony and Who Cares? Tours were able to be.
After this song, the curtains opened to reveal a living room like setting, with a full length “window” that changed seasons and scenery throughout the show. Starting in summer, Rex performed songs like “The Shade” from the album Who Cares? and “Guitar Song,” one of the singles from his latest album.
One of the only songs on the tour’s setlist from Rex’s album Pony, “Always” had the crowds overwhelmed with excitement from the first chord. The song has Rex reflecting on fame and coping with newfound success and struggling to acknowledge his life changing. It portrays Rex not allowing this new life to define who he is as a person, which makes the song more intimate than many others on the album and definitely the right choice for this particular tour’s vibe.
Rex has been taking song requests on this tour, performing unique songs for his sets in different cities. For Boston night one , he played “New House,” a single released on Valentine’s day 2019. Rex began the song by dedicating it to an audience member who posted a video asking him to play it, but prefaced that he didn’t think anyone would recognize it. To his surprise the audience sang along with so much excitement for the song’s first performance on this tour.
The middle portion of the show featured back-to-back powerful and loved songs from Rex, like hit “Best Friend,” and “Television/So Far So Good” which had fans out of their seats screaming along. Both songs accompanied by a grandiose production and backing from the band, you could tell that these have remained staples of Rex’s discography for new and old fans. With the audience getting into heartfelt lyrics reflecting on love and loss through the upbeat delivery, it was one of the most memorable portions of the concert.
After the constant excitement of high energy, fans were suddenly taken back as Rex performed his hit songs from the new album, “The Table” and “Look Me in the Eyes.”
As the audience listened along to the slow and touching songs, sniffles were heard from around the theater. Tears were slowly rolling down the faces of fans while watching Rex lit up by a spotlight against the blue living room. Even through the pain, fans made sure they were still heard throughout the venue.
“Look Me in the Eyes,” is hands down the most heartbreaking song Rex performed that night. This song does not shy away from beautiful harmonies by James Blake and Rex. They both beautifully put together a tear-jerking and plaintive masterpiece.
Rex finished his set off with his song, “Finally,” which is where he gained inspiration for the tour name. At this point in the show, fans are able to realize that Rex took everyone through what it seemed to be every emotion life consists of. From jumping high in the air to sobbing in their chairs, fans were able to capture the feelings of Rex’s heartwarming show.
“Finally” was a cathartic embrace of Rex’s content self and a fitting conclusion to the journey his fans have been on with him since the start of this album’s release.
Obviously Rex was not done for the night, after fans were screaming for more, Rex came out and performed “AMAZING” off of his Who Cares album and a well-known fan favorite, “Pluto Projector” from his album, Pony.
Similarly to the Who Cares? tour, “Pluto Projector” closing left fans only longing for more of Rex’s music, which always manages to have gorgeous accompaniments, heartfelt lyrics and the ability to move his fans.
The energy in the Wang Theatre was unmatched. It was unfortunate to see the night end, but Rex gave the audience a one of a kind show and definitely one to remember.
Rex will continue his tour until Feb. 22, ending in London.
