AVATAR – LIVE @ THE PARADISE ROCK CLUB

2023-06-05

AVATAR – LIVE @ THE PARADISE ROCK CLUB – BOSTON

By Joe Perusse

I first saw Avatar perform at the Welcome to Rockville festival in Jacksonville back in 2018. Playing a mid afternoon set in the Florida heat the Swedish group led by vocalist Johannes Eckerstrom made quite an impression with their music and stage show. I was excited about seeing them perform in an intimate venue like the Paradise Rock Club. My son Jagger and I got there early and took a spot next to the sound board to see the show. This was only maybe 50 feet from the stage.

I also like to arrive early to check out the support acts and maybe broaden my musical scope. This is a night as I was glad I made that decision as opening band Orbit Culture, also from Sweden, had an exceptionally rocking set. Veil of Maya followed and was all right but in my opinion the order should have been reversed.

Avatar took the stage to a roaring crowd and drummer John Alfredsson, in his robotic persona, led off with a slow drum intro into the title track from the latest album “Dance Devil Dance”. Being up close he kept that robot stare throughout out the show while doing an outstanding job on the kit. The crowd was swaying back and forth during “The Eagle Has Landed” and the cage around the sound board was moving along with them. Eckerstrom disappeared after “For the Swarm” and reappeared in the balcony for “Puppet Show”. He first made a balloon animal that he tossed to the crowd and the pulled out the trombone for a riveting performance. “A Statue of the King” closed out the main set.

The encore led off with “The Dirt I’m Buried In” and a lot of phones appeared for that. Speaking of phones the guy in front of me videoed most of the show and took pictures as he was filming. I think he could have put together still photos and made a movie. I still advocate enjoying the moment at a show. Yes, some video and pictures are nice but come on. Henrick Sandelin (Bass) along with guitarists Jonas “Kungen” Jarisby and Tim Ohrstrom, who look like they could be brothers, round out the lineup. Avatar is a band you should check out if you get a chance, small club or big arena, as they know how to put on a rock show.

Set List