It’s likely no coincidence that the Chris Isaak It’s Almost Christmas Tour—which began just before Halloween—wound toward its end in California this December, including a stop at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles.
For one, the 67-year-old singer-songwriter is from Stockton, in California’s Central Valley. Thus, wrapping up his run in his home state would put him in close proximity to family and friends just in time for Christmas. And, like any human being who happens to be a touring artist, he probably preferred to spend the coldest weeks of his tour in a part of the country where the weather is warmer than most this time of year. Whatever the rationale behind his calendar, Chris made the most of his time in L.A. by warming up a festive crowd with iconic hits and holiday standards alike.
As expected, Chris crossed off all the songs for which he’s best known during his set. He hewed close to convention by playing his second-most popular song, “Baby Did a Bad Bad Thing”, second-to-last during the encore. He warmed up the crowd early on with “Somebody’s Crying”, and gave the people plenty of reason to rise up from their seats and dance toward the end of the main set with the likes of “Let Me Down Easy”, “Blue Hotel”, and “San Francisco Days”. In something of a surprise, however, the rockabilly legend busted out his biggest hit, “Wicked Game”, right around the midpoint of the performance—just before jumping into “Go Walkin’ Down There” and “Speak of the Devil”.
In between, Chris and his band brought holiday cheer through song, word, and deed. During “Waiting”, Chris walked through the middle aisle to pick up his dog for a moment onstage with him. While singing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, he took a detour up to the balcony of the venue, and sang “Don’t Leave Me On My Own” as he walked across to the other side and back down to the stage.
He belted out “Blue Christmas” and offered some backstory about last-minute holiday shopping before diving into “Almost Christmas”, all while an animatronic Santa Claus danced in the background. He offered more somber remembrances of time away from family during the holidays as a lead-in to “Washington Square”, and remarked at the beauty of the Orpheum Theatre itself ahead of “Holiday Blues”.
As charming as Chris was with his jokes and anecdotes at every turn, the most heartwarming moment came not from him but rather a trio of adoptable dogs that were introduced to the audience in order to publicize his partnership with the BISSELL Pet Foundation—all of which was an entree to “Dogs Love Christmas, Too.”
Even Chris’ “too cool” persona couldn’t help but melt beneath the joy that he exuded. His return for the encore in a reflective disco-ball suit singing “Big Wide Wonderful World” would’ve been remarkable enough on its own—that is, until he invited folks from the audience to join him onstage as he and his band transitioned into the James Bond theme and “Bye Bye, Baby”.
Soon enough, Chris will have only those closest to him to entertain as Christmas comes around. But first, he’ll swing through Reno, Nevada and Brooks, California before wrapping up his holiday tour in Modesto, less than an hour’s ride from his old stomping grounds in Stockton.
Scroll down to check out a gallery of photos from the Chris Isaak It’s Almost Christmas Tour stop at L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre via Josh Martin. For a list of upcoming Chris Isaak tour dates, head here.
The post Chris Isaak Brings Holiday Cheer To L.A.’s Orpheum Theatre For ‘It’s Almost Christmas Tour’ [Photos] appeared first on L4LM.
