Todd Rundgren’s show at the Ryman was impressive and challenging in equal measure. It’s the rare artist who chooses to do an entire set of deep cuts largely drawn from his least successful albums, completely forgoing the reliable crowd-pleasers.
Not until the encore and a 5-minute medley combining “I Saw the Light,” “It Wouldn’t Have Made Any Difference” and “Hello It’s Me” did audience members hear any of the songs that probably drew them to Todd in the first place.
Rundgren’s deep cuts revisited
That said, Rundgren was in good voice and his band, which included Kasim Sulton and Prairie Prince, was outstanding. Utopia songs “Secret Society’ and “Rock Love” were in the mix, and “Sweet,” “Afterlife” and “Wouldn’t You Like to Know” were among many highlights.
It was the sort of show that drives you back to albums you haven’t listened to in years, wondering what you may have missed the first time around.
The Ryman audience members were patient and enthusiastic throughout, though clearly delighted by the first notes of “I Saw the Light.” There’s a reason songs are called “crowd-pleasers.”
Show date: May 20, 2024
Venue: Ryman Auditorium, Nashville