BY APRIL S. ENGRAM

Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner creatively complement each other perfectly. With Fischer's classic music training and Spooner's performance art background, the duo's live shows supersede their albums. It was questionable if Fischerspooner would create another album after their four year hiatus between sophomore release, Odyssey, and this year's Entertainment. Thank God they did! Entertainment was a great return for the duo and their live performance was a reminder why the NYC musicians created such a stir when they emerged onto the electropop scene 10 years ago. Yes, weak pun inserted ("Emerge" was the hit single from their debut album #1).

Fischerspooner has aptly named this tour "Between Worlds." They have managed to create their own world by melding avant-garde costumes, superfluously theatrical dancers with their kick ass dance music to create a "concert" like no other. The stage comprised of: two large mirrors, two full racks of costumes, props, one projection screen and two televisions. After the lengthy prep time some fans began shouting for the band and clapped in anticipation. The lights dimmed, everyone cheered and shouted and the music began. Four dancers appeared from behind the mirrors. Two swirled the mirrors around to reveal Spooner in a black and white suit and a futuristic, glowing disc/hat. The spectacle began; and, Fischerspooner proceeded to entrance the audience.

The music poured through the speaker system and Spooner sang over his vocals...or so he thought. His mic was not working and after three songs he sat down for friendly banter with the audience who informed Spooner that no words could be heard. After fighting with two mics we could finally hear a sarcastically disappointed Spooner, "you mean to tell me I didn't just sing those f**king songs?" After killing a few moments "chillin" with us, Spooner returned to the music, now truly singing to the audience.

The dancers, and Spooner, would perform their routine, change costumes and periodically change the angle of the mirrors; meanwhile, projected on the screen behind them were their rehearsals for the song they were performing. So the audience would see double the action taking place, Spooner singing on screen and in front of them. In addition to this, the televisions were displaying random images and films. Once done with their third song, "Get Confused," Spooner walked to the edge of the stage. "So, are you confused yet," the crowd roared in response.

After performing several songs, old and new, "Emerge" began playing. As expected the audience went crazy. Spooner played up the "exasperated musician" by facetiously asking the audience, "you don't want to hear this old thing do you?" Cheers and applause. He went on to profess, "I'm not a pop star, I'm an artist!" To which people laughed and cheered even louder. "Well, I won't sing it; you have to sing it to me." The audience happily did just that and the dancers began their number. Suddenly Spooner cut the music. He walked to the rear of the stage, pick up a prop and the music began again. He was now wearing his "pop star" shades and, to the delight of everyone, Spooner began enthusiastically dancing and singing the song to the eager Toronto crowd.

Spooner was full of such entertaining, personable moments with the audience and though every movement on stage-even the breaks between songs-was predetermined, Fischerspooner managed to make it feel spontaneous. For the encore Fischerspooner performed "We Are Electric" and "Never Win;" Spooner again walked on stage with a surprised "you're still here?!" Before beginning "Never Win" Spooner had a long chat with everyone.

The entire night Fischer would periodically leave his sound station and film parts of the performances; now Spooner admitted they were making a film of their tour. Toronto was their last show before leaving for Europe and the last show with their dancers. In an effort to make the song extra special, Spooner directed us to go "ape s**t" as Fischer recorded. After a quick hair check in the mirror, and approval from the audience, Spooner and the dancers performed the last song. The Fischerspooner crew all bowed before the ecstatic audience and hugged each other before bidding their final farewell to Canada.

Though a live band was not part of this tour, it was not needed as Fischerspooner provided more than enough entertainment for their fans. Warren Fischer and Casey Spooner have created the ultimate live show; from this moment on, any other performance will pale in comparison.

Setlist:

Amuse Bouche
Happy
Get Confused
Kick in The Teeth
Money Can't Dance
Supply And Demand
Danse En France
Emerge
Cloud
Fucker
Sweetness
The Best Revenge

Encore:
Never Win
We Are Electric

[Photos by April S. Engram and Doreen Engram]