Riviera Review: Extreme and Living Colour

A show that may have flown under the radar for some, but one that was circled on my calendar since it was announced was the double bill of Extreme and Living Colour.

They both graced the Riviera Theatre stage this past Wednesday night. Extreme released a new record called 'Six' that was released in June 2023 and are still doing dates in support of it. While Living Colour has been working on their 7th studio album, they have been keeping their chops up on the road by supporting Extreme.

I was excited that I was finally getting to see Extreme. I was supposed to see them in Rochester, NY, earlier this year, and I was unable to make it. I was glad to get a makeup by this show being announced. Also, this was the first time in 6 years I got to see them, so I was excited to see some of the new tracks to be performed live.

Extreme is led by original members Gary Cherone on vocals, Nuno Bettencourt on bass, and Pat Badger on bass. They were accompanied by longtime drummer Kevin Figueiredo, who has been with the band since 2007. They opened up "It's a Monster" off of their album that put the band on the map in 'Extreme II: Pornograffitti.' The rocking "Decadence Dance" was up next. The first new cut of 'Six' was "REBEL." It sounded great, but I couldn't wait to hear the "OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW." This song became one of the favorite Extreme songs, and seeing it live, I have to say the band didn't disappoint.

Following this tune was my all-time favorite Extreme song in "Hole Hearted." A small drum set was set up in front as Figueiredo joined in on the fun. Cherone got the audience involved as the harmonies by Bettencourt and Badger were on cue.

Things slowed down as Bettencourt joked about making a wardrobe change as his tech came out to give him a hat to wear. He talked about the story of how he acquired the hat too. Bettencourt asked for everyone to have an orgasmic experience by sitting down as he did a snippet of Eruption" and the beginning of "Cupids Dead." A couple of songs later, another new track in "Thicker Than Blood" was delivered. Then the band's biggest hit in "More Than Words' was played. Van Halen was injected a few times throughout the set as a snippet of "Eruption" and a full rendition of "Aint Talkin' bout Love" were played.

The band showed their love of Queen too by doing the intros to "Fat Bottom Girls" and "We Will Rock You." The only complaints I would have are that I would have liked Extreme to play full versions of both "Kid Ego" and Mutha" and that the band omitted "Stop the World." Other than that, I thought it was a great show by Extreme!