There is a debate going on about whether or not Phil Collins is in good enough physical condition to still be on the road performing for two-hour-plus rock concerts.
There is a strong argument against it.
It is probably not the safest thing for the Genesis singer to be hobbling around by himself with a cane, like he has done at every show so far on the tour, up to and including the one at Charlotte. He spends most of the concert sitting in a chair.
He suffered from nerve damage and fell over in his chair at the same arena two years ago when he was a solo act.
It seemed like something bad could happen to him whenever he was up on his two unstable feet, even though he didn't take any tumbles here on Saturday night.
Genesis performed in Charlotte, and nothing bad happened.
Something pretty darn good happened.
In front of a crowd of 15,000 or so fans who roared for this group as if it was 1986 and they were still the most popular musical act on the planet, Collins delivered a sparkling performance that showcased his surprisingly powerful singing chops.
The band opened the tour with prog/pop hybrid "Behind the Lines" and "Turn It On Again", and then followed it up with the more ominous "Mama"
Genesis will perform Mama with a dark lit stage for The Last Domino? Tour at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on November 20, 2021. The band performed in front of a crowd.
It has been a strange couple of years, but thank you for coming out, he said. The new world is brave. Since I was here, you have a new president.
He paused and said: "Let's not get into politics."
Collins described the band's most political song as "Land of Confusion," which is still relevant with what's going on today.
It was one of the highlights of the night, with the band co-founder Mike Rutherford and sideman Daryl Stuermer contributing growling guitar work as the giant screen behind them projected images of rolls of toilet paper raining down from the sky and an army of men in black suits and face masks
Genesis will play Behind the Lines/Duke's Ends' with Mike Rutherford at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on November 20, 2021.
The acoustic set 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611
The older Collins joked that it was a bit of a culture shock that Banks was seated to his right despite always being to his left. God knows what will happen now.
The stripped-down arrangements of "That's All" and "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" were very popular with fans.
The rest of the band was brought down to Collins level by having them all sitting.
Collins only came up to theirs three times: once to the rear of the stage for a five-minute break after "Home By the Sea", and once to the front of the stage for an encore.
He sat in his chair.
He did some light air-drumming, flashed some jazz hands, thumped his chest, raised his hands above his head, clapped his hands together, and looked at other band members. He grabbed a tambourine a few times and even rapped it against the side of his head.
Phil Collins and Genesis will perform at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on November 20, 2021. Collins performed at the Spectrum Center before the Pandemic.
He leaned back with the mic in his hand, suggesting that being in a reclined position might be easier on his chronic pain than leaning forward.
I wonder what this all means for him as a vocalist.
It struck me the most when Collins nodded his head to the drumbeat and slapped at the air, as he appeared to be focusing on his son Nic.
What is going through the elder Collins' mind? He surely feels a sense of pride, or at least satisfaction, because his son clearly inherited the talent he himself possessed back when he could beat the drum kit with that kind of raw power and skill.
I think there is some sadness and frustration for Phil Collins.
It has been said that this tour is the last for Genesis. Collins might not be road- ready for much longer if his voice and desire is still there. It wouldn't make sense to continue on if they didn't have Collins.
Tony Banks of Genesis performs at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on November 20, 2021.
We have seen it before, bands that hint at a particular tour being the last chance to see them live, only to have them come up with another tour a few years later.
I don't know.
Collins lifted himself out of his chair one final time and took a series of bows, then flashed a quick thumbs-up and hobbled off into the sunset.
I had a distinct feeling that was the last time I would see him on stage here.
If it was, I would say that Saturday's first-rate show would be a very respectable way for him to go out.
Genesis will perform Turn it on Again at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on November 20, 2021. The band performed in front of a crowd.
Genesis setlist.
1. "Behind the lines" and "Duke's End"
2. It's time to turn it on again.
3. "Mama"
4. Land of confusion.
5. Home by the sea.
6. Second Home by the Sea.
7. The first two parts of the song are called "Fading Lights".
8. The cinema show has an instrument section.
9. "Afterglow"
The sound is acoustic.
10. That is all.
11. The Lamb is on Broadway.
12. Follow you follow me.
13. The band introductions are called "Duchess".
14. No son of mine.
15. The instrumental section is called the Firth of Fifth.
16. I know what I like in your wardrobe.
17. Domino.
18. Throwing it all away.
19. The first few lines of the song, "Tonight, Tonight, Tonight."
20. It's called invisible touch.
It's an encore:
21. I can't dance.
22. The first verse is about dancing with the moonlit knight.
23. The Carpet Crawlers.
