Hall & Oates returned to the Troubadour for two sold-out gigs this week -- their first shows at the legendary Los Angeles venue since the Philadelphia duo played their first shows in the city 35 years ago.
The band were in high spirits during their two-hour set Friday night (May 23), which saw them playing hits including 'Maneater', 'She's Gone' and 'Rich Girl' as well as Daryl Hall's solo material and some obscure numbers.
"We've never played this one outside Atlantic Records," Hall said before the band launched into 'Had I Known You Better Then', a melodic ballad on which John Oates sings lead vocals.
The duo drew a diverse crowd ranging from the senior set to 20-something indie kids, possibly due in part to younger bands including Death Cab For Cutie, Fall Out Boy and Flight Of The Conchords name-checking them as influences in recent months.
Hall & Oates were backed by a tight five-piece band featuring musicians such as Tom 'T-Bone' Wolk, with whom they've played for years.
The house lights were turned up throughout their entire set, giving the proceedings a homely, community vibe. "I see you all smiling, that's good," Hall said -- smiling himself throughout the entire night.
Adoring fans cheered and sang along to nearly every song, including a man who proudly displayed a license plate that read 'HNO4EVR'.
Hall & Oates returned to the stage for two encores, concluding the night with a rare performance of their massive 1981 hit 'Private Eyes'.
--By our Los Angeles staff.
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