Photos and Review by Jennie Book
@jenniebookphotography

Sarah McLachlan’s Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30^th Anniversary Tour came to the Greek Theater in Berkeley on May 30, 2024, and as someone who bought the CD on its release day (how that album is more than thirty years old is beyond comprehension) I’ll go on the record and say it’s still one of the best albums ever. To hear it played live in its entirety under the stars in the open air was special, and throw in extra tracks like “Building a Mystery” and “Sweet Surrender” and it’s no mystery why the fans at the Greek were dancing in the aisles and singing along joyously.

A dollar from every ticket went towards The Sarah McLachlan Foundation and the Sarah McLachlan School of Music, a Canadian-based program that provides music development and education to kids for free. McLachlan stood at the mic towards the start of the show and talked about how music saved her as a kid, and creating and funding this program for other youths to benefit in the same way is a really tangible and special way to give back. It’s clear why her bio uses the word “humanitarian” to describe her because she puts her money where her mouth is in supporting worthy causes.

McLachlan is a seasoned storyteller, and spent some time at the mic talking about her family. She played “Beautiful Girl,” a song written for her older daughter and co-written by Luke Doucet, her long-time guitarist who’s currently touring with her, and paid lovely tribute to her father who died in 2010 by playing “Song For My Father,” and also talked about the power of female friendship.

The crowd, made up very largely of women, looked to be having a great time throughout the 24-song set (which included new song “Gravity,”) and the majority of the crowd stayed until the last notes of “Angel” were played and McLachlan and band took a well-deserved bow and said goodnight.

The Fumbling Towards Ecstasy 30^th Anniversary Tour (#FTE30tour) continues in the US through July and then moves to Canada in November. For all the latest news and info check out www.sarahmclachlan.com and @officialsarahmclachlan.