An Evening with Utopia

On the eve of Thanksgiving 1982 Todd Rundgren and his band, Utopia performed the first live national cablecast of a rock concert (on the USA Network), simulcast in stereo to over 120 radio stations.

This show was released on video in 1983. It features 21 out of 23 songs originally played. At the time they were promoting their latest release "Utopia" on the "Network" label although this was not their first LP so the self-entitlement was obscure (but everything Utopia did had a tongue-in-cheek feel. It also consisted of many earlier work.

This video has always been much beloved to all Todd/Utopia fans. If you can find it, check it out, it's crisp and on the ball. If you can find it, check it out. If not, look for the DVD "Utopia: Live in Boston", but even this DVD does not give you a definitive "Utopia" DVD.

This is an intimate yet rocking set delivered by the four man pop version of Utopia that was the best selling of their ever changing styles.

They were touring the terribly promoted but incredibly accessible "UTOPIA". From the stark self depreciating "Libertine" to the long time anthem "Just One Victory" I relived a similar show that I saw in 1984 in Georgetown, Washington DC @ "The Bayou". The film version has the suit clad band loosen up and have a great time,while Todd Rundgren does his usual overacting but finding his soulful delivery along the way.

The crowd shots are not as enrapturing as most bands would like but the vibe is very high! Judge for yourself. I've enjoyed this show over 20 times!