Review of Erasure Concert Harped on Sexuality

After reading your review of the Erasure concert (“Capering Andy Bell Leads Erasure Through Zesty Evening” by Mike Boehm, Calendar June 18), I was pretty upset. For me and for three good friends of mine, this was our first concert, and we were very excited. Naturally, our hopes were high for this concert, and Erasure proved very quickly to be a very enthusiastic group. The four of us, as well as many others at the concert, knew of the two men’s homosexuality. That had absolutely no effect whatsoever on our feelings toward the music or the band.

Erasure’s performance was nothing short of awesome. Maybe I feel this way because this was my first concert, but I’m almost positive that I really enjoyed the concert to the fullest.

One of the most eye-catching lines in the article is this: “Bell didn’t make a big point of his sexuality. . . .” I (also) didn’t feel that Andy Bell made any special attempts to “exploit” his sexuality. In your article, however, there was one basic theme that you seemed to revolve around: Bell’s sexuality! Your review didn’t seem to be much of a review. It was more along the lines of gay performers and how much straight people love to see them perform.

I think that most of the people there were able to overlook the sexuality of the two singers and enjoy the concert. It was neat. Nobody was making derogatory remarks that are usually heard when there are a couple of gay people around. I don’t believe that I lowered my guard for the fun that they provided, and I’d like to believe that the other 10,000 there didn’t either.

You did Erasure an injustice by your constant harping on their homosexuality. If you went to a concert to later offer a review, please do that. Don’t stoop to the level of bigotry that a lot of society has. Offer your readers an evaluation of the concert and Erasure’s wonderful ability to give a stage performance that kids and adults will never forget. Please don’t make such a big deal about their choice of life.

LESLIE CARR

Huntington Beach