I can’t believe he hasn’t played on American Television before. UK heartthrob Ed Harcourt will be on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show this evening to promote his new album (well, that is to say his 2006 album that never got released in the States) The Beautiful Lie, which came out on Dovecote Records last Tuesday. Listening to The Beautiful Lie (and his back catalogue as well) it baffles me why he isn’t as huge in North America as he is in Europe. Last March during SXSW I ended up tagging along and filming Ed and his wife Gita as he got a sweet tattoo of one of his first songs, “Sing For My Supper” on his arm in Austin, TX. Enjoy our lil’ mini doc:

ED HARCOURT TO MAKE U.S. TELEVISION DEBUT ON THE TONIGHT SHOW JUNE 6, WEEK OF ‘THE BEAUTIFUL LIE’ RELEASE

LOS ANGELES, May 6, 2008 - Not long since wreaking havoc on Austin, Texas during SXSW, the illustrious Ed Harcourt will return to the States from his native England to perform on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” Friday, June 6. Timed perfectly with the release of his fourth full-length album, THE BEAUTIFUL LIE, due June 3 on Dovecote Records, Harcourt will celebrate the arrival of this much-awaited LP with a national television debut.

The Mercury Prize-nominated Harcourt has been keeping extraordinarily busy on tour with the Gutter Twins overseas, where he has been joining Greg Dulli, Mark Lanegan and co. on stage following his own opening set. “Ed Harcourt’s songs are as close to cabaret tunes and 1960s pop as they are to current rock,” recently noted the NEW YORK TIMES while UNDER THE RADAR hailed ‘The Beautiful Lie’ as “his best work to date.” The WALL STREET JOURNAL was on hand for one of his acclaimed Austin performances, calling Harcourt, “a gifted songwriter in the mold of Karl Wallinger and XTC’s Andy Partridge and Colin Moulding” adding, “and thus a descendant of John Lennon and Paul McCartney.”

Lead radio single, “Revolution in the Heart,” mimics Harcourt’s larger-than-life personality, brimming with his exquisite piano playing, booming delivery, thunderous rhythms and bursting backup vocals, compliments of The Magic Numbers. The track is currently going for adds at radio, already receiving early support across the country from stations like Starbucks XM Café, KBAC and others.

This visit is a precursor to additional U.S. tour dates this summer, to be announced soon.

[Words and photos by Pamela Morgan]

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band
Arco Arena, Sacramento
Friday, April 4th

April 4th was no ordinary Friday in Sacramento. If you were one of the fortunate in attendance at The Boss’ sold out Arco Arena show you know that nothing was held back. Springsteen has an emotional connection with his fans that is undeniable and his strong convictions and politics run thick through the heart of his timeless “all American Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

From start to finish the energy of the two-hour plus show was amazing, and seemingly endless. Springsteen himself felt this, exclaiming, “Stop me before I hurt myself!” The spirit of this night? Sacramento, you got rocked hard by the houserocking, pants dropping, brain-shocking, earthquaking, booty-shaking, Viagra-taking, lovemaking, sexifying, electrifying legendary E Street Band!

More photos by Pamela Morgan after the jump. (more…)

Synthesis sent photographer extrordinaire Pamela Morgan to catch The Boss last Friday night in Sacramento. Due to photo stipulations she was positioned more than 100 feet back (the Boss needs his space, aiight?), but she managed to capturesome great moments, including this wicked shot of Springsteen, Steven Van Zandt (Silvio lives!) and Max Weinberg.

We’ll have more photos and Pam’s report in the next few days. Maybe we’ll even get the photos up on our photo section…uh…coming soon.