What Concerts have you been to lately?

**Mattashell** · 11-15-2007, 04:48 AM

TMBG - The Moore Theatre - Seattle, WA - 9/26/07

These guys are getting old. Last time I saw them was probably back around '99-'00 and I had the same feeling then. The energy is gone from the performances they used to give during most of the 90's. Also hits like DON'T LET'S START and ANNA NG were not played at all in favor of pimpin thier new album THE ELSE. I own it. It isn't good. In fact the included bonus disc, which consists of highlights from thier podcast, is much better than the actual album. (Opening band was Harvey Danger)

Camper Van Beethoven (Opening for Built to Spill) - The Showbox - Seattle, WA - 10/5/07

Yes this time I was there to see the opener, but with good reason. CVB has been one of my favorite bands since I was 16. When I discovered them, they had just broken up, and prospects of ever seeing them seemed nil. But like so many influential bands of that era (Jane's Addiction, Pixies) they reformed in the new millenium to tour again. Previous opportunities to see them since the reunion have been missed so this was the show of my dreams. I could ***** about which of my favorite songs they didn't play, but what would be the point? They still played a bunch of my favorites, and really there aren't any CVB songs I wouldn't want to here. (Other opening band: Delusions)

Indecisive Rhythm - The Central - Seattle, WA - 10/11/07

This is my friend's band, but she's worth mentioning. (missed opening band who may or may not be called Siksadstate)

Captured by Robots - Funhouse - Seattle, WA - 10/13/07

I was relly sick and had the flu, but my sister dragged me out to see this band that was "so funny". Needless to say I had a miserable time! This is the George W Bush tour. If your politicly conservative you'll hate this show. I'm liberal and I still hated it, because his jokes were obvious and unoriginal, and his Bush impression was way off. (Opening bands: Bloodhag & Hearseburner(?))

Ween - The Paramount Theatre - Seattle, WA - 11/13/07

My sixth Ween show, and the best yet. Rumour has it Ween are off the drugs (there's a pun in there somewhere) and, surprisingly it isn't detrimental. They're focussed in a way they've never been. They may not have the sheer endurance of SUMMER NIGHTS AT THE PIER back in '99. But the set was tight and together, even when they were jamming out, displaying a whole new level of live musicianship. (No opener)

**Michael24** · 11-15-2007, 02:08 PM

Only had three this year.

On August 15 I saw Hilary Duff at the Gibson Amphitheater in Universal City, CA. My seat was stage center, fourth row behind the pit. Was a great show, and I had a lot of fun. And The Click Five was the opening act, so that was great, too.

On August 21 I saw Huey Lewis and the News at the California State Fair in Sacramento. Was my second time seeing them, and it's the best concert I've been too yet. I had fourth row seats, stage center, and they played a few songs that don't get performed live very often anymore. The original bassist also returned for a little mini-reunion in the encore, so that was a blast to see. For the encore, security cleared the way and signaled that people could fill up the area between first row and the stage, so I was right there, clapping and jumping and singing along. These guys put on a terrific, fun-filled showed.

On October 19 I saw Rick Springfield at the House of Blues in Anaheim, CA, and that show was just mind-blowing. 58 years old, and Springfield has the energy and stamina of a 20 year old. He was running and jumping all over the place wailing on the guitar, busting four strings and even a shoulder strap. He left the stage and made his way through the audience twice, and the second time he came over to the side I was on and sang/played guitar for about 10 minutes while standing atop the railing three feet infront of me. Awesome show!

I also had tickets to see Kelly Clarkson at the Arco Arena in Sacramento until her tour was cancelled. I used that money I got back to see Hilary, so I wasn't able to get tickets for Kelly's second tour. Was also going to see Eddie Money at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk this past summer, but I had to cancel at the last minute. (Fortunately it was a free concert, so I wasn't out any money.)

**hobbyfan** · 11-15-2007, 02:26 PM

I've been to three this year, too, all Christian shows.

3/21: MercyMe/Audio Adrenaline/Aaron Shust @ Palace Theatre, Albany NY: It was AA's farewell tour, even though they were the middle act on this stop. Terrific sets all the way through, but the local critic chose to piss on MercyMe, claiming unfamiliarity. My girlfriend and I had seats near the sound board, but that wasn't an issue. We had a great time.

8/4: Casting Crowns @ Palace Theatre: My girl and I brought her sister and a friend along for this trip. Show started late because they had to wait for a last minute acoustic opener to arrive. I've since bought CC's "Lifesong" dualdisc set, but have yet to play it.

10/21: TobyMac/Barlowgirl/1000 Ft. Krutch @ Washington Ave. Armory, Albany NY: The sound system here was horrible. We sat all the way in the back of the armory, and the sound was cranked such that we couldn't pick up the lyrics to 1KFK's songs. Barlowgirl was an improvement, as we could actually pick up the lyrics. Toby, of course, just flat out rocked the house, and closed with DC Talk's "Jesus Freak" as his last encore.

We've got a Victorian Stroll festival on 12/2, so we're figuring to sample some homegrown talent, and that might be it for music this year.

**Mynd Hed** · 11-15-2007, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Michael24

On August 15 I saw Hilary Duff

What, on purpose? And you're willing to admit to it in public? Brave man. (-:

I saw Smashing Pumpkins and Cypress Hill a while back at an all-day musical festival here in Tucson. Kind of a weird pair of bands to see back-to-back, but it worked out well 'cause my girlfriend really like the Pumpkins and I really like Cypress. Some excerpts from my impressions as posted on my LJ:

I loves me some Cypress Hill. Their studio stuff is okay, it's the sort of thing I occasionally find myself in the mood for, but nothing to get excited over. But they are AMAZING live. True showmen, those boys are, and the crowd really gets into it.

...

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed Smashing Pumpkins. I've always found them to be a tad overrated, but enjoyable... except for Billy [expletive deleted] Corgan. The rest of the band is very talented, but whoever told Corgan he could sing should be shot. More than once, I've caught part of one of their intros, or maybe a solo, on the radio, and thought, "Holy crap, who is this? This kicks ass! I should buy their album!" and then Corgan's voice comes in and just ruins it. Some bands have that one subpar member, but you can just kind of ignore him and focus on the good bits. Not so with the Pumpkins. Corgan's obnoxious whining defies all efforts to block it out, tainting everything it touches with the stench of crap.

But live was a different story. They were given to extended instrumental interludes, nimble guitar solos, and drum-and-bass jams of the sort that are the hallmark of any good live rock band. A combination of the crowd singing along over him and what I can only imagine was a masterful job on the part of the sound mixers rendered even Corgan tolerable, if not enjoyable. I'd even consider seeing them again, if the tickets weren't too expensive or they were paired up with someone I also wanted to see.
They did get a little self-indulgent in the second half of their set; the songs got more Corgan-heavy and some of the instrumental stuff got a little repetitive. There was one intro in particular that went on WAAAAY too long. But overall, they put on a good show.

**Michael24** · 11-15-2007, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by Mynd Hed

What, on purpose? And you're willing to admit to it in public? Brave man. (-:

On purpose. I'm a fan. Not afraid to say it, either.

**DarkAngel** · 11-15-2007, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Mynd Hed

Some excerpts from my impressions as posted on my LJ:

Sounds cool. I saw the Pumpkins live some years ago, a few months before they broke up. Can't remember what year that was. Corgan's voice has never really bothered me, so I've kinda liked the band. That day, I just got a kick out of seeing Melissa Auf der Maur in her bunny outfit (it was Easter Sunday). And the band sounded good, too.

My most recent concert was the Police in July. Haven't seen anything since then, and probably won't be.

DA

**Tay the Cat** · 11-15-2007, 03:48 PM

I saw Dir en grey on February 21 at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, AZ.

I'd link to my LJ report, but there's some NSFW language on it.

**Chris Wood** · 11-15-2007, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Michael24

On purpose. I'm a fan. Not afraid to say it, either.

Well, we all have our vices. I actually haven't been to any shows this year. Wanted to see Van Halen, but the ticket prices were nuts.

**Michael24** · 11-15-2007, 03:53 PM

Well, I wouldn't call it a vice.

Van Halen is playing about an hour from me at the end of the month, but I think it's already sold-out.

I didn't know they were playing there until just last week when I saw it on Ticketmaster.

I also wanted to catch the Genesis and The Police reunion tours this summer, but I would have been bankrupt if I did.