Jesse Cook - this past winter. A friend had free tickets through work, neither of us were familiar with his music, but really enjoyed the evening. Since it was a few days after Leonard Cohen passed away, they led the audience in singing “Hallelujah”. That was a highlight, and I laughed after when my friend turned to me and said “Holy S***, you can really sing!”
Prior to that, my daughter and I attended the Tragically Hip in the summer of 2016. It was amazing and is a magical memory for the two of us.
I thought it may have been Earth, Wind and Fire/ Chicago at Jones Beach but my husband reminded me that we saw Weird Al after that. So Weird Al at the Westbury Music Fair*.
*This is no longer the name of the venue. However, the name changes every six seconds or so as corporate sponsors come and go. People generally know what you mean if you say Westbury Music Fair.
U2 with Florence + the Machine, 2 July 2011, Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville TN. Fun fact: for several years, Apple Maps’ imagery of Vanderbilt Stadium included the 51-meter-tall stage they played on, known as The Claw.
So, posters whose last concerts were years ago, that puzzles me. Do you guys have very narrow musical tastes or what? We aren’t super into music, but we see bands at least monthly. We go to free concerts offered at several parks, small clubs with bands, larger venues like Hard Rock Cafe and rarely huge venues.
I see one or two acoustic singer/songwriter types a year, but mostly I’ve found that live music has lost its attraction. Perhaps the internet has accentuated my latent ADHD, but unless the performer is very charismatic, I find I don’t need to pay attention to every note or every song. At home, I could fast forward through the songs I don’t like, or at least read a book or fiddle with the mobile phone (rude things to do at an indoor concert). I don’t really need to deal with tickets, uncomfortable seats, and idiots in the audience (there are always a few).
Also, sadly, as time goes by, many of the artists that would formerly have had me grabbing my coat and hat have passed on
8/12 ** Pejepscot Station**, a local bluegrass band, at the Topsham (Maine) Fair. The concert was followed up by the Demolition Derby–not a band; an actual car-crashing contest. Though *Demolition Derby *would be a great band name.
8/5 Earth Wind & Fire at Boston Garden. Opening act was Chic ft. Nile Rodgers. Lots of dancing ensued. And driving to/from the Garden feels like a Demolition Derby just waiting to happen, especially when the Sox are at Fenway that same night.
I’m pretty introverted. The idea of being in a large crowd is something I have to prepare for, and even then, well, I had half a xanax and a marijuana edible before the U2 show and was still a bit stressed.
Then there’s the money. I don’t have the money to go out to a lot of shows. Even when I have money, going to a show isn’t my highest priority when I have > 5,000 songs in my iTunes library and can listen to whatever the hell I want, when I want.
I also only go to maybe 1-2 movies per year, and then usually a couple of weeks after they open. I’d rather wait and watch them in the comfort of my living room.
String Cheese Incident at Red Rocks Amphitheater, all three shows the weekend of 7/21 - 7/23. I’d never seen a show at Red Rocks before. You know how a lot of things get built up over time and it’s never as good as you hoped it would be? This wasn’t one of those. That place is an incredible venue, easily my favorite place I’ve ever seen a show, and I’ve seen shows in a LOT of venues.
Saw Empire of the Sun (Luke Steele) a couple months ago. Could have seen The Who (well, two of them) last night, but was hanging with my only friend who is in town from far away.
Heard of her! Seen her! Got an autograph on her CD!
Agreed. Marvelous place! Saw Drive-By Truckers there last summer. I think if I lived anywhere other than here, it would be Morrison.
Wow, you got to see them live? From what I see on Youtube, their concerts are great, fun events. “El Niño” in on my everyday random playlist. Their music and appearance were highlights of, “Six-String Samurai” as well.
I haven’t seen a concert in over a decade. My sister had an extra ticket to the “Trans-Siberian Orchestra.” As much a show as a concert.
Steve Earle and the Dukes. Old Town School of Folk Music, Chi-town. I got to sy Hi and have my picture taken with him because he is a very cool, approachable guy. His opening band was a husband and wife team that also plays in the Dukes. Very cool show.
Here’s the opening band, The Mastersons:
And here’s Steve nowadays:[/QUOTE]
I only recently begun working my way through the Steve Earle catalog, and now I’m very much keeping an eye out for his tour dates. Would really like to see him.
Oh wait! Totally forgot I saw Hitzville in Vegas this spring. It’s a Mowtown revue. Does that count?
Earth, Wind and Fire, Chicago, Weird Al and Hitzville. Glad to have seen Prince (twice!) before he died and am hoping Billy Joel doesn’t die before I get to see him at The Garden.
