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This might have been the best show I have ever been to...and I've been to many.

Though the Wachovia is my least favorite venue because of the expense and the seating (even narrow for my small self) this show was amazing. Keith Urban gave one of the best performances I have ever seen. He was so into it, smiling and jamming and saying he felt like he was home. He spent a lot of time in the center of everyone, walking down from the stage and down the runway. He may very well be the best guitarist I have ever seen perform live. The entire show was so comfortable for him, you could tell that music is his passion and just the fact that he was on stage thrilled him. Even the standing people and drunk girl in the rows in front of us couldn't ruin this performance.

Of course it looked almost sold out in that huge venue and so the crowd sang loud and true when asked. We did a "fun wave" in which we went around the whole place twice, waving our arms up while holding our lit cell phones. I have to say it looked pretty freaking cool.

Brian got us pretty good seats and so when Keith was in the center we were able to see him really well. Oh my gosh he is so gorgeous. (Reminds me of my Bri in that way). Except Keith has tattoos and earrings and I am such a sucker for both of those extras. ;o)

The Wreckers opened and they are cute, but unfortunately I couldn't hear them very well while they were singing. It was difficult to get into it when I couldn't understand what they were saying. But they were also very pleased at the crowd and loved what they were doing.

Keith's set included an enormous amount of songs...including "Making Memories Of Us," "Who Wouldn't Want To Be Me?," "I Told You So," "Stupid Boy" (which I cried through), "Got It Right This Time," "Faster Car," "You'll Think of Me," "Better Half" gosh I can't even begin to list them all.

After they left the stage and we all clapped and screamed for one more song, Keith topped off the night by saying he had no intentions of leaving because we are the best (drunkest) crowd he has ever played for and he didn't want to go. He stayed up on stage both at the piano and with his guitar for another 40 minutes. Phenomenal, I am telling you, absolutely phenomenal!

And when he sang "Got It Right This Time" he dedicated the song to Nicole Kidman (his wife) and said he wouldn't be here today if it weren't for her. Awwwwww, I so love Keith Urban. Such a great person, singer, husband, guitarist, pianist...etc.

I know a lot of people reading this blog are not into country music. But I must insist you give Keith a listen. He totally rocks out, it's not that hick, twangy country music you may be used to hearing. This is awesome, awesome music and he is so freaking talented!

Listen:
Keith Urban - "(Baby, You're My) Better Half" (mp3)
Keith Urban - "Days Go By" (mp3)

Labels: concert, Keith Urban

There were six of us, on the lawn, center stage pumped and ready to see Def Leppard perform at the Tweeter Center. The place was packed with fans and the energy was undeniable.

Styx opened and I love them. I'm such a sucker for late 70s and 80s music. Styx has amazing guitar players, but James "J.Y." Young and Lawrence Gowan share the keys and so they are my favorites. =o) Oh my gosh "Crystal Ball" is just such an awesome song, I love it! And of course "Come Sail Away" which I don't know how anyone could not like that song. Hehe.

And then the headlining band we all trekked into Camden, New Jersey for...Def Leppard. And my Vivian Campbell, he is so dreamy. He joined Def Leppard in 1992 at the age of 30...and let me just tell you, he is aging well. =o)

But my favorite album is from 1983, pre-Campbell and that is their third album Pyromania. Next favorite would be Retro Active from 1993 and that was Vivian's first album with Def Leppard.

The show was just awesome. I have seen them in concert before, and I really don't think it could ever be less than awesome honestly. They played some tracks they don't normally play and not much of their new material. I think because this fall they are releasing something new and and that promotional tour will carry new material. So this one was for us die hard fans who have been following since well...for me...since I was in diapers. =o)

And of course the crew of people I watched with were also great. Lauren, Dave, Steen, Brian and of course Bri. =o) We had such a great time, the weather was perfect, the seats were great and the night was wonderful!

Well. Except for the Camden stench. Haha.

Listen:
Def Leppard - "Hysteria" (mp3)
Styx - "It Takes Love" (mp3)

Labels: concert, Def Leppard

For those of you who don't yet have a booking manager or you're looking to tour across the country and you're not sure about the areas or the venues than you should probably look into an event planner. I know that might seem pretentious, but just think about it. These guys are being paid to put on a great event; they want the night to be a success just as much as you do.

I know people mostly think of wedding planners or people who plan conferences for corporate companies, but that's not what they are all about trust me. They do dance parties, major headliners, weddings and even intimate house parties. Working with people like this is a huge plus for bands and songwriters just starting out because event planners have a huge clientele and their name is on the live with events they plan; so they aim to go way beyond your expectations.

In addition to planning events in US major cities like San Francisco event planning (their base since 1983 so the San Francisco event planners are raring to go), Honolulu, New York and Miami, they also plan events in The British Virgin Islands, The Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, The Bahamas, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Bali, England, France, and Italy.

Even if you have a booking manager, do yourself and them a favor and pass on this information. Posters, fliers and e-mail newsletters hold nothing to these planners. I'm telling you, they are fantastic and definitely worth a shot.

Disclosure:
This post has been sponsored.

Labels: concert, events, planning

Everything you have ever heard about Andrew Bird as a live performer has probably been underestimated. I find myself unable to accurately describe to you just how phenomenal the show was last night.

So. I was momentarily rendered speechless. But clearly I got over it. Haha.

Brian and I went to see Andrew Bird at the TLA in Philly (now known as the Filmore). Joan as Police Woman opened for him. I am a fan of both acts and was thrilled to have the chance to see them. When we got up there at 7:30 p.m. there was already a pretty hefty line and doors didn't open until 8 p.m. for a 9 p.m. show. Clearly, the venue had sold out and as we were crammed like sardines that was even more evident once we were inside. Even though we were early enough to sit instead of have to stand, we still found our view completely obscured most of the time.

Joan as Police Woman has a haunting voice that belts out so loudly she probably wouldn't even need a mic. Unfortunately, the crowd was rude and loud and I felt really bad for her. She is a fantastic pianist and guitarist in addition to her voice, but people were completely disrespectful to her. Even so, she played through her set and thanked us for being there. In addition to thanking "Mary" which is who the crowd named the figmented presence that Joan told us was staring the stage with her last night. She is a very strange bird that is for damn sure.

Onto Andrew Bird.

Hmm how can I describe the stage. There was a siamese, spinning gramophone. Yep. And this zebra striped bigger gramophone... All very cool, I've not seen anything quite like that before. It was interesting to see him play all the different parts to the songs, because on the tracks most of what you hear is him. It's all his samplings meshed together into perfection. So seeing him on the violin, switching to guitar, changing mics to do his hand claps and then whistling. It was just awesome!

I think his voice is very unique though I would compare it to Sting and Gary Lightbody. He has such an amazing range both vocally and instrumentally; to see it in person was incredible! If you ever get a chance to see him, do it. Even if you don't know his music, it will be a show that will not disappoint.

And I have to give major kudos to the awesome guy who put the "verified age" band aroud my wrist. After telling him I get anxious in big crowds he kindly told me that he would make sure we were taken care of. =o)

Listen!
Andrew Bird - "Imitosis" (mp3)
Joan as Police Woman - "The Ride" (mp3)

Labels: concert, music

What is better than seeing Spoon in concert?

Easy.

Seeing Spoon in concert and knowing it will benefit both the Salvation Army and Sea Otter Conservation League of America.

Unfortunately, this is for you West Coasters as there are two concerts this month in Oregon. If you can make it then check it out.

http://ticketswest.rdln.com/Artist.aspx?contentID=9976
Password: gagagagaga

Labels: concert, music

I just read on Indietastic who says they read on The Yellow Stereo that...

The National will be opening for The Arcade Fire during several shows!

5/1 - Atlanta, GA: Atlanta Civic Center Theater
5/2 - Asheville, NC: Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
5/4 - Washington, DC: DAR Constitution Hall
5/5 - Upper Darby, PA: Tower Theatre
5/7 - New York, NY: United Palace
5/8 - New York, NY: United Palace

So get your tickets ASAP!

Labels: concert

When you know the right people, you find yourself with 2nd row seats to see Snow Patrol with Silversun Pickups and OK Go as openers.

The Silversun Pickups sounded great, but lacked stage precense. They didn't introduce themselves, their first statement after coming on stage was to ask if we were ready to see the big show after them. I don't think they should have discounted themselves so quickly. They have great music. The chatty pre-teen girls sitting behind me didn't even know who the band was until after they were done playing.

OK Go was awesome, but Damian Kulash dropped the f-bomb a few too many times for my liking. I'm not expecting a rated G concert when I go out, but there were a lot of little kids in the crowd A LOT and I just thought there were probably better ways to address us. With that said, I'll definitely be buying their album "Oh No" because they sounded absolutely wonderful.

There is never anything bad to say about a performance by Snow Patrol. Gary Lightbody was comfortable and informal with the crowd. He addressed us before and thanked us after every song. For me, working with the people who are there to see you, well that is essential to a good show. You can like a band's music but if you go to see them live and they couldn't care less that you are there...well that just sucks. Snow Patrol. ROCKED! In every way! At one point bringing a very lucky lady from the crowd up on stage to sing a duet that on the album was sang by Martha Wainwright "Set The Fire To The Third Bar." The girl they chose, Amy, was pretty cool up on stage. She sounded like a cat singing, but she moved around and seemed confident which was so great to see.

Nathan Connolly plays the guitar, but is also responsible for quite a bit of backing vocals. He has an awesome voice. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with a solo album later down the road.

And we all got a good laugh when Gary explained how he researches cities before coming to the venue. He asked us if we knew that biggest fact he found about Camden, NJ was...and we did...and he announced "Did you know you are all in the city with the most crime in all of the country?"

Oh dear.

My favorite songs of the night:

Make This Go On Forever
You're All I Have
Open Your Eyes

And for your listening pleasure here are some tracks.

Silversun Pickups - "Comeback Kid"

OK Go - "Do What You Want"

Snow Patrol - "Set Fire to the Third Bar"

Labels: concert, music

We knew they would be touring, they have to promote their new album. I was skeptical as to whether they would come to Philly though, but they are indeed venturing out this way!

The Bravery will be at the TLA on Tuesday, June 5th. Tickets are not yet available, but will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow March 24th, you'll be able to find them at the concert maps on The Bravery's website.

Labels: concert, music