Not What I Expected.

My trip this past Saturday to Ford Amphitheatre did not turn out to be like I had originally expected.  On my way into the parking area, my first reaction was the lack of masses tailgating which I expected for a band who has been around since 1991, who has released numerous records and had a bunch of hit songs.  The show was not bad, however it would have been nice to have had the musicians show their talent individually a bit more.  I heard some of the songs I actually was really familiar with such as radio hits like Pardon Me, Megalomaniac, and one of my favorites from the band Circles.  Something I have not seen in a while that the band showed me was a true acoustic set from a typically amlified band.  Bongo's and all, the acoustic set gave the show an twist I haven't seen in a good amount of time.

Lawn seating was an option I would have also liked to have seen.  Even though tickets were not unreasonably priced, I expected the lawn to be open for those people looking to buy the cheap seats.  I feel more fans would have been able to attend if the lawn had an even lower price, allowing those fans that couldn't bring themselves to spend $40 on a ticket.  All and all the night was a good night, but I wouldn't spend the money a second time unless I knew I would be attending a show with much more energy.  Much love to Incubus fans, but I'll follow a different path!  

Another Dave Another Dollar...

There is not one thing that could make me ever say “don’t go to a Dave Matthews Band concert.” It is simply not part of my vocabulary.  However, as a person who considers themselves and experienced Dave attendee, I would say something like “go to the cities and see him when he plays two nights.”  I love Dave, I live for Dave, but high-ticket prices and mediocre set lists have brought me to feel quite strongly about this.  This past Nissan Pavilion show in Bristow, VA clinched it.  I always believed all Dave needed was a purpose to play a great set. I figured this being the last venue that late sax player, Leroi Moore played, he would make sure his fans had an amazing show.  Maybe some rare songs, maybe a great cover…none.  The entire show, I could not help but feel like all Mr. Matthews wanted was to get off stage.  My 14^th show to date, I feel the set list was basically the bands new album on shuffle, with a few #1 hits mixed in.  Not to say the new album is not worth purchasing, but I feel this concert was just trying to get kids to go buy it.  Now all that said, there were great parts of the evening.   A common encore of All Along the Watchtower was uniquely interrupted by a verse of Zeppelins’ Stairway to Heaven.  In addition, there were a few new songs that made the crowd go wild, and I don’t mean his newest hit, Funny the Way It Is.  2 songs from the new album got the crowd wild, Time Bomb seemed to be a hit, however, despite my lack of radio attention, Shake Like a Monkey, seems like a good bet to be the next hit among paying fans.  I will be seeing Dave again, well tomorrow in Tampa’s Ford Amphitheatre, and I would encourage friends to attend, however as a person who frequents Dave shows, I do say, its not the same…West Palm, Red Rocks, Gorge, anywhere he plays multiple nights…give the man a rest on his tour, night 2 is wonderful.  To those who have only seen Dave a few times, make the trip to one of those locations, you’ll get it.  I will continue to see Dave at every opportunity, and encourage, pay for, and tell friends how to sneak in when I can…its just not the same as it used to be….enjoy Dave, but make an effort to attend his great shows, RIP Leroi…it will never be the same.

A Different Perspective...

As I made my way back into the Northern VA, DC area, I had big plans of attending a multitude of shows.  However, I quickly came to find money was going to be an issue.  The first show on the list was one of the shows I was definitely more interested in checking out, Tool.  However, I soon found out that this would be more difficult then I had originally thought since main ticket sales had been sold out, and second hand websites had tickets starting at no less the $120.  The show seemed out of reach.  However, a friend of mines mother pulled through at the last minute in giving me an opportunity to hear the music, but not actually see the band.  I ended up working in George Masons Patriot Center selling concessions at ridiculous prices.  Although I did not get the full appreciation of what many have told me is the greatest light show around, I did however manage to hear some of my favorite Tool songs.  The main set had some of my favorites including Schicsm, however after the first set I was left hanging since I had been hoping to hear them play Lateralus all night.  This changed quickly however when they started their encore with an electrifying opening of Lateralus, quite possibly one of the loudest songs I have ever heard live.  The show as a whole however was a bit of a let down.  Although I was unable to drink, the venue ran out of beer at around 9 o'clock, just before Tool made their first appearance on stage, they were clearly unprepared.  Also, I figured a band like Tool could manage to play well into the evening, but the last song ended no later then 1120.  I know I shouldn't be greedy and ask for longer then a 2.5 hr show, but with a set break, and after some people had paid over a hundred dollars a ticket, I figured they could have done more for their fans.  Looking back, I am glad I did not pay for a ticket.  I got to listen to a show I was pretty interested in checking out, and was able to pick up a poster for the new apartment, all in all, not a loss however I feel it could have been a much better evening.