Friday, August 25, 2023

Concert: Guns N' Roses at Fenway Park 2023

 

August 21, 2023 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Once again Jason and I made the journey to home of the Red Sox to see my first favorite band!  We couldn't get into out pre-paid parking until 3:30 so we didn't leave until noon 30ish and didn't rush to get down.  We stopped at Jersey Mike's in Saugus on Route 1 for lunch, it always settles well for me, and it's delicious! 

We got to the lot just after 3:30 and got parked, I hate paying $55 for parking, but it's so hard to park around Fenway it's really the best option, or risk not being able to find a spot or parking a distance away.  I changed out of my vans and into my boots, they are better for walking and long term standing.  I'm sure glad I brought a change of footwear.  


We had a short walk to Fenway park from are parking lot.  I had decided I was not going to buy a shirt, I bought one two years ago, I have enough shirts I don't need anymore...I bought a shirt.  The two times I have been to Guns N' Roses were both at Fenway and they have multiple official souvenir booths outside and inside the park.  You don't even need to have a ticket to buy merchandise.  They had this awesome white shirt and I couldn't help myself.  Jason bought a green Boston Celtics themed shirt that was event and venue specific. We decided to bring them back to Vanatu and not carry them around, good choice.





Last time we sat on the side of the stage in the stands at Fenway, it was awesome, however this time we were on the turf facing the stage and it sounded so much better!  

Doors opened at 4pm and the Pretenders hit the stage at 530pm.  They were great, they played a bunch of songs that I knew and some that I didn't.  They finished up at 630pm.  I wouldn't purposely go see them again, unless my wife wanted to go or they were opening for another band I wanted to see.
 

I read online that Gn'R was going to hit the stage at 715pm, they came out at 742pm.  It was an awesome set, in total they played a 26 song set, close to 3 hours.  During Bad Obsession it started to rain, and they it really started coming down during Slither, but it was Welcome to the Jungle when the skies opened up!  


It was so surreal being on the turf at Fenway Park in the pouring rain with several thousand people all rocking out to Welcome to the Jungle!  I pretty sure they cranked up the volume for it too.  We got several songs this time that we didn't get at the last show.  We also got to hear their second live performance of their new song Perhaps.  Last time we got the debut of "Absurd" and we didn't think it was that great, however this time around it sounded awesome, the words are still ridiculous but the guitars were strong as hell.
  

I was shocked that they played "Reckless Life", it was released on G N' R Lies however it's a cover of a Hollywood Rose song. Hollywood Rose was Axl Rose's first band that also featured Slash and former Gn'R bandmates Izzy Stradlin & Steven Adler. 


After the show we headed out to the van, we both got soaked and I mean soaked from the rain.  I swapped out my footwear for dry socks and shoes and thankfully we had the new shirts to put on as well, sadly we had to ride home in wet shorts. 
 

We stopped at Sonic Drive -In in Peabody, Mass on the ride home, we don't have one in Maine.  The burgers were spot on and we got tots, so that is a winning combo.  Got back to my house a little after 2am, it was a long but worthwhile day!

Guns N' Roses

It's So Easy
Bad Obsession
Chinese Democracy
Slither
Welcome to the Jungle
Hard Skool
Reckless Life
Pretty Tied Up
Double Talkin' Jive
Perhaps
Absurd
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
Estranged
Live and Let Die
T.V. Eye (The Stooges cover) (Duff on lead vocals)
This I Love
Anything Goes
Civil War
Slash Guitar Solo
Sweet Child o' Mine
November Rain
Patience
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Nightrain
Paradise City

Songs we got last time 
Mr. Brownstone
You're Crazy
Better
I Wanna be Your Dog
Dead Horse

Songs we got this time
Bad Obsession
Hard Skool
Reckless Life
Pretty Tied Up
Perhaps
T.V. Eye (The Stooges cover) (Duff on lead vocals)
This I Love
Anything Goes
Patience

Pretenders

My City Was Gone
Talk of the Town
Kid
Biker
Boots of Chinese Plastic
Hymn to Her
Don't Get Me Wrong
Back on the Chain Gang
Thumbelina
I'll Stand by You
Brass in Pocket
Junkie Walk
Middle of the Road
Mystery Achievement

Until Next Time!

Sunday, August 20, 2023

Concert: The Chicks


August 13, 2023  Maine Savings Amphitheater, Bangor, Maine

Formerly known as the Dixie Chicks, they dropped the Dixie part in 2020, Kate really wanted to see them again.  She and her mother had gone and seen them 20 years ago in Massachusetts and she had an awesome time.  Kate's cousin Jesse went with as well, and her sister-in-law, they bought the seats right behind us.  


It was raining quite hard when we got off the exit and they delayed opening doors for an hour and delayed the opening act by half and hour.  It stopped raining before we headed down to go into the venue and it didn't rain again.  It was a beautiful night. 

The opening act, Wild Rivers, I had not heard of before, but they were decent.  They are based out of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I do think I heard the song they closed their set out with as it sounded familiar.

I had a great time at the show, but they played a lot from their most recent album and I'm more familiar with their catalogue of songs from their late 90's albums. I don't need to go see them again. 


The Chicks

Sin Wagon
Gaslighter
Texas Man
Julianna Calm Down
The Long Way Around
My Best Friend's Weddings
Sleep at Night
Ready to Run
Travelin' Soldier
Wide Open Spaces
Tights on My Boat
Daddy Lessons / Long Time Gone
Cowboy Take Me Away
Landslide
Rainbowland
Don't Let Me Die in Florida
March March
For Her
Everybody Loves You
White Trash Wedding
Not Ready to Make Nice
Goodbye Earl

Wild Rivers

Wandering Child
Bedrock
Speak Too Soon
If It Makes You Happy
Heart Attack
Stubborn Heart
Thinking 'Bout Love



Until Next Time!

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Concert: Barenaked Ladies, Blues Traveler, and More



 August 19, 2012 Darlings Waterfront, Bangor, Maine

11 years ago today Katie and I went to  our first concert together.  She had purchased general admission lawn tickets with a former coworker, Chris, and someone else was going with them.  She said it would be great if I could go, the lawn tickets were sold out, but I figured I could buy any ticket and stand with them on the lawn area.  However I found two lawn tickets on Craigslist cheap and bought those, I wound up selling the second ticket to another friend of Chris.

I had been to a few concerts before this day, I enjoyed them but it wasn't something I sought out to go to.  I don't have regrets but I missed out on a lot of great acts that came to Maine over the years.  I also didn't have anyone to go to shows with, that certainly has changed with Kate!  

The real reason I wanted to go was petty jealousy.  At that time Kate and I weren't really together, we were just friends, but her going to this concert with another guy, essentially, made me confront how I really felt about her.  We rode up together and when I met Chris I quickly realized that I had nothing to worry about on the jealousy side.  


We had a great time and enjoyed all four acts. I can't find Cracker's set list but I remember they played sledgehammer.  Only regret was that I didn't buy the live recording that Blues Traveler was selling.  The only other show we have been too since then where that was an option was Jewel.  I think more bands should do that. 

I did not return to this venue until September 2022 for Stevie Nicks and the venue has completely changed from what it was to what it is. 


Barenaked Ladies
Four Seconds
The Old Apartment
It's All Been Done
Boomerang
Falling for the First Time
Shopping
Too Little Too Late
For You
Blame It on Me (Acoustic)
Brian Wilson
Pinch Me
Big Bang Theory Theme
One Week
If I Had $1000000 (with John Popper)
Barenaked Rap

Encore:
Alcohol

Blue Traveler
What I Got
Things Are Looking Up
You Don't Have to Love Me
Run-Around
Carolina Blues
Cara Let the Moon
But Anyway
Hook

Big Head Todd & The Monsters
Circle
Bittersweet
Rocksteady
Broken Hearted Savior
Sexy and I Know It (with Ed Robertson)
Free Riot (with John Popper)
Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)

Cracker
Sledgehammer

Until Next Time!

Friday, August 18, 2023

Concert: Guns N' Roses at Fenway Park 2021


August 3, 2021 Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts 

My Cousin-in-Law Jason and I made the journey south to Fenway Park to attend out first Guns N' Roses concert.  They played not far from my house back in 1993 when I was 13 and my mom would not let me go.   A couple months later and essentially did not reunite until 2016.  Yes a version of GnR toured but with Slash and Duff it wasn't GnR.  This show was the first opportunity that I had to attend a show.

It was originally schedule for July 21, 2020 but the pandemic delayed the show until August 3, 2021.  We had seats on the side, but it was amazing, no one can tell me otherwise.  



Before the delay Smashing Pumpkins was supposed to open for them, but post pandemic we got Mammoth WVH.  They were ok, I couldn't really hear them that well and I'd never heard their music before.


We got down there, and eventually found parking, what was cool is they had official merchandise stands all around Fenway park.  You didn't have to go to the show to buy merchandise, which is pretty smart actually.  We bought t-shirts the traditions Appetite for Destruction logo tour shirts and swapped out leaving the others in the van.  

Let's be honest, Axl doesn't sound like Axl from when I was a kid, but it's still Axl Rose, and Slash is AMAZING!!  Duff is tremendous too.  We got the new song Absurd, which was just ok.  I was very surprised that we got the cover of Velvet Revolvers "Slither" it's a great song.  I was very surprised to to hear Rocket Queen, I'm a big fan of that track.  






Guns N' Roses
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle
Slither - Velvet Revolver cover
Double Talkin' Jive
Estranged
Live and Let Die
You're Crazy
Better
Rocket Queen
You Could Be Mine
I Wanna Be Your Dog
Absurd
Civil War
Dead Horse
Slash Guitar Solo
Sweet Child O Mine
November Rain
Knockin' On Heavens Door
Night Train
Encore: Paradise City


Mammoth WVH
Don't Back Down
Mammoth
Mr. Ed
Talk & Walk
Think It Over
You're To Blame
Stone
Distance
Epiphany

All in all it was a fantastic day finally seeing one of my all time favorite bands live.

Until Next Time!

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

Concert: Dierks Bentley




May 3, 2012 The Civic Center, Augusta, Maine

My ex-inlaws both retired from City of Augusta and one of the perks they each received was two sets of vouchers for two free tickets to any show at the Augusta Civic Center.  This issue is the Civic Center doesn't bring in many acts they would want to use the vouchers on.  

When this show was announced June asked me if I wanted a pair of tickets, I thought why not I like Dierks Bentley.  I was newly single though and it was a bit of a struggle to find someone to go with.  I had been commiserating with someone I had gone to school with and invited her, we had a fun time! 

I can't find the set lists or recall much about the two opening acts other then I enjoyed them.

I've been to the Augusta Civic Center for a lot of events, but this is my only concert. 


Dierks Bentley
Country & Cold Cans
Feel That Fire
Am I the Only One
Trying to Stop Your Leaving
Lot of Leavin' Left to Do
5-1-5-0
Every Mile a Memory
Settle for a Slowdown
The Woods
Up on the Ridge
Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)
Come a Little Closer
How Am I Doin'
Sideways
Home
Tip It on Back

Encore:
The Weight
What Was I Thinkin'

Eli Young Band

Will Hoge

Until Next Time!

Concert: Tom Jones



May 7, 2005 MGM Grand Casino, Ballroom Las Vegas, Nevada 

In 2005 my then wife and in-laws and I travelled to Las Vegas for a weeks vacation.  We stayed off strip at a very nice time share.  The night we arrived I called the Ballroom box office and said I wanted two tickets to on the night with the best seats available for the nights we would be in town.  After a few moments in was the next day, so I bought the tickets.

We had a table about halfway up the seating area with a great view.  Tom put on a hell of a show singing and dancing for a solid 75 plus minutes.  Ladies on the floor area were even throwing panties at him!

It was excited to see a Las Vegas stalwart live on my first trip there.    

Tom Jones International
Mama Told Me Not to Come
Delilah
Help Yourself
She's a Lady
Stoned in Love
Love Letters
200lbs of Heavenly Joy
End of the Road
What Am I Living For
I'll Never Fall in Love Again
Green Grass of Home
What's New Pussycat?
You Can Leave Your Hat On
It's Not Unusual

Encore:
Hi-Heel Sneakers
Kiss

Until Next Time!

Concert: Dierks Bentley With Miranda Lambert




October 20, 2006 The Colisee, Lewiston, Maine 

Went to this show because it seemed like it would be fun, I was into country at the time and was a fan of Dierks Bentley.  Miranda Lambert I knew from Nashville Star she came in 3rd place in 2003.  Nashville Star was the country music version of American Idol.

The opening act was the Randy Rogers Band, and I really liked them a lot!! I even bought their CD and got them all to sign it.  I can't find a set list but I do remember a few songs that they played, mostly off their first album.


It's funny because several years later Miranda has exploded and she was headlining a tour with Dierks as her opening act. 


Dierks Bentley

Every Mile a Memory
Can't Live It Down
Lot of Leavin' Left to Do
Cab of My Truck
How Am I Doin'
Domestic, Light and Cold
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
Settle for a Slowdown
Trying to Stop Your Leaving
Free and Easy (Down the Road I Go)
That Don't Make It Easy Loving Me
So So Long
My Last Name
Train Travelin'
Come a Little Closer
What Was I Thinkin'

Encore:
Long Trip Alone
Folsom Prison Blues (with Miranda Lambert)


Miranda Lambert

What About Georgia?
Me and Charlie Talking
I Wanna Die
Dry Town
Gunpowder & Lead
Bring Me Down
New Strings
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Hillbilly Highway
Kerosene

Randy Rogers Band

Better of Wrong
One More Goodbye
You Could Change My Mind
Just A Matter of Time

Until Next Time!

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Concert: The Heavy Heavy



July 27, 2023 Lark Hall, Albany New York

Back in early July Kate and I were at Fat Boy Drive-In in Brunswick for dinner when she asked if we could go to Bull Moose as she wanted to get a CD.  I asked which band and she said The Heavy Heavy, I responded that I love that band.  She said she thought they just played in Maine and I thought the concert was upcoming.

We checked their schedule and they had a show coming up on August 8th at Thompson's Point opening for Band of Horses and The Revivalist.  Tickets, with fees were like $66 each and even though the venue is nice, the parking is terrible.  Band of Horses is cool and we don't know enough of the Revivalist to spend that kind of money.  Kate said, maybe they will be in the Albany are while we are there.  I scrolled up ans sure enough they were set to play at Lark Hall in Albany on Thursday July 27th.  We bought tickets straight away and with fee's it was $49.10 total!

If you'd like to read about our whole vacation you can here: Spectacular 10th Anniversary Vacation Extravaganza!!! 

We got downtown and found parking at the church for $6 just up the road from the venue a short distance.  Doors opened at 7pm with a schedule start time at8pm, but Free Range went on a bit late. 



 Lark Hall was built in 1916 by the Daughters of the Eastern Star, I think they are linked to the Freemasons.   The venue is gorgeous inside, the performance floor is on the second floor, with tall ceilings and mezzanine area.  The floor holds 250 and the mezzanine 50, I would guess 75 - 100 people where there that night and they were treated to an unbelievable show. 






While waiting we checked out the merch, Kate bought a t-shirt, I'm jealous as I REALLY like the white one but they only go to 2XL and I need 3.  I did get a sweet pin for my pin wall here at work though!


  We sat on one of the pews for the opening act, Free Range.  They were decent, not my favorite flavor of music but they put on a solid set for about 45 minutes.  



They Heavy Heavy are a Brighton, UK based band, their website boasts "The Heavy Heavy are a 5 piece retro inspired rock band, making the music the sixties forgot-with bombastic soul and peaceful goals."  Kate once said there style reminds her of The Mama's & The Papa's, and I get that.  


They took the stage and they sounded AMAZING!  We were only a few feet from the stage, and you could just feel the music.  The harmonies were outstanding.  They played several songs that we knew form their Life and Life Only EP, and the ones we didn't were still awesome. 

We danced, we sang with gusto, we had a tremendous time.  


I'm not sure of the setlist, I found this one online and they are missing a track, but this seems correct.  

1. Parakeets
2. Purple Flowers
3. Man of the Hills
4. All My Dreams
5. Go Down River
6. Dirt
7. All I Need
8. Real Love Baby
9. 
10. One of a Kind
11. Miles and Miles

I could have listened to them play for hours.  After the show Georgie Fuller and Will Turner, the two main members of the band went to the merch table, I bought their album and got that signed.  Kate told them that Go Down River is her new favorite song, Georgie mentioned she saw us out of the corner of her eye singing with that song and how we so into the "I've got your back" line.  She seemed excited that we were into the show.  I regret not asking to get a photo with them, I won't forget next time.


I want to see them again so bad!  I'd even go to Thompson's Point and deal with the horrid parking if we could make it work out.  

I found this video on YouTube that someone made of the show, if you go to 5:47 mark of the video I pretty sure you can see the moment Georgie mentioned.  You can see the silhouette of Kate and during that line it looks like Georgie is look right at us and she cracks a smile after the line.  



I still can't believe we got to such an amazing band in such an intimate setting, it will be hard to top this show. 

Until Next Time!