Concerts thread: Best/Worst/Next/Last one you attended?

There are going to be dozens of people who are going to end up buying tickets for the wrong one, right?

That might be a story. Talking to people there to hear "Cuts Like a Knife" who are wondering aloud why Pac-Man, Galaga and a giant teddy bear are set up on the stage.

 

This came up a few weeks back:
Red Hot Chili Peppers fan mistakenly buys tickets to see bagpipe cover band - News - Alternative Press

 

My brother was in town last night, and we went to see Ike Reilly, one of his favorite acts, at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which is a really small venue.

It was a general admission show, and we probably go there 15 or 20 minutes early, and got four seats in the center of the third row.

He's one of those guys who's always gotten good reviews, but never hit it big.

The Times wrote about him in 2004: Big Record Deal Dries Up, but a Rocker Still Rolls

He puts on a good show, and is funny and charming on stage, with a lot of self deprecating jokes about his career.

Most of his shows are in the Midwest, but he's worth checking out if you get the chance.

Tour

 

How did you like the venue? We saw Todd Snider there a couple years ago and I thought it was very cool. If I recall, you can even see the people in the folk guitar classes through various windows when you are entering the joint.

I like the neighborhood quite a bit, too - Logan Square? Very relaxed scene compared to some of the other trendy Chicago neighborhoods. German influence, as I recall.

 

Lincoln Square. A little more authentic, and less gentrified than Logan Square.

But, plenty of reasonable food options walking distance to the venue.

They have two buildings now, one across the street from the other. This one was on the new building. Either is a great place to see a show.

The theater in this building is on the second floor, and there was a big class or session going on in the first floor lobby. Caught a little bit of a messy version of Townes Van Zandt's White Freightliner Blues on the way in.

They have a pretty eclectic lineup of shows, but there's usually a few things a year worth checking out. Ike is playing there the next three Thursday nights.

 

What a great song. Seek out Steve Earle's recent version. 2010 or so.

 

Yeah, I know that one.

All of the Texas singer/songwriters idolize Van Zandt, Earle, who named his son Townes, more than the rest.

Lyle Lovett plays it in concert a lot, and especially when he tours with John Hiatt (and previously with Hiatt, Joe Ely, and Guy Clark) he would close the show with it.

Great song.

 

Just bought tickets to The Hold Steady at Union Transfer in Philadelphia in July. I know nothing of the venue, but I said if they came within 500 miles of me I was going to make a point to see them this summer. Venue's about 250 miles from home, so I'm in.

Saw them at The National in 2011 in Richmond and they melted my damn face off.

 

I love the Hold Steady, but I once saw them described as "someone's dad yelling to be heard over a Bruce Springsteen record" and I think about it every time I listen to them.

 

Oh, I can totally see why someone would describe them that way. Still love 'em.

 

Oh, me too. Great band.

 

I’d so much rather see someone like Ike Reilly in a small venue than almost anyone in a stadium or arena.

A large theater is about as big as I want to go at this point.