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

I don't know who you are, Newbie, but I already don't like you.

 

Gaslight Anthem put on a good show last night in a very small (1,500 people, sold out) venue. We started out on the side about 10 back but because of the pushing and shoving from behind, ended up about two people from the stage. Still think Brian Fallon needs to interact with the audience more but the band sounded tight and I loved some of the new songs. I still think I'd prefer to see them in a venue where people aren't moshing and crowd surfing, but that's just me.

 

Thanks to Neil Young, I spent the entire 1980s and a sliver of the 1990s thinking Johnny Rotten was dead.

 

Last: Florence and the Machine (easily in the top five concerts I've seen)

Next: Mika and I'm really excited about it. I also have tickets to see The Hold Steady in a few months.

 

Saw Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the Grand Point North Festival in Burlington, Vt., couple weekends ago. First time seeing Grace and thought she was amazing. Awesome setting on Lake Champlaign, too. The Carolina Chocolate Drops were a pleasant surprise for me, too, kind of an urban-hillbilly band that was all sorts of fun. I'd go see either band again in a heartbeat.

 

I like Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' albums well enough, but from what I've heard, I really need to see them in person to appreciate them. Their album stuff just sounds all too derivative for me to love it.

 

I really haven't listened to any of her albums but I can't imagine they could be nearly as much fun as the live show. On an album she probably sounds more like Sheryl Crow and he whole indie, jam band quality gets lost.

 

Haven't been on as much the past few days, but have been waiting to post in this thread since I got back from the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park Saturday. Unbelievable show. It was my first time seeing the Black Keys, but it won't be my last. The Foo Fighters played the best overall set, I think, but Little Black Submarines and Howlin' For You were the two best songs of the night. And Neil Young still rocks legendarily hard.

 

Craig Ferguson takes the stage at Hershey Theatre 7 minutes from now.

And next Tuesday, we're seeing Weird Al in York.

 

Last and weirdest: Dierks Bentley at Hostfest, which is a Scandinavian festival primarily for those over 70. In an effort to attract younger attendees, they brought in Bentley for the finale. (Other acts on the pay stage: Olivia Newton John-Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill, Jeff Foxworthy and Danny O'Donnell.)

Totally bizarre. The old folks, seated down front in chairs, didn't move. [My ticket was listed at $80 -- I didn't pay -- so I can't imagine how much they paid.]

A small hoard of young country fans tried to get into it. Bentley at one point signaled some buckle bunny down front and the under-30 set all rushed to the stage.

Bentley made a point to say "for the record, I didn't ask them to come down here" - likely for legal reasons. I've heard this gig is extremely restrictive.

He also mentioned the speakers were turned around in an effort to tone it down. After the police made the 20-somethings sit back down, Bentley kicked the band off and went acoustic for awhile.

Eventually, he wound up leaving the stage and climbing stairs to get to the younger crowd. The older folks slowly trickled out.

After about 1:15 or so, Bentley announced the show was over and the police's job was done, so anyone who wanted to leave could. He then turned up the volume for a few more songs.

It was just bizarre. Cannot imagine being a performer and getting no reaction.

Not the young country crowd. I can't imagine the report Bentley took back to Nashville. Easy paycheck, I suppose, but it can't have been a fun gig.

 

Have Widespread Panic and Joe Bonamassa lined up.

Was going to see JJ Grey but he pulled out. On vocal rest according to FB. Crap.

Saw Bob Dylan a while back. I have somewhat of a soft spot for ole Bob, but was disappointed, even though I didn't have high hopes going in.

 

Allmans at the Beacon Theatre in NYC on March 12.