Captial Cities in the Capital and Fitz and the Tantrums 10-30-2013

HIPSTER CENTRAL!!!!

Ok... got that out of my system. This was a concert that I have been waiting for..... I figured that this was going to be an awesome concert... I was wrong... it was EPIC!!! The opening band was a baby band (as in they only had a few songs recorded) and they were from LA. I was expecting them to be... well an opening band but holy crap... I'd go see them if they were doing a concert by themselves. The band was called Beat Club and keep an ear out for them. They sound like A Flock of Seagulls, Depeche Mode and the Strokes had a complicated love child. They had me dancing from the first couple of notes. Plus they are super super nice... They hung out after the show and signed autographs!

Capital Cities was next... I was on the balcony at the 930 club, dead in the center.... beautiful! No drunks pushing and shoving and no giant sweaty guys in front of me. I have no set list for them because I was too busy dancing my butt off to worry about it.. I can tell you that they opened with Kangaroo Court (my FAV!!) and they also played Love Away, Chasing You, I Sold My Bed But Not My Stereo (my anthem),Chartreuse, Farrah Fawcett Hair, Patience Gets Us Nowhere Fast, Stayin' Alive (Bee Gees cover) and they closed with Safe and Sound along with an epic dance party. I have seriously not danced so much at a concert in my life. Go. See. Them. If. You. Can. So much fun!!

Fitz and the Tantrums were great too. Not as much fun to dance to as Capital Cities but they put on an awesome show. They have a great chemistry and Noelle can sing her guts out. I found their set list on my favorite site www.setlist.fm . You can find most concerts on there and it's a cool site to figure out what a band might play or what that awesome song was that you couldn't remember the name to. Here's their set list:

1. Get Away
2. Don't Gotta Work It Out
3. Break the Walls
4. Breakin' the Chains of Love
5. Keepin Our Eyes Out
6. Spark
7. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
8. House on Fire
9. Fools Gold
10. Out of My League
11. Last Raindrop
12. 6AM
13. MerryGoRound
14. L.O.V.

 

Encore:

Money Grabber

The Walker

 

They were a really cool band and I like to listen to their music when I'm driving or just chilling out. I still recommend that you check out their music. Especially Money Grabber, The Walker, Breakin' the Chains of Love and Out of My League.

Here's a picture that the band posted on their facebook page and I just had to share because I'm a dork...

It's cool to be able to find yourself in a picture from a concert! That's all for now. Go check these bands out on youtube... you won't regret it!

 

Just Can't Get Enough - Depeche Mode 9-10-13

2 concerts in 2 days.... am I tired? YES! Was it worth it? YES! I was lucky enough to get tickets to this show last minute. Plus they were VIP tickets.... VIP = AWESOME! We had kick ass parking at Jiffy Lube Live which makes a BIG difference!! Otherwise, I hate trying to get out of that place. It's a nightmare! A big shout out to Bob for giving us these tickets. I could get used to being a VIP!! We didn't make it in time for the opening band but it didn't sound like we missed much. Depeche Mode isn't a band that I would've normally thought about getting tickets to see but since we were hooked up at the last minute, I thought it would be fun.

I can't imagine not seeing this band live... Hands down one of the best live bands I've seen. I am SO happy that I went! Their graphics and light show was a lot of fun to watch too. They sounded better than a cd or mp3 which is impressive. They had great harmonies and everything flowed really well. It was a pretty chill concert but they also had some really fun and upbeat songs to dance to. I didn't know what to expect from them honestly.... I was so impressed! They are a strong group of musicians. Here's the set list:

1. Welcome to My World
2. Angel
3. Walking in My Shoes
4. Precious
5. Black Celebration
6. Policy of Truth
7. Should Be Higher
8. Barrel of a Gun
9. The Child Inside
10. But Not Tonight
11. Heaven
12. Soothe My Soul
13. A Pain That I'm Used To
14. A Question of Time
15. Enjoy the Silence
16. Personal Jesus
 
Encore:

Home

Halo

Just Can't Get Enough

I Feel You

Never Let Me Down Again

 

I would go see them again in a heartbeat!!! They were exciting and fun and they sounded amazing! It was an awesome experience all around!

 

 

Her Royal Blondeness - Blondie and X 9/9/13

Blondie!!!!!!!! What a sexy sexy lady!  found out on the way down that she is 68. It's hard to believe because she looked fantastic and sounded fantastic! This was an awesome birthday gift from my best friend. It was definitely a cool addition to my concert list. We went to the 930 club in DC and that was my first time there. The staff was super nice but the location was a little scary. Not too bad though... I'd go again for sure.

X opened. I had never heard of them before but they were pretty good. A punk band with a lady lead singer. They were fun but I thought they played too long. Here's their set list:

1. Phone's off
2. Sugar Light
3. Breathless
4. Blue Spark
5. Once Over 2
6. House I  Call Him
7. L.A.
8. Unheard Music
9. Worlds A Mess
10. Hungry Wolf
11. Year 1
12. New World
13. Because I Do
14. Who You Know
15. Motel Room
16. Soul Kitchen
17. Devil Doll

They sounded good but a lot of their stuff sounded the same. They had a high energy and good chemistry though.

Blondie was the main attraction. They came out in some crazy weird pointed hats. I had no idea what to expect. She is really still a great performer. I was impressed. Her voice sounded great and her band was tight. Her is their set list:

1. One Way or Another
2. Rave
3. Hanging on the Telephone
4. Union City Blue
5. A Rose by Any Name
6. The Tide Is High
7. Drag You Around
8. Maria
9. Rapture
10. Atomic
11. What I Heard
12. Sugar on the Side
13. Heart of Glass

Encore:

Take Me in the Night

Call Me

Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood cover) 

Dreaming

 

 

 I still wish the opening band would've played a shorter set because by the time Blondie came on, it was so hot in that club that I \thought I was going to pass out. I had to relinquish my second row status to grab a coke and some chips at the bar so I didn't fall over on the Sequoia sized fellas in front of me. For me to give up a premium spot, you know it was bad! The best part of the night though was this....

 

 

I just wish she would've come out to sign my poster. She was in the bus and her manager? came out at took our stuff to her to sign. She didn't come out. I'm sure she was tired from performing her butt off but hey... there were only a few of us waiting. I can't complain too much though because I have an awesome poster with Debbie Harry's autograph on it!!!! Freaking rad!!!

STYX & Reo Speedwagon 8-23-13 Come Sail Away in the Bay

I must preface this entry with the fact that it will be a bit biased. I've seen REO Speedwagon 8 times and I've seen Styx 21 times. It's very safe to say that Styx is my favorite band in the whole wide world. Also, in my opinion, they are the best band of all time. I will try to give you the facts but know this, I am a total Styx geek.

REO Speedwagon: They went first and opened for Styx, which is how it should be... lol They always sound great. I can't complain! They look like they're having a ton of fun and they are very high energy. That being said,7 out of the 8 times I've seen them is only because they were touring with Styx. They put on a great show but Kevin Cronin always feels the need to talk to the audience.... a lot.... too much! The crowd was getting really pumped and everyone was singing along which was really really cool! I love that vibe! Here's REO's set list:

1. Don't Let Him Go
2. Music Man
3. Take It on the Run
4. Keep Pushin'
5. Golden Country
6. Can't Fight This Feeling
7. That Ain't Love
8. Like You Do
9. Son of a Poor Man
10. Time for Me to Fly
11. Back on the Road Again
12. Roll With the Changes

Encore:

Keep on Loving You

Ridin' the Storm Out

 

 

 

 Styx... what can I say... I've seen them 21 times and they just keep getting better. They have so much fun and they are all dynamic musicians. Tommy and JY can shred like nobody's business. Lawrence is a master of the keyboard. Todd can play drums like nobody else and Ricky and Chuck slap the bass and keep the beats going. I have sat in the front row and the back rows but this time I was in the 4th row. The view was great and we were very close to the stage. I get so excited for Styx. Like jumping around, fist pumping, screaming excited. Their music reaches me on a level that no other band can. The crowd at the Pier 6 concert was better than any other crowd that I've ever seen. When they sang Come Sail Away, the place just echoed with people singing along. It was electric and I got goose bumps! Here's the set list:

 

1. Blue Collar Man (Long Nights)
2. The Grand Illusion
3. Fooling Yourself (The Angry Young Man)
4. Lady
5. Light Up
6. Man in the Wilderness
7. Miss America
8. I'm O.K.
9. Crystal Ball
10. Too Much Time on My Hands
11. Come Sail Away

Encore:

Rockin' the Paradise

Renegade

 

I have never seen them play Light Up or Rockin' The Paradise in concert so when they played those two songs, me and the guy beside me were totally fist bumping and yelling. He was a big Styx fan too and the coolest guy I've even randomly sat beside at a concert. He and I both were jumping up and down together and yelling like a bunch of nutballs but damn was it fun! Plus he gave me a Tommy guitar pick that he caught. He's alright in my book for sure! Styx really did put on a great show and if you haven't seen them in concert before, I highly recommend it. They are incredibly entertaining and they still sound amazing. My friend Jen, who joined me for this concert, will tell you that I was gushing like a little girl! All in all, it was an awesome night and I am still riding my Styx high!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicago 8-19-13

Chicago! Finally!! One more on my wish list fulfilled. I was so excited to see them because they were one of my Mom's favorite bands when she was my age. I've been begging her to go with me to see them for years. It just goes to show that if you beg enough, eventually you will break the other person down enough to give in. ;o) I think she was nervous that hey wouldn't be as good as they were when she originally saw them.

They did 2 sets with a 20 minute intermission in between. I have nothing to compare them to since I had never seen them before. I really had a blast though. The vocals from the main singer left something to be desired though. He was really weak and didn't hit all of the notes like you were expecting. They did this really cool thing called "Sing With Chicago" where fans can bid on the experience to hang out back stage with the band and oh yeah.... Sing a song for them. The guy that sang was better than the lead singer. I'd be peeing my pants if I won! The best part is that all of the money from the bids goes directly to the American Cancer Society. They do it at every concert. That is pretty freaking awesome! Here's the set list:

1st Set

1. Introduction
2. Questions 67 & 68
3. Dialogue (Part I & II)
4. Alive Again
5. If You Leave Me Now
6. Call on Me
7. (I've Been) Searchin' So Long
8. Mongonucleosis
9. Will You Still Love Me?
10. Another Rainy Day in New York City
11. Look Away
12. Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon

2nd Set

13. Canon
14. Old Days
15. Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
16. Hard Habit to Break
17. You're the Inspiration
18. Beginnings
19. I'm a Man
20. Street Player
21. Just You 'n' Me
22. Saturday in the Park
23. Hard to Say I'm Sorry / Get Away'
24. Feelin' Stronger Every Day

Encore:

      Free

      25 or 6 to 4

 

I liked how they did a spotlight on a few members of the band at a time. Those guys may not sound perfect but they did a great job and they had the audience up and dancing. I'm so happy that I finally got to see them! My wish list is really getting smaller after tis summer. I've been really lucky to see so many of the bands that I thought I'd never get a chance to see and it's not over yet!!

 

 

Under the Sun 8-6-13

The Under the Sun tour was a lot of fun. I was excited to see some bands I've never seen before and relive my awkward stage in life (wait... did I ever get out of that stage?) We originally bought lawn tickets so that we could take a big group of people and hang out. Nobody else bought tickets.... 2 people together on the lawn is kinda sad, plus it looked like it was going to rain.... so I asked at the ticket booth if we could upgrade. The lovely guy at the ticket booth informed me that it would be no problem to upgrade and would 2nd row be ok? Umm... duh! I was really happy that nobody else wanted to go! Screw you guys, we're sitting in the front.

First band to go on was Fastball. I'm thinking, "Ok... they will play their one song and on to the next band." They actually had a few songs that I knew and they rocked! That's what I get for writing them off ahead of time. Their set list was:

You're an Ocean
Love Comes in Waves
Fire Escape
Keep Your Wig On
Sooner or Later
Out of My Head
The Way

Short and sweet and rocking! Their new songs even sounded good. They were a great start to a cool night.

Next was Vertical Horizon. I was standing there during set change trying to remember what songs they even did. Thanks to the modern marvel of the smart phone, I was finally able to come up with a few. They were really good too! I however, didn't appreciate the kids behind me yelling "I wasn't even born yet" after ever band... Umm.. Thanks for the age check. Assholes. So, Vertical Horizon... another short and sweet and highly entertaining set!

You're A God
The Lucky One
The Best I Ever Had
Broken Over You
Everything You Want

 

Next up, the Gin Blossoms. I've actually seen them once before and I really enjoyed that concert. It's a cool vibe, the band is tight and they have a ton of audience involvement. The lead singer hands out tambourines to audience members, which sounds hokey at first but trust me... you'll be wishing for a tambourine of your own by the end of the set! The singer even came out into the audience. I think that's so cool! They have a ton of hits! Here's their set list:

 

Lost Horizons

Don't Change For Me

Found Out About You

Until I Fall Away

Allison Road

I Want You Bad  (NRBQ cover)

Hey Jealousy

Til I Hear It From You

Follow You Down

 

I would definitely go see them again. They are a fan's band and I can totally appreciate that!

 

 

Sugar Ray was next and out walked Mark McGrath... straight out of my boy band magazine pin ups and onto the stage.... most of my pictures were just close ups of his face... sigh. I didn't have any idea what to expect from them but Sugar Ray was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!! My inner teenager was screaming like a total geek! They were considered to be one of the headliners. I'd go back next year just to see them again. Mark was running around on stage acting like a 15 year old boy and it was so fun to watch. He even kept going over to the sign language interpreter and hugging her. Lucky lady!! Their songs sounded fresh and relevant eve after almost 15 years. (Has it really been that long??) Their set list was packed full of fun songs and the whole audience was pumped!

 

 

Summertime's Coming

Someday/Groovin' (Young Rascal's cover)

Every Morning

Under the Sun

When It's Over

Blister in the Sun (Violent Femme's cover)

Fly

 

My only complaint was that their set wasn't nearly long enough!!! (and that Mark didn't ask me out... )

 

 

Smash Mouth.... I was the most excited to see them. Sugar Ray left the audience feeling like all that in a bag of chips and everyone was totally down for the next band. Like, whatever! I listened to the first 2 Smash Mouth cds to excess when they came out. I totally had my Discman and my headphones rocking out on family vacays. I listened to Walking on the Sun until I had all of the words memorized (and it turns out that I still do!)

 

 I was so excited for them to come on and from the first few minutes,  realized that something was off....  It was Smashed Lead Singer instead of Smash Mouth. The band sounded great! Great!!! but the singer must've spent all day hitting up bar and he sounded like complete and utter shit. I have never seen a singer or any other performer so visibly and audible trashed... ever!! I go to a ton of concerts but this was a first for me. I was so disappointed. They even had the lead singer from the Gin Blossoms come out and sing for him. Lame! During All Star, he held the mic out to the audience and maybe sang 10 words out of the whole song. I don't think I would ever go see them again... unless it was a free ticket and they were playing in my back yard. I still love their music but I was embarrassed for them. Here's their liquor soaked set list:

 

Can't Get Enough of You Baby  

When the Morning Comes          

Come On Come On                     

Diggin' Your Scene                     

Walking on Sun

You Really Got Me (Kinks cover)

I'm A Believer

All Star

                                      

 

 



So, recap: All 4 bands the were before Smash Mouth= awesome! Smash Mouth = singer needs to drink after the show (or not at all) because it was all very awkward at the end of the show. It just ended... no bows just... BOOM it's over. The crew did an amazing job of setting up and tearing down gear in a vey short amount of time. I definitely need to give them props for that! Shame on you Smash Mouth for leaving the fans with a bad impression after all of the other bands did such a great job. 

 

 

Wailing in West Virginia - The Wailers 7-28-13

Nothing like Reggae in Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. Last night's concert was a free one... which is always a good thing! Nevertheless, I was still super excited to see one of the biggest Reggae acts ever! So the night goes like this.... Front row, concert, set list, guitar pick, free soda and won $30.50 at the slots. Who can argue with that?

Here's the set list:

Although to my dismay, they didn't do Could You Be Loved. That's probably my favorite Bob Marley song. They sounded really good. The one original member, the bassist was all the way in the back. Despite only having one original member, they were a talented group of musicians. The drummer had so much energy and you could tell that he was loving what he was doing. The guitarist did a little bit Jamaican shredding too! I loved the singer. He really brought life to the songs.. plus he was easy on the eyes. I would definitely go see them again if they came my way. All in all, it was a really good time! The band members were super nice too. They came out and were greeting people and handing out set lists and autographing whatever you put in front of them. I was Jammin' all night long and even this morning when I got out of bed. :o)

Jah mon!

A History of the Eagles Live 7-23-13

Another classic band that I can add to my list of awesomeness. Yes... I actually have a list of all of the bands I've seen. The concert last night started out exciting when I promptly flicked a mentos at the guy in front of me when I couldn't get it out of the wrapper. You would've thought I tried to give him a wedgie or something... Talk about a death stare! Whatever dude! Plus the annoying wannabe idiots behind me that wanted to have a whole conversation about life during the concert. SHUT UP!! Do people really not get that some people actually enjoy listening to the band at a concert? I didn't pay to hear you talk. Ok, rants aside.

The way that the Eagles came out on stage was cool, I'll give them that. They came out one by one and the first song was just Don Henley and Glenn Fry. They did a whole "history of their music" thing which I appreciated.... however I was about to fall asleep. It was a very slow beginning. Their harmonies sounded great. Don Henley's voice was a little cracky but I think it was because of his douchey goatee. He should get rid of it immediately just in case. It was his birthday though so I supposed I'll give the guy a break. They did the first set and brought out their original bassist which was cool. Here's the set list:

Set 1:

1. Saturday Night     (Don Henley and Glenn Frey only)
2. Train Leaves Here This Morning    (Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon)
3. Peaceful Easy Feeling (Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Timothy B. Schmidt)
4. Witchy Woman   (Full band)
5. Doolin-Dalton
6. Tequila Sunrise
7. Doolin'-Dalton/Desperado (Reprise)
8. Already Gone
9. The Best of My Love
10. Lyin' Eyes
11. One of These Nights
12. Take It to the Limit

Set 2:

 

13. Wasted Time (Reprise)

14. Pretty Maids All in a Row

15. I Can't Tell You Why

16. New Kid in Town

17. Love Will Keep Us Alive

18. Heartache Tonight

19. Those Shoes

20. In the City (Joe Walsh song)

21. Life's Been Good (Joe Walsh song)

22. The Long Run

23. Funk #49 (James Gang cover)

24. Life in the Fast Lane

 

Encore:

25. Hotel California

 

Encore 2:

26. Take It Easy

27. Rocky Mountain Way (Joe Walsh song)

29. Desperado

 

 

So you can see, they put on quite a show as far as the set list goes. Maybe if I was an Eagles super fan, I might have appreciated all of the beginning acoustic songs but I preferred the second half of the set where Joe Walsh plugged in and showed off what a guitar god he really is. Hotel California live was pretty freaking sweet and I loved Those Shoes. Now I can say that I've seen the Eagles and don't get me wrong, I had a blast and they sounded great but I don't think I'll be seeing them again any time soon.

Lynyrd Skynyrd & Bad Company 7-14-13 The XL Tour

3 concerts in 3 days.... maybe I'm crazy...yes, I probably am...but damn what a good time! Jiffy Lube Live.... I hate you but you keep coming up with awesome shows so I have to keep coming. I couldn't miss this one. It was the 40th anniversary of both bands. We bought lawn seats and found a deal on the way in the gate where you could upgrade to actual seats for $10 a ticket... right on! That was one of Jiffy Lube's few redeeming qualities. This was quite the people watching event. Rat tails, mullets, ladies in clothes that probably fit them 20 years ago, men without shirts that really should've rethought that option. I love people watching! After shelling out mega bucks for a hot dog, fries and a drink and of course 2 t-shirts, we found our seats and got ready for a  kick ass rock show.

Bad Company: This was my 3rd Bad Company concert. I was so excited to see them again because they always put on an awesome show. Last night was no exception. Paul Rodgers sounded excellent although he looked a little Chuck Norris-y. Not that there's anything wrong with that ::insert Chuck Norris joke here:: Here's their set list:

1. Rock 'n' Roll Fantasy
2. Burnin' Sky
3. Run With the Pack
4. Feel Like Makin' Love
5. Gone, Gone, Gone
6. Electricland
7. Ready for Love
8. Honey Child
9. Movin' On
10. Shooting Star 
11. Can't Get Enough

Encore:   Bad Company

 

My only complaint was that they should've played longer. They sounded so tight and the audience was loving them. I wanted to hear "Silver Blue and Gold" but nobody asked me when they made their set list. I can't wait to see them again!

 

 

Lynyrd Skynyrd: This was my first time seeing Lynyrd Skynyrd. I wasn't expecting anything great because they were just the bonus to seeing Bad Company but I was very impressed. Plus I was super excited to find out that their drummer used to drum for Damn Yankees! I'm a huge Styx/Tommy Shaw fan so I was geeking out! No crazy stage show or anything for Lynyrd Skynyrd, just raw rock and roll. Who can argue with that? I know that most people argue that they band only has one original member in it but when 99% of your band dies in a plane crash, someone has to keep the music going. These guys were a good fit and seemed to have good chemistry.

 The set list:

1. What's Your Name
2. Call Me the Breeze
3. I Ain't the One
4. Down South Jukin'
5. That Smell
6. You Got That Right
7. Saturday Night Special
8. I Know a Little
9. Simple Man
10. Mississippi Kid
11. Gimme Three Steps
12. Sweet Home Alabama

 

Encore:   Free Bird

 

No "Tuesday's Gone" or "Gimmie Back My Bullets"?? Again, I was not consulted... But they put on a great show which produced many Hell Yeah! moments and a few audience sing a longs that gave me chills. Plus I got to yell FREE BIRD!! at a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert where it was actually appropriate! They frown on that at high school band concerts.

 

Royal Teeth 7-13-13

Last night I got to see a really cool up and coming band called Royal Teeth. I heard about them on XM radio's Alt Nation and I really liked their sound. When I found out that they were going to be less than 30 minutes from my house, I jumped on the chance to see them live. I took my sister because she is a bit of a hipster like me.

The venue was in downtown Frederick along the creek. It was super small and the crowd wasn't very big yet. They had a benefit with other bands all day. They had food trucks with BBQ or BBQ or more BBQ or oysters.... umm... ok. We sat on some steps and had a great view.

Royal Teeth played a pretty short set but it was an awesome one. They had lots of drums, a tambourine and a ukulele. They had a ton of energy and their songs are super catchy. Their most well- known song is called "Wild". They might not be everyone's thing but they are my thing and I can see them going big places! I was super impressed with the guy in the band that played synth with his right hand and drummed with his left hand and sand.... talk about talent. I can's even drum with two hands and talk at the same time. Mad respect!

The cool thing about seeing bands like this just starting out is that you can meet them, get autographs and actually talk to them and they are EXCITED that you want to buy their cd or their shirts. Some bands get so big and they forget that they had to start small and were excited to sell their merch and give autographs at one point. I'd go see this band again in a heartbeat but the next time they come around here, they will probably be playing much bigger venues!

 

Sir Paul Across The Pond 7-12-13

Paul McCartney.....former Beatle, member of Wings, teen idol and now the latest notch on my concert pole.

I got tickets for my mom to go see Paul McCartney for mother's day... best daughter ever, I know. She's not the excitable type and neither is my Dad... makes me wonder who my real parents are... only kidding.. She was pretty excited for this concert though and I was beyond excited. We rode the metro to the Nationals stadium in Washington DC and despite the threat of rain we lucked out and it didn't rain after the concert started.

Here's the set list:

Eight Days a Week
Junior's Farm
All My Loving
Listen to What the Man Said
Let Me Roll It
Paperback Writer
My Valentine
Nineteen Hundred and Eighty-Five
The Long and Winding Road
Maybe I'm Amazed
Hope of Deliverance
Another Day
And I Love Her
Here Today
Your Mother Should Know
Lady Madonna
All Together Now
Mrs. Vandebilt
Eleanor Rigby
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!
Something
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Band on the Run
Hi, Hi, Hi
Back in the U.S.S.R.
Let It Be
Live and Let Die
Hey Jude

Encore:

Day Tripper
Lovely Rita
Get Back

Encore 2:

Yesterday
Helter Skelter
Golden Slumbers
Carry That Weight
The End

 Not bad for a 71 year old! That's 38 songs and 2 encores!!! Granted, most of the Beatles songs are fairly short but wow!! He exceeded all expectations. One of my favorite moments of the night was when he did "Hey Jude" and a whole stadium full of people sang along... goosebumps!!! It was a bittersweet concert too though. He did a tribute to John Lennon, George Harrison and Linda McCartney. It's sad to think that he has lost so many friends in his lifetime. They were heartfelt and genuine tributes and they made me wish that I could've seen the Beatles in their prime.

One of my other favorite moments was when they played "Live and Let Die". It was all flash and I love flash. Fire, lights and fireworks and a kick ass song! Paul's voice was giving out a little bit on the high notes but I think it was maybe from strain and not because he has lost any ability. All in all, I think this was the concert to beat. Best one I've seen hands down. Paul played acoustic guitar and piano and even a ukulele and it was him, the instrument and the audience. It was a beautiful thing!

American Badass - Kid Rock 6/29/13

Kid Rock.... not my typical concert but I wanted to support his $20 ticket deal with cheaper food and beer and $20 t-shirts... I gotta say, the man has brains! He got people that wouldn't have normally gone to his concerts to go.. Way to go! Plus Kool and the Gang was there.... BONUS! I'm a disco girl at heart too... Uncle Kracker was also on the bill but apparently even rock stars get stuck in Virginia traffic. Go figure...

The weather held out for us thank goodness because it was looking pretty evil. It poured but luckily we had actual seats under the pavilion. (nyah nyah) Our seats were actually pretty kick ass for a $20 concert (well, more like $30 with fees and parking) I can't say that I'm a fan of Jiffy Lube Live though... they have people getting you out of the parking lot after the concert that probably aren't even old enough to drive and you can run out of gas sitting there forever.

This was my second time seeing Kool and the Gang (they opened for Van Halen last year.... I don't get either line up but oh well) and they were their usual funky selves. They put on a good show!! They had the biker dudes up and dancing and that's saying something.

Kid Rock... I don't know a lot of his music. Just the stuff you hear on the radio but wow... what a performer! I had a lot of fun watching him and he really knew how to get the audience pumped. Plus the guy donated all proceeds from the sale of his $10 cd at the concert to the Shriners.... How can you not like a guy like that? My advice is, if you can catch Kid Rock at some point, go and see him. You will not be disappointed.

The Legendary Rolling Stones 6/24/13

This night was amazing.... Mind blowingly amazing.... I did something that I thought I''d never do. If you would've told me that I was going to see the Rolling Stones a few years ago, I wouldn't have believed you. Sure the tickets were pricey.... sure the t-shirts were pricey.... sure the beer was pricey.... but hey... this may be my last chance! Plus it was the last date of their US tour. I bought 2 tickets and I took my Dad for his birthday/father's day gift. He was quite impressed that I knew how to navigate the DC Metro.

The set list was as follows:

Get Off Of My Cloud
It’s Only Rock ‘N’ Roll (But I Like It)
Paint It Black
Gimme Shelter
Worried About You
Street Fighting Man (By Request)
Emotional Rescue
Doom And Gloom
One More Shot
Can’t You Hear Me Knocking (By Request with Mick Taylor)
Honky Tonk Women
You Got The Silver (with Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Before They Make Me Run (with Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Midnight Rambler (with Mick Taylor)
Miss You
Start Me Up
Tumbling Dice
Brown Sugar
Sympathy For The Devil
ENCORE
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (with The Washington Chorus)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (with Mick Taylor)

Rolling Stones... All I have to say is thank you for not hanging it up yet. You guys were amazing. You could run circles around my *ahem* 20-something self. If you can keep up that pace, I can't see why you wouldn't keep going.

Ok.... guilty confession... I bought 3 t shirts and the ticket price was outrageous. I wasn't even going to go because I thought it was horrible to charge that much. I still do but I had to cross them off of my band wish list. I am crossing a lot of bands off this year.... Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, Chicago, Paul McCartney.... I'm doing alright. The best part is that I have awesome people to go with.

Mark me down on the list of believers... The Rolling Stones never lost it!