snarf
making guitars wish they were still trees
Saw this question over on another forum that I occasionally read but can't think of the last time I posted on. What are the best and worst shows that you have attended? I'll start and give a couple for each category.
Best:
ZZ Top/Aerosmith: Maybe 15 years ago. For an outdoor venue, the sound was superb. ZZ Top rocked the casbah, and all the guys in Aerosmith seemed to be sober and friends that night, so they did too. There were some seats up front that seemed like a pretty stoic crowd, but both bands and everyone out on the lawn (where we were) seemed to be having an absolute blast. Just an overall great show.
Jason Elmore/Tab Benoit: Probably 10 years ago. My introduction to Jason, and he was on fire that night. I've seen Tab several times, and I can't put my finger on why, but this was the best of all of them. He was super engaged with the crowd, and was just fun to watch play. Been a big fan of both of these guys ever since.
Worst:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Probably 15 years ago. The band was really on point and put on a good show, but whoever was doing sound that night did them a dis-service. It was one of a couple of shows I've been to where it was so loud that I physically felt uncomfortable. Stopped by the restroom after it was over, and some guy ended up talking at me. The only reason I knew this was because, as I was washing my hands, dude tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned around and saw his mouth moving. No idea what he was saying. For all practical purposes, I couldn't hear for 3 days, and it was a full week before my hearing was back to normal. Ever since that show, I am not embarrassed to say that I've carried ear plugs to every show I've been to since then.
Ruthie Foster and the Brazos Valley Symphony Pops Concert: Probably 25 years ago. I believe that Ruthie was drunk off her gourd that night. The symphony-only part of the show was great. Ruthie's part with the symphony came, and she staggered out to a piano and sat down. Did probably 6 songs, half of which she restarted several measures in. The symphony left the stage and the Ruthie-only part of the show started and she mumbled through another 3 or 4 songs before she got up and staggered off the stage to lukewarm, scattered applause. Although I know she has some good music out there, I have had no desire to see her play live since then.
Best:
ZZ Top/Aerosmith: Maybe 15 years ago. For an outdoor venue, the sound was superb. ZZ Top rocked the casbah, and all the guys in Aerosmith seemed to be sober and friends that night, so they did too. There were some seats up front that seemed like a pretty stoic crowd, but both bands and everyone out on the lawn (where we were) seemed to be having an absolute blast. Just an overall great show.
Jason Elmore/Tab Benoit: Probably 10 years ago. My introduction to Jason, and he was on fire that night. I've seen Tab several times, and I can't put my finger on why, but this was the best of all of them. He was super engaged with the crowd, and was just fun to watch play. Been a big fan of both of these guys ever since.
Worst:
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club: Probably 15 years ago. The band was really on point and put on a good show, but whoever was doing sound that night did them a dis-service. It was one of a couple of shows I've been to where it was so loud that I physically felt uncomfortable. Stopped by the restroom after it was over, and some guy ended up talking at me. The only reason I knew this was because, as I was washing my hands, dude tapped me on the shoulder, and I turned around and saw his mouth moving. No idea what he was saying. For all practical purposes, I couldn't hear for 3 days, and it was a full week before my hearing was back to normal. Ever since that show, I am not embarrassed to say that I've carried ear plugs to every show I've been to since then.
Ruthie Foster and the Brazos Valley Symphony Pops Concert: Probably 25 years ago. I believe that Ruthie was drunk off her gourd that night. The symphony-only part of the show was great. Ruthie's part with the symphony came, and she staggered out to a piano and sat down. Did probably 6 songs, half of which she restarted several measures in. The symphony left the stage and the Ruthie-only part of the show started and she mumbled through another 3 or 4 songs before she got up and staggered off the stage to lukewarm, scattered applause. Although I know she has some good music out there, I have had no desire to see her play live since then.