Dave Matthews Band

A week ago at Opening, Traci and I talked about going to the upcoming Dave Matthews Band concert. On Friday, I got the call from her saying Saturday was the day.

So yesterday, she, a friend of hers and myself headed out with the masses of drunk and high people to see Dave Matthews LIVE.

It started with an early dinner and then an adventure to get the tickets (we had to pick them up elsewhere) and parking, followed by a little tailgating before heading into the amphitheater for the show.

Once we got into the 'park' (we had to go through gates, show our tickets, etc...that I likened it to going to Six Flags) we we in search of drinks! We found neon green frozen margaritas not found in nature.

Come on...really? They are the color of slime! They were really tart too and mix-y (you know, like from a mix) so they didn't taste super fresh, but they were potent. And the guitar glasses were pretty cool!

Then we headed into the 'shell' for the concert. It was packed to the gills and the lawn was virtually overflowing. We were smelling smoke and pot and alcohol. We weren't the oldest bunch there, but we weren't the youngest...gotta love college kids. PS...I never did this when I was in college...

Anyway, the concert was good. I don't know a lot of songs that Dave Matthews does...and this was night number two of him performing, so he didn't perform the same songs both nights (way to get more money) so I may have known a few more, but that was neither here nor there. The music was good, the musicians were great and the atmosphere was CRAZY.

After the concert was over, we had the adventure of getting out of the parking lot and out of the city. Lord...people are crazy. I finally got home a little after 12:30am after leaving my apartment at 3:30pm that afternoon. I was exhausted. Technically, I still am...so maybe a nap is in order before the Memorial Day BBQ festivities today!

PS...I don't think I need to go back to the Comcast Theatre. It was hot and packed. Give me AC and an arena any day...I'll keep the XL Center and Mohegan. :-)

Feeling Good = Crazy Love

I had the privilege of recently attending a Michael Buble concert and it was one of the most amazing experiences ever. This was only my second concert in my life (Maroon 5 at my college was my first) and it definitely didn't disappoint!

For those who have never heard of Michael Buble...you probably have and you just don't know it. He is a great showman and has an awesome voice (think Frank Sinatra, but hipper and more pop).

This Canadian performer was in town during the Stanley Cup Finals (particularly Games 6 & 7). I mention this because he being a Canucks fan enjoyed taunting the local Bruins fans plenty during the concert, which I found entertaining. While there were a few boos during those moments, the arena was constantly full of cheering. (PS...the joke was on him as the Canucks did lose...for those who don't follow hockey). He was also sporting a beard, which isn't such a normal thing for him (again, another hockey playoff thing).

Please enjoy the following videos and photos I have of the evening and come along for a musical journey! :-)

(Disclaimer...all these videos were not professionally produced...as you will clearly tell...and were for personal enjoyment for remembering an awesome night! Because of this, I apologize for the crappy quality, though the sound is good, and for some of the abrupt endings of the clips. I blame the iPhone. Enjoy!)

I had come into this concert knowing all of Buble's music. In his latest album, the first track "Cry Me A River" just cries out to be an opening number...and I was pleased to see that it was...

Throughout the evening, Michael would tell stories and experiences about becoming and being a performer. He mentioned that when he was younger he actually wanted to be an actor. Then he talked about how when he began singing, he wanted to be Michael Jackson so badly...which led to this performance...

As Michael introduced the members of his band, his comedic skills showed. But through it all you could tell that he really did consider these guys part of his family. He had a great moment while introducing his pianist (who also writes songs with Buble) in talking about how the pianist would come into his dressing room and help him warm up. The songs of choice (which he did demonstrate): "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey and "A Whole New World" from Disney's Aladdin. I kid you not. Both hilarious!!

With all of the new songs from his latest CD, I was thrilled that he also performed some of his older hits, like "Home" seen below... (ps...please notice how he takes a girls camera/phone and gives it to someone else. Earlier in the song he picked it up and sang into it and taped the crowd before giving it back. This time, he just took it.....and yes, at the end, he did give it back.)

Naturally 7, his opening act, came out and performed a few songs with him, which was wonderful, even collaborating on one of Buble's latest hits, "Hollywood"...

My favorite album is Michael's "It's Time" and I have a connection to many of the songs on it. One of my absolute favorite songs is the first track called "Feeling Good" and man, he did not disappoint. What I loved was that this was the beginning of his encore...and it was incredible.

The finale of "Feeling Good"

One of the last things that Michael did was one of the most breathtaking moments for me, especially as a singer myself. I wish I had gotten on video but it wouldn't have had the same impact...plus I was so mesmerized by it. He closed his concert in front of his closed curtain, singing the last eight bars of "Song for You" a cappella and without his mic. Hushing the crowd with his finger to his mouth, his pure voice carried through the arena almost effortlessly. He commanded the room from the moment he stepped on stage and he held that intensity through the very last note.

Simply amazing.

Antici......pation

Stay tuned....'nuff said!