Happy V-Day

My brother's moving back home, and I've been tossing stuff from my old bedroom in my parents' house so he can use that as his weight room. One of the things I saved was a 45 rpm record from 1989 of U2's "All I Want is You".

I've always loved U2, just didn't know from how far back. Take a listen..perfect for Valentine's Day.

U2's last night, last night

End of Vertigo Tour

1. another concert t-shirt to add to my collection
   
2. closest I could get to the floor
   
3. GA area filling up
   
4. screen during 'One'
   
5. Eddie Vedder grabbing Bono for a hug
   
6. screen during 'Windows of the Skies'
   

Surprises were during the encores: Billie Joe of Green Day joining Bono for "The Saints Are Coming", Pearl Jam/U2 together for "Rockin' in the Free World", and "All I Want is You" as their final song instead of the expected "Bad/40". After all, last night was the finale of their nearly two-year tour, and while I do love the song, it wasn't a big ending, and not the best choice.

Early on in the show an arena worker saw me scribbling updates to my projected setlist (I like to go prepared) and called me over to show me the official one, which I immediately asked for, and said he'd give it to me just before the first encore. A few songs later I heard, "Senorita, Senorita", and ignored it 'til I realized he was calling me. (Didn't expect to be called that in Hawaii!) He said that he no longer need it, but that it was "top secret" and I was to show it to no one. I nodded solemnly, thanked him, and wondered if he was serious.

It was a great show, and I had a good time. Would've loved to be on the floor, up close, or at least surrounded by party people dancing it up, but the section I was in was pretty tame, probably because our corner wasn't full. That didn't stop me from singing and dancing, but I did feel a little left out of the party.


EDIT (whine), 4 hrs later:

I left the place feeling like I walked out of a movie that I knew was of good quality, but if asked about how I liked it, I knew I couldn't give it top marks, but wouldn't quite be able to explain why. Had a nagging feeling all day, but now I finally think I know the reason. I need to participate fully at a concert to really enjoy it, and this was one I was particularly looking forward to.. I've liked them for decades, know they're more than just their music, have most of their stuff, bought the special edition U2 ipod only because of them, etc., etc. I'm probably more bummed than I should be that I wasn't able to get more into it than I did. But what could I do? The vibe isn't quite the same when you're on your own.

I'd like a second chance. Another concert with another last song (I love 'All I Want Is You', but it's not 'Bad'/'40').

One life, One love, One concert

The long-awaited, once-postponed, last-show-of the Vertigo Tour takes place tonight!!

I've been sick for most of the week, but am getting better and will be dragging my butt to the Aloha Stadium, decked out in my red INSPI(RED) shirt (along with gazillions of others) for what is probably my only chance to see probably the greatest band in the world.

Fans have been flying in from all over the world, and many with GA tickets camped out since Thursday for their chance to get in the ellipse when gates open at 5 pm today. I'll be comfortably ensconced in my reserved seat with my kleenex and cough drops.

After Rocko and the Devils (U2's stage manager's band) and Pearl Jam (you know who they are), U2 should hit the stage at around 9 pm, probably opening with 'City of Blinding Lights'. Imagine all all those panels below lit up...it's gonna be more than incredible.


CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM
The main stage for the U2 concert was flown in on three 747 cargo jets from Tokyo and has been erected at Aloha Stadium for today's concert. This will be U2's only outdoor performance in the United States during the Vertigo tour, as well as the final stop on this year's world tour.

An INSPI(RED) night at Aloha Stadium

35 days from now



At least U2 rescheduled their Honolulu concert, originally scheduled for April. The Rolling Stones flat-out cancelled their November 22nd show for Honolulu, postponing some of their other dates, and pushing up LA in what was supposed to be our date. Adding insult to injury, Ticketbastard won't refund the $3.75 processing fee for tickets that were purchased online. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to stand listening to George Thorogood as the opening act, and now I don't have to worry about that.

Looking ahead, I already know what I'll be wearing to the U2 concert on December 9 -- the same thing hundreds, if not thousands, of others will be wearing -- my (PRODUCT) RED INSPI(RED) t-shirt to show support for Bono's Global Fund initiative.

Postponed

It's official


[image doctored..for effect]

Vertigo '06: Final Dates Postponed

It is with great regret that tour promoter The Next Adventure announces the postponement of the final ten dates of U2's Vertigo '06 tour. This action is unavoidable due to the illness of an immediate family member of one of the band. The effected dates are listed below.

'Any fan of U2 will realise that this decision has not been taken lightly', said TNA President Arthur Fogel. 'We will announce further details as soon as we have them.'

The effected shows, which are all sold out, are: March 17th & 18th, Ericcson Stadium AUCKLAND; 21st, Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre BRISBANE; 24TH & 25TH, Telstra Dome, MELBOURNE; 28th, AAMI Stadium ADELAIDE; 31st & 1st April, Telstra Stadium, SYDNEY; 4th, Nissan Stadium YOKOHAMA; 8th Aloha Stadium, HONOLULU.

We'll bring you more news on U2.Com as we get it.

U2-phoria

Don't know if I coined that, probably not, but that's how I feel at this moment.

I've rattled on here about music and bands and concerts I've gone to, but my all-time favorite (living) band is U2. While I've flown off this rock to attend other bands' and musicians' concerts on the mainland, I thought I'd never get the chance to see U2 live, much less get good seats right in my backyard.

35,000 tickets were available at the Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. The 15,000 general admission tickets were snapped up in 10-15 minutes this morning (and during earlier pre-sales). Most of the rest were gone a couple of hours later. This is par for U2. But some crappy seats still remain, so the show isn't considered 'sold out' yet. Those nose-bleed tickets should just be given away so the second concert can be announced already.

I guess I can wait a few more days for my chance to see U2 twice..in the meantime the 100 or so U2 songs/videos/DVDs I've got will have to tide me over!

U2 in Hawaii?!

No longer just wishful thinking

The radio announced it, rumor websites are all abuzz, so it MUST be true!


(slightly doctored image)

Scaled-down Carnival of Sins

Motley Crue concert

I'm vertically challenged, as you can see from the pretty crappy pictures taken from the 17th row at last night's concert. I have lots of shots of people's hands and backs of heads, because THAT'S ABOUT ALL I COULD SEE!! Since there was an aisle in front of our row, much-larger guys kept getting in front of me (and kept getting kicked back by security). In fact, when I first got to my seat (after missing the first song, Shout at the Devil, dammit), there were a bunch of huge guys standing there because our group hadn't arrived yet.

They didn't bring all their tour props and special effects, but there was enough smoke and fire to satisfy everyone. I couldn't see some of the "extras" (strippers, midget, etc.) because some of their antics were done low on the stage and I couldn't see with all those tall people in my way! Not that I really needed to see the midget being walked on a leash by a stripper, but hey, I paid over $70 and wouldn't have minded the full effect. You can see some of what I saw in the pics below.


click to view slide show

Tried to join someone I knew who was in the 5th row but couldn't because security was checking tickets at the 16th row. During one of the encores I decided to go for it, climbed over a chair, only to be blocked by a guard. I'm short and harmless, and wouldn't have taken up much room. They shoulda let me go. Other guys were pushing their way to the front, but most were being "escorted" back.

Vince Neil's voice is pretty shot, but the hyped-up crowd sang better than he did and helped him along. Even after his recent facelift and makeover I still thought he looked pretty pudgy.

Mick Mars's degenerative disease didn't prevent him from blowing the crowd away.

Nikki SIxx was..Nikki Sixx. I can see why Butch Walker digs him.

Tommy Lee sounded great, but I couldn't really tell you much more becauseI COULDN'T SEE HIM until he stood up at his drum kit and later came out to the front as they all said their "Alohas". He held up a bottle of Jagermeister and thanked everyone repeatedly.

Someone at work who sat up in the nosebleed section told me today that the sound was muffled and people up there pretty much sat in their seats the whole time. I can tell you the floor was a huge party, with all the seats folded and everyone singing and screaming and whistling and dancing and holding up their arms and..BLOCKING MY WAY, unfortunately. But I had a great time and wished the two hour show would go on longer.

Generations Apart

Butch Walker fans / Eagles fans

A message posted on the Butch Walker message board today:

how can all of you afford to travel so much to these shows? do your parents pay for it? im just curious since it seems like a lot of you travel to a bunch of the shows on a tour.

An earlier post from the Eagles board:

I took my daughter, 13 years old at the time, along to Earls Court to complete her musical education. Having grown up with me as her dad she had little option but to listen to the Eagles (I believe in bringing up chidren properly) and was going through a phase of listening to the "Eagles Live" album, enthusing particularly about "Seven Bridges Road".

I shall never, ever forget the look in her eyes when the concert opened with that very song.

After the Eagles concerts next week, I probably won't be seeing them for a while, if ever. I've actually outgrown them, but felt obligated to go to all four Honolulu concerts since they'll probably not come this way again. While I wouldn't fit in the crowd that follows Butch on tour, I'd love to be able to catch him a couple of times a year. It sucks to be thousands of miles away, in the middle of an ocean. But at least I don't have to have my parents subsidize my habits. (To their credit, most of the younguns who do follow Butch earn their own money or save up their allowances...)

Of course, when I hear The Eagles' perfect five-part harmony perform Seven Bridges Road a cappella next week, I won't be thinking about Butch a bit.

Tommy Lee on fire

Literally

Tommy Lee suffered minor burns on his arms and face during a pyrotechnics explosion while performing in concert in Wyoming yesterday. Apparently, the accident occurred while he was being transported from one drum set to another 30 feet above the stage. It was toward the end of the set, and he played one more song before the band decided to cut the show short.

Motley Crue has performances Friday - Sunday, and reportedly none will be cancelled.

I was thinking tonight that I might pass on their concert here (ticket ordering got a little more complicated than I expected), but this might've sealed the deal.

EDIT 7:46 pm: What a coincidink. While channel surfing I came across MSNBC with a teaser about the Tommy incident. So I watched it. Tommy was OK at the time to make jokes, and did go to the hospital after the show was cut short, but couldn't be found there, so might've already been released (or registered under some other name). Wow..wonder if they'll bring their whole shebang, elevated sets, pyrotechnics and all to Hawaii. Doubt it.

This one I'm not too sure I'll attend

Motley Crue to perform in Hawaii on December 14, 2005

Whoa. Maybe I'll go if Tommy Lee gives Butch Walker proper credit for co-wriiting and performing on his theme song to his reality show and video "Good Times"!

Maybe I'll go just 'cuz.

Not a big Crue fan, but it should be a trip. I do know two people who are really into them, so maybe they'll let me tag along. I haven't been all that successful getting my own friends go to to concerts with me ;)


Live 8 (Canada) July, 2005


Below is a recent silly pic of Nikki Sixx, Butch Walker, and Tommy Lee. Butch, who is 6' 2", must be slouching because he looks like their wasted little brother!

Maybe they won't suck this time

Everclear at Pipeline on Saturday



I liked most of Everclear's stuff, but hated them in concert a few years ago. They were wasted, profane (it was an all-ages/parents + kiddies show at the BayFest) and were horribly off-key. Only good thing was the t-shirt I bought, although the Hawaii venue was misspelled.

They'll be here again on Saturday. I had vowed not to go because they were so embarrassingly awful last time, but tonight wondered if I should reconsider. I actually have plans for that night, but after listening to random songs on iTunes and hearing their songs again, I might want to check them out. Don't want to park my car anywhere near the place, but the $22 ticket price (plus crappy Ticketmaster fees) is nothing compared to what my Eagles are charging, and they're over a month away. Need a fix before then.

Did I mention before how much I love live rock concerts?

Another concert: Collective Soul

September 11, 2005

Collective Soul will perform here on Sept. 11 in a concert benefiting the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund. [The Fund was formed after 9/11 to provide aid to families of the World Trade Center victims who worked in the food, beverage, and hospitality professions at the WTC. Heather Ho, who grew up in Hawaii, was one of those who died in the attack.]

I've always liked Collective Soul, and while I did see them in concert a few years ago at the Kaneohe Bayfest, I'd love to check 'em out again at Pipeline Cafe. I've got their earlier CDs and a few songs from their latest, but didn't realize they're from Georgia, just like my latest obsession. No wonder Butch performed on their song "Over Tokyo" (Blender, 2000). Gotta dig that one out now...

Elvis Costello in concert -- here!

Yeah, in Hawaii!

It was announced before I attended his wife's (Diana Krall) concert last May that he would be performing with our Honolulu Symphony in the spring.

My subconscious must've remembered, because, for some reason, for the past few weeks I've been downloading and listening to a lot of his music. Then today I found out that tickets for his March 31-April 1, 2006 (!) concerts go on sale on Monday!

Woohoo! I'm hoping his late 70s-early 80s stuff, but he'll be performing with the Symphony, so I'm not sure what we'll get. His music ranges from new wave to classics, from jazz to torch ballads.

I don't care. I'm always just so grateful when artists/bands bother to stop by and I'm able to enjoy them. Of course, the rockin'er the better, but I'll take what I can get.

Just an earthbound misfit

Pink Floyd reunites after more than 20 years

Live 8 is being broadcast all day, but it was just after noon in Hawaii when pigs flew once again. They sounded amazing. David Gilmour said earlier, "Any squabbles Roger (Waters) and the band have had in the past are so petty in this context, and if re-forming for this concert will help focus attention, then it's got to be worthwhile." Could this be the start of a reunion tour?

I think they performed just four songs, but my favorites were "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb". Absolutely incredible.

Live 8 and G8

July 2: day of action. July 6: summit meeting

Live 8 is a series of eight simultaneous concerts and events across the world being held on July 2nd to highlight the problem of global poverty. It's a chance for ordinary people to call on George Bush and seven other world leaders at this year's G8 summit and tell them to put a stop to the needless deaths of 30,000 children every single day.

G8 is the annual summit meeting of leaders from the world's eight wealthiest and most powerful countries. On 6th July 2005, the leaders of Great Britain, the USA, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia will meet at Gleneagles in Scotland to talk about world affairs, including Africa. They will be presented with a workable plan to double aid, drop the debt and make trade laws fair.

Join the ONE campaign to make poverty history. The ONE campaign seeks to give Americans a voice to fight the global AIDS emergency and extreme poverty. Sign the declaration and lend your voice. Ask President Bush to lead a historic deal to help Africa and the poorest nations at the G8 summit in July. Wear the wristband and show your support for the ONE campaign.