The Decemberists with Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3 (Tomorrow, June 6, at the Tower Theatre in Philly. Based on some of the concert reviews I've read, I can't wait to see them. NPR has a recording of a recent concert here, but I'm waiting until after tomorrow to listen to it.)
Wilco (twice in July--first in Wilmington, DE and then in Portland, ME)
After purchasing the Wilco tickets, I started to think about all of the concerts I've been to in my lifetime. Turns out it's not very many. Here are all that I could think of off the top of my head, in approximate reverse chronological order:
Ben Folds (This was maybe 2 years ago at Muhlenberg College. Since my daughter LOVES him, decided to make it her first concert. Only time I regretted that was when he did his remake of a Dr Dre song. Sort of made me feel like a bad parent sitting next to my 8 year old during that. Otherwise, as she was singing along with the rest of the songs, it was good.)
Elvis Costello w/ Laura Cantrell
Wilco
Indigo Girls
DaDa
Sun60 (Twice, I think, first in Baltimore and then in Philly.)
Toad The Wet Sprocket (3 different times, I think, in the late 80's/early 90's. Once was with The Gin Blossoms.)
Robyn Hitchcock w/Mathew Sweet (This one is kind of fuzzy, I'm pretty sure they were together. I think it was for Girlfriend for Sweet and Eye for Robyn, in Washington DC. At least part of that is correct, I'm sure.)
The Pixies w/Love & Rockets (at Penn State)
The Beach Boys (at the Civic Arena in Pittsburgh, with the roof open. I remember the roof opening part being mentioned in every ad, so I guess it wasn't done very often. Do they still open the roof? I can't believe that place is still used, actually. It seemed way too old 25 years ago.)
Bryan Adams (also at the Civic Arena)
Bruce Springsteen (at 3 Rivers Stadium. My main memory of this show is when Bruce first came out on stage everyone jumped to their feet and the guy behind me dumped his entire beer down my back.)
And my 2 earliest concert memories, both at the Civic Arena with my Dad, when I was pretty little, so presumably in the 70's:
Tony Orlando & Dawn
John Denver
I think if I had to pick a favorite from all of these, it would have to be Tony. Mostly because it is just one of the most vivid memories of my childhood. Also it was just me and my Dad, so just like all memories of things that just the 2 of us did together, it is extra special. Plus, it was Tony in his prime, and I just LOVED him. How could you not? Look at that stache'!
What's your best concert memory? What's your summer concert schedule this year?
