Friday, June 5, 2009

Summer Concerts

For the first time in a long time, I have a few concerts coming up in my future.

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?

5 comments:

JD at I Do Things said...

I bet the Decemberists/Robyn Hitchcock will be awesome. I saw Hitchcock, uh, maybe 10 years ago? Brilliant.

Favorite concert memories. Too many! Probably Led Zeppelin (first concert ever), the Cure (at Red Rocks, CO), Chills (small New Zealand band), U2 (in IRELAND!), and . . . oh! Johnny Flynn/Mumford and Sons (British folk bands -- AWESOME!)

Susan said...

JD: Robyn was great when I saw him too. I've been focusing so much on The Decembersits I sort of forgot about him. I think I need to listen to "Ole! Taranchula" to get ready.

Way to show everyone up with U2 in Ireland. You win.

Bone said...

I saw Kenny Chesney a few weeks ago.

I'm curious as to which Beach Boys were there at the concert you attended. I saw them a couple of times in the 90's, and I think both times it was basically Mike Love (and maybe Bruce Johnston) and a bunch of new people.

TC said...

Ah, Bryan Adams. Love it.

Susan said...

Bone: I saw them in the late 80's (man I feel old) and I think it was pretty much the same contingent, Mike Love for sure. To me it was a perfectly fine show, but then again I certainly didn't fully appreciate Brain Wilson until recently.

TC: Yeah, that was a great show. I used to just love him!