03/23/2007
Dave Matthews Band
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, NV
Opening Band: The Fray
Friday night set list:
Pantala Naga Pampa
Rapunzel
Satellite
When The World Ends
Time Of The Season
Hunger For The Great Light
Dream Girl
Say Goodbye
The Idea Of You
Louisiana Bayou
I’ll Back You Up +
Down By The River
Crush
The Maker
Jimi Thing
Stay [Wasting Time]
Encore:
Sister *
Everyday
What You Are
Show Notes:
* Dave Solo
+ Dave, Carter, Stefan, Rashawn
03/10/2007
Buddy Guy
Rialto Square Theatre
Joliet, IL
Opening Band: Koko Taylor
It is always so cool when you can see legends like this in concert!
10/21/2006
Rick Springfield
Rialto Square Theatre
Joliet, IL
Opening Band: None
The ticket says October 14th, because that was the date that the show was originally scheduled for. About a month ago, they announced a reschedule for some reason.
Rick really was rocking last night, starting off with a new song...I can't remember the name, but I really liked it! He played a really great mix of old and newer songs, and it was awesome!
Here are a few pics from the show. Overall, I wasn't too pleased with how my pics turned out. We were just outside the optical zoom range of my camera, and most of the pics turned out grainy. So, these are the best of the bunch...
10/07/2006
Pride of Lions
Moraine Valley Community College
Palos Hills, IL
The genius behind the songs is Jim Peterik (from Ides of March and Survivor), and the incredible vocals are provided by Toby Hitchcock. We're lucky enough to claim both of them as being "from the area".
We first saw this duo perform a few years back as part of the annual World Stage extravaganza that we are so priviledged to have in the Chicago area. After performing extensively in Europe, this was their first U.S. performance. Duo is probably a serious misstatement, because they are backed by an awesomely tight band!
Let me tell you, I have never seen so much talent and raw emotion up for grabs on a stage. And, these guys are as humble and down to earth as they come. You really had to be there to experience it, and it was something special.
The song "Gone" has given me chills every time I have heard it, and it definately did not disappoint this time!
Set List was:
It's Criminal
Gone
Sound of Home
Man Behind the Mask
The Search is Over
Music and Me
Burning Heart
Above the Storm (Jim & Chuck)
Live Life (with Lisa McClowry)
In the Days We Have (with Lisa McClowry)
Heaven on Earth
Unbreakable
I Can't Hold Back
Gift of Song
Eye of The Tiger
Heavy Metal
07/01/2006
Dave Matthews Band
Alpine Valley
East Troy, WI
Opening Band: Umphrey's McGee
Dave always says that Alpine is one of the band's favorite places to play, and the energy that they exude really backs that up. Boyd went nuts on the violin during several songs throughout the show, dancing and twirling across the stage as he fiddled up a storm. Carter and Stefan provided one heck of a rhythym section (as usual), and a new guest trumpet player supplemented Leroy on the sax. Dave was exceptionally talkative and energetic, and led the band through a nearly 3 hour set of incredible music! There were a couple of lulls when they tried out a few new songs, but overall was AWESOME!!
Then it was back to the parking lot to hang out until traffic cleared up enough to move. It was 1:30 AM by that point in time, and we were back at the hotel...exhausted...by 2:00 AM. Although DMB was also playing on Sunday night, we are getting too darn old to do this more than one day in a row!! So, it was back home by Sunday afternoon. I tried doing some stitching yesterday when we got home, but was so tired that I couldn't see straight. I checked the set list from last night's show, and there was not one duplication from the night before. So, it would have been incredible...but I never would have been able to make it through it!!
Here's the set list for Saturday's show:
One Sweet World
When The World Ends
Hunger For The Great Light
What Would You Say
Rhyme & Reason
Seek Up
Grey Street
Pay For What You Get
So Much To Say
Too Much
Jimi Thing
Crash Into Me
Kill The King
Where Are You Going
Break Free
Louisiana Bayou
Encore:
Sister [Dave Solo]
Cant Stop
Crush
Ants Marching
02/18/2006
Jim Peterik & World Stage
College of DuPage
Among those sharing the stage with Jim were Don Barnes (.38 Special), Rik Emmett (Triumph), Kevin Chalfant (Storm), Anthony Gomes, Henry Paul (Blackhawk), Ides of March, and Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions). Jim also coaxed his teenage son, Colin, to the stage to join the Ides on Vehicle, and he did an excellent job!
11/04/2005
Bon Jovi
United Center
Chicago, IL
Opening Band: ????
I'm surprised I still have my voice!! A few weeks ago, I was bummed...I was online minutes before Bon Jovi tickets went on sale for Chicago, and as soon as they did, they were sold out. Then, here comes Bryon to the rescue! My sweetie surprised me with tickets for Saturday's show at the United Center in Chicago for my birthday :)
We had awesome seats...section 122, just to the right of the stage. I have seen Bon Jovi 6 times now...the first time was 1986 in Minneapolis...and this was the closest that I have ever been.
My love of all things Bon Jovi truly did start at the beginning. I have my little brother to thank for that...he was into buying albums based upon what their covers looked like, and came home one day with an album called "Bon Jovi". I reluctantly took a listen, heard "Runaway" and was hooked!! They played that song on Saturday, and was so glad to hear that...because for me, that's what started it all!! They are one of the few bands from the 80's "hair band" era that have stood the test of time.
I predicted that they would start the show with "Last Man Standing". They wrote the song when Johnny Cash died, and was a tribute to the true rockers of old. Well, I was right!!
They did a good job of mixing up the old songs with the new. I had never seen them do "Always" before, but was so glad to hear that because it is such an awesome song. Another pleasant surprise was "Born to be my Baby"...love the lyrics to that one!!
The coolest part of the show was about half-way through. Jon disappeared from stage, and the band started jamming to what sounded vaguely like "Blaze of Glory". I figured that it had to be time for a costume change, since he had been wearing a beautiful brown embossed leather blazer and looked like he was roasting. But he never reappeared on stage. All of a sudden, he started singing...but I couldn't see where he was. I hit Bryon and asked if he saw him. Then I noticed on the big screen that Jon was standing with the audience behind him...that's when I realized...he was right in front of our section!! He had indeed changed outfits (now wearing a white tank and denim shirt), and was JAMMING out on "Blaze of Glory". Way too cool!!
Before I knew it, they had wrapped up the main set. Never fear, though...they would be back!! Jon reappeared wearing a Philadelphia Soul Bon Jovi jersey (for those that don't know, he's an owner of the arena football team). They played three more songs after that.
This was one of the most awesome shows that I have been to, and couldn't have asked for a better birthday present!! I still want to meet the band someday, but that's probably not going to happen!!
Here's the set list:
Last Man Standing
You Give Love a Bad Name
Everyday
Born to be my Baby
Story of My Live
The Radio Saved my Life Tonight
Runaway
Have a Nice Day
Last Cigarette
It's My Life
Always (acoustic)
I'll Be There for You (acoustic)
Lay Your Hands on Me (acoustic)
Blaze of Glory (acoustic)
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead
Bad Medicine
Raise Your Hands
Who Says You Can't Go Home
Livin' on a Prayer
Encore:
Just Older
Wanted Dead or Alive
Encore 2:
Someday I'll be Saturday Night
We stayed in the city on Saturday night, and had a great day on Sunday. It was an AWESOME weekend!!
10/08/2005
Rick Springfield
Treasure Island Casino
Red Wing, MN
There was a bonus…Rick showed up out in the casino about an hour after the show ended and jammed with the band that was playing. They did a great version of “Superstitious” and “Play that Funky Music White Boy”. After the impromptu show, Rick came out onto the casino floor. We got close, but didn’t get a chance to talk to him. My brother got close and snapped a pic of himself…
Here's Jen and I after the show :)
