Dave Matthews Band - East Troy, WI

08/25/2007
Dave Matthews Band
Alpine Valley
East Troy, WI

Opening Band: The Roots

What can I say?!?!?! When DMB starts off the show with Two Step, it's gonna be HOT! We had an awesome time, and the setlist was smoking. Alpine Valley itself was a bit challenging, though. We have had torrential rains across the upper Midwest this past week, and Alpine was no exception. We had to be pushed into our parking spot, with high hopes of being able to get out again after the show.

We knew we were in trouble when we arrived around 2 PM in Whitewater to check into the hotel, and were told that maybe we could check in at 1 AM or so. Turns out, there was a Rage Against the Machine show at Alpine the night before, and all of the bathtubs in the rooms at the hotel were filled with mud. YIKES!

All I have to say is, thank goodness we're in the fan club, and thank goodness for pavillion seats!!! I graduated this time... to the spot that Bryon always has...dead center in front of the sound board. It was incredible!

The only thing that disappoints me about this show is that we weren't able to stay for Sunday. Let's face it, we have to go to work...and a Sunday show (knowing you won't escape the parking lot until at least 1 AM after a 3+ hour show) just won't work. Looking at the set list from Sunday, in addition to Monday, makes us think that they have heard the rumors and will be releasing a DVD from the weekend. We can only hope! The rumor is that they will be razing Alpine Valley Music Theatre as we know it after this season and building condos. That is totally crazy, considering that the ski season is about 3 months long and there is nothing else there.

From the DMB website:

"In the words of Carter Beauford, "This weekend was OFF THE HOOK!" We say it every time, Alpine Valley is one of our favorite places to play. There's an unparalleled vibe fed to us by the audience at this place. We were all extremely excited to have The Roots opening up the shows here. The Roots' guitarist, Kirk Douglas, played an awesome solo on Jimi Thing tonight. Kirk and the entire Roots' horn section joined us for Eh Hee, with MC Black Thought laying down some brilliant freestyle rap. The horn section continued to play on and off throughout the main set, laying it all out for Too Much. We're on our way to Kansas for a show on Tuesday. See y'all there."

Setlist:

Dreaming Tree [tease]
Two Step *
You Might Die Trying *
Loving Wings *
The Song That Jane Likes *
When The World Ends *
#27 *
Louisiana Bayou *+
Bartender *+
Crash Into Me *+
#41 *~
Corn Bread *
Dancing Nancies *+
Grey Street *+
Eh Hee *Ä
Warehouse *Ä
Stay (Wasting Time) *
__________________

Sister 5||
Dream Girl *
Tripping Billies *

Show Notes:
* Rashawn Ross
The Roots Horns
~ Joe Lawlor
Ä Questlove
5|| Carter, Butch and Rashawn: Back-up vocals

Crossroads Guitar Festival - Bridgeview, IL

07/28/2007
Eric Clapton's Crossroads Festival
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, IL

What an incredible day of music! It was a very long day...I think that I'm getting too old :) We had general admission tickets, and didn't know that we could bring in blankets and pillows. Luckily, they gave us a brochure in the parking lot, and we grabbed some towels out of the truck to sit on. For July, the weather cooperated quite nicely. It was about 80 degrees, but cloudy (thank goodness!!) There was a wind out of the north, which helped to keep things cool.

The entire show was incredible. They had a stage that revolved around, so there was very little "down time" between artists. As one act was performing, they were able to set up the equipment for the next act...and then twirl the stage around. Bill Murray was the host for the day, and did a great job!

I was very impressed with Derek Trucks and his band. I could have done without Willie Nelson. It took him half way through the first song to remember the lyrics, and he was very boring! Shery Crow was great, but I wish that she played longer. Jeff Beck was good...and had a (very!) young lady bass player who was incredible...but an hour was a bit too long for all instrumental stuff. Robert Randolph was great, and B.B. King put on a great show as well.

We left a bit early, and missed the last part of Clapton, and Buddy Guy. But after nearly 10 hours of sitting on the ground, we were worn out. The good thing, though, was that it didn't take us two extra hours to get out of the parking lot!

I'm a bit sore after sitting / standing on the lawn for 10 hours, but that's okay :) This was an incredible event, with an impressive line-up, for a great cause. *AND* the did it in Chicago :)

Artist Listing:
Jeff Beck
Doyle Bramhall II
Eric Clapton
Robert Cray
Sheryl Crow
Vince Gill
Buddy Guy
BB King
Alison Krauss and Union Station
Sonny Landreth
Albert Lee
Los Lobos
John Mayer
John McLaughlin
Willie Nelson
Robert Randolph
Hubert Sumlin
Derek Trucks
Jimmie Vaughan
Steve Winwood

Reviews:

Rolling Stone 1
Rolling Stone 2
Rolling Stone Pics
Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune Interview with Clapton
MSN Clips

Dave Matthews Band - Bridgeview, IL

07/08/2007
Dave Matthews Band
Toyota Park
Bridgeview, IL

Opening Band: Guster

This was our first trip to the relatively new Toyota Park, and it was a pretty nice place to see a show! The only downfall was that it took quite a while to get out of the parking lot after the show. But it was relatively close to home (about an hour), and sure beats the heck out of the World / Tweeter Center / First Midwest Bank Ampitheatre (or whatever name it is going by these days).

The weather was hotter than hell, and I would have to say that this show was even hotter!! This was the first show of the summer tour, and the band seemed ready to kick it off great! Dave busted a move numerous times, and the set list was incredible. To top it off, they played the elusive Two Step as the final song. I have been waiting so long to hear that one again live, so I was thrilled!

Set List:
One Sweet World *
You Might Die Trying *
Still Water
Don’t Drink the Water *
Grey Street *
Louisiana Bayou *
The Idea Of You *
What Would You Say *
Anyone Seen The Bridge *
Too Much *
Falling Off The Roof [new song] +
Dream Girl *
The Maker *
Seek Up *
Satellite *
Crush *
Stay (Wasting Time) *

Encore:
Sister ~
Two Step *

Notes:
* Rashawn Ross
+ Dave and Carter
~ Dave Solo

Rick Springfield - Chicago, IL

06/22/2007
Rick Springfield
House of Blues
Chicago, IL

Opening Band: The Squirts

Rolling Stone magazine called this one of the "don't miss" shows for the weekend (link here). We didn't need them to tell us that :)

The House of Blues is a cool venue. It is very small, which means that you are never very far from the stage. One of the things that I don't like is that it is general admission. Since we were already at the HOB for the Roe Conn show, we ate dinner there and got to go in a bit earlier. We actually wound up with actual seats up in the second level...opting for that rather than hanging out in the pit up front.

The Squirts are actually Rick's band minus him. I had seen them open for him once before, but must admit that I didn't pay that good of attention. They were actually very good, and Matt Bissonette has an excellent voice.

The Rick show was pretty good...although it was very much like the shows that we have seen before...and we did have a difficult time seeing the stage for much of the show. On the plus side, we didn't have to fight the crowds below. Throughout the whole show, Rick was paranoid that he had split out the seat of his pants and kept asking people if he was okay.

My pics didn't turn out very good...but here they are...

How about that for a guy who is almost 60?!?!?

My biggest complaints about the HOB as a venue: 1) It cost $26 to park downtown (and the Chicago city council, in all of their wisdom, is contemplating a new toll to drive into the city!!) 2) A can of domestic beer cost the price of a six-pack 3) Absolutely poor communication regarding the camera policy (rant below)!!

When we arrived for the radio show, we were told that cameras were absolutely not allowed and had to check them (for a fee, of course). We were told that artists in general don't allow cameras, so it was their overall policy. This was in direct contradiction to what we had been told when we called. After the radio broadcast, and before the concert, we asked about it again. We were told that cameras weren't allowed because Rick specifically forbid them. I have only been to ONE Rick Springfield show (in 1982!!!!!) where cameras were not allowed. We were told that they had "brand new, really good security wands" and that if we had cameras, we had better check them right away. We asked how all of the people who had cameras during the radio broadcast (never mind all of the camera phones) had managed to get them in...and they said they were just lucky. You would think that the major security concern would be weapons rather than cameras and bottled water. Twenty minutes before showtime, they made an announcement and said that if you had checked your camera that you could go pick it up and that cameras were indeed allowed. How messed up is that!?!?!?

Roe Conn Show Live Broadcast - Chicago, IL

06/22/2007
The Roe Conn Show with Special Guest Rick Springfield
House of Blues
Chicago, IL

Musical Guest: Kimi Hayes & The Play Doctors

I love listening to the Roe Conn show on WLS Chicago during the drive home every day! We already had tix for the Rick Springfield concert...and when I heard that Roe was doing a live remote from the House of Blues that same day with Rick as the special guest, I was so excited! After much dialing and redialing over several days, I finally got through and won an invitation to the broadcast.

I rarely have the chance to listen to an entire show, so it was great to have the chance to do that! It was definitely very entertaining :) The Play Doctors were great...we have seen Kimi Hayes at World Stage before, and she's great. Steve Carell called in during the show, and they did an interview with him. And, of course, Rick made an appearance. The coolest part was when they were talking about musicians turning into actors and vice versa...and Roe brought up Jon Bon Jovi as an example and asked his opinion.

Here are pics of my autographed copy of the invitation...so cool how it looks like an old 45 recore :)

Jim Peterik & World Stage - Elgin, IL

05/18/2007
Jim Peterik & World Stage
Hemmens Center
Elgin, IL

Opening Band: None

We look forward to this show every year! This year, the show was a bit later than usual and in a different venue. But it was just as incredible as all of the previous versions. The concert started at 8:00 PM, and concluded at right around midnight (with a short intermission). Wow! What a lineup! Special guests this year included Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger), Anthony Gomes, Kevin Chalfant (The Storm), Kip Winger (Winger), Rik Emmett (Triumph), Lobster Newberg, Toby Hitchcock (Pride of Lions), and of course, the Ides of March...and the ringmaster, Jim Peterik.

All of this was backed up by the most incredible band...Mike Aquino and Joel Hoekstra on guitars, Christian Cullen on keyboards, Klem Hayes on bass, and Ed Breckenfeld on drums. Backup singers were Lisa McClowry and Thom Griffin (as well as some of the special guests such as Kevin Chalfant and Kip Winger jumping in from time to time). Every song that was played was so incredibly on par or better than the original. Most of the time, there were between 12 and 20 people on stage at one time.

On the way home, we tried to figure out what our favorite part was, but it was all so good. One of my favorite parts was the encore, when Kelly Keagy and Ed Breckenfeld came out before the others and played an incredible drum duet before everyone joined them for a 38 Special song. We are so incredibly lucky to have such an event here in our backyard every year!

I don't have a lot of pics, because we took Bryon's camera and weren't too familiar with it. Needless to say, most of the pics turned out blurry. Here's one of the only ones that turned out...left to right...Jim Peterik, Kevin Chalfant, Joel Hoekstra, and Scott May (Ides of March).

Rick Springfield - Milwaukee, WI

05/12/2007
Rick Springfield
Potawatomi Bingo Casino
Milwaukee, WI

Opening Band: None

We made the trip up to Milwaukee for the last night of Rick's 5 night gig at Potowatomi. As much as I like Rick, there is absolutely no way I could handle 5 nights in a row! Plus, my vacation time is too valuable :)

It was a lot of driving (and a very long night). I left home at 3:30 PM, and didn't get home until 2:00 AM.

Potawatomi is a great place to see a show. It is a very small venue, which is always the best kind. The last time that we saw him there in 2003, we were in the balcony. It is definitely better on the main floor!

The concert itself was fairly short (just over 1.5 hours), and pretty standard. It was a fun time, though :)

Rick was on the Roe Conn Show on WLS (Chicago) on Friday night, and it was soooooo cool!

Set list:
Who Killed Rock N Roll
Will I?
Affair of the Heart
Alyson
I've Done Everything For You
Rock of Life
Living In Oz
Christmas Song
Red House
Don't Talk to Strangers
Medley
The American Girl
Love Somebody
Jesus Saves
My Generation
Wild Thing
Human Touch
Jessie's Girl
Love is Alright Tonite

B.B. King - Merrillville, IN

04/07/2007
B.B. King
Star Plaza
Merrillville, IN

We wound up having very good seats...4th row, right next to the stage. It was a very good show!

Dave Matthews Band - Las Vegas, NV

03/24/2007
Dave Matthews Band
MGM Grand Garden Arena
Las Vegas, NV

Opening Band: The Fray

We're absolutely exhausted, but had a blast. It was Bryon's birthday last week, and when we heard that Dave Matthews Band was going to be playing in Las Vegas the weekend of his birthday, we decided to enter the fan club lottery for tickets. We got great seats, so off we went!

After working all day on Thursday, we had a 9:00 PM flight out of Chicago Midway. Thunderstorms to the west shut down all westbound departures, so we had to sit in the plane at the gate for an hour until they re-routed us around the storms. By 2:00 AM CST, we were in Vegas and finally got to the hotel around 3:00 AM. The weather was great, and the shows were incredible...and another two very late nights by the time the shows were over and we made it back to the hotel! It was back to Chicago yesterday, and back to work today. It was a whirlwind trip, but a lot of fun!

Summary of the shows from the DMB website:
"Not having played a show since October, DMB just pulled off a couple amazing evenings in Vegas. Last night, Dave described a time many years ago when he worked in bar where many musicians performed on a small stage in the window. He prepared a tape of songs he'd written and passed it on to Carter and LeRoi, eluding to the forming of the band. The tape included the song I'll Back You Up, which the band proceeded to play for the first time in years. The shows here saw the return of some of the best cover tunes the band has played, including The Maker, Down By The River, Time Of The Season and Sweet Caroline. Dave also sang the lyrics to Lanois' Still Water over the intro to Don't Drink The Water. A very cool moment. We now have about a month off before we head to Australia for a short, four city tour. See y'all down under.

The DMB Crew
Sunday, March 25
1:33 AM PDT"

Saturday night set list:

Crash Into Me
You Might Die Trying *
Grey Street *
Sweet Caroline *
What Would You Say *
The Idea Of You *
Seek Up *
Still Water ...> *
Don’t Drink the Water *
Dancing Nancies *
Where Are You Going
The Maker *
Louisiana Bayou *
Stolen Away On 55th & 3rd *
Down By The River *
Too Much *
Tripping Billies *

Encore:
Gravedigger +
American Baby Intro *
Halloween *

Notes:
* Rashawn Ross
+ Dave Solo

It was announced shortly after the show that both Las Vegas shows will be released (in their entirety) as Live Trax 9!!

Dave Matthews Band - Las Vegas, NV

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