Concert Reviews

[Derek19]

This might be early to say because the concert isn't until July, but last week, for presale, V.I.P., and public tickets went on sale.  Madonna, is going on tour for promoting her 40th+ Anniversary called "the Celebration Tour", and in Vancouver, there is one, which is the first.  I've been seeing if tickets would sell out, and prices get cheaper.  I haven't seen her perform in person before.  On the Canadian Ticketmaster website, for a cheaper price, than what a lot of them have been, I bought a verified resale one.  It's a good seat, and not anywhere on the floors.  With Madonna developing a "serious bacterial infection", her 40th+ Anniversary "the Celebration Tour" July date in Vancouver, and the initial North American leg had, and needed to be postponed, and rescheduled.  Now, the Vancouver date is for Feb. 21, 2024.

 

I wanted to say that I did go to the rescheduled "Madonna - 40th+ Anniversary: the Celebration Tour" in Vancouver on Feb. 21.  I thought she, and the concert were phenomenal, exceptional, and spectacular.  I recommend anyone else not having trying to miss it. 

Edited June 2, 2024 by Derek19

[TheAccountant]

Just saw Judas Priest with Sabaton opening for them in Albany NY.

 

Good Lord - what a show.

 

My goodness.

 

First off - Sabaton.  I saw them a number of years ago opening for Nightwish in a small venue in NYC on the opening night of the Endless Forms Most Beautiful tour.  At that point I did not know anything about Sabaton and was shock at how good they were - they killed it.  Strangly I never really got into their music.  I have one CD but don't listen to it much.  That is going to have to change.  I should like them as I am very interested by history and power metal is my cup of tea.  I really need to find the time to give them a deep dive - both because I should like them, how much I liked their show years ago and the show tonight.  They killed it.  Every song they did was excellent and they really worked the crowed.  Note - I went to the show by myself but then talked to a bunch of folks on the way out (I always do that - if you go to a show in Albany and some tall guy with a beard and glasses just strikes up a conversation it might be me) and everybody I talked with agreed Sabaton killed it and was way, way better than Queensryche who opened for Priest the last time they played Albany.

 

On to the mighty Priest.  Give me a break.  Geepers creepers - they were ridiculously good.  Just insane.  Way better than their last tour in 2022.  Better than when I saw them opening for Deep Purple in support of Firepower.  Before that the last time I had seen them was on the Painkiller tour and this was much, much better than that (mind you, I dislike Painkiller as an album).  Only time I have seen a better Priest show was on the Ram it Down Tour in 1988 - and that, to this day, is the 2nd best show I have seen (surpassed only by Rush on the VT tour).  The set list included a lot of songs you would expect - The Hellion, Electric Eye, The Green Manalishi, Turbo Lover, Victim of Changes, (those 3 were not on the set list the last time they played Albany and I really like them so that was a welcome inclusion) Breaking the Law, Liven After Midnight, You've Got Another thing Coming, Painkiller (which was also not on the set list last time but since I don't like it - o, well, most folks were happy), Hell Bent For Leather.  They did not play a ton off the new album - Crown of Horns got the biggest response of their new material (which is fine with me as I enjoy it).

 

BTW - the version of Victim of Changes just had folks both going nuts and shaking their heads.  I heard one guy go "Not f'ing possible!  How how old is Halford and he just did that?"

 

Then their was Love Bites - I am ok with the song.  No problems but it not amoung my elite Priest songs but this version was insane.  Just fire - no, radioactively glowing it was so hot.  Plus they did Devils Child which is a favorite of mine and Halford killed it  It was crazy - how the f was Halford doing what he did vocally?  That is not an easy song to do. He may not have been hitting all the notes from the album but he was close - and its not 1982 any more.  Crazy. 

 

Multiple time during the show my jaw just dropped and I said to my self "Good lord!!!  Thats insane!  What the f am I hearing?"  Halford vocals were just incredible / ridiculous.

 

Additional note - Ritchie Faulkner on lead guitar is just the reincarnation of Randy Rhodes.  Its been said before but I will say it again - I can't think of another band that has received such a late career reinvigoration from the addition of anybody.  He really should have been indicted in the Hall of Fame with the group.  

 

Crazy good show.  Obviously I enjoyed it and Priest clearly still has a lot left in the tank if they want to keep going.

[Super25Smasher]

14 minutes ago, TheAccountant said:

Just saw Judas Priest with Sabaton opening for them in Albany NY.

 

Good Lord - what a show.

 

My goodness.

 

First off - Sabaton.  I saw them a number of years ago opening for Nightwish in a small venue in NYC on the opening night of the Endless Forms Most Beautiful tour.  At that point I did not know anything about Sabaton and was shock at how good they were - they killed it.  Strangly I never really got into their music.  I have one CD but don't listen to it much.  That is going to have to change.  I should like them as I am very interested by history and power metal is my cup of tea.  I really need to find the time to give them a deep dive - both because I should like them, how much I liked their show years ago and the show tonight.  They killed it.  Every song they did was excellent and they really worked the crowed.  Note - I went to the show by myself but then talked to a bunch of folks on the way out (I always do that - if you go to a show in Albany and some tall guy with a beard and glasses just strikes up a conversation it might be me) and everybody I talked with agreed Sabaton killed it and was way, way better than Queensryche who opened for Priest the last time they played Albany.

 

On to the mighty Priest.  Give me a break.  Geepers creepers - they were ridiculously good.  Just insane.  Way better than their last tour in 2022.  Better than when I saw them opening for Deep Purple in support of Firepower.  Before that the last time I had seen them was on the Painkiller tour and this was much, much better than that (mind you, I dislike Painkiller as an album).  Only time I have seen a better Priest show was on the Ram it Down Tour in 1988 - and that, to this day, is the 2nd best show I have seen (surpassed only by Rush on the VT tour).  The set list included a lot of songs you would expect - The Hellion, Electric Eye, The Green Manalishi, Turbo Lover, Victim of Changes, (those 3 were not on the set list the last time they played Albany and I really like them so that was a welcome inclusion) Breaking the Law, Liven After Midnight, You've Got Another thing Coming, Painkiller (which was also not on the set list last time but since I don't like it - o, well, most folks were happy), Hell Bent For Leather.  They did not play a ton off the new album - Crown of Horns got the biggest response of their new material (which is fine with me as I enjoy it).

 

BTW - the version of Victim of Changes just had folks both going nuts and shaking their heads.  I heard one guy go "Not f'ing possible!  How how old is Halford and he just did that?"

 

Then their was Love Bites - I am ok with the song.  No problems but it not amoung my elite Priest songs but this version was insane.  Just fire - no, radioactively glowing it was so hot.  Plus they did Devils Child which is a favorite of mine and Halford killed it  It was crazy - how the f was Halford doing what he did vocally?  That is not an easy song to do. He may not have been hitting all the notes from the album but he was close - and its not 1982 any more.  Crazy. 

 

Multiple time during the show my jaw just dropped and I said to my self "Good lord!!!  Thats insane!  What the f am I hearing?"  Halford vocals were just incredible / ridiculous.

 

Additional note - Ritchie Faulkner on lead guitar is just the reincarnation of Randy Rhodes.  Its been said before but I will say it again - I can't think of another band that has received such a late career reinvigoration from the addition of anybody.  He really should have been indicted in the Hall of Fame with the group.  

 

Crazy good show.  Obviously I enjoyed it and Priest clearly still has a lot left in the tank if they want to keep going.

I was there too. It was an amazing show

[TheAccountant]

17 hours ago, Super25Smasher said:

I was there too. It was an amazing show

Yes - one other thing I did not mention was that I spent  lot of $ at the show.  One ticket at the door, $90.  One T-shirt outside, another $40.  One beer in the venue, another $19 (give me a break, fine with helping pay the salaries of the workers but thats robbery).  Needed the beer though as I had puled some muscles in my back and even with some CBD and Tylenol my back was killing me.  4 T- shirts (2 Priest & 2 Sabaton) at the merch booth another $200. A signed copy of Sabaton's album at the merch booth another $75.  

 

Not complaining (much).  I saved up and planned to spend this $.  It was worth it (except the crazy cost of the beer - but even that was worth it in a way).  Glad you liked the show as well.

[Super25Smasher]

55 minutes ago, TheAccountant said:

Yes - one other thing I did not mention was that I spent  lot of $ at the show.  One ticket at the door, $90.  One T-shirt outside, another $40.  One beer in the venue, another $19 (give me a break, fine with helping pay the salaries of the workers but thats robbery).  Needed the beer though as I had puled some muscles in my back and even with some CBD and Tylenol my back was killing me.  4 T- shirts (2 Priest & 2 Sabaton) at the merch booth another $200. A signed copy of Sabaton's album at the merch booth another $75.  

 

Not complaining (much).  I saved up and planned to spend this $.  It was worth it (except the crazy cost of the beer - but even that was worth it in a way).  Glad you liked the show as well.

I spent $50 inside on a shirt haha. I got my ticket for about $35 in March. Ticketmaster had what they call a “Get Lucky Offer”, and I got a good deal.

[custom55]

Stones were fantastic on Thursday.  The t-storms rolled through last morning but the weather was perfect for an outdoor show.

 

Going back for more tonight.

 

I've said this many times before but I think this will be The Last Time is see The Stones live.

 

 

 

 

[Laurabw]

50 minutes ago, custom55 said:

Stones were fantastic on Thursday.  The t-storms rolled through last morning but the weather was perfect for an outdoor show.

 

Going back for more tonight.

 

I've said this many times before but I think this will be The Last Time is see The Stones live.

 

 

 

 

Soooo good, and we're going again too, we grabbed side stage on Friday afternoon!!

Gimme Shelter was my highlight. Chanel is fierce!!

[yyz305]

1 hour ago, custom55 said:

Stones were fantastic on Thursday.  The t-storms rolled through last morning but the weather was perfect for an outdoor show.

 

Going back for more tonight.

 

I've said this many times before but I think this will be The Last Time is see The Stones live.

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I remember saying that in 95. I was quite sure they wouldn't be around for too much longer. How wrong was I!

[Laurabw]

Keith looks like death but sounds great, Ronnie sounds great and Mick is like Benjamin freaking Button

 

[lerxt1990]

I just saw the Stones last night and was frankly shocked at how good they were.  The show was really good and even given the biological limitations of singing and dancing at 80; it made little difference.  

[lerxt1990]

7 hours ago, lerxt1990 said:

I just saw the Stones last night and was frankly shocked at how good they were.  The show was really good and even given the biological limitations of singing and dancing at 80; it made little difference.  

 

Pulling the thread more..

 

********SPOILER MENTION OF SONG BELOW SKIP IF YOU DONT WANT TO KNOW***************************

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She's A Rainbow hit me right where I live.  They played it brilliantly, and being an old GenXer it transported me to my youth, that piano and the singing, and they played it VERY well.  Also whether you are a slightly more than casual fan (like me) you realized quickly that you were watching legends play this stuff with every ounce of energy they had, not mailing it in.  For me, Start Me Up to start was obviously great (although I couldnt get the image of Bill Gates and those dorks dancing to the song out of my head..) but what really hit was Honky Tonk WOman, Sympathy Devil, Gimmee SHelter (his black female backup singer crushed it), Cant Alway Get What you Want, and Midnight Rambler especially - which reminds you how they truly love the blues.  Straight up did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did.

[Turbine Freight]

If you get a chance to see Scorpions on their Love at First Sting anniversary tour, take it. I was lucky enough to catch their show in London last week and it was well worth it. 

I made the show by the skin of my teeth (delayed flight from Tel Aviv) and I was out on my feet with fatigue. I've seen Scorpions goodness knows how many times over the years but this show was incredible. They've even replicated the World Wide Live stage set from the original tour. 

 

It's a great night out.

[launchpad67a]

Bush / Jerry Cantrell / Candlebox / Bones UK

Saturday Sept 14, 2024

Talking Stick Resort Amphitheater - Phoenix, AZ

 

Disclaimer: this concert was my wife's idea for "date night", so....

 

Bush: I have never been a fan of Bush. With that said, they blew me away. Absolutely killer rock show. They were the headliner so I expected something decent, but they were really impressive. Great set, sounded good, looked good, crowd loved it.

Interesting side-note: during the last intermission (right before Bush) the "house music" was the loudest between-set music I've ever heard. Not just a little louder than most, but way louder. I'd say a solid 20db louder than any concert I've ever been to (over 750). It was "as loud" as the Opening band (Bones UK). Insane!

 

Jerry Cantrell: The Alice in Chains star killer it. Great set, really nice performances, sounded good, looked good. The "aux" vocalist is insanely good. The vocals during their set were fantastic. Jerry sang all of his songs (most), and the other guy sang the rest. I saw Alice In Chains 3 times back in the day, so I'm a fan. Jerry did not disappoint.

 

Candlebox: I've always loved them, but haven't seen them since they opened for Rush on the Counterparts Tour. They were amazing. That lead singer is an incredible vocalist. Total rock star. Great set, great show. They really sounded good...maybe the best of all the bands. Crowd was the loudest for these guys. They killed it!

 

Bones UK: Never heard of them before. All chick band, 3 piece. They were awesome. Great energy, cool songs, solid performances. Perfect opener for this tour.

 

Overall this was a better than expected concert. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would. Totally worth it (tickets were $39).

This was the second to last night of a 32 city tour.

 

Shameless plug: This is my 4250th post - since September 25, 2004 - Member #200  (the quiet Moderator). That's 7299 days (or 19 years, 11 months, 25 days).

Edited September 18, 2024 by launchpad67a

[launchpad67a]

David Gilmour - Luck and Strange Tour

Hollywood Bowl - Los Angeles, CA

October 31, 2024

 

This was the final night of a 3 show run at the Hollywood Bowl, and the 16th show of a 21 show tour (in just 4 cities worldwide). It was a truly magical evening and the band was on fire. The best performances I've seen from any shows on this tour so far. They really played well, and David was damn near perfect. The setlist remained the same for all shows; Set 1 = 13 songs / Set 2 = 10 songs. He played 9 (of 11) songs off the new record, which is a great album btw.

The show is insane. The lighting design was unlike anything I had ever seen. Only way I can describe it is like, "painting brush strokes" with light. Truly unique and new. The sound was pristine. Absolutely perfect. The show progressed (production wise) with each song. Starting with limited lighting and visuals, then moving to full blown mind blowing lasers and incredible scenes. Lasers don't even make their appearance until the beginning of the second set, for Sorrow.

Gilmour is my favorite guitarist, and Pink Floyd is my second favorite band. I'm so glad we made the trip to see this special tour.

Only 5 shows left, all at Madison Square Garden in NYC. If you can find a ticket, you should do all you can to go.

 

Here's my Video of Sorrow: (not the best video but it sounds incredible)

 

Edited November 3, 2024 by launchpad67a

[TheAccountant]

Just got in from seeing The Hu with Funeral Picture opening at a venue in Albany NY that has a capacity of 1,000 and I would say that it might not have been a sell out but it was very close (not bad for a Monday night).

 

First off, the opening act.  Never heard of Funeral Picture, much less heard their music.   My overall reaction was they were not bad.  They were ok - decent stage show.  But nothing special.  Opening at this size venue is about the max they should be doing.  Some guy I got talking to before the show told me that they remind him of Daltrey (not Roger Daltrey of The Who, just Daltrey) and having seen them I would say thats a reasonable fair description.  Ok but nothing I would go out of my way to see again.

 

Now, The Hu.  They have been on my list of groups I would like to see.  I have listened to some of their albums on youtube and really enjoyed them.  I know they have played some of the big festivals in Europe (Hellfest I know they have played at twice) and they are currently on tour opening for Iron Maiden.  I recently wanted a video of them covering Maidens The Trooper on youtube and noticed that they were going to play Albany.  This was shocking that they would play a small venue here.  Totally shocking so I took advantage of the situation and went.  Given credit their manager who worked this show in between their shows with Maiden (I assume thats what happened(.

 

So what did I think?  Dang - that was an excellent show.  If I liked them before I like them even more now.  Don't matter that I don't speak Mongolian and their song are done in Mongolian - yes, even their cover of The Trooper is in Mongolian.  They were tremendous.   Stage presence, excellent vocals & they can play.  They have it all.  The crowd went nuts for them. 

 

If you like Metal (and esp. if you like folk metal) I strongly recommend you see them if you get the chance.  They are a band on the rise & I can't believe I was lucky enough to see them at a place with a general admission capacity of 1,000.  Cant imagine I will be lucky enough to see them again at such a venue in my home town.  

 

 

 

[custom55]

My 9th New Year's Eve Phish run at MSG.  

 

I look forward to these shows every year.   I have such a great time and the band kills it.

 

 

Behind the stage.

 

 

 

 

Front view

 

 

Edited January 13 by custom55

[apetersvt]

13 hours ago, custom55 said:

My 9th New Year's Eve Phish run at MSG.  

 

I look forward to these shows every year.   I have such a great time and the band kills it.

 

 

Behind the stage.

 

 

 

 

Front view

 

 

I got convinced to go again this year.  Did all 4 nights in section 209 row 6. 

 

Did you hit all 4 nights??  Seems like our experience has been that it is easier to get the 4 day passes than try to get single nights - especially NYE.   My preference would be to do 2 nights of Phish at MSG and one night of Govt Mule at the Beacon.  

[zepphead]

Just back from Glasgow after seeing Uriah Heep, April Wine and Tyketto.

 

Small theatre venue with a great sound for all three bands.

 

Great to see April Wine for the first time. They put on a fine show.

 

Uriah Heep were amazing!!!

[zepphead]

Just back from Glasgow after seeing Uriah Heep, April Wine and Tyketto.

 

Small theatre venue with a great sound for all three bands.

 

Great to see April Wine for the first time. They put on a fine show.

 

Uriah Heep were amazing!!!

[zepphead]

Just back from Glasgow after seeing Uriah Heep, April Wine and Tyketto.

 

Small theatre venue with a great sound for all three bands.

 

Great to see April Wine for the first time. They put on a fine show.

 

Uriah Heep were amazing!!!