Around the corner of my life is a little crevice called sanity.
When does too much happen? You are about to witness the answer to that question. In an effort to document all of my musical adventures, I started this blog.....when I am done writing this weekend I will once again experience the overload I placed on myself.
Now, let me also share my life belief:
Life is here to build memories and experiences
As you will witness, both are present in the last few months. Slowing down is a good experience too. I will never complain about my life and what it has brought, but sometimes you need to slow down and look back in order to truly respect those experiences and self archive those memories. Don't want the bucket to get too full without inventorying those entities and tucking them away in the proper mental scrapbook.
Imagine to yourself having free range of the floor and stage area. Well we couldn't imaging it and yet it happened.
On night two we were in the Red Zone, which was a unique area just off the side of the outer stage. Little did we know, this would also allow us to roam through the inner stage, back stage area and experience U2 360 in a whole new way.
Here is a video of when they walked on the stage. (Just watch the first few seconds, I kept recording and didn't know it.)
All night long they played a few different tunes, add a bit of a twist, improvised a few steps and stayed with the core of the performance. The next few videos show just these steps along the way. (Notice the crowd interaction tonight. It was even better than the night before.)
Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For with a little Stand By Me ending!!!!
I'll Go Crazy, If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight
MLK (with a little of Pride ending.)
Here is the Set List for Night 2:
Main Set: Breathe, No Line On The Horizon, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Beautiful Day - Here Comes the Sun, Mysterious Ways, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Stand By Me, Angel of Harlem - Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, In A Little While, Unknown Caller, The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights - Rain, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride, MLK, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone, Where the Streets Have No Name, One
Encore(s): Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
Comments: Bono dances with a female fan from Chile during Mysterious Ways. U2 makes another connection with the Intl. Space Station, where the astronauts have a special message for the Dublin crowd: 'Hello Dublin, what's the craic?' Fans up front notice Bono in tears after Streets.
Here are a couple of pictures through the night:
Here are a few more shots throughout the night. We wrapped up a 21 year long venture to go see U2 in Ireland in pure style. Pure style, we will never, ever, ever will forget this weekend.
Let me start by saying, one more amazing night for U2. Highlights of the night include; the purest crowd interaction I have ever heard. (If you have ever wondered if the Irish sing all the time, they certainly do at a U2 concert. It was unreal.) When they pulled out Bad, you have got to be kidding me. What an experience, that is all I can say, over and over and over.
Here is a bit of the opening night. What an experience.
Then U2 played a little acoustic set, which included some good mix. Check out a sample of Stuck In A Moment.
Here is the Set List:
Main Set: Breathe, No Line On The Horizon, Get On Your Boots, Magnificent, Beautiful Day - Blackbird, Elevation, Desire, Stuck In A Moment, The Auld Triangle, One, Until the End of the World, The Unforgettable Fire, City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Pride, MLK, Walk On - You'll Never Walk Alone, Where the Streets Have No Name, Bad
Encore(s): Ultraviolet, With or Without You, Moment of Surrender
Comments: Bono and Edge sing an acoustic 'Stuck', followed by 'Auld Triangle', a traditional Irish song (also acoustic). After the song, Bono lavishes praise on the hometown crowd. During the encore break, a computerized voice recites a bit of the WH Auden poem, 'Funeral Blues.'
Also, some random pictures.
Raining during the opening act:
Proof of how clean this area is, how about Smoking Wardens at concerts:
Glasvegas, last song of their set. Passionate little Scots:
Bono walking the outer stage, where we will be tonight:
Upon touching down in Ireland, our taxi cab driver started up with asking why we were in town. (The Custom's Officer hit it right on the head like we were some transparent teenagers.) We are in town to watch the hometown boys play a gig in a few days!!!!!
The driver got excited and had to share that he was at the first ever U2 concert and pointed out that it took place kitty corner from our hotel at the below location.
If you ever wonder if U2 owns this town, there are posters everywhere announcing their return to the area. Here is an example down one of the shopping districts.
Finally, everywhere you go there is someone playing music. I think we could move here today!!!!
Round two of The 2009 Anderson Concert Series takes us to Ireland, homeland of a small little quintet from Ireland. More to come as the week kicks off....Wednesday morning. I can't stand it, may not sleep for the next 5 days.
You have got to be kidding me. We witnessed the greatest concert I have seen at Red Rocks and it just happens to be WILCO. Rare crowd, excellent seating, amazing friends, oh....and WILCO was completely on.
We went early to get close seats and pulled up to the parking lot with maybe 10 cars parked. The rain was coming down so hard, we couldn't see out the window. The rain quickly converted to hail and then stopped. It was a beautiful night, one like no other. The heaven split open and the moon, the stars and a touch of clouds streaked across the fresh sky. The setting couldn't have been chosen from a Rolodex of screen savers. Just serene.
This concert was on the brink of their new album, WILCO the Album. The new songs came to life in a live setting. As always, Nels kicked in a bit of psychedelic rock to the mix. The band members were certainly in sink all night, Jeff doing quirky thinks on the stage including dedicating Man Who Loves You to his wife and then mocking himself a bit. Not one single complaint about the night. Not one.
Set List:
1. Wilco (The Song) 2. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart 3. Bull Black Nova 4.You Are My Face 5. One Wing 6. A Shot In The Arm 7. At Least That's What You Said 8. Deeper Down 9. Impossible Germany 10. It's Just That Simple 11. Can't Stand It 12. Jesus, Etc. 13. Shouldn't Be Ashamed 14. Hate It Here 15. Handshake Drugs 16. You Never Know 17. Walken 18. I'm The Man Who Loves You 19. Everlasting Everything
Encore 1: 20. Ashes Of American Flags 21. California Stars (with Okkervil River) 22. Misunderstood 23. Spiders (Kidsmoke) 24. Hummingbird
Encore 2: 25. The Late Greats 26. Heavy Metal Drummer 27. Hoodoo Voodoo 28. I'm A Wheel
The opening of 2009's concert season for the Anderson family has just been kicked off with a BANG!!!! I wish EVERYONE could have been there, that means ALL of you.
Highlights - WILCO the Song, Jeff banter (as always), Jeff's kids playing on stage, pinnacle moment was definitely Misunderstood. Please see below:
10. Depeche Mode - Sounds of the Universe - Some really good songs and some mediocre songs. Overall, just excited they got together and put an album together, followed by hitting the road.
9. Our Lady Peace - Despite being from Canada, they make life cool. Love everything they pull out. Great live band too.
8. Alice and Chains - After seeing them live last year, I am intrigued. The new singer is really good.
7. Aerosmith - Need I say more. Steven Tyler is amazing.
6. Blur - Bring it
5. Aaron Lewis - Every time that guy pulls out a solo song, tour, or appearance, he makes it magical.
4. Pearl Jam - Backspace - Sept 22 - New song debut on Connan's first night. Good stuff and feeling like a live album already.
3. Wilco - Wilco the Album - Out June 30th, currently streaming on their site www.wilcoworld.net. Great album. May be another album that I hit play on June 30th and it rolls through for about 3 months straight.
2. U2 - No Line On the Horizon - Before the concert begins, there are several songs I can't wait to see take shape live. Every time a new album comes out, my attitude changes when the songs are played live and Bono tells the story and inspiration of each song. Larry, let Bono speak....it brings further validity to the music.
1. Green Day - 21st Century Breakdown - One of the most complete albums I have ever heard. Opera, theater, multi stanza format. Unique in our day and time. May go down as the album of the year. The bar sits there and someone will need to raise it. I relish something better.
There are so many more. This year will be great. Hope it brings them out on tour, may make the tour page larger.
After a U2 performance across the street for the Brit Awards, Bono wandered over to join Chris Martin and The Killers on stage. Coldplay and The Killers were at the O2 doing a benefit concert for War Child. Unannounced to the fans, after Chris Martin tunes the guitar and Brandon Flowers pounds on the keys to start off the song and sings the open lick to the song, Bono wanders out. Check it out!!!!!
One of the best songs of modern day. I have seen The Killers in concert three times and this song brings on one amazing spiritual moment. A unity of sorts.
No Line On The Horizon - A punch in the face, then the melody starts to crawl up and spin around your head like those little cartoon birds swirling. They break it up, then bring it back together. Great start, now I want to hear it ALL.
Magnificent - The Edge takes it into next generation. You don't know if his guitar is a voice or an instrument, because he exists in areas of music where others have tried, but nobody conquers so well. Adam and Larry tie it all together as they do so well. You know what I mean, where they reside in the backgrounds, but without them it would be naked. They dress it up. Bono summons the multiple u2 decades of 80's, 90's and 00's to please unite!!!!! Merge all entities to become MAGNIFICENT.
Moment of Surrender - Smooth. Take that tune and and drive down a street with the seat tipped back a bit and window down. Heads will turn and you will look smooth. The moment of surrender will be when those around you will say either internally or verbally, "Love Believes in Me".
Unknown Caller - The beginning riff on this song is memorable. I waited mid stream to get back into this song. Just about when your impatience develops, hold tight for the remainder of the journey. Very unique U2 song. Wait till they pound this one out live!!! It will take on a new world.
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight - A single for sure. Bono carries this tune. The lyrics pierce the eardrums and touch the soul. Mission Accomplished!!!!
Get On Your Boots - Perfect Timing. "The Future Needs A Big Kiss". If you haven't heard this song yet, you are not alive. If you are not alive, play this song and it is the modern day musical defibrillator. A couple of puffs of fresh air into the lungs of this album. A pause from the righteous everyday agenda for some pure ROCK AND ROLL!!!!
Stand Up Comedy - You always fear coming off a good Rock and Roll song like Get On Your Boots and drip off a bit. Are you serious? Did he just say, "Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady"? Bold and deep at the same time. When you hit this track, STAND UP, or you will be PULLED UP. "Stand up for your love"!!!! WOW
Fez Being Born - After hearing that tune, I want to go to Morocco. Anyone in? If that isn't the song they bust out playing after an encore break, I will be surprised. The kind of song that could be sung in a small club with mini strobe lights and simultaneously fill the likes of an open stadium the seats 200,000 people. It reaches out and hits everyone the same and draws everyone to the feet's of the stage. Mesmerizing.
White As Snow - Since it just snowed this morning, it paints the very picture of seeing a good snow storm coming down and the street lights exposing the flakes. You know the kind, where you stop doing whatever you considered important and catch yourself in another place hypnotised by the environment around you. I woke from my hypnotic slumber by the tear that rolled down my face during this song. It may take a while before I get to the next song.
Breathe - Snap out of it, time to kick it up about 10 notches. Start pumping fists one more time. The lyrics made me shake my head in amazement. Walk around this song for a minute, then pick up the pace. Now look down, is your foot tapping too?
Cedars of Lebanon - Just listen to it. Mom just kissed your boo boo better and put a Bandaid on it, then tucked you in bed with a hot glass of milk and your favorite blanket. Enjoy.
Conclusion: This is the first time U2 has come out with an album that I either haven't said, that sounds like this U2 album or compared them to another influence of theirs or mine. They have created a masterpiece and established a new sound AGAIN. Cover to Cover, not a single song will be skipped through. Please excuse me a minute, I have to go start the player back up again. Happy Journey!!!
Pearl Jam is officially in the studio working hard to finalize a new album in 2009. You know what that means, a tour!!!! It will be three years since my last PJ concert....bring it out on the stage boys, you are the best..
Also on the PJ front, the remastering of 10....the best album to come out of the 90's. It is due out next month. Every remastered album I have picked up so far has offered a better cleaner sound, can't wait to see what they can perfect on that album.
GREEN DAY
Green Day announced, at the Grammy's, a new album soon, "Breakdown". It has been 5 years since "American Idiot" and then they will hit the road. It looks like in July they will hit some arenas in the states. I can't miss them this time around.
U2
The day is getting closer to the new album, "No Line on the Horizon". Search your respective sites for snippets to the new songs and head out to u2.com to see the new video for "Get On Your Boots". Every day I get more and more pumped.
A little secret about OUR line on OUR horizon......Ireland. Once that sucker gets officially announced, we will be on the horizon into Dublin.
Coldplay
Bringing it back. Coldplay announced a revisit to the US to do a couple of outdoor arenas. I got to hit just one of those, so choose wisely.
Depeche Mode
New album, "Sounds of the Universe" is out the 20th of April. US Tour still not announced, but on the wish list!!!!
Corbijn and I spent a few minutes musically bonding at California Adventure.
Waiting outside of one of the rides with him, I pulled out the IPhone and played a little MGMT and cued up the ITurn application. ITurn is an application that allows you to listen to music and scratch during your favorite tune. After a few minutes of watching me do it, DJ Corbijn strapped on the headset and went Mike D on the IPhone.
Now Corbijn can express his new found talent without much coercion.
Another night and I was talked into the Killers again. We had a meeting get scheduled in Chicago where the Killers were playing another night. One hour before the concert, we acquired some decent seats and three friends entered the UIC Pavilion.
The crowd always makes a concert and the band was playing off the vibe. The place erupted in excitement as the Killers mimicked the playlist from several nights before, but there was something different. Brandon was getting into the crowd's face, egging them on, which forced further eruptions.
"All These Things That I Have Done" is always a person favorite, cause I've got Soul but I'm not a Soldier. Once again, this night was extra special as the crowd carried the intro into the Soul chant. Brandon was visibly loving it as much as we were, as he hopped around the stage in excitement.
Still, coming back out for the encore and taking the audience into the mid 80's with a little Joy Division cover was priceless. One of the best covers ever done, as well as a great song for a beautiful movie (Control), Shadowplay. The lights went down and I took a literal journey back into my earlier life. Alisa thought I was Jan Brady seeing Johnny Bravo for the first time as I hurled a scream across the arena. Needless to say.........I AM RESOLD ON THE KILLERS.
OVER AND IN, LAST CALL FOR SIN!!!!!!!!
I DID EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING I WANTED TO
I LET THEM USE YOU, FOR THEIR OWN ENDS
TO THE CENTER OF THE CITY IN THE NIGHT, WAITING FOR YOU!!!!!!!!
Next Thing I Knew They Ripped Me From My Bed........."
An applicable opening, the 2009 Killers opening concert was held in Denver, CO with a full crowd and restless emotion. My last encounter with the Killers was decent, and my expectations were extremely high. It was an enjoyable night with Christin, Megan and Brian. All together, I left satisfied and not really dieing for more. Could have been my last Killers concert and I would have been fine.........then came Chicago.
