Live Music: A Reflection

With the upcoming trip to NYC to see U2 at Madison Square Garden, which might amount to one of the best concerts ever, and with The O.C. Supertones hanging up the horns next month with a final show at Biola, I've been thinking about live music and all of the concerts I've been to over the years, and some I would LOVE to see live.

Tops on my "Wish List" is Garth Brooks. Now that he's possibly coming out of his semi-retirement, I'm hoping I'll get a chance to see him. I also want to see McCartney. I've never seen the Rolling Stones or Elton John. I also want to see The Killers REALLY REALLY bad. And now I want to see INXS on their next tour.

I've seen U2 eight times. All of them were memorable and wonderful and rank towards the top of any list I would do. The best two shows for me were the PopMart show at Jack Murphy, because it was my first U2 show ever (Rage opened and was cool, too) and the post-9/11 show at the Pond on the Elevation Tour. Not only was it a cathartic and worshipful experience, but No Doubt put on the best opening act I've seen at any U2 show.

I've seen Bob Dylan four times. The first time sucked, it was with Van Morrison and Joni Mitchell at the Pond and we were way the heck back up top. Van Morriscon didn't even play Brown Eyed Girl. Second time was ok, but our seats sucked. We were on the floor at the pond, way the heck back. Paul Simon opened and was cool. Third time was great, we were in the back at the Sun Theatre in Anaheim. Great seats, great set. No opening act. Fourth time was at the Pantages a few months ago. Not the best Dylan show I've seen, but it was still a great experience. Amos Lee and Merle Haggard were both a lot of fun.

I've been to three Acoustic Christmas shows and among the acts I saw (and liked) were Beck, Foo Fighters, Oasis, Blink 182, Fiona, Bush, Janes Addiction, Depeche Mode, Billy Corgan solo (and awesome), Garbage, Brian Setzer Orchestra, Cake, Matchbox 20 (actually acoustic). Of course, a ton of one-hit wonder and other crap bands were there, too, like the Sneaker Pimps, Everlast, Powerman 5000, Tori Anus, Soul Coughing and, of course, Chumbawumba.

I've seen the Pumpkins once, Corgan once (plus the Acoustic Christmas) and Zwan once. The Pumpkins show was BY FAR the best of the group. Seeing Billy with his new band and new album in July was pretty sweet, too.

I saw Roger Waters at the Universal Amp. Very cool show. I also saw Kirk Franklin there with my mom. We were some of the few white people in the audience. It was awesome.

I've seen Counting Crows three times. All good shows. One with Live opening, one with a reunited Toad the Wet Sprocket.

I've seen the Supertones at least 30 times. Great memories. In HS and at Biola I had some very memorable experiences. I'm sad that I can't go to there final show at Biola next month (I'll be in NY for U2!).

I've seen Styx!

My very first concert was a Beach Boys/Chicago concert with my dad in the late 80s. I had been trying to win tickets all week (I was a HUGE beach boys fan) and never won. Pops suprized me with tickets the day of the show. I've seen the beach boys two other times.

When I was huge into the Ska scene during college, I saw The Aquebats at the Barn at UCR. Crazy fun.

I've had a ton of great experience with other christian bands, local "Biola Bands" and bigger. I saw Jars of Clay a few times. At Biola, I saw Holy Cow, Mike Barnett, Thee Spivees, Plain Jane, Wonderlove, Vinegar Joe, RC and OF COURSE, Mars Hill, more times than I can count. And I can't leave out Soul Kilter, featuring two members of Mars Hill in the pre-Biola days (Kenny and the Hungry Samoan).