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Bullet With Butterfly Wings

Isabel had a great post about concerts that got me to thinking.  It brought back flashing memories of NKOTB, Smashing Pumpkins, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many other bands that I’ve seen.  Man I do miss the concert season.  For me, summer used to be all about what concerts I was going to see.  In the Spring I would listen carefully to the radio and scour the internet for concert announcements in my area.  Our best concert venue is an outdoor amphitheatre, so the best concerts were always here in the summer.  For the really important ones, like Pearl Jam and Dave Matthews Band I would go stand in line hours before the tickets went on sale in hopes of getting the best seats possible. 

I once created a list of all of the bands that I have seen in concert.  There were over 100 bands on the list and that didn’t even include most of the opening bands or all of the local bands I’ve seen.  I guess its a good thing that I gave up trying to buy an overpriced t-shirt at every concert I went to a long time ago.

These days I don’t get to very many concerts.  In fact I think I’ve only been to three concerts since I found out I was pregnant with Zach.  Between the cost of the tickets and having a baby to take care of, concerts just aren’t a first priority any more.  I really miss it though.  I love seeing bands play live and getting lost in the music.  Hopefully I’ll get to go to at least one this year, but I’m not holding my breath.

With all of the shows I have seen there are a few that really stand out in my memory.  One of those that really stands out was New Kids On The Block, even though I hate to admit it.  The reason it stands out is that it was my very first "real" concert.  My parents gave my sister and I both tickets for Christmas but only on the condition that they went with us.  I think they might have regretted that decision after a night of listening to screaming pre-teen girls, but we had a great time.  Those ugly green t-shirts with the puffy paint on them that we got at the show and wore every day for the next couple of months proved it.

There were a few more concerts in between, but the next one that really stands out was Tom Petty when I was sixteen.  I was at work one day when my boyfriend came strolling in and surprised me.  He had gotten some tickets for the show that night and had even already asked my parents if I could go.  I was so shocked that he had done that, plus it was the first concert I was ever allowed to attend sans parents.  Taj Mahal was the opening act.  I don’t remember much about him except for the song about women and big butts.

The next one that comes to mind was the Red Hot Chili Peppers concert during the One Hot Minute tour.  I barely got away with going to that one.  I asked my mom, who said to ask my dad, who said to ask my mom, and on and on.  They were pretty opposed to the lyrical content of the Chili Peppers’ music, but finally gave in because I wouldn’t quit asking.  We got floor tickets and got totally trampled in the mosh pit but it was a blast.  I was quite lucky to have my boyfriend there to pull me up when I got knocked over or I probably wouldn’t have fared to well.

Then there was the Dave Matthews concert where we ended up getting front row seats.  Amazing.  It was incredible to be that close to the band.  I swear I made eye contact with Dave, but everybody else sitting that close probably thought they did too.  We totally lucked out in getting those tickets.  We were at a Hootie and the Blowfish concert when they announced that they were going to sell lawn tickets to DMB.  We figured we might as well go ahead and get some but when we got up to the ticket counter, they offered us front row.  We were so psyched for that concert!

Next is my beloved Pearl Jam.  Really every time I have seem them sticks out because they are one of my favorite bands to see live.  I suppose the first time was the most emotional.  I won’t say by who, but tears were shed at that show for the mere excitement of actually seeing them live.  Then there was the Knoxville show that we road tripped to with my ex-husband and our two best friends.  Not only was it one of the best concerts I’ve seen, but one of the most fun trips I’ve ever been on as well.  Hey, is that Graceland?

There are others that stand out, like the first time I saw Sarah McLachlan.  The Alabama goodbye tour was amazing as well.  The first Shinedown show I saw at a little club here in town where I was so close the guys were sweating on me.  Audioslave, The Dixie Chicks, and many others.  I’m sure I’m forgetting some, but this is getting lengthy enough already.

I think I’m pretty lucky that I’ve already been able to see most of the bands on my "must see" priority list.  I’m hoping to see the Godsmack, Rob Zombie, Shinedown show this fall if I can manage to find the money to buy tickets.  I would also like to see KT Tunstall (who I just found out is coming to town) as well as Black Stone Cherry and Hinder (both of which I missed at Rockfest).  I really doubt I’ll get to go to any of those, but a girl can dream, right?

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  1. What a fun post. I’m totally jealous that you saw Sarah McLachlan. Yes, totally jealous!!

  2. I go through phases with concerts. This summer seems to be a concert summer – I just saw Sheryl Crow and the Dixie Chicks. Earlier this year I saw Fall Out Boy and Green Day. Wow. That’s a lot for one year! I would also like to see KT, and I *sheepishly admits* would like to go to the American Idols tour…but tickets for that are a bit pricey.

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