My wife made me promise to take her and my youngest on a vacation once I completed my MBA. Erin (my youngest) decided that Fort Lauderdale was our destination. At some point she realized that Fall Out Boy was going to be in concert in Tampa while we were in Fort Lauderdale. Erin bought tickets after telling me that it was about 30 minutes from Fort Lauderdale to Tampa. She was wrong. It is actually about 4 HOURS.
We were in Fort Lauderdale and needed to get to Tampa, Florida. We had to rent a car. It was my understanding that, when renting a car, you always choose the economy option because the rental company WILL run out of the economy option and have to up grade you for free. I wound up getting a bright red Dodge Charger. KEK.
We left at noon and had a HECK of a time getting into the venue. We wound up being about 20 minutes late for the opening act. I cannot recall their name ... because they were the opening act ... I suppose.
We managed to get a great parking space (close to the exit) and once we got to our seats, Erin and I went to the merch line ... which was about 1.5 hours long at that time. I got into line and sent Erin to get water for us. The kid in front of me was an excessively short young lady named "V". Turns out, V was from Cypress in Houston! She was a college student in the Northeast - the 5th or 6th child in a 12-child Irish-Catholic family. She was in line to get a sweatshirt for the opening band (whose name I forgot). I wound up putting her charge on my card because she only had cash and the merch station only took credit cards ... raging against the machine indeed.
When Erin came back with water I walked over to the merch line at the other end of the venue. I made the mistake of trying to go to the other side of the concert venue by walking across the general admittance area. It was PACKED. And only to find that the other merch line was lust as stacked as the one near the entrance. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Erin and I got matching shirts (and 1 for Cil seeing as her birthday was coming up). We managed to get back to our seats 30 minutes before FOB took the stage. Of course, the shirts were ridiculously expensive. Erin has great taste apparently ...
It was hot. We purchased some canned "Death Water" and took our seats to see the end of "Bring the Horizon". The crowd was enthusiastic for these young men.
Fall Out Boy was fantastic! I lost sight of the length of their impressive catalog and found myself surprised numerous times by the set list. FOB managed to play plenty of their hits, plenty of the new stuff and even had an impressive set of their "old school" stuff that was enhanced by careful staging direction that brought the enormous arena back to a "small concert venue feel". Just very cool.
There was no encore. But the concert was long and satisfying. Erin wanted to see "Dance, Dance". I was there more for "Disloyal Order of the Water Buffalo". We both left satisfied.
It was a long ride back to Fort Lauderdale, but we made it thanks to Apple Music and their "Top Songs" for ... yes, you guessed it ... Fall Out Boy.
Erin is the coolest. We had a blast. It was a great idea to drive 4 hours to Tampa to experience this together. It was a unique bonding experience.
1/16/1986 - Rush: Power Windows Tour - The Summit, Houston Texas This was the concert. This was the concert that turned me into a rabid Rush fan. To this day I still like Power Windows more than the typical Rush fan from my day because the typical Rush fan from my day cut their teeth on "Moving Pictures". I was always late to the game when it came to music. Took my cues from Chuck - he seemed to know what he was doing. I think Fred wasn't too big of a Power Windows fan but I eventually turned him. I can recall wondering why everyone was cheering when, during the bridge of "The Manhattan Project" they showed nuclear explosions on screen. I thought that strange. Still do. It makes no sense. It is a somber sort of thing. Still, great show.
I attended the Oct 16, 2015 showing of the All Time Low/Sleeping with Sirens - Back to the Future Hearts Tour. This is my account of what happened. My daughters did not know that I went. I bought them tickets first and then later bought myself one. So I wasn't going to keep an eye on them as much as be there if something went wrong.
Going to this concert was not entirely voluntary on my part but it is also true that it wasn't something I was completely against. In my younger days I was JoeConcertGoer and attended a wide variety of shows. I actually still have the ticket stubs. That's either pathetic or lazy - but check this out - I have credentials! So, my opinion matters right? I've been to a lot of concerts. I can teach all these kids about rock n roll.
The show started at 6 PM - We left around 4:45 and got there around 5:30. There was already a long line so I dropped the girls at the entrance and parked the car. It occurred to me as I was walking to the venue to see them in that they had left the tickets I printed for them in the car. Fortunately, my wife had also printed the tickets off and they had those tickets. I got to the entrance just as they were going in. The only person that had any money was Brenna so I gave Autumn $30 to share with Cil (it was all I had) and told them to have a good time.
I walked around a bit and at 5 till 6:00 I went in and took my seat in the mezzanine, all the while trying to be careful to avoid detection by my daughters.
Blending in like a ninja.
The floor was just an open space - no chairs. Which I agree is the best way to rock, but makes me nervous as a father of young daughters at their first concert. The sound was decent but I was having trouble identifying songs from SWS and ATL that I knew. It was all drums, bass and vocals. Any keys and guitars were just for flavor. Clearly in modern pop-punk the instruments are just there to back the vocals. But the venue was a solid venue. The seat was comfortable and I had some elbow room so I settled in for what I didn't know at the time would be a 4.5 hour concert. Sitting a couple of seats down was another father like myself. The place was about half full when the first band took the stage. I put in my ear plugs ....
The first band was Neck Deep. Now, I wouldn't have known these fellows from Adam so my review here is from that perspective. Having said that, I was impressed. The opening band just doesn't get any help, you know? No props, house lights, and a crowd that is waiting for you to finish your set so they can see the punchline. But, the energy was there, the effort was there. I appreciated it ... but it is also true that I also fell asleep toward the end of the set. Some young lady had to tap me on the leg to wake me up so she could get by me and let me tell you - there is just no way to recover and look cool when you've been caught napping during the opening act.
... waa .. I wasn't sleeping! ...
I managed to stay awake from that point on. Kellen from SWS came onstage to do a tune with Neck Deep. I could tell it was Kellen not because I recognize him but because of the excited squeals from the teenage girl contingent (which was well represented at this show).
20 minutes and Neck Deep exits - a 10 minute intermission to get One OK Rock setup and they started playing their set. The place seemed to still be about half full. Nothing to report here. I did notice that they got a little more stage space than Neck Deep and they got to use a couple of small backdrops which looked like album covers. I had never heard or seen these guys before and I did not realize they actually are Japanese until I just now looked up their website. As was the case with Neck Deep I have to give it to these guys - they gave it the old college try. Having played to enough lethargic crowds in my life I can't help but love it when they make the most of what they have to work with. Neck Deep and One OK had no props - they had themselves. And that was enough. They put a lot into it.
The intermission before Sleeping With Sirens was about 30 minutes. They had a fairly elaborate setup. It was an impressive light show an it was interesting to note the different body language between the openers and the main acts. SWS and ATL did not move around as much. They let the light show create the energy and carry the enthusiasm. Not that is was boring at all but it was clearly a different dynamic.
IIRC SWS opened with "Kick Me" and went into "Do it Now, Remember it Later" - which were obvious choices and as I mentioned before I would not have recognized it had I not heard the vocal hooks. The bands were not good at reproducing their recorded sound - at least not in this venue. Yes, Yes, they were not necessarily trying to reproduce their recorded sound - I know.
A couple songs into the set I was shocked to see SWS do a drum solo - of all things. I believe that was the only break Kellen took. He was out there for the lion's share of the time. Which is particularly important because I know my girls wanted to see him.
The chorus was in full voice. These girls were singing along with most of these songs and Kellen, to his credit, was letting them be heard. Their acoustic set was well done to the point of being impressive. These guys knew how to perform and were comfortable carrying their songs all by themselves, letting the crowd help, letting the lights help and then ... helping Neck Deep. Their rendition of "The Strays" came across as believable and it left you wanting more.
At one point, early in the show, Kellen took a break to talk to everyone and give them a pep talk. He talked about growing up in a repressed town in which he was called names. He told the kids to never give in, never give up, never apologize for who you are, etc. I do not doubt it was from the heart but I couldn't get past the fact that it sounded like a script written by their corporate sponsors. It just fit their image too well. However, despite my jaded perspective I knew that Kellen was likely talking directly to my daughters and he likely made a huge impact. And I thank him for that. His message made the mistake of being a little impetuous but that's the life of a teenager.
I know they did "If You Can't Hang". The rest of the songs I struggled to recognize. And I did not even realize they had acoustic songs to do so that was a pleasant surprise and a welcome change of pace. Their tunes tend to be a little relentless.
Another 30 minute intermission and All Time Low was taking the stage around 9:02 I think it was - to a packed house. Their opener was "Backseat Serenade" and one of the things that marked these guys was deliberate intention to connect with the crowd. In the middle of this tune one of the guys on mic said something like "You guys enjoying this song?" All Time Low and Sleeping with Sirens had what I felt like was a dangerous lack of regard for pacing, transition and momentum. Their was a lot of talking between tunes. At one point the lead singer brought some kid up on stage to "put him on the spot" and have him play guitar with the band. It had to be staged because the kid was great and even took liberties to run around on stage and ham it up with other band members. Before they could get him off the stage the kid grabbed a mic an told everyone how a former ATL concert inspired him to play music. Of course, the crowd ate it up as I am sure did my daughters. But the kid did a great job.
Another surprising thing was ATL's acoustic set. It was charming. They played "Missing You" and my third daughter's favorite from the night "Cinderblock Garden". After the first acoustic tune the singer gave the audience the chance to pick the next song: "Remembering Sunday" or "Therapy". The crowd went with Therapy and loved it.
The jaded part of ATL for me was the intro to "Missing You" - which is a song about suicide I think. But yeah, the singer said something to the effect of "everyone in this community has your back" or some other nonsense. Total drivel, but it played as expected.
I left early (of course). I bought four t-shirts for $120 and I waited outside so I missed the best part of ATL. I'm sure they played Kids in the Dark and all that. But the girls came out and they looked excited. My third daughter looked exhausted but she was halfway through a Rockstar and told me it was "SO FUN". I gave them their shirts and we talked a bit. I had a hard time not telling them I had seen the show but I drilled them with questions on what they liked and what they thought was the best. "Cinderblock Garden" and "Kick Me" went over well. Jack is the best guitar player and it was a split decision on who was cutest: Kellen or Jack.
It was mostly a quiet ride home. I suppose the high was wearing off and they were all feeling the long night. We made it home and the girls talked to mom for a bit. We didn't do much the following day. Just took it easy. I noticed my second and third daughters wore the shirts I got them.
As a dad I think things went well. I want my daughters to feel like they have a good life. I want them to be proud of me as a provider and know that I am fun enough to know that being a provider is more than just about bare sustenance. It should be about joy and finding a way to share what they enjoy as much possible as lately seem to be drawing away from my wife and I way too quickly. Music is something my family should share as long as it can so I express my heartfelt gratitude to those young men of Neck Deep, One OK Rock, Sleeping with Sirens and All Time Low. Thank you boys!
Quick note: on the day after Thanksgiving my wife always wants to go do something. She mentions this to Autumn and Autumn finds out that one of her favorite bands (All Time Low) is playing at an outdoor tree lighting in Bee Cave Texas at the Hill Country Galleria. We decided to go even though Autumn has seen these guys at least 4 times over the past two years.
We live in Houston and Bee Cave is on the west side of Austin. So to get there for the 7:00 PM concert we would need to be traversing Austin on what would likely be US 71 on a Friday afternoon. Anyone will tell you that is no fun. And it wasn't. But we made it and Autumn had front row seats for the event because we got there at about 4 PM after the requisite stop at the Bastrop Bucee's.
The event was hosted by a local radio station. The tree lighting started at 6:30 PM and they made it last about 30 minutes. It was painful and dorky. I missed it because during that time I ran over to Dick's Sporting Goods and bought some stadium blankets for the ladies (it was cold).
All Time Low played an acoustic set and I must admit - they did a darn good job. I was glad we made the effort. Beautiful evening and an exciting time. Favorite song was easily "Weightless" but they did "Cinderblock Garden", "Missing You" and 4 of 5 others.
There was a fireworks show afterwards that we did not intend to stick around for but wound up doing so. As usual, I was eager to get on the road but my girls were eager to milk some more marrow from the event. You can imagine how difficult it is to herd five women anywhere but in that exciting of an environment, it is almost impossible. Erin bolted to the stage with a notebook with the idea that she was going to get some autographs so I lost her in the crowd. I finally found Autumn - she was glowing. She had been the recipient of a gift - one of the musicians gave her his water bottle. She was over the moon.
Concerts evoke excitement and emotion because the music evokes excitement and emotion. The concert is just the venue that reminds us that we are not alone in that rhapsody.
Funny how memory works. If you had asked me if I had ever seen the Newboys in concert I would have told you no. But clearly I have. When I got out of college in 1996 I started working with our church's youth ministry. I must have gone to this with them. I do recall thinking that the concert was a decent one and at that time I was close enough to my concert going days for that opinion to mean something. But it is also true that there is a totally different vibe at Christian concerts. The energy is not entirely sure what to do with itself. Which is true for non-Christian concerts as well but in the hedonistic world - the lack of liturgy allows one to embrace the possibilities rather than worry about the repercussions.
In case you haven't figured it out, I have no idea what I am talking about.
Tour Management: I have a great idea, let's have an outdoor concert in Houston Texas in freaking August. People: Why would you do that to us? Tour Management: Because Miller Beer is sponsoring the event.
My friend Dave was a huge Yes fan. He was positively giddy that we would get to go to this show. He was working for Miller beer at the time and scored some tickets as well as some "backstage party passes" or something. We got there early enough and made our way to the backstage party. They handed out posters and promised us the band members would show up and sign autographs. And they did. I still have the poster, signed by Tony Kaye, Alan White and the great Trevor Rabin. I wasn't all that interested in meeting anyone except for Trevor Rabin.
When I got his attention I said, "Hey man, we use the same guitar strings!" and pointed at my D'Addario strings t-shirt. At that time Trevor was endorsing D'Addario - I know this cause I saw in a guitar magazine. I'll never forget how gracious Trevor was - he looked at me and smiled as if his face was trying to decide what the heck this kid's problem was, laughed and said, "yeah they're great". I shook his hand and my 30 seconds were up. Dave was all about meeting Jon Anderson. I made a half-hearted attempt to get to Chris Squire but he was gone before I got his autograph - which wasn't a big deal to me because autographs are kind of stupid anyway. But Dave wanted to meet Jon so we had to hang out and wait. Dave had been told that Jon would make an appearance. And he did. Let me tell you, weird guy (Jon Anderson - not Dave - actually yeah, both of them come to think of it). He came out between a couple of big guys I could only view now as "handlers". Jon stood timidly at the party entrance - clearly uncomfortable, wringing his hands and waiting for a chance to bolt out of there. The room noticed he was there. And in my opinion it seemed like we were reluctant to approach due to the obvious "closed" body language. None of this could penetrate Dave's adoration for the man. He approached brazenly and seemed to startle Jon. I stood back and watched Dave's dream come true as he made the mistake so many of us do in trying to tell people we admire how much they mean to us and come off sounding like fanboys or clueless gits (see Trevor Rabin encounter above). I am not sure Jon signed anyone else's poster that day. He might have bolted immediately after the "close encounter of the Dave kind". After that we took our seats. It was a cool show. I knew enough about Yes to appreciate the show much more than when I saw them for Big Generator.
