Concerts I've Been To

(Yes, you're right. you shouldn't care about this at all.
I just felt like listing these for prosperity's sake - my own record, so I don't forget the good and the bad.
If you've ended up here somehow, I'm sorry.)

December 9, 2000 PJ Harvey (The Paradise Club, Boston, MA)
PJ Harvey! Tiny club! 600 people! Her voice sent shivers down my spine. Excellent night. Highlights were "The Whores Hustle...", "Man-Sized", "Kamikaze".

November 11, 2000 Bob Dylan (Paul Tsongas Arena, Lowell, MA)
The largest Dylan concert I've been to yet. Promoted as being the first time Dylan was in Lowell since he visited Jack Kerouac's grave there in 1975. Nice show, though a bit more like a "greatest hits" night then the other Dylan shows I've been to. Highlights were "It's Alright Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)" and "Drifters Escape" and "Don't Think Twice, It's Alright".

June 16, 2000 Jon Brion & Friends (The Largo Club, Hollywood, CA)
Normally I wouldn't list a little club show by Jon Brion & Friends, but this time his friends were none other than Beck, Justin (Beck's bassist), and Roger (Beck's keyboardist)! Terrific, lowkey, acoustic "secret show", not more than 100 people. Two new Beck songs were debuted, and it was a special night.

May 6, 2000 Beck (The Greek Theatre, Hollywood, CA)[Opener = Cafe Tacuba]
My seventh Beck concert! I'm still shocked at how much jamming took place - it was like a funky mix between James Brown and the Grateful Dead. Highlights were "Novacane", "Mixed Bizness", and "Nicotine & Gravy".

Apr. 12, 2000 Patti Smith (The Sun Theatre, Anaheim, CA)
A fun and spirited show. She's a great performer, with a lot of terrific songs. Highlight was Ginsberg's "Howl".

Mar. 10, 2000 Bob Dylan (The Sun Theatre, Anaheim, CA)
The second show of the evening - I was not at the first. Really cool show. Dylan can make a terrific setlist, and I love the Sun Theatre. Dylan's voice sounded really strong, as usual. Highlights were "Desolation Row", "Not Fade Away", and "My Back Pages".

Nov. 1, 1999 Beck (The Galaxy Theatre, Santa Ana, CA)
A kick-off concert for Beck's new album, "Midnite Vultures". I was leaning on the stage, right below one of the best bassists in the bizness, Justin -- it was a joy watching him play all night. A highlights was "Peaches and Cream".

Oct. 29, 1999 John Paul Jones (House of Blues, Hollywood, CA)
My favorite member of Led Zeppelin, small club, rocking harder than I could have thought possible. Awesome. Highlights were "Grind" and "Black Dog"

Oct. 18, 1999 Jimmy Page and the Black Crowes (The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA)
Wow. One of the funnest shows I've ever had the pleasure to attend. Sadly, I couldn't make the next night. Highlight was "In My Time Of Dying" and "Mellow Down Easy".

Aug. 9, 1999 R.E.M. (The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles, CA) [Opener = Mercury Rev]
REM is impressive live. A great setlist, and they have a blast on stage. A highlight was "Finest Worksong" and "Low Desert". Mercury Rev was good, slightly interesting.

May 8, 1999 Beck (The Wiltern Theatre, Los Angeles, CA) [Opener = Beachwood Sparks]
One of just a few "Mutations" tour shows. Cool setlist and a nice homecoming for the group. I didn't see the second night. The highlights were "One Of These Days", "Lampshade", and "Devils Haircut". Opening group Beachwood Sparks were nice, but nothing memorable.

May 6, 1999 Beck (Tropicana Casino, Las Vegas, NV) [Opener = Tenacious D]
Perhaps my favorite Beck concert, though I've been to so many, and he's so diverse, it's hard to choose. Rocking, exciting, and in a Vegas night club. What could be better? Highlights were "Electric Avenue", "Novacane", and the opening group - the badass Tenacious D, the best group in the world.

Sep. 19, 1998 Page/Plant (Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, CA) [Opener = Lili Haydn]
A great show, much better than the night before, with more jamming and a more enjoyable atmosphere (in my opinion). Highlights were "Gallows Pole" and "Bring It On Home".

Sep. 18, 1998 Page/Plant (Irvine Meadows, Irvine, CA) [Opener = Lili Haydn]
A good and fairly standard show from my favorite rock legends. Highlights were "What Is And What Should Never Be" and "Walking Into Clarksdale". Lili Haydn is pretty cool.

May 29, 1998 Sonic Youth (Wadsworth Theatre, Westwood, CA) [I don't remember the names of the punk bands who opened]
Probably the coolest, loudest show I've ever been to. Small club and I was in the front row of the balcony, my feet kicked up on the ledge - an excellent location to take in the show. A highlight was "Sunday", and the cool feedback fun they had at the end of the show.

May 27, 1998 Eric Clapton (Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA) [Opener = some crummy English bar band]
Nice and pleasant, if not terribly fascinating. I couldn't pass up the chance to see Clapton! The highlight was "Sunshine Of Your Love".

May 22, 1998 Van Morrison (Pauley Pavilion, Westwood, CA) [Openers = Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell]
Went back to see Dylan after the previous night's success, but Dylan fooled everyone and went on first, so I missed him. So I snuck in and watched Van Morrison instead.

May 21, 1998 Bob Dylan (Pauley Pavilion, Westwood, CA) [Openers = Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell]
I didn't buy a ticket, but Dylan was playing my school! So I listened to the openers from outside, and then during Dylan's closing set, SNUCK INSIDE. Highlight was "Restless Farewell".

Apr. 01, 1998 Radiohead (Universal Ampitheatre, Los Angeles, CA) [Openers = Spiritualized]
Very likely the greatest live performance I have ever seen and heard. They're amazing live. Amazing, I say! Highlights were "Let Down", "Exit Music", and "How To Disappear Completely and Never Be Found". Spiritualized was boring.

Dec. 15, 1997 Bob Dylan (El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA) [Openers = BECK!]
The best concert bill I could possibly even dream of - part of Dylan's legendary five nights at the El Rey. I was three feet from the stage. Dylan rocked the small club down, after Beck opened up by himself with just his guitar. Yeah. Highlights were "Cold Irons Bound", "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You". Beck highlights were "Lonesome Sparrow" and "Lampshade".

Nov. 19, 1997 Beck and Friends (El Rey Theatre, Los Angeles, CA) [Openers = Whiskey Biscuit]
Beck's now-famous "acoustic" show. He was calming down after the crazy "Odelay" tour by performing his folky numbers. Fantastic set, and I'm proud to have been there. The highlights were "Heartland Feeling", "Jack-ass", and the long solo acoustic set. Whiskey Biscuit was pretty damn cool too.

Jun. 21, 1997 U2 (LA Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA) [Openers = Rage Against The Machine]
Too big, too far from stage, too damned surreal. I could enjoy the music, but not the show. Highlights were "Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me" and "One". Rage rocked pretty hard too.

Apr. 25, 1997 Beck (Universal Ampitheatre, Los Angeles, CA) [Openers = Pavement]
My first Beck experience! He rocked and had a blast. As did I. Highlights were "Truckdriving Neighbors Downstairs" and "Debra". Pavement is pretty famous for an opener, but they weren't my cup of tea.

Dec. ??, 1996 Smashing Pumpkins (Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA) [Openers = Garbage]
My ticket says Aug. 21, but the show was postponed. It was great hearing their waves of guitar flooding the Forum. Highlight was definately "Silverfuck". Garbage was an excellent opener.

May 16, 1995 Page/Plant (Great Western Forum, Inglewood, CA) [Openers = James Cotton]
Wow. I couldn't believe I was in the same building as Page and Plant. I like this tour much more than the 1998 one, and this was a great show. Highlights were "In The Evening" and "The Song Remains The Same". I wasn't into the blues as much as I am now, so I didn't fully appreciate seeing legend James Cotton open.

Apr. 17, 1994 Pink Floyd (Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA)
My first concert going experience and I was blown away. I didn't want it to end. Not so much into Floyd anymore, but it still is one of my favorite concerts! Highlights were "High Hopes" and "Comfortably Numb".