Keith Urban, Enmore Theatre (very intimate) Sydney Weds night 23rd Feb.
Totally amazing, great sound (his lead guitar a little too mixed back on one occasion) fantastic entertainer, very personable, fun - you could see he was enjoying himself and obviously "clicked" with his band who were extremely competent.
Keith sang perfectly all night absolutely spot on - so talented in the vocal department and also on the guitar. Some of the songs reduced my girlfriend and I to tears - that's NEVER happened to me at a concert ever before!

Possibly the best concert I've ever been to - a real ass kicker!!
The venue helped no end, being a really great small "real" theatre - oh to be only about 20 feet from the stage
Still buzzing so pointless trying to go to bed just yet!

He's supporting Brian Adams on his UK tour later in the spring - worth the ticket just to see Keith Urban. I bet it won't be quite the same at the bloody NEC in Brum though

Crosby and Nash, Birmingham Symphony Hall, Mon 28th Feb

Birmingham gets slated for many things but this venue is superb with the right performers on stage and last night was not only a welcome appearance by some legends but a great audio experience as well - whether it's down to the purpose designed auditorium or 40+ years of gigging by the main men I'm not sure - but who cares.

Yes it was a night of memories rather than exciting new cuts. Most of the expected old stuff was there, my two faves being "Cathedral" and "Long Time Gone" The new stuff, along with the on-stage banter, had the expected political and social overtones but was not strong enough musically or lyrically to make me place a CD order today.

Not having done my research into the "backing" band beforehand, I do not know their history or their CV's - I did catch the snippets that the keyboard player was Crosby's son and that the guitarist (who almost stole the show)played on Dan's "Aja" Anyone fill in the details? On second thoughts there must be a website somewhere.

All in all a nostalgiafest for most of us there and hopefully an interesting and enjoyable gig for those others who were attending out of curiosity.

I'm glad I went, I have a gut-feeling it may have been the last chance we will get.

Ron

Going to see the Prague Symphony Orchestra tonight. I am quite excited as I have never been to a Symphony before.

Aric

Not a concert as such but went to see "the Producers" on Saturday afternoon. I haven't laughed so much in years - I can't recommend it highly enough. It is a musical so I guess it almost counts!
Cheers
Chris

Last night saw Joshua Bell, Philarmonia Orchestra conducted by Vladimir Ashkenazy, perform Mendelssohn Violin Concerto followed By Mahler 4, at the Anvil in Basingstoke. A wonderful evening in a venue where there are no bad seats and the acoustics are excellent.

The Gift at Teatro Gil Vicente. It was a great concert,at the end everibody dancing and singing with the band!

Went to see Paul Carrack at the 'new' Robin2 in Bilston.
Actually one of his much better gigs. He tours often and extensively, to keep his fans happy. Since he took on his own recording, (no-one would give him a contract) he seems to have worked incrediably hard to maintain a fan base, and the radio dj's seem to like his efforts to. He knows who his audience are, and does music to please them.
He happens to be one of my wifes favourites, and as I get to see so many concerts in a year it's only fair that I take her as often as we can to see Paul.
The following night went to see G2enesis with my best mate at the same venue.
I had not seen these before, and we actually had a very entertaining evening. You always know its been a good one when you realise it is difficult to talk on the way home as you have been singing so much! They only play Genesis from 'early' up to & inc Wind & Wuthering.. which prety much happens to be my favourite period. To hear such good renditions of Blood on the rooftops, Afterglow, Suppers Ready et al, whether by the originals or not, is always very welcome to me as I simply cannot get enough of GOOD LIVE music.
Naim give us the best way possible to listen to the recorded medium, but for me, music is always that bit better when performed well & live!

Alright I know it is not the coolest thing to do but we tend to get mostly the mainstream music passing through here in Sydney and me and the wife do like to out to see live music.

Got to say we were some of the youngest in the audience but boy what a good show. A truely, talented superstar with real stage prescence, professionalism, great show and 20,000 screaming adoring fans.

My wife loved it, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Neil Diamond - Sydney Superdome

Went to see MERCURY REV at Hammersmith last night - absolutely bluddy awesome - really tight too!

Kevin

Mercury Rev in Manchester. I would agree with Kevin, they were superb. I think that the new album is probably their best yet.

Just got back from the SawDoctors freebie in Trafalger Square. Not the greatest place for a concert but not bad. We stood by the boarding in front of the National Gallery.It's was a bit chilly, but enjoyable.
Thanks Ken.

Howard

John Adams conducting (and talking about) his own music at Northwestern Univerity in Illinois. The second part of the concert which was called "Grand Pianola" was excellent.
On wednasday I am going to hear Tomas Stanko preform at a night club (HotHouse) in Chicago. Minimum of two drinks are required.
Haim

Norah Jones - Sydney Entertainment Centre - wrong venue for this stuff - needs to be a small intimate venue.

She is charming, beautiful and her voice is wonderful but she does not seem overly comfortable being on stage. With the huge venue and being tired after a long day at work, I was close to falling asleep...

Adrian

Madeleine Peyroux - Darmstadt Centralstation - right venue for this stuff - Centralstation is a small intimate venue.

She is charming, (beautiful) and her voice is wonderful but she does not seem overly comfortable being on stage. And, that's what made the evening special. Not a high-professional, sterile performance. Some little "flaws", now and then. I felt like "daddy watching his little daughter performing for the first time in her life, and squezing thumbs so everything goes well..." If you want it perfect - go and see Diana Krall (...) or - buy the records...

Stefan

quote:

I felt like "daddy watching his little daughter performing for the first time in her life, and squezing thumbs so everything goes well..."

Funny you should say that....

Don't you feel old...., right Anja

Was meant to be a "picture", Mark...

Today:

Oregon in Rüsselheim theatre (poor guys) - I was in heaven ! Last time I saw them before this concert was in the mid 70s, still with Colin Walcott, of course.
What a tone ! Oregon is a musical cosmos of its own. So grateful that the venue wasn't half as bad as expexted. It was the backstage part of a decent theatre (fyi: Rüsselheim is the town where Opel cars (for you UK guys: Vauxhall) are (were ?) built. There used to be some money, in the past. History...), and the acoustics were awright. A bit of a flabby bass, maybe, but isn't that what we're used to from home ?

Oregon (with Mark Walker on the drums) played 2/3 new stuff which will be issued in a couple of months on a new CD, and 1/3 old/known pieces. Marvellous !!!

quote:

Originally posted by sjust:
Was meant to be a "picture", Mark...

Today:

Oregon in Rüsselheim theatre (poor guys) - I was in heaven ! Last time I saw them before this concert was in the mid 70s, still with Colin Walcott, of course.
What a tone ! Oregon is a musical cosmos of its own. So grateful that the venue wasn't half as bad as expexted. It was the backstage part of a decent theatre (fyi: Rüsselheim is the town where Opel cars (for you UK guys: Vauxhall) are (were ?) built. There used to be some money, in the past. History...), and the acoustics were awright. A bit of a flabby bass, maybe, but isn't that what we're used to from home ?

Oregon (with Mark Walker on the drums) played 2/3 new stuff which will be issued in a couple of months on a new CD, and 1/3 old/known pieces. Marvellous !!!

I'm jealous.

Saturday 26/03/05 Fareham Folk Festival Oysterband excellent concert good sound and great energy Bass guitarist uses a cello for many numbers gives a superb sound.Enjoyable support from McDermotts 2 Hours (influenced The Levellers apparently)and Elenor McEvoy.

Howard

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BigH47,

Saturday night
More folk/roots at Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Eliza Carthy and Sharon Shannon.

Rather strange as Eliza C was on first and Sharon S the support was on in the headliners spot. Apparently Eliza C and her band had a long drive ahead of them and swapped places. Both were excellent though, with Eliza C in particularly good form, although she had a stinking cold. A good night with an excellent curry at the Agra before the show.

Andy

Last night.

Doves.

Brixton.

Awesome.

Kevin.