I remember when Friday night used to mean the weekend was here and my friends and I would go hang out at the local goth bar and dance until closing time. Then I met George and Friday night meant hanging out in a little pub watching his band play and dancing on occasion to the songs they did.
Now Friday night means some pate on crackers and a couple of glasses of red wine while searching for music videos on YouTube, apparently.
Anyway. I’ve always been a completely non-apologetic country music fan. Back in 1999, my favorite, Garth Brooks came to Montreal. This is pretty unusual because Montreal doesn’t get very many country concerts, much to my disappointment. I had absolutely zero friends who wanted to go; my parents would have gone but I could only afford one ticket. In the end, I reserved via credit card over the phone and decided to go alone. When I got there, they were able to offer me a better ticket since I was alone (“would you like a better seat?” “no, give me a seat even further back, behind a pillar… YES give me a good seat!”).
I ended up being close enough to the stage, on the same level as the stage itself (something like row Q in the reds, right there), that I nearly died a little on the inside. I had brought binoculars and when I sat in my new seats, I felt like a total stalker with them because had I used them, I’m sure I could have seen up Garth’s nose.
To date, despite all the concerts I’ve seen, that show was the absolute best one I ever saw. Ever. And when I see how animated he was live, I remember why I felt that way.
He is incredibly exciting live. He’s crazy. I hope so much that he gets his ass back in the studio some day, records something new, goes on tour, and then comes back. I love country music overall, but I still love Garth best.
What was your favorite concert?
Mine is the Pointer Sisters … hands down. Second place is Andre Rieu and his orchestra. After that is a whole lot of Irish musicians playing airs, jigs, reels and strathspeys. Love ’em.
Tori Amos in an amazing theatre with her amazing piano and vocals. It was a small venue with only a couple of hundred people.
I am going to agree that the Garth concert was one of the best. I will put him in a tie with Bruce Springsteen and since the specific concerts were in the same venue (I have seen Springsteen at an outdoor venue and didn’t like it as much) it is a good match.
I would have to go with the Aerosmith/KISS concert I saw when I was living in Nashville. Aerosmith was just kind of meh, but KISS was beyond awesome! If you ever get the chance they’re worth the ticket price!
The new (recent) INXS, Garth Brooks, Tragically Hip, Barenaked Ladies, Aerosmith….loved them all!!
But if you check my site, I went to see Dierks Bentley this week, with Doc Walker and Eric Church opening. I enjoyed it!! I have pics up too.
Garth’s concerts are an EVENT. Whether you like his music or not, you are definitely entertained! I agree. He needs to get his butt back into a studio pronto!