I’ve been to a lot of Live Performances over the years. Some memorable, some…not so much.
Many different venues, many different genres. Here are my favourites from 7-1.
7) Lisa Loeb – I was staying at my songwriting partner John’s place in LA and he told me about this thing BMI (I think) was putting on. Socan (our Canadian Performing rights society who pay us our royalties) Members were invited. So, being in LA, and a Socan member, I dragged my mom to Downtown Hollywood to a hotel basement somewhere…I can’t tell you where, but the decor was lush and beautiful old Hollywood. This was a songwriter’s in the round show. Here’s how these go if you aren’t familiar…5 or so songwriters sit on a stage with a moderator who asks each songwriter a question and then the songwriter proceeds to speak about what inspired the song and then plays 1 song. Then it’s the next writer’s turn. On it goes… until the writers get to play 4 or 5 songs each. It’s cool because there’s usually a variety of styles and genres. One of the songwriters who caught my ear was Jeffrey Steele who’s a big country writer…he’s an amazing singer in his own right and a really great performer. Lisa Loeb was the headliner and came on afterward. It was casual, the room probably held 500 people. I wasn’t a fan, but Lisa is a spectacular performer, with just herself and her guitar, and a great story-teller. She wore a quirky 50’s inspired skirt and her trademark glasses, but she’s a great singer and I really enjoyed it. It was a show I never would have just gone to usually, but I’m glad I did.
6) Colin Hay– from the 80’s aussie band Men At Work. Again, I was in LA, at John’s. I think I was doing preproduction for Blame it on Rock and Roll. John, being an Aussie/Canadian, has known Colin for many years, so he invited me to go with him. This was at a club somewhere in LA; about 200 people, with just Colin and his guitar on a corner stage. Not only is he one of the most amazing and funny story tellers I have ever heard, it was my first real taste at what a great acoustic performance can be, as long as he or she has a great song. I’ve seen Colin a few times since and he never fails to impress me with his skills. What a great show! Oh, and Carol Pope from Rough Trade was sitting at our table with us.
5) Metallica – Calgary Saddledome- the Death Magnetic Tour. At this point, I was a fan, but not a big fan. I bought the tickets for my boyfriend for his birthday. The seats were okay, but the stage was oval, so every half hour during the show, the drum kit would be spun around (it was in the center of the stage) and he would be facing a different direction. Not a lot of talking, just balls out music and charisma. This was their second night in Calgary.
From the moment they stepped out onstage, I was in love (sorry Paul).
I think it was the hugely masculine in your face energy that hit me in my solar plexus…there were come cool effects, like the caskets coming from the roof and moving around, but as a frontman, James is intensely spectacular, and Lars, Kirk, and Robert balanced that out perfectly.
Some pyro, no flashy clothes, just amazing musicians doing their thing for 2.5 hours straight.
4) Colin James and Craig Northey– Shuswap Theater. Probably 300 seats.
Two of my favourite Canadians. Craig Northey, mostly known for his band The Odds, and the singer/writer of the Corner Gas theme song, opened. Again, just a guitar and him. I didn’t know a lot of his songs at the time, but he had a great sense of humor and when he brought Colin James out to perform with him, they were perfect together. Colin James is one of the most UNDERRATED Canadian performers. His voice stopped my breath more than a few times, and his playing…holy crap. Loved, loved, loved this show and didn’t want it to end. It was blizzarding that night and the drive home was one of those 30km/hr trips, but it was so worth it.
3) Kid Rock – Again, not a fan. The things you do for your spouse. I got these tickets cause Lee’s such a huge fan (or was, until KR’s country album, but that’s another blog). It was the middle of summer and in the middle of the week, but we had awesome tickets. It was in Kelowna’s Skyreach place.
Like I said, I wasn’t a fan, but man, can that guy put on a show. It was like he was some kind of evangelist dressed in a pimped out track suit. He even did a few wardrobe changes. He was dressed cool, but flashed with all the bling of his jewelry and rhinestones (gotta love the rhinestones). His band was tight and put on a good show in their own right. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, he owned the crowd. He’s full of charisma and he’s actually a great singer when things were stripped down. He impressed me so much, if he was playing there again the next night, I would have gone again in a flash. The hearing damage at work the next day was worth it. Oh, and our seats were so close, Lee got to high five him. That was cool.
2) The Tea Party – Flames Central, Calgary Alberta. I’m not sure how many people fit in that venue. I’m guessing 1000- it was packed. The opening act was pretty good. I warned my sister about what Jeff Martin’s voice does to a woman. I don’t think she was quite prepared. This Canadian three piece have such an amazingly huge sound, it’s mind boggling. No flash. Just amazing musicianship and charisma. I was disappointed they didn’t do any songs from 7 Circles, their last album, but I got over it. The drummer hits hard. The band is tight, and it takes a LOT for a male vocalist to impress me, but every time I hear Jeff Martin sing…WOW. He’s amazing with the crowd, and the band is so great together. I first saw the Tea Party when they opened for Def Leppard (that’s number 8), and at one point JM did a song, just him and his guitar and it absolutely blew me out of the water. He sounds a lot like Jim Morrison, and even looks like him, and he makes it all look so effortless. He steps on the stage and you look at him and say: “Now that’s a Rock Star.”
1) Kiss – The Pearl, Las Vegas 1800 people. (are you surprised?) We waited in line for 3 hours to get in. It was worth it. Front row Center. OMFG. Love ’em or hate ’em, they put on one of the best stage shows you’ll ever see. Because this was such a small venue, there was no flying, no blood spitting, but they made up for it in pure rock and showmanship….and pyro. I stood right in front of Paul Stanley, a place I had dreamed of being since I was nine years old. It was surreal. Even better when he spit that pick into my hand (yeah, I know it’s gross, but it’s Paul, come on). My other half is not a fan. I had dragged him to the show two weeks before in Vancouver at GM place (6th row). Buckcherry opened and they put on a really great show (Lee’s a big fan, so that made up for it). But even he was very impressed (he’s not easily impressed, believe me). Full makeup, full costume. They were tight, and Paul’s voice was in pure form. Sigh…you know, it was a toss up, this show or the very first time I saw them in Calgary when I was a teenager. No makeup. Awesome show…too, but the reason this is #1… the whole vibe of being at their feet being that close to the stage and being able to examine it…waiting in line with all the other fans and sharing their stories (we were right beside a guy and girl from Saskatchewan)…the cab ride over with the crazy cabbie, being in Vegas, yeah, that was pretty cool, too, but that show was just magical. Not only was I transformed, but I was also inspired. That’s how it’s done. It makes me work to be a better performer…as a matter of fact, all of these shows have done that for me…and isn’t that what it’s all about?
