So my two oldest sons and I went to the concert in Nashville last Wednesday night....finally got back home a bit ago to be able to post about it. I will say that it was my favorite concert I've ever been to. Now, that's not saying a lot as I'm not like cramx or others here who have been to hundreds of concerts....but I've seen DT (7) times now, Neal Morse twice, Haken twice, Sons of Apollo...so, not a lot but enough.
I say it was my favorite for a couple reasons. One, the entire band sounded spot on....they were incredible. Note for note with one another....it was fun to watch. And James Labrie was awesome
I know he catches a ton of flack from people but seeing him live belting out notes that some are convinced he can't hit any longer was fun to watch. I had some questions about the opening set list and the song choices but after seeing/hearing it those questions are no longer there. Freaking loved the set! And, you should know....that although this was a seated theater from the opening note the entire crowd stood....and this may have been the most interactive crowd I've seen at a DT concert. Very lively and very in to it....was glad to be a part of it.
Second set 'SFAM' is why that concert sits at the top for me right now. It. Was. Incredible. From 'go' they were in the zone and played the
out of that album. Each one of them nailed their parts...you'd have thought they had the CD playing if not for the added 'chunkiness' and 'sound' of the live experience. I can't express just how great it was to see/hear that album played live as I didn't get a chance to see it back in the day.
But, the icing on the cake was after the concert as me and the boys were walking back to our van....I said to them "Let's go hang out by the tour buses and see if we get lucky and meet one or two of them". We had nowhere to be and We had spotted where the buses were parked earlier that day while walking around the venue and the city....so we headed over and just camped out a bit. It was around 10:30 or so and there was maybe another (10) people there with the same idea. We had small talk amongst us....and around 11:30 or so we noticed that a lot of the VIP pass people were exiting the stage door to the street. A security guard told us they were getting close to being done with the after show VIPs so they may be out soon.
Sure enough around 11:45 the first one to come out was Jordan. Someone went up to him rather quickly and attempted to shake his hand but he said 'Aw man...I can't shake your hand...I'm a bit sick." He was pulling luggage and he went straight to the bus....so, we were a bit bummed but understood since he was sick and just played a show....BUT...about a minute later he came back off the bus and asked if anyone wanted a picture or autograph!!
Of course!!! So, he took his time with the small group....me and the boys took a pic with him and thanked him a ton for the show and what not...he was very nice despite looking pretty tired. And, as he was finishing up with a couple people.....out of nowhere John Myung was walking towards the bus. He was so cool.. The boys and I happened to be in his path and has he approached us he says "Hey guys" and he extended his hand to shake mine! I shook it, asked if my sons and I could get a picture with him to which he said "Of course" and we took a quick pic....told him he sounded great and thanked him for his time. He thanked us for coming to the show and then did the same for the others there.
Then....Mike Mangini comes out. And man, that dude was hilarious!! First off, I think he may have talked to the group of us for a good 10 minutes...maybe 15....just funny and cracking us up. He spent a minute or two with just my sons and I which was CRAZY because well....it's Mike Mangini....and he was so kind and funny with me and the boys. It was so surreal. He took some pics and signed some stuff....honestly, he was just yucking it up and having a blast.
JP and James came out at the same time. Me and the boys got to JP first and it was just like the others.....he was so nice and kind....thanked us for coming....my kiddos complimented him a bit and he was gracious and we had some small talk. He thanked us for coming to the show and we got a picture with him and again, he did the same for everyone there.
Then James was just like Mike. Dude was working the dozen of us or so there like he was still on stage. Very nice, very funny....and just like with Mike...James spent a couple minutes just talking with me and my kiddos. He was great...such a nice guy. He took his time with everyone and eventually got on the bus and that was that.
The group of us all looked at one another and were in shock that just happened and were all on cloud 9. It was so cool. I mean, those guys had just played a three hour show....spent another hour with VIP pass people....then walk out to us. They could have easily said "Hey guys...thanks for coming to the show....we're really tired...can't sign or take pics right now....sorry." They could have easily done that and that would have been acceptable and understandable.
But they didn't, each and everyone of them gave us a real interaction and moment in time and for me....memories with my kiddos I'll never forget....they all were kind and nice and gracious. There's no other way to say it other than it was an incredible experience.
Here's the pics we got....funny enough I let my oldest pic what he wanted to wear and he chooses the 'Sons of Apollo' shirt
Ooops!
None of them said anything and he did have a DT hat on so....anyway....