Concerts for 2024

[DTwwbwMP]

Saw Judas Priest w Sabaton Friday night at the PUKE CENTER in Newark, NJ. Probably my most hated arena in the metropolitan area for many reasons, but since JP are BANNED from MSG due to the "incident" at the Garden in '84 (for which i was front and center involved ) this was the closest show. First up was Sabaton who were simply awful! The music is terrible and performance not much better. Complete waste of 50 minutes! JP came on at 9 and performed a tight, rousing set. I knew they were only playing 3 new songs from their incredible new album but other than the opener "Panic Attack" the other 2 new ones fell kind of flat on stage. The setlist was excellent until the excruciatingly overplayed encore songs. Now, I get that I've seen JP live over 20 times since 1978 and that they have younger fans who haven't seen them, but I'm just so sick of seeing so many same songs, tour after tour! Rant over! I thought Rob did a really good job and even hit some high notes (with the help of the sound desk) but at 74, he can still belt it out. Was also happy not to see Priest fall victim to the ridiculous flames and confetti that so many bands use these days! All in all, the Priest delivered once again

[geeeemo]

Going to Opeth in October! My first time and  my son and I are totally hyped. And its GA! It should be a rousing good time

[ReaperKK]

Tossed an Aristocrats show on the list for end of July. Can't wait to see those dudes play again.

[El Barto]

Judas Priest came on right around 9pm.  Really good sound.  Rob sounded incredible, especially for his age.  I do think his age showed in his stage presence though.  Often staring at the ground (or maybe he was reading a teleprompter?) and sometimes just meandering in the back of the stage.  I've never seen them before so maybe that's just his thing, but while he sounded great, visually sometimes I felt like he was a bit "out there". I'm no JP purist so I know it's not the original guitarists, but I thought they both were good and it really didn't come to mind for me at all that it was no KK or Tipton.  I do wish the setlist featured more from the new album.  3 songs seems a bit small considering the positive reaction to the album, but those 3 songs were awesome live.  Sadly, like Sabaton experienced, the crowd just didn't seem to react much at all to JP.  During all the sing a long parts where ROb would hold the mic out to the crowd, it was just a dud.  I couldn't hear the crowd at all.  Overall I enjoyed the show, but sadly didn't feel like JP won me over.  I'd see them again, but under the right circumstances and not likely something to go out of my way to see. 

It's his thing. He's always hunkered down to hit the high notes (like others will point upward). Back in the day he'd get down to his knees belting out Painkiller live. He's also never been particularly mobile. I saw him on a couple of tours using a cane at times, in fact. Bad hip, I think. As for the band seeming off, I haven't seen this lineup so I wouldn't know. I can tell you that the interaction between Tipton and Downing provided a lot of the energy, though.

[cramx3]

It's his thing. He's always hunkered down to hit the high notes (like others will point upward). Back in the day he'd get down to his knees belting out Painkiller live. He's also never been particularly mobile. I saw him on a couple of tours using a cane at times, in fact. Bad hip, I think. As for the band seeming off, I haven't seen this lineup so I wouldn't know. I can tell you that the interaction between Tipton and Downing provided a lot of the energy, though.

Hitting the high notes is one thing, I thought that was visually and audibly easy to spot, but does he also read off a teleprompter?  Certainly looked like he was (I couldn't see the teleprompter, but the way he stared down at the three different amps on the stage made it seem that way.  I honestly don't mind all that stuff, the guys old and still sounded good.  He can meander in the back or use a lyric sheet, but it did kind of kill the mood a bit for me, although, the mood was cold as ice for the most part anyway that night.

[ganpondorodf]

Tossed an Aristocrats show on the list for end of July. Can't wait to see those dudes play again.

I am tempted to go see them in Raleigh. That would be show #4 of theirs for me. I am going to see Zao the night before though, and two late nights in a row is a lot for me at this point lol

[DTwwbwMP]

Hitting the high notes is one thing, I thought that was visually and audibly easy to spot, but does he also read off a teleprompter? 

Rob's been reading off the teleprompter for 20 years! And I agree with you. It DEFINITELY is noticeable and really takes any stage "persona" away! That being said, Rob was NEVER a "Dickinson type" to run around on stage. Even in his earlier years, Rob would just meander around the stage. He's still though, the "Metal God" to me!

[lonestar]

Babymetal tonight!!

[ReaperKK]

I am tempted to go see them in Raleigh. That would be show #4 of theirs for me. I am going to see Zao the night before though, and two late nights in a row is a lot for me at this point lol

so I'm seeing them at the Charlotte show, and the night before I'm seeing Brit Floyd. I had the same thought about seeing two shows in a row.

[El Barto]

Hitting the high notes is one thing, I thought that was visually and audibly easy to spot, but does he also read off a teleprompter?  Certainly looked like he was (I couldn't see the teleprompter, but the way he stared down at the three different amps on the stage made it seem that way.  I honestly don't mind all that stuff, the guys old and still sounded good.  He can meander in the back or use a lyric sheet, but it did kind of kill the mood a bit for me, although, the mood was cold as ice for the most part anyway that night.

A few minutes of google-fu does suggest he uses a teleprompter. Apparently Bruce ragged on him ten years ago for needing one to sing "breaking the law" ten times in a row.    I haven't seen them since 2011, and to be honest I'm so used to seeing him face down when he sings I'm not sure I'd even notice. And in truth they've never been a particularly high-energy band. Kenny Downing was probably the most energetic one, and like I said there was always some interplay with him and Tipton, but aside from those two there's never been a whole lot going on. That makes the mood pretty variable, and ice cold is always an option.

There's a reason I haven't seen them in 13 years.

[King Postwhore]

I've got Queensryche and Armored Saints on Saturday night.

[cramx3]

Second hand tickets for the Rock the Rock radio event tonight are down to 10 bucks  I'm likely going to attend at that price.

Staind, Seether, The Struts, and Dayseeker (Doubt I get there in time for Aryon Jones).

[lonestar]

Holy fuck Babymetal was insane. What a show.

[lonestar]

A few thoughts on Babymetal with Nekrogoblikon and Deathklok...

Nekrogoblikon opened, they were fun and all, silly as fuck, and got the crowd rolling. Probably won't check them out further though, no really appeal in their music tbh.

Babymetal had the middle slot..the played for a bit over an hour, about a 10 song set. The Kami Band was tight as hell, which is the standard for them these days, just flawless. Moa and Momo were insanely energetic and relentlessly charismatic, they owned the crowd from beginning to end. Su however...goddamn can that girl sing. Range, control, inflections, and everything, she was perfection, and to pull that off with the intense dancing between vocal moments, so impressive. The crowd though, they're what really made the show. Sellout crowd of every walk of life, from kids to old farts like me, everything. Everyone was 100% invested into the show, and gave it their all. The crowd push at times was insane, I was seriously worried for a few young girls next to me who combined couldn't have weighed a buck, but they were fucking troopers and rolled with every punch the pit threw at them. So much fucking fun, nothing but respect for this band and how expertly they can work a crowd.


Deathklok was fun, never really dug their style, I got to hear their birthday song which was cool. I probably hung for about five songs then beat the rush out of the parking garage.


No solid video of Babymetal, it was way too hard to hold a phone properly in that insanity lol, did catch a bit of my favorite song though...

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/k88VBxu-HF4

[cramx3]

Sounds similar to the time I saw Babymetal.  Very diverse crowd, but the crowd was also WILD.  One of the biggest and craziest mosh pits I've ever been in.  Actually got my pinky bent backwards from a crowd surfer.  I also was unable to get good video that night from the wild mosh pit 

Sucks they were the middle slot though, I would have thought they'd headline.

Second hand tickets for the Rock the Rock radio event tonight are down to 10 bucks  I'm likely going to attend at that price.

Staind, Seether, The Struts, and Dayseeker (Doubt I get there in time for Aryon Jones).

Got my ticket ofr $5 but came out to $12 after fees  not bad for a full night of headliner bands.  I'll write more likely on Monday after I edit my videos, but I came away impressed with The Struts.

[lonestar]

The two bands alternated the slot throughout the tour, I was OK with it since I could escape the rush out.


I think the only shows that had a crazier pit were Hanabie and Spiritbox, but they both played much smaller venues

[Anguyen92]

Well, the ticket prices for Starset at the House of Blues in Anaheim isn't getting any lower on the secondary sites.  Might as well get the ticket at face value for $46.50.  Seems like a fine enough price.  Their sets have been looking fine and going to around two hours, so I'm hoping for some solid performances and solid visuals that matches their electronic, spacey vibes.  Probably will take a different approach in parking this time around.  Will instead take a bus to the venue and then take an Uber/Lyft back home since I live so dang close to the venue.  Will cost way less than the $25 I may pay for parking.

Starset - House of Blues - Anaheim, CA.  April 26th 2024.

[Anguyen92]

All right, I'm back from the Starset show.  Man, oh man.  This is a show of the year contender for me and I don't really see anything that I may anticipate for the rest of the year that can top this.  First off, the first show I ever saw ever since I moved to the OC in 2017 was Halestorm with Starset opening at the Anaheim House of Blues in a spot near the soundboard at the back of the stage.  They were ok as a main supporter, although I griped about certain sound issues from them, but people liked them and their space-themed aesthetics.  So, this is a great feat for Starset that 7 years later, they are headlining this very same building, with no openers or co-headlining acts, and this place was packed.  I had to wait through 3 or so hours in line.  Had to wait through all of the VIP, those that bought fastlane passes, in order for me to be on the rail section behind the soundboard to get the most optimized view I can if I wasn't going to be close to the stage.

I was expecting some nice spacey visuals that goes with their electronic/pseudo djent/active rock radio friendly/cinematic rock sounds with some vocal growls thrown sparsely, but holy fudge, the visuals were way beyond what I expected.  So, one of the things that they are doing on this particular tour was showing a custom movie in-between songs and playing the songs in their catalog that ties the movie together. 

They played 18 songs and the experience lasted two hours.  The band sounds great.  You have two people on strings, a keyboardist, a guitarist, drums, and bass (all dressed in like body armor with space aesthetics) and you have Dustin Bates (the vocalist and composer behind the themes of the band).  Sure, his vocals at times sounds electronic and had certain effects where his pitch of the voice will sound different, but for a band like this, this makes sense, but the stuff that he sang without those effects, he sounded fine, and he was personable and was very thrilled to sell out the House of Blues and loved the support the crowd in the LA/OC area brought and it was a good crowd.  Helps that there were no openers or supporting acts that could overshadow them and people were engaged in the songs and the plot of the movie during the entire show.

One thing I did not expect to see at a concert was that in the front of the stage, they had these fans where if they were working, they were able to project some computerized text and visuals as shown below.  Sad part was that about an hour into the show, one of the fans in the top right corner of the area stopped working and everyone in the soundboard area was trying to get in touch to see what the update was to get that fan fixed and couldn't get it done.  It didn't really detract from the show at all and everyone had to roll with it although it cut off some visuals or words, but nothing too drastic.  After 13 songs in, and 90 minutes of the show and movie being done, there was a 6 minute intermission and their stage crew removed those fans and the band came up in more casual black uniforms if it makes sense and finished the show with some of their big hitters and send the crowd singing happy by playing Take Me Home, Country Roads on tape to end the show.





All in all, I had good expectations that this was going to be a good show.  I didn't expect this to be my favorite show of the year so far.  I had a blast and I can see why the 3rd party ticket reselling sites could not list tickets to go under $50.00.  $46.00 was so worth it and this place was packed. 

I don't know what next month's show will be.  I might see this band called the Exies at the Viper Room in LA in May.  They had some nice 00s post-grunge songs that I liked, but the band broke up and Scott Stevens (the vocalist) ended up writing a lot of songs for radio rock bands I've recognized, but they are doing a one-off reunion show and tickets aren't expensive, so I may consider going to this one.

[Ben_Jamin]

Man, I wish I could've attended one of the Starset shows. It was just not in my cards this time, but I will see them someday.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

got some good tickets this week for shows later this year: Opeth, Charli XCX, and Neil Young/Crazy Horse!

[cramx3]

I may not have loved this show, but for $12 all in, can't really complain.  Last Thursday was a NJ radio station's Rock the Rock festival.  I'm shocked this line up didn't draw more people.  They played at Prudential Center (where I recently saw Judas Priest and Avenged Sevenfold) and this line up pulled in like half as many people as either of those two shows.  Second hand tickets were $5 and for decent seats too right before show start.  The fees cost more than the ticket!

Aryon Jones started the show at like 5:30, but I didn't get there until 6:15 right when Dayseeker hit the stage so I mised the first song just getting to my seat.  Great dead center view and I sat 3 rows behind my seat because no one was in that row (the entire night) and I'd rather some more space than squeeze into the full row my ticket was in.  Dayseeker were OK.  I saw them a year ago open for Bad Omens and I thought they were better then.  They were fine, but the dark lighting on the arena stage kind of stunk.  Their back screen of their logo was so bright above them, making it really hard for my eyes to focus on them.

Next up were The Struts.  Sonically just so different from hearing Dayseeker who rely heavily to a backing track and The Struts who just came out and ripped it live.  The guitar just sounded so much fuller and louder. The singer also had incredible energy.  Before they could even finish the first verse of the first song I already knew this band just blew Dayseeker off the stage and would make it difficult for the headliners to top. I was not familiar with them, thought they sounded like the Rolling Stones mixed with The Darkness.  Also from the UK.  Great energy and performance.  They are headlining a show this summer locally.  I may have to go see them again, but funny enough, cheapest ticket for that is $50!

Seether were next.  I can't recall the last time I listened to them, but while watching, I was reminded of a few songs from back in high school or college that were pretty popular. This was also another example of bad lighting.  Their stage lights shined directly into the crowd making it so difficult to actually watch the band.  They sounded pretty good and they kind of did these little guitar interludes between songs that I thought were cool and made their show feel more organic and live even though the stage presence was mostly non existent.  Not my favorite set, but not bad really.

Staind were the headliner.  I'd say a bit of people left after Seether and I moved seats to be much closer (and a more comfy seat since mine was a folding chair).  I don't like Staind too much, their hit songs are fine, but I really enjoy the singer's voice.  He's really got a great voice but was surprisingly out on stage smoking a cigarette to start the set.  You don't really see that too often these days.  They had the same stage show from last summer, but it worked much better in a dark arena compared to the sunny outdoors.  Their videos worked really well, felt immersive.  I was planning on leaving during their set, but was enjyoing it so stuck till the end.  They did a few different songs from the summer which was cool.  A mosh pit also broke out, which I did not expect.  Their set ended up being pretty fun even if I think the guy is kind of a prick. 

Walking away with a new discover of the Struts felt like a win to me for this concert

Staind, Seether, The Struts & Dayseeker LIVE @ WDHA Rock the Rock Prudential Center Newark NJ 2024

[ReaperKK]

Fuck yes, got tickets to see Animals As Leaders November 22nd in Asheville. They are touring 10 years of [/i]Joy Of Motion[/i]

[Anguyen92]

All right, it's back.  Next week, the $25.00 lawn/bleacher/nosebleed tickets week is back for Live Nation concerts.  Good luck to those that can get a seat.  Last year was pretty fruitful to me.  Hoping for the same this year.

Shows I'm hoping that has these deals for the SoCal shows: Creed, Sum 41, Staind & Breaking Benjamin, and Bush.

https://www.livenation.com/promotion/concertweek

[King Postwhore]

I just got 2nd row to see comedian Brian Regan in a small venue 25 minutes from my house.  I can't believe he is playing there. 

[TAC]

Seether were next.  I can't recall the last time I listened to them, but while watching, I was reminded of a few songs from back in high school or college that were pretty popular. This was also another example of bad lighting. Their stage lights shined directly into the crowd making it so difficult to actually watch the band. They sounded pretty good and they kind of did these little guitar interludes between songs that I thought were cool and made their show feel more organic and live even though the stage presence was mostly non existent.  Not my favorite set, but not bad really.

Is it because maybe the singer was lip synching?
Your short showed up in my feed, and it was the first thing I thought of while watching the first part of the clip.
https://youtube.com/shorts/HRDqNJFo31M?si=1EFIsMGDmMvuUyby

[cramx3]

Is it because maybe the singer was lip synching?
Your short showed up in my feed, and it was the first thing I thought of while watching the first part of the clip.
https://youtube.com/shorts/HRDqNJFo31M?si=1EFIsMGDmMvuUyby

I dont think so, I think what you may be noticing are one of two things.... the other guitarist (or maybe bassist?) was adding the extra live vocals that you may be hearing but not seeing because of the short format, but also, there's a slight delay in audio to the video from being in an arena and being a bit further back and zoomed in fully on that first clip.  I'm no Seether fan so maybe I'm wrong, but my initial thoughts on them were that they were live. Also, the lights had little to do with the live performance, unless your point is that the lights were to distract from not being live?  I did not get that impression.

[TAC]

I dont think so, I think what you may be noticing are one of two things.... the other guitarist (or maybe bassist?) was adding the extra live vocals that you may be hearing but not seeing because of the short format, but also, there's a slight delay in audio to the video from being in an arena and being a bit further back and zoomed in fully on that first clip.  I'm no Seether fan so maybe I'm wrong, but my initial thoughts on them were that they were live. Also, the lights had little to do with the live performance, unless your point is that the lights were to distract from not being live?  I did not get that impression.

OK. Those vocals were pretty clean.. I'll try and watch another fuller clip if I get a chance. It just looked and sounded damn fishy.

[DTwwbwMP]

Saw Queensryche' "Origins" tour show tonight in Glenside, PA at the GREAT Keswick Theatre and was EXTREMELY impressed with not only the performance but also the "show" they put on! Great lights, stage fog and even lasers!!!! LOVED it!

[ErHaO]

My main concerts this year:

-Epica Symphony Synergy (show with orchestra/choir)
-Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Orchestral show
-The Analouges Revolver+ Sgt Pepper (famous Beatles cover band that basically use the exact instruments and gear The Beatles used to be extremely faithful).
-Damian Wilson solo/with his brothers


Probably will/want to: Plan Nine (Arjen Lucassen), Chris Isaak, Slipknot.

Due to different financial priorities at this moment I am not planning too much, despite the likes of Blind Guardian and Dream Theater (with Portnoy)  coming.

I assume Epica and Final Fantasy will be my special concert moments this year.

[twosuitsluke]

-Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Orchestral show

Pretty jealous of this.

[lonestar]

Probably going to squeeze in the Omegafest in Berkeley with Biohazard and Forbidden headlining. It's a semi cheap ticket and a great venue.

[cramx3]

So many concerts the last two weeks that I fell behind in my reviews...

A week ago with a local ska concert with The Slackers, The Pietasters, and Catbite.  I had bought a two for one deal for tickets previously so I brought my gf along who was NOT into the show  I knew she wasn't into ska but it was a saturday night so figured she'd be OK going, which she was, but was visibly unhappy most of the night and some of it, I don't blame here.  It was not a great show by any means.

There was another opener that we missed but caught the full catbite set.  They did a cover song that my gf did enjoy though (I was unfamiliar with the song).  They were mostly fun.  The venue was empty, but some people did start to fill in during their set and a skank pit did open up.  Generally, they are just OK for me.  I did go over to their merch later and chatted with them, told them about meeting them last time, only 6 months earlier at the same venue.  I bought a cool Catbite tshirt.

The Pietasters were the band I wanted to see the most and I think they were the most fun that night.  The singer was hilarious to watch on stage.  He had some very funny ways of "dancing" (if you can even call it that) I was questioning if he was on drugs because he just looked so odd with his facial expressions.  I thoroughly enjoyed his performance even if it looked a bit off.  They didn't play some of my favorite songs though and played new unreleased songs instead which I typically might really like to see but in the case of my first time, I kind of was bummed with the song choices.

The Slackers were pretty good.  I don't love them, but I do respect them and thier ability to perform live.  They did a Bon Jovi cover in honor of performing in his home (he went to school very close to the venue).  They also did a song with Catbite and another song with the sax player from the Pietasters.  They seemed to kind of just be going with it in the moment there.  Really cool even if I don't love all their music.  Sadly, they didn't take the stage until after 10:15 so when they were still going strong after 11pm, I told my gf we could take off so we missed the last 5 or 6 songs.

The Slackers, The Pietasters & Catbite LIVE @ Starland Ballroom Sayreville NJ 4/27/2024

[SoundscapeMN]

I just bought tickets for

The Family Crest in July
Josh Rouse in October


still would like to plan to see
Jon Anderson + ELP
America
Joe Jackson (unlikely per the price/co-headliner)

[DTwwbwMP]

Looking forward to Saxon & Uriah Heep Weds night

[cramx3]

Last Wednesday was a power metal show in NJ.  Kamelot, Hammerfall, and Ad Infinitum at the Wellmont Theater.  Made sure to get there for the 7pm start as Ad Infinitum was the band I wanted to see the most.  Outisde the venue, before going in, I ran into Kamelot's drummer and also saw (but didn't say anything as I was a bit distance away) Thomas Youngblood.  I feel like if I tried, I could have found all the Kamelots hanging around the venue before the show.  Venue was EMPTY.  Floor was maybe 1/4 full.  The seats were empty.  It was a bit of an odd feeling of emptiness in the venue.  Allowed me to get up close and not worry about losing my spot.

Anyway, Ad Infinitum were awesome. If I had a crush on any of the female musicians I like, it would be Melissa Bonny.  The girl is just great to watch.  Her screams were good, her soft vocals were good, the way she moved and her facial expressions were great.  I liked that it felt like the backing tracks were tuned down a bit compared to their ProgPower show last year.  This felt more raw and live, although they still use the backing tracks, but the instrumentals in person sounded better.  Setlist wasn't the greatest because they didn't play my favorites from the newest album.  They did do the new single though, which is good.

Hammerfall were pretty good. I've seen them so many times as an opener, so knew what to expect and they delivered.  They definitely bring an 80s metal feel to their show which I enjoy.  One thing, they all looked really tired.  They didn't do the first few shows of the tour because they were playing in South America and I think they probably were feeling that travel.  Their eyes said it all to me, but even with that, they sounded and performed just as well if not better than any other time I've seen them.  They also played their new single which was cool!

Kamelot were a bit of a disappointment this night.  The sound was just not good for them.  Very muddy and the vocals were very hard to hear.  Also Melissa's mic was off for a good part of the start of the show.  The band looked like they were giving it all, but I think they saw how little people were there and we got a B concert.  No one seemed to really shine for them that night.  Even Tommy, he sounded fairly weak on some songs. He did sound great at points though, like during the new softer song Willow, I thought he shined.  The one positive, since there wasn't a large crowd and I was pretty close to the front, I managed to snag a setlist!



Kamelot, Hammerfall, & Ad Infinitum LIVE @ Wellmont Theater Montclair NJ 5/1/2024

And in other news, I got an early access live nation code for the $25 ticket sale this week (not sure how).  Scooped up these today:

July 12th - Dirty Heads, Slightly Stoopid, Common Kings & Elovators @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
July 27th - Sammy Hagar & Loverboy @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 17th - 30 Seconds to Mars, AFI & Poppy @ Barclays Center, Brooklyn NY
August 30th - Bret Michaels  @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ

Looks like its busted to work on some of the other venues though, so hopefully thats fixed for the public sale because there's more tickets I want.