Concerts for 2022

[cramx3]

but similarly, I've yet to have an issue using Iron Maiden's fan club to score the tickets I want to get.

and while we are on the topic for ticket sales/resales.... one thing I've noticed this year is that I don't see people dropping ticket prices on stub hub the day of show like they used to.  For example, I've been searching for Alanis Morrisette tickets for tonight and while there's 100s of tickets for sale on stubhub, none are below face value.  So all these people are just going to eat the ticket prices?  I've noticed this all summer for my local shed that historically I can always get a good deal for non sold out shows.  It makes me wonder if people don't actually have the tickets.  As in, maybe they put something on stubhub for over face value, the person buys it, then the sellers buys it on ticketmaster and resells it then to make the small profit.  I'm really confused how every show I've been to this summer there has seemed like that.  (granted, I did see a few under face value tickets go up and then get sold fairly quickly)

[Anguyen92]

I've been pretty lucky nabbing tickets at a good price either the week of or the day of the show.  I mentioned that I had a pretty darn good view seeing 5 Seconds of Summer for $30.00 like 7 hours before the show started.  That amphitheater was the most packed and the most enthusiastic I've seen in that place.  I'm not even sure how in the world I found that ticket, but luck finds its way.

[El Barto]

but similarly, I've yet to have an issue using Iron Maiden's fan club to score the tickets I want to get.

and while we are on the topic for ticket sales/resales.... one thing I've noticed this year is that I don't see people dropping ticket prices on stub hub the day of show like they used to.  For example, I've been searching for Alanis Morrisette tickets for tonight and while there's 100s of tickets for sale on stubhub, none are below face value.  So all these people are just going to eat the ticket prices?  I've noticed this all summer for my local shed that historically I can always get a good deal for non sold out shows.  It makes me wonder if people don't actually have the tickets.  As in, maybe they put something on stubhub for over face value, the person buys it, then the sellers buys it on ticketmaster and resells it then to make the small profit.  I'm really confused how every show I've been to this summer there has seemed like that.  (granted, I did see a few under face value tickets go up and then get sold fairly quickly)

That would be an interesting wrinkle. Hadn't seen that before, but I suppose it could be done. Kind of seems like TT&L would be your problem, though. You'd have to list it at about 30% over face to make up for your fees, and the buyer would have to shell out another 30% to cover Stubhub's fees. You'd have to be counting on a particularly stupid buyer. Maybe they though there woudl be a run for them, or that they could do better in the parking lot. I have not seen what you're describing. What I can tell you is that scalpers don't panic at eating tickets. Business losses cover their taxes. Typically they'd rather sell them at a loss then eat them altogether, though. I asked one about it and he said his cutoff was around 66%. As in he'd sell you a $100 ticket for $66, but would rather eat it than go lower.

Something else to keep in mind is that a whole lot of scalper tickets are comps to begin with.

A couple of months ago we witnessed an absolute race to the bottom for Who tickets. I spent an hour watching them drop their prices in $3 increments to undercut each other. It was great. We spent $22/ea (including fees) for tickets with a face (before fees) of $85 (and then moved down to $150 lower balcony seats). Maybe the second best ticket value we've gotten to date.

[cramx3]

but similarly, I've yet to have an issue using Iron Maiden's fan club to score the tickets I want to get.

and while we are on the topic for ticket sales/resales.... one thing I've noticed this year is that I don't see people dropping ticket prices on stub hub the day of show like they used to.  For example, I've been searching for Alanis Morrisette tickets for tonight and while there's 100s of tickets for sale on stubhub, none are below face value.  So all these people are just going to eat the ticket prices?  I've noticed this all summer for my local shed that historically I can always get a good deal for non sold out shows.  It makes me wonder if people don't actually have the tickets.  As in, maybe they put something on stubhub for over face value, the person buys it, then the sellers buys it on ticketmaster and resells it then to make the small profit.  I'm really confused how every show I've been to this summer there has seemed like that.  (granted, I did see a few under face value tickets go up and then get sold fairly quickly)

That would be an interesting wrinkle. Hadn't seen that before, but I suppose it could be done. Kind of seems like TT&L would be your problem, though. You'd have to list it at about 30% over face to make up for your fees, and the buyer would have to shell out another 30% to cover Stubhub's fees. You'd have to be counting on a particularly stupid buyer. Maybe they though there woudl be a run for them, or that they could do better in the parking lot. I have not seen what you're describing. What I can tell you is that scalpers don't panic at eating tickets. Business losses cover their taxes. Typically they'd rather sell them at a loss then eat them altogether, though. I asked one about it and he said his cutoff was around 66%. As in he'd sell you a $100 ticket for $66, but would rather eat it than go lower.

Something else to keep in mind is that a whole lot of scalper tickets are comps to begin with.

A couple of months ago we witnessed an absolute race to the bottom for Who tickets. I spent an hour watching them drop their prices in $3 increments to undercut each other. It was great. We spent $22/ea (including fees) for tickets with a face (before fees) of $85 (and then moved down to $150 lower balcony seats). Maybe the second best ticket value we've gotten to date.

The bold is what I'm getting at.  The prices are honestly stupid over facevalue so it would cover the costs and just rely on getting someone stupid to bite.  Tickets for tonight are only over face value and it's not sold out. I guess people would rather eat their costs.

[El Barto]

but similarly, I've yet to have an issue using Iron Maiden's fan club to score the tickets I want to get.

and while we are on the topic for ticket sales/resales.... one thing I've noticed this year is that I don't see people dropping ticket prices on stub hub the day of show like they used to.  For example, I've been searching for Alanis Morrisette tickets for tonight and while there's 100s of tickets for sale on stubhub, none are below face value.  So all these people are just going to eat the ticket prices?  I've noticed this all summer for my local shed that historically I can always get a good deal for non sold out shows.  It makes me wonder if people don't actually have the tickets.  As in, maybe they put something on stubhub for over face value, the person buys it, then the sellers buys it on ticketmaster and resells it then to make the small profit.  I'm really confused how every show I've been to this summer there has seemed like that.  (granted, I did see a few under face value tickets go up and then get sold fairly quickly)

That would be an interesting wrinkle. Hadn't seen that before, but I suppose it could be done. Kind of seems like TT&L would be your problem, though. You'd have to list it at about 30% over face to make up for your fees, and the buyer would have to shell out another 30% to cover Stubhub's fees. You'd have to be counting on a particularly stupid buyer. Maybe they though there woudl be a run for them, or that they could do better in the parking lot. I have not seen what you're describing. What I can tell you is that scalpers don't panic at eating tickets. Business losses cover their taxes. Typically they'd rather sell them at a loss then eat them altogether, though. I asked one about it and he said his cutoff was around 66%. As in he'd sell you a $100 ticket for $66, but would rather eat it than go lower.

Something else to keep in mind is that a whole lot of scalper tickets are comps to begin with.

A couple of months ago we witnessed an absolute race to the bottom for Who tickets. I spent an hour watching them drop their prices in $3 increments to undercut each other. It was great. We spent $22/ea (including fees) for tickets with a face (before fees) of $85 (and then moved down to $150 lower balcony seats). Maybe the second best ticket value we've gotten to date.

The bold is what I'm getting at.  The prices are honestly stupid over facevalue so it would cover the costs and just rely on getting someone stupid to bite.  Tickets for tonight are only over face value and it's not sold out. I guess people would rather eat their costs.

Ridiculously over face value is a different phenomenon. You've no doubt seen people listing $150 seats for $2,000 each, when the going rate should be $400. Those are being reserved and they don't want to remove the listing. Don't know if that's what you're talking about, but it is a thing.



edit: After a quick perusal, I see what you mean about people still clinging to hope, but there are definitely some seats in the 300 selling for less than face. It's the $80 lawn tickets I don't get.

[cramx3]

There were a couple pop up 300 sections with decent value, but I only saw a few under face value and those went quickly. Paid 42.50 at the box office for lawn.

[UndercoverMyung]

Seeing Greta Van Fleet in a week and a half

 

My gf and I are going to the last show of the tour since it was postponed to December, really looking forward to it.  You'll have a good time, really good live band.

Right on! I'm very excited. Never seen them.

[Volante99]

Going to attempt to snag some Springsteen tickets tomorrow. I’m hoping I won’t need to take out a second mortgage on the house, but we’ll see.

Did you get verified?  I got put on the waiting list so I don't expect to get a chance at tickets.

I did not- I had intentions to sign up last weekend but completely forgot. Well, I snoozed and loozed because tickets completely sold out 15 minutes BEFORE they went on sale to the general public.

I take comfort in the fact in that it was apparently a lottery system and even verified fans weren’t guaranteed a ticket.

Might shell out some dough on Stubhub for some nosebleeds seats- Springsteen is literally one of the last artists on my “concert bucket list”.

[Stadler]

I've never had to wait for tickets, I was just beyond that point when I started going to shows.  But if I'm honest, I don't think I would prefer that method.  I'm sure it was fun and all to hang out with people wanting to see the show (kind of similar to waiting in line to enter a venue) but I'd rather deal with the ticketmaster crap.

HAHA, it's like anything else; I have a story or two like Lonestar's, but I also have several where I showed up at midnight to locked doors and no one there, then came back at 9 am and no one was there, and then I'm like "okay, do I drive back home, or stay here." and there's no cameraderie, substance abuse, or good times.  Just dull, boring waiting. 

Then the idiot at the machine had to connect and didn't know where the seating chart is, and yadda yadda, and I'm in section 103 on the side half way up. 

[Stadler]

but similarly, I've yet to have an issue using Iron Maiden's fan club to score the tickets I want to get.

and while we are on the topic for ticket sales/resales.... one thing I've noticed this year is that I don't see people dropping ticket prices on stub hub the day of show like they used to.  For example, I've been searching for Alanis Morrisette tickets for tonight and while there's 100s of tickets for sale on stubhub, none are below face value.  So all these people are just going to eat the ticket prices?  I've noticed this all summer for my local shed that historically I can always get a good deal for non sold out shows.  It makes me wonder if people don't actually have the tickets.  As in, maybe they put something on stubhub for over face value, the person buys it, then the sellers buys it on ticketmaster and resells it then to make the small profit.  I'm really confused how every show I've been to this summer there has seemed like that.  (granted, I did see a few under face value tickets go up and then get sold fairly quickly)

That would be an interesting wrinkle. Hadn't seen that before, but I suppose it could be done. Kind of seems like TT&L would be your problem, though. You'd have to list it at about 30% over face to make up for your fees, and the buyer would have to shell out another 30% to cover Stubhub's fees. You'd have to be counting on a particularly stupid buyer. Maybe they though there woudl be a run for them, or that they could do better in the parking lot. I have not seen what you're describing. What I can tell you is that scalpers don't panic at eating tickets. Business losses cover their taxes. Typically they'd rather sell them at a loss then eat them altogether, though. I asked one about it and he said his cutoff was around 66%. As in he'd sell you a $100 ticket for $66, but would rather eat it than go lower.

Why is that?  Does 50% or 40% set unrealistic expectations for next time?  Meaning, they don't want to promote that behavior (a willingness to eat is a sure sign to ME that I could well get shut out if i don't meet them halfway). 

I still have good luck usually with the parking lot.  Still leery of fakes, but it is what it is.

A couple of months ago we witnessed an absolute race to the bottom for Who tickets. I spent an hour watching them drop their prices in $3 increments to undercut each other. It was great. We spent $22/ea (including fees) for tickets with a face (before fees) of $85 (and then moved down to $150 lower balcony seats). Maybe the second best ticket value we've gotten to date.

That's the way it's supposed to go. 

[El Barto]

but similarly, I've yet to have an issue using Iron Maiden's fan club to score the tickets I want to get.

and while we are on the topic for ticket sales/resales.... one thing I've noticed this year is that I don't see people dropping ticket prices on stub hub the day of show like they used to.  For example, I've been searching for Alanis Morrisette tickets for tonight and while there's 100s of tickets for sale on stubhub, none are below face value.  So all these people are just going to eat the ticket prices?  I've noticed this all summer for my local shed that historically I can always get a good deal for non sold out shows.  It makes me wonder if people don't actually have the tickets.  As in, maybe they put something on stubhub for over face value, the person buys it, then the sellers buys it on ticketmaster and resells it then to make the small profit.  I'm really confused how every show I've been to this summer there has seemed like that.  (granted, I did see a few under face value tickets go up and then get sold fairly quickly)

That would be an interesting wrinkle. Hadn't seen that before, but I suppose it could be done. Kind of seems like TT&L would be your problem, though. You'd have to list it at about 30% over face to make up for your fees, and the buyer would have to shell out another 30% to cover Stubhub's fees. You'd have to be counting on a particularly stupid buyer. Maybe they though there woudl be a run for them, or that they could do better in the parking lot. I have not seen what you're describing. What I can tell you is that scalpers don't panic at eating tickets. Business losses cover their taxes. Typically they'd rather sell them at a loss then eat them altogether, though. I asked one about it and he said his cutoff was around 66%. As in he'd sell you a $100 ticket for $66, but would rather eat it than go lower.

Why is that?  Does 50% or 40% set unrealistic expectations for next time?  Meaning, they don't want to promote that behavior (a willingness to eat is a sure sign to ME that I could well get shut out if i don't meet them halfway). 

No idea. I was talking to the guy in a parking lot and time was money. Didn't pry too far. I do know that it's not a hard-fast rule. We've certainly paid far less than face before. It's also true that a whole lot of scalper tickets cost the scalper zero dollars, so they can let them go for precious little. Being able to scalp comps is a perk of being in the radio business (among others).

[cramx3]

Speaking of scalpers.

I did speak to one before buying at the box office last night.  He wanted $40 for lawn and he would have to escort us in.  It was $42.50 at the box office, so the $5 total for the two of us was not worth the awkwardness and risk of having some old dude escort us in.  I'm sure it's fine, but that's not the discount I was looking for.  He had no wiggle room and said I couldn't afford the concert after I denied him  I've gotten pretty confrontational with these guys before at this venue, but definitely not worth it last night in that heat.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

Finally...after 3 years. Maiden on Ullevi Gothenburg...check! 

Everyone was on fire both band and audience.

[TAC]

So I don't post in this thread, because I don't do a lot of concerts these days but...

We're in Disney right now. A couple of weeks ago, we were looking at the concert series at EPCOT. A few years ago, we saw Dennis DeYoung, and it was awesome. Typically, the artists will play three 30-40 minute sets a night.

Anyway, I tell my wife that someone named Jeremy Camp was playing the day we're at EPCOT. I immediately think of Jesse Camp, the ex MTV VJ who was literally the worst act I've ever seen on a stage, but my wife is like I LOVE HIM!!!
WUT??

So my wife listens to a Christian radio station and they play his songs all the time. I looked him up on Spotify and a handful of his songs have like 30 MILLION streams..

Anyway, here's a pic..



We saw the 5:30 performance. He played 7 songs. It was actually really cool.

[Stadler]

That EPCOT thing can be really cool.   Night Ranger has done that a couple times, I think, too.

[TAC]

Yeah, they usually have a pretty good lineup. There's just never been anyone I'd be interested in when we've been here. But my wife knew who this guy was and can literally sing just about every song the guy played.

[MrBoom_shack-a-lack]

And tonight also after 3 years waiting....Rammstein, can't wait! 

[cramx3]

My work project is complete in Amsterdam... looks like my coworker agreed to take a trip to Tilburg tonight to see...

July 29th - GWAR @ 013 Poppodium, Tilburg Netherlands

 

[lonestar]

My work project is complete in Amsterdam... looks like my coworker agreed to take a trip to Tilburg tonight to see...

July 29th - GWAR @ 013 Poppodium, Tilburg Netherlands

 

Awesome!!! I'll definitely try to catch a bit of their set at Aftershock.

[Lonk]

Coheed and Cambria in a few hours! 

[ReaperKK]

I saw The Aristocrats a few nights ago and I can't wrap my mind around great of musicians they are. They played a big venue here and pretty much packed it.

[Deadeye21]

Too early to start talking about concerts for 2023?

[cramx3]

Too early to start talking about concerts for 2023?

I've got two on my calendar so far, so I don't see why not.  Just my opinion though.

Since I had been traveling last week, I never got to write some reviews so here we go....

Two weekends ago was a back to back concert weekend before I left for the Netherlands.  First up was Alanis Morissette and Garbage.  Interesting to see Garbage back in the same venue doing an opening slot about 30 days after they did the same thing.  However, they did change the setlist up a bit.  I honestly thought this performance was better.  I think it was the songs that I didn't know being much more enjoyable.  I loved how Shirley commented between songs about some guy eating fries during their set  and said he gets a pass because it's still light out even though it's odd for a rock concert (I kind of disagree here, at least for big concerts where people do eat unlike theatre or club shows where it's less common).  Speaking of the sun light, she wore sunglasses unusually (according to her) because the sun was so bright on them during their set. 



Alanis really impressed me.  I've never been a big fan or anything, but growing up in the 90s, it was impossible to not know the Jagged Little Pill album.  I had never seen her before and although a few of my friends questioned why I was going, I really thought she could be fun and a new experience.  I left VERY happy.  For one, her voice has held up over the years.  She's got a unique style and she can still belt it.  Also, she's very active on stage.  Constantly on the move and has a very strong vibe coming from her.  I wish some of my favorite metal bands would take note of her stage presence.  A nice long set list as well.  Place was PACKED.  Not sold out, but very close.  The crowd sang along loud too for the hits.  It was awesome. We got there early to claim a good spot on the lawn and that worked out very well for us to see the show for about as cheap as possible.

Alanis Morissette & Garbage LIVE @ PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel NJ 2022 

[Stadler]

That's the kind of show that I don't know that I would just go to on my own, but that in hindsight I kick myself for NOT going to.  I LOVE Garbage (and I have a thing for Shirley Manson) and I've come to really appreciate Alanis even if I can't really relate to the biggest part of her catalogue.   But her Unplugged set is killer.

[lonestar]

Heard nothing but good things about that tour.

[twosuitsluke]

Coheed and Cambria in a few hours! 

Jealous! I've got another 2 months to wait!

[cramx3]

Heard nothing but good things about that tour.

Can't speak for others, but I would recommend the show to anyone who is interested or on the edge of deciding.  I told my gf after last weekend that Alanis was easily the best of the 5 bands we saw and it wasn't even close.

The next day after Alanis, we went to see The Summer Gods Tour with Third Eye Blind, Taking Back Sunday, and Hockey Dad.  When we saw Alanis the night before, they had a deal for $20 flat lawn tickets for the show the next night, which we were already planning on going to, but that deal was too good to not scoop up on the spot and with lessons learned from the night before, we got there a bit earlier and claimed an awesome spot on the lawn for the night.  I must admit, these were two of the best lawn seat experiences I have had at this venue.  Historically, I hate the lawn here, but I think if you get there early and claim a spot with a lawn chair, you can have a pretty good experience. 

Hockey Dad sucked IMO.  From Australian and I had never heard of them before.  They were pretty boring. The songs didn't stand out at all to me.  Taking Back Sunday were next.  They usually do two sold out shows at the local ballroom every December so I expected a good turn out.  When they hit the stage, it was still fairly empty, but by the time they were done, the venue was fairly packed and singing along to their set.  My best friend came with us to this show because he loves TBS.  He wasn't too happy with the song choices to start, but was very happy by the time their set ended.  I love the singers dancing with the mic cable and smooth feet ala Michael Jackson.  I'm not a huge TBS fan overall.  They were fun, but I don't see myself really being a fan. 

Third Eye Blind is a band I've seen 3 times previously, but I've never been much of a fan.  I know the hits from the 90s as a kid and mostly just wanted to see them because what better way to spend a local summer night?  Might as well go to the show was my thought.  I thought they sounded a lot heavier than I ever remember them.  My gf a couple times said to me, "this is pretty heavy" and I agreed.  The singer's outfit was interesting with all white and the orange beanie while it was over 90 degrees out.  Pretty cool multi level stage set up. 

The highlight was easily the surprise guest singer Alexis Krauss of the band Sleighbells.  I'm not familiar with her or her band, but this seems to have been a one off occurrence of her joining along for a TEB song and also a song that they both do together (seems the only time this song was done all tour so far).  I've captured a lot of cool songs and performances, but I think the duet of them doing Losing A Whole Year might be one of my favorite songs all year I recorded.  Just the crowd singing along so loud and them two singing it felt like a really special moment.  Also they had a camera person on stage recording this so I wonder if it gets released in some way.  I also love how she was wearing the same orange beanie until it kept falling off    When I think of "summer concerts" this song is going to be coming to mind for a long time I think.

Third Eye Blind Taking Back Sunday Hockey Dad LIVE @2022 New Jersey 2022

[Anguyen92]

All right, what do I have for my August plans?  Well, I still got a ticket to see Brad Paisley at FivePoint.  I enjoyed his show last year and rated it the 2nd favorite concert of the year behind Metallica.  I'm sure I'm bound to enjoy him again as well.  I also got a Chicago trip planned to see a live show of a podcast I listened to on a weekly basis, Cox n Crendor.  I've checked to see if there's any shows that interests me in the Chicago area on a Saturday, but nothing that intrigues me. 

I'm hoping tickets for that Breaking Benjamin/Alice in Chains/Bush bill in September continues to drop to that sweet spot I like.  $46.00 for a center bleacher view right now on a secondary site.  If it gets to under $40.00, that gets me going.

[TAC]

Too early to start talking about concerts for 2023?

I've got two on my calendar so far, so I don't see why not.  Just my opinion though.

Since I had been traveling last week, I never got to write some reviews so here we go....

Two weekends ago was a back to back concert weekend before I left for the Netherlands.  First up was Alanis Morissette and Garbage.  Interesting to see Garbage back in the same venue doing an opening slot about 30 days after they did the same thing.  However, they did change the setlist up a bit.  I honestly thought this performance was better.  I think it was the songs that I didn't know being much more enjoyable.  I loved how Shirley commented between songs about some guy eating fries during their set  and said he gets a pass because it's still light out even though it's odd for a rock concert (I kind of disagree here, at least for big concerts where people do eat unlike theatre or club shows where it's less common).  Speaking of the sun light, she wore sunglasses unusually (according to her) because the sun was so bright on them during their set. 



Alanis really impressed me.  I've never been a big fan or anything, but growing up in the 90s, it was impossible to not know the Jagged Little Pill album.  I had never seen her before and although a few of my friends questioned why I was going, I really thought she could be fun and a new experience.  I left VERY happy.  For one, her voice has held up over the years.  She's got a unique style and she can still belt it.  Also, she's very active on stage.  Constantly on the move and has a very strong vibe coming from her.  I wish some of my favorite metal bands would take note of her stage presence.  A nice long set list as well.  Place was PACKED.  Not sold out, but very close.  The crowd sang along loud too for the hits.  It was awesome. We got there early to claim a good spot on the lawn and that worked out very well for us to see the show for about as cheap as possible.

Alanis Morissette & Garbage LIVE @ PNC Bank Arts Center Holmdel NJ 2022

Saw her at UMass in early '96, which I guess included Taylor Hawkins.

Her mike must be really sensitive because you could really hear her voice even when the mike was like a foot away from her mouth.

[Phoenix87x]

Went to go see Rage against the machine last night. It was sweet

[cramx3]

Her mike must be really sensitive because you could really hear her voice even when the mike was like a foot away from her mouth.

Yeah I noticed that too.  She'd be belting out a note but the mic would be held so far away yet you could hear it perfectly fine.  I'm just operating under the assumption that lady has some powerful vocal cords. 

[TAC]

Her mike must be really sensitive because you could really hear her voice even when the mike was like a foot away from her mouth.

Yeah I noticed that too.  She'd be belting out a note but the mic would be held so far away yet you could hear it perfectly fine.  I'm just operating under the assumption that lady has some powerful vocal cords.

So are most Kiss fans. 

[cramx3]

The highlight was easily the surprise guest singer Alexis Krauss of the band Sleighbells.  I'm not familiar with her or her band, but this seems to have been a one off occurrence of her joining along for a TEB song and also a song that they both do together (seems the only time this song was done all tour so far).  I've captured a lot of cool songs and performances, but I think the duet of them doing Losing A Whole Year might be one of my favorite songs all year I recorded.  Just the crowd singing along so loud and them two singing it felt like a really special moment.  Also they had a camera person on stage recording this so I wonder if it gets released in some way.  I also love how she was wearing the same orange beanie until it kept falling off    When I think of "summer concerts" this song is going to be coming to mind for a long time I think.

Yup, they released the video of this today https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjFwH-jcPF8 pretty cool to see the shot from the camera that you can see in my video. 

And my last concert review to catch up on.... GWAR in Tilburg.  This was a lucky opportunity to me since we expected to be working Friday evening, but we actually finished our project Thursday night so I brought the idea up to my coworker (who had the car rental) when he asked if I wanted to drive around to some new spot... perfect opportunity to suggest we go to Tilburg (about 75 minutes south of Amsterdam (close to the Belgium border). He was totally down to go, but had no interest in the concert so we drove down there, he dropped me off and there happened to be a big carnival happening so he spent the 90 minutes hanging out while I went into the venue.  But before going in, I had to buy a ticket so I went to the box office and the lady working handed me a free ticket that someone left as an extra.  How nice?! That 30 euro saved from the ticket went right to buying a tour tshirt.  Got inside just in time for them to come on. 

What sucks is the Dutch people are tall and since I got there just in time, I was relagated to the back (which normally I'm cool with) but I could hardly see over all the tall people  After a bit I got adjusted and found a good spot to chill for most of the show.  They played in the smaller theater, not the main hall, which kind of sucks.  I was hoping to be in the room where I've seen lots of concerts on video (Kamelot, Alestorm) but obviously they aren't as big of a draw.  I thought the crowd was mostly dead until the end.  I found the vibe to be kind of crappy honestly.  It also stunk of BO, but no one was moshing.  I'm pretty sure someone farted on me as well  I'm also sure I stood out as the random American at this show.  The band were solid, although a bit sloppy compared to previous times I've seen them.  I'll chalk that up to being the first show of the European leg.  Some minor technical issues as well.  I will say, halfway through their set, it felt like things were getting better.  The crowd was being more responsive and the band was sounding tighter.  I really enjoyed the song Immortal Corrupter dedicated to Oderus Urungus. They killed the Queen of England at the end of the set. I was wondering if that was a Euro thing or if they did that on the US leg too.  Biden was killed early in the show and near the end they also offed Putin and Ji.  Some of the in between song talk was booed from the crowd  I think some of that really crude humor didn't go over so well. When they finished the show with an ACDC cover of If You Want Blood (You've Got It) the place was rocking hard.  In the end, I'm very happy I was able to see this show and the experience will make it memorable, but the show itself was not one of my favorites. 



GWAR LIVE @ 013 Poppodium Tilburg Netherlands July 29th 2022

and back home for another double concert summer weekend (although I have some concerns about potential storms impacting the shows)

August 6th - Incubus & Sublime with Rome @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ
August 7th - A Day to Remember, The Ghost Inside, Beartooth & Bad Omens @ Stone Pony Summer Stage, Asbury Park NJ

[UndercoverMyung]

Saw Greta Van Fleet last Saturday, amazing show!

[El Barto]

Got burned by Anthrax last night. Cancelled very late in the day, and the prospects of getting a refund are slim to nothing. I think that's the first time I've ever gotten scorched on a ticket before. Shame it had to be them. I hope none of them are dead, but this really sours me on them. I could actually use that $46 this month.