Since we are back to Aerosmith....
That was an epic day. Let me start with I've never been to Fenway before so part of the awesomeness of the show was just being in the old ballpark. We got there about as early as we could since we drove up from NJ and had to check into the hotel. We walked around the stadium twice to check out the scene. Really cool bars around, crowded with people. Also, a marijuana shop which was kind of unexpected but when in Rome... we grabbed a J and the guard told us to go around to the "green ally" where people normally smoke because the cops in Boston are pretty strict (unlike in NY or NJ). Which honestly, was an awesome spot. I was feeling pretty damn good in that moment and gave a $10 to the homeless guy chilling back there with us. We went right into Fenway at 5pm when the gates opened. I just wanted to walk around and see everything I could inside the venue, and we did, including getting a lobster roll. We sat next to the green monster while eating it.
Extreme went on close to 7pm starting with a Nuno star spangled banner intro. And with the moon just rising above Fenway. It was quite perfect scenery. (shared that picture earlier!) I'm not a huge Extreme fan and I don't think they really won me over, but I thought the set was pretty entertaining. Gary Cherone was pretty wild on stage and Nuno's guitar playing was excellent. Those two were great, but I don't think they performed a single song that I really connected with. The highlight of their set might have been their cover of Sweet Caroline and how my gf and I were joking if any band was going to do it (I said no, she said yes so she got to rag on me). And the worse part of the set was the sound going super low multiple times at random. It wouldn't completely cut out but if say the master volume was at 8, it would randomly go to 4 before going back to 8. So odd.
We met up with Stadler between sets which was very nice
(picture shared in the post your pic thread)
Aerosmith were pretty damn solid for a band celebrating 50 years. They sounded pretty good overall, I think Steven was a little rough to start but got into a groove and overall sounded pretty good. I think it's probably because he hasn't really sang in awhile so his voice was fresh. I wouldn't be surprised if he sounds worse in a couple months after the residency kicks in in Vegas. Looked like Steven and Joe were getting along well during the show. (I kind of recall those two not interacting much in 2019 when I saw them). Also looked like relatives of maybe Steven or someone else in the band were on the side of the stage. Since it was a hometown show afterall. The set list was pretty solid over all. Slightly different than what they did in Maine but none of the changes really made me think differently, they delivered the songs I wanted to see. (well OK i would have loved to see Pink)
Also should mention Bill Burr did an intro video piece about his love for Aerosmith before they hit the stage. Seemed specific for this show since he mentioned the best band to come out of Boston.
And they ended the show with a firework show that I'm always a sucker for. Sadly, they stage show I thought was pretty dull. Not a whole lot going on other than the Dream On moment. I don't think the show needed it, but sometimes for a stadium show, the extras go a long way.
After the show, my gf and I walked the entire 3 miles through Boston back to our hotel. We were riding a post concert high and I had another J from the shop to smoke. What a fun walk back although our feet were dead after that weekend.
Aerosmith 50th Anniversary Show with Extreme LIVE @ Fenway Park 9/8/2022They REALLY sounded good, and other than musicians on stage - a keyboard player and a saxophonist - there's no augmentation AT ALL* that I could tell.
I think there were more than two musicians behind the amps on the stage. There was a female adding backing vocals and tamborines. A sax player and a keyboardist. I wish those players were in better view since they were definitely adding to the live music, which IMO, seemed 100% legit. I could be wrong, but I don't recall any instances where I felt music was being piped in. In fact, I thought during IDWTMAT band was playing it a bit too fast. (which I will take any day of the week over a click track and/or backing tracks)
Next concert:
September 14th - Five Finger Death Punch, Megadeth & The Hu @ PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel NJ