Bob Dylan at the United Palace Theater - Night 3

I was expecting an amazing final night of this leg of the Neverending Tour on Night 3 of UPL. I have never seen shows 3 nights in a row (Bob and Bruce Springsteen are the only two artists i have ever seen more than once... period!) so i was excited. The first 2 nights i was sitting way up front in the early double letters (CC night one and DD night 2) and tonight i was in Row G on the right side. A fantastic seat...


Me, by the stage, on Night 3

I must have had way too much to drink because i have ZERO recollection of Bob playing the guitar tonight.. I really enjoyed "Desolation Row" & "Workingman's Blues" plus "Aint Talkin" was great... i wish he changed up the set-list as this was the last night of the Tour but alas i still cant complain =)

I didn't bother with trying to snap pics as we were much farther back as compared to nights 1 & 2 but we could see security being way anal again.


Bob, Night 3

I am so happy to see Bob looking (and clearly feeling) good. It showed in his performance. I noticed he was wearing a wedding band on his left finger... anyone know if he is married again?

Set List:

1) Gonna Change My Way Of Thinking
2) The Man In Me
3) Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
4) Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
5) My Wife's Home Town
6) Desolation Row
7) High Water (for Charlie Patton)
8) When The Deal Goes Down
9) Cold Irons Bound
10) Workingman's Blues #2
11) Highway 61 Revisited
12) Ain't Talkin'
13) Thunder On The Mountain
14) Ballad Of A Thin Man
E) Like A Rolling Stone
E) Jolene
E) All Along The Watchtower

Bob Dylan at the United Palace Theater - Night 2

Having gone to Night 1 (and having tickets for Night 3) I decided i didn't want to miss Night 2 (Nov. 18). People on Craigslist were being OBNOXIOUS (one guy offered me a BALCONY seat for $245... i actually mocked him back in email reply). I ended lucking out and scoring a Row A Upper Loge seat on the right side off of Ticketmaster for $83 face value total around 1pm so I am VERY happy not having given scalpers money. Now, here is where Karma kicked in:

I arrived very late at UPL around 8:25, which is about 5 mins before Bob goes on. There were tons of people outside with one finger up waiting for a Miracle. I walked up to the Will Call table as a couple was retrieving their tickets and the ticket lady handed them 4 and asked where the rest of their party was. The guy told her that their friends canceled and that she should just toss the extra tickets. I immediately asked them to do the Karmic thing and gift them to 2 people outside! The guy was agitated to get inside so he told the ticket lady to give the tickets to me and that i could do whatever i want with them! They left and i got my own ticket when the lady told me to get 2 people outside because the tickets that the couple had you had to walk in immediately (just as i had to do the night before). Thats when I realized that the seats they gifted me had to be awesome =)


Bob from my "miracle" seat

I walked out grabbed 2 young guys and said "I am your Miracle tonight.. let's go" and walked in with them. Turns out that one was a student who had never seen Bob and his brother was unemployed but determined that his brother would get to see Bob. Myself and the first timer took the better seats and the brother took my Row A seat upstairs. Wow you guys... these Row DD seats were $325 EACH so we felt bad for the people who lost out on that money but DANG... we were gifted 2 dead center 4th row isle seats. Now on to the show =)


Bob center stage on Night 2

We walked in during the announcement and were in our seats for the opening cords of "Memphis Blues Again" which is one of my FAVORITE songs! Bob on guitar for "It Aint Me" was a treat and when he stayed on the ax for "Man in the Long Black Coat" i almost lost my mind!!!! Talk about haunting and a total out-of-body experience. I love "Thunder/Mountain", "Spirit/Water" and "Workingman's Blues" off of Modern Times so hearing them live was great! "Most Likely You Go Your Way" was pretty special too. My only complaint is the predictable encore.. last year he was changing one song up a bit but this year it was just those standard 3...


Dylan on guitar, Night 2

Funny story about security... i managed to snag some great pics and a few mins of video and was told numerous times to "put it away".. I write a music blog and like to document being at shows. Nothing more. Not trying to sell or make a profit. This fat security dude comes up to me and DEMANDS my memory card. I was like "This is a phone.. what's a memory card??" and he got all agitated and fucked off.. Sometimes playing stupid works well.



Bob harking "Man in the Long Black Coat"... on GUITAR!!

Great night overall. Can't complain... and Karma can be a sweet, sweet thing. I loved being able to hook someone up like that =)

Set List:

1) Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again
2) It Ain't Me, Babe
3) Man In The Long Black Coat
4) It's All Good
5) Spirit On The Water
6) High Water (for Charlie Patton)
7) Most Likely You Go Your Way (And I'll Go Mine)
8) Forgetful Heart
9) Cold Irons Bound
10) I Feel A Change Comin' On
11) Highway 61 Revisited
12) Workingman's Blues #2
13) Thunder On The Mountain
14) Ballad Of A Thin Man
E) Like A Rolling Stone
E) Jolene
E) All Along The Watchtower

Bob Dylan at the United Palace Theater - Night 1

Well as 2009 is coming to an end, I just realized that I have not posted reviews from my nights with Bob Dylan at the United Palace Theater in November of 2009... here is my review from night one =) I had written them up and simply have not uploaded them.. Sorry all, I resole to be a MUCH more consistent blogger in 2010.

The first night (Nov. 17) of Bob's 3-night run at the United Palace Theater was a blast. I saw him at this venue last year for the final performance and he was amazing so I jumped on the tickets first thing during pre-sale. SURE my Row CC in the Right Orchestra seats cost me a small fortune (well it cost Dad's Amex... hehe) but what a great view and a great time. I was exceptionally happy with the set list this night =)


Bob from my awesome seat

The entire time leading up to the show all i kept Tweeting (www.twitter.com/aniutachka) about was the hope for hearing "Baby Blue"... the second he went into it ON GUITAR i called it... that was one of the best highlights of my concert going experience ever!! Hearing "John Brown" was phenomenal as well... i LOVE this song... it is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago.. "Ballad" was awesome tonight as well and of course I can't complain about hearing "Cats/Well" and "Hard Rain"..

The security were atrocious... i could not believe how nasty they were to us... i mean almost Nazi-like with their flashlights... it was distracting and we ended up telling them that we were with the Fire Marshals and they FINALLY left us alone.. Honestly, having paid $300+ for tickets, merch and booze I will do WHATEVER I WANT. Simple as that.

Still, great show and Bob & Band were on point.. everyone keeps saying how Charlie has re-energized Bob and company and I totally see it. He sounded, looked and moved MUCH better than last year!

Set List:

1) Cat's In The Well
2) It's All Over Now, Baby Blue
3) Beyond Here Lies Nothin'
4) A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
5) Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum
6) John Brown
7) Summer Days
8) Po' Boy
9) Cold Irons Bound
10) If You Ever Go To Houston
11) Highway 61 Revisited
12) Ain't Talkin'
13) Thunder On The Mountain
14) Ballad Of A Thin Man
E) Like A Rolling Stone
E) Jolene
E) All Along The Watchtower

Bruce Springsteen MSG The River - ENOUGH SAID =)

Sunday November 8th, 2009 was one of those night's in Rock N' Roll that "you HAD to be there". For those who weren't at Madison Square Garden in NYC that night, here is the deal:


BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND!!!

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band were playing their classic album, The River, in FULL for the first time ever. There have been rumors for months that this is the ESB's "last stand" and I was lucky enough to score 2 GA Pit tickets on the day of sale for face value.


The Front Pit line right before entry!

With my partner in crime, Joe, we picked up our wristbands and killed time with drinks at Stout. When we lined up, the number pulled was about 150 back but it did not matter... there were only a few hundred GA tickets sold to the public so we were assured a prime spot in the Front Pit. We lined up and walked in around 6pm and snagged cool t-shirts (and lots of beers!) before the show started.


Anya and Joe in the Pit

Though lots of celebrities were rumored to be in the Front Pit, the most impressive meet for me was legendary NBA player, coach and NY icon, Mr. Pat Riley! Chris Christie, the VERY large and newly elected governor of New Jersey was also there, but if I were to put a picture of him up I have no doubt that this blog would crash.


Bruce and Clarence at MSG performing The River

Bruce was amazing. Simply put, AMAZING. The energy of the crowd not only energized the band but really pushed them to give us all an incredible night. The River, a great record any time, any place, sounded raw and emotional this night at the Garden, played the way it was intended to be heard by this legendary band. You could feel Bruce and his Band all through the hallowed halls of this arena, were legends make themselves even more iconic.


Bruce by us performing The River at MSG

Bruce strayed from his hand-written set list and gave the crowd one of the most memorable performances of all time. Fans who have been seeing him from his early days were in awe, talking about how this was one of the best shows they have ever attended.


The E Street Band at the end of the show!

Set List:

Wrecking Ball

The River
The Ties That Bind
Sherry Darling
Jackson Cage
Two Hearts
Independence Day
Hungry Heart
Out In The Street
Crush On You
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
I Wanna Marry You


Bruce and Patti dancing during the "Marry You"... AAAWWWWWWW =)

The River
Point Blank
Cadillac Ranch
I'm A Rocker
Fade Away
Stolen Car
Ramrod
The Price You Pay
Drive All Night
Wreck On The Highway

Waiting On A Sunny Day
Atlantic City
Badlands
Born To Run
Seven Nights To Rock
Sweet Soul Music
No Surrender
American Land
Dancing In The Dark
Can't Help Falling in Love (the Elvis song)
(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher


Bruce center stage during the River at MSG

These thirty three songs changed my concert going experience forever! This night will never be forgotten by anyone who was there... EVER =)

Rockin' Out with Bob Weir and Rat Dog

On Saturday October 24th (yes I know this blog post is WAY late... sorry kids!) myself, my brother, my boyfriend and some friends ventured uptown to the Beacon Theater to see Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead and his band Rat Dog, close out the final night of their three-night stand. The show was fantastic, from the set list to the energy of the crowd.



My absolute favorite part was the Persuasions coming out and performing "It Must Have Been the Roses" (one of my favorite Dead songs) acapella. Plus they came out during the encore and performed "Ripple", another one of my favorites!



The set list is as follows...

Set I:
Casey Jones
Jack Straw
Cassidy
Little Red Rooster
Dark Star Jam
Lazy River Road, She Says
Liberty
Bertha

Set II:
Mexicali Blues
Friend of The Devil
Black Throated Wind
It Must Have Been The Roses (The Persuasions)
He's Gone
Jam
The Other One
Stuff
Morning Dew
Dark Star
Cassidy
One More Saturday Night

Encore:
Ripple
U.S. Blues



A great time seeing a legendary performer with those who appreciate music history as much as I do =)

BRUCE at Giants Stadium

SO last minute on Sept. 29, I decided I wanted to go see Bruce Springsteen for Night 1 of his five-night stand at Giants Stadium (which was the following night!). A very nice dentist sold me his pair of GAs for $50 a pop (a BARGAIN!) on the 30th in the morning, and myself and Joey were off an an early bus to claim our wristbands. Once we got to the Swamp, we were handed numbers 622 and 623 and we waited anxiously with the rest of dwellers for the magic number to be pulled.

To make a long story short, everyone who was handed a wristband was guaranteed entry into the Front Pit (thereby getting as close to Bruce as possible) and the number that was pulled was considered "number 1" - as in you were the FIRST fan to get into the Stadium. Lo and behold number 487 was called and myself and those around us were ELATED, as we were guaranteed front rail spots =)


Me at the rail in the Front Pit.

I left this spot once and didn't eat or drink for the rest of the night. It was a nightmare to navigate the Pit and people were getting NASTY. We did look out for one another though. There was enough G-Ds Herb floating around as well... the smell was everywhere!


The Front of the Pit Crew!

Everything seemed to work out that day... from getting a great deal on a hot show (Bruce played his classic album "Born to Run" mid-set) to meeting awesome people to getting a spot on the rail... hell at one point during the show Bruce grabbed my hand!! The pictures speak for themselves - a lot of the people I met up front were kind enough to share. It was yet again, a Rockin' Good Time.


Bruce and the E Street Band


Bruce and the E Street Band (again!)


Bruce by our side of the Pit!


Bruce up-close right before he grabbed my hand!


I'm wearing the fingerless black gloves in the video!


BRUUUUUUUUUUUUUCE!!!!!!


The Set List written by Bruce for night 1 (via Twitter)


The end of Jungleland....

Alice in Chains at Irving Plaza

The other week Alice In Chains played Irving Plaza in NYC with their new lead singer - it was HUGE! The show was definitely oversold and over-let-in but WHO CARES.. AIC rocked.. I watched the entire show from my coat check post =) Great time had by all.


Me at my little booth - I am usually half way out as the ceiling in that room always shakes..


Alice in Chains from the VIP balcony at Irving Plaza



Alice in Chains performing "No Excuses" at Irving Plaza

Thanks to Joey C. for the photos!

End of Summer Summary

Though I did not get to see as many shows as I would have liked this summer, I did get a few awesome music moments that I would like to share with you. I visited Paris and London (with a day strolling around in Amsterdam), making sure that I had a music history twist to all of my adventures. Look for more music stories this fall - I already have a few tickets in hand =)

On a beautiful Parisian day, my friend Gary accompanied me on one mission: to pay my respects to Jim Morrison at Pere Lachaise Cemetery in the center of Paris. DON'T buy a map for 3 Euros from the guy outside - it was easy to find the grave... Just follow the American college kids strolling through the various little pathways filled with both Jewish and Christian graves (interesting!). There was a metal barricade around Jim's grave for obvious reasons (though for a few seconds, I rebelled to have these awesome pics snapped...)


Pic by Gary


Another pic by Gary

One thing that really bothered me was that fans were QUITE disrespectful to the graves around Jim's as "memorial" graffiti was visible all over - NOT COOL. It was a privilege to have been able to pay my respects to an artist and poet that has revolutionized society, and shaped me personally!

London was a completely different vibe. There was ONE thing that was on my "to do" list her: ABBEY ROAD. My group and I were residing in the dorms at Regents College where I was able to visit little rock and roll shops on Baker Street and take a Beatles walking tour. The last stop of the tour was where I wanted to be... unfortunately, I was bumped into and my camera was shattered in little pieces and I forced to use a disposable for these amazing shots!


Abbey Road crossing, London UK


Abbey Road Studios


Me crossing Abbey Road (photo by stranger)


Me crossing Abbey Road again... just in case... (thanks stranger!)

NOW HERE IS THE BEST PART OF THIS KARMIC TALE: when my roommate Angela and friend Gary saw me after and heard my tale, they insisted that we all go back so we can capture me crossing in digital! True sign of friendship right there...

Another Giraffes Night!

On Friday, August 28 I was privy to another awesome Giraffes show - not much to say except check out the video I took of their great song, "Prime Motivator"!

Summer with My New Favorite Band: The Giraffes

Yes I am still alive. Finally done with school and soon to be in the nasty job hunt, I did get a chance to see one AMAZING show this summer: In mid-July (I believe the 17th or 18th) I attended The Giraffes show in Brooklyn where they shot video for an up-coming DVD release. The band was, as ALWAYS, a force to be reckoned with and the show was a blast.


Paris (and Aaron) killin' it.

My friends and I stood at the stage (where I snagged the set list!), joining in the ruckus of beer throwing, boozing and overall splendid debauchery. Seriously everyone, this is THE BAND TO SEE if you have yet to see them =)


Madness at the end of the show!


Set list is as follows:
1) Smoke machine
2) Done
3) Prime Motivator
4) Honest Man
5) Power of Fatherhood
6) Medicaid
7) Border
8) City
9) The Kids (two heads)
10) Sickness
11) Assholes
12) Clever Boy
13) Sugar Bomb
Encore:
- Man U
- Louie Guthrie
- Million $ Man
- 21 R Overture

Plus, as a total bonus to me, I got a picture with the band's lead singer Aaron Lazar. I couldn't decide which I like better so I am vainly posting both!


Bless his heart...


Oh yea.

My Rockin' Good Birthday =)

Though my actual birthday is May 12, it was not until May 19th that I went on a celebratory bender worthy of mention. My night included an outing to two of my favorite NYC venues: Irving Plaza and the Blender Theater, spots at which I happen to work at!


(My friend Mario was in charge of the lights and let me take this great pic from the center!)

The first stop of the night was the Blender, where I saw Duff McKagan's Loaded play their very first NYC show. Anyone who knows me well KNOWS that I need the occasional Guns N' Roses fix and in 2009, THIS was it =)


(me and a few beers with the stage in the back)

No amount of wishful thinking (and hoping) would have brought out Axl and Slash (and Izzy) but Duff DID put on an AWESOME punk show, throwing in GNR classics like Dust N' Bones... I did however leave early to head to Irving for Joey Ramone's birthday bash and hear Fishbone for the first time, missing It's So Easy and Bumblefoot (NO COMMENT) so missing one of my all-time favorite GNR songs was slightly regrettable...


(Duff is SO damn cool!)


(A vintage looking shot of Duff on stage in B & W)


(me right by the stage with Duff RIGHT THERE!)

Once I got to Irving (with a LOVELY buzz - thanks Royce & Tracy!) I went up to the VIP balcony (thanks Jerome!) to continue celebrating my birthday (if you have yet to figure it out, YES I celebrate ALL MONTH LONG!) with a few beers and stories.. Fishbone was fantastic and even threw a girl off the stage for her very first stagedive with the crowd cheering them on!


(me from the VIP balcony during Fishbone's set)


(Fishbone from the VIP Balcony at Irving Plaza)

The coolest part of the night was hanging out backstage with the band's base player, John in the dressing room... I totally stole their Hershey's Kisses and a couple of grapes off the fruit plate (my buzz was in HIGH gear) and yet he was still kind enough (and/or drunk/high enough) to indulge me with a picture!


(me with Fishbone's base player John, in the dressing room)

I then had a chance to hang out with the Punk Pipers, who have annually closed out the Birthday Bash every year with a killer rendition of Happy Birthday on bagpipes! They were a LOT of fun and we had a blast taking pictures before joining them on the staircase and sidestage to watch their set!


(me and the Punk Pipers - AWESOME guys and great fun!)


(me at the bottom of the staircase on the stage before the Punk Pipers BDay tribute)

After the show, I went out with Joey, Angelo and John Steward to 119 (right downstairs of Irving) for a drink before journeying home on the AWFUL MTA past-midnight trains, not getting to bed until 5am...


(me with Angelo and John Steward at 119 after the Bash)

A memorable birthday for MANY A REASON... and a great night had by ALL =)

(Thanks to Joey C. for snapping the great pics)

A Night of Debauchery with The Giraffes

After an exhausting weekend of class and working the Mastadon show at Irving Plaza, I got a ride down to E. Houston and the Bowery and set off on a short stroll to Mercury Lounge, where I met up with friends for The Giraffes album release party. Having seen them once before at McCarren Park in Brooklyn during the International Kickball Tournament last summer, I knew that a great show was ahead of me! They are certainly, in my opinion, the hottest band in NY at the moment.


(pic by Joe)

Throughout their energetic performance, all I kept thinking was how much of a showman frontman Aaron Lazar is - his stage presence is very much rockstarworthy and the entire set fired up the (mostly) hipster crowd. The band encourages fans to throw beer at them during the show and when booze starts flying at the stage they don't flinch...

A great night all around =)


Me with Giraffes guitarist Damien Paris on stage after the show!
(thanks for the pic Joe!)