Willie Nelson Outlaw Tour 2024
April 21, 2024 1:29 PM Subscribe
Willie Nelson Outlaw Tour 2024
I would have posted this to IRL if I knew how. Considering the principals and the age of some, this presents a last chance opportunity to see them. And as someone here I've already notified said about the front row tickets, those are stupid cheap prices.
Indeed, indeed.
I would have posted this to IRL if I knew how. Considering the principals and the age of some, this presents a last chance opportunity to see them. And as someone here I've already notified said about the front row tickets, those are stupid cheap prices.
Indeed, indeed.
I mean, I might have to bite the bullet and go because it will include Bob Dylan... but still... I'm grumpy about this.
posted by hippybear at 1:37 PM on April 21 [3 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 1:37 PM on April 21 [3 favorites]
I'm sorry to harp on this, but looking at the full list, Spokane is the most expensive ticket listed, period. WTF?
posted by hippybear at 1:47 PM on April 21
posted by hippybear at 1:47 PM on April 21
Dylan lost me when he went electric.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:48 PM on April 21 [11 favorites]
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:48 PM on April 21 [11 favorites]
I saw Dylan & the Dead in Eugene.
Not a great show. But. Dylan!
And I am so not a Willie Nelson fan, despite my respect for his contributions. Yeah, when it looks like a last chance, hard to not pay $150.
I would have paid that to see Tom Petty...
posted by Windopaene at 1:53 PM on April 21
Not a great show. But. Dylan!
And I am so not a Willie Nelson fan, despite my respect for his contributions. Yeah, when it looks like a last chance, hard to not pay $150.
I would have paid that to see Tom Petty...
posted by Windopaene at 1:53 PM on April 21
Nobody wants to go to Spokane.
posted by Naberius at 1:55 PM on April 21 [3 favorites]
posted by Naberius at 1:55 PM on April 21 [3 favorites]
Yeah, when it looks like a last chance, hard to not pay $150.
20-odd years ago, living in Phoenix, John Lee Hooker was coming to town. I spent WEEKS trying to get someone to go to the show with me, but nobody was interested. So I didn't go. And then three weeks later he was dead.
That was a life lesson about seeing people you want to see, regardless of price or going alone.
Also, had a back-door opportunity to get tickets for a Prince tour but tickets were like $300 and I'd already spent a couple of thousand on shows that year, and so I didn't go. and then he died before he ever went on tour again.
I mean, these things can truly pass you by.
posted by hippybear at 1:57 PM on April 21 [8 favorites]
20-odd years ago, living in Phoenix, John Lee Hooker was coming to town. I spent WEEKS trying to get someone to go to the show with me, but nobody was interested. So I didn't go. And then three weeks later he was dead.
That was a life lesson about seeing people you want to see, regardless of price or going alone.
Also, had a back-door opportunity to get tickets for a Prince tour but tickets were like $300 and I'd already spent a couple of thousand on shows that year, and so I didn't go. and then he died before he ever went on tour again.
I mean, these things can truly pass you by.
posted by hippybear at 1:57 PM on April 21 [8 favorites]
I've got a similar story about one of Muddy Waters' final London gigs. I could have gone, but I didn't, and have regretted it ever since.
posted by Paul Slade at 2:02 PM on April 21
posted by Paul Slade at 2:02 PM on April 21
I know what you mean - it struck me a few years ago that many of the musicians who have been part of the soundtrack of my life aren't getting any younger, so I'm trying to see as many as I can. There are some I don't really listen to much any more, but who are responsible for significant musical milestones, so over the past few years we've seen the Stones, Paul Simon, Elton John, Ray Davies, and a bunch of folk musicians too. Dylan, though, meh. Saw him a couple of years back and he had no interaction with the audience and sounded like a bad Dylan impression.
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 2:06 PM on April 21
posted by 43rdAnd9th at 2:06 PM on April 21
We’re taking my father-in-law to see this. He went surfing on his 80th birthday and is sad he never saw Johnny Cash live. It just feels right.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:29 PM on April 21 [9 favorites]
posted by pxe2000 at 2:29 PM on April 21 [9 favorites]
Saw him a couple of years back and he had no interaction with the audience and sounded like a bad Dylan impression.
It depends on the day and his mood. He can be quite engaging if both are good. I suspect sharing the stage with Wiilie will elevate the latter.
posted by y2karl at 2:37 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
It depends on the day and his mood. He can be quite engaging if both are good. I suspect sharing the stage with Wiilie will elevate the latter.
posted by y2karl at 2:37 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Thanks for posting this! I just got tickets for the Bethel, NY show.
posted by astapasta24 at 2:38 PM on April 21
posted by astapasta24 at 2:38 PM on April 21
OMG I could go to the Gorge! for half the price, although a much longer drive.
posted by hippybear at 2:38 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 2:38 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
Yeah, Dylan is pretty infamous for being very cold or very warm with his shows. There were years during which anyone wondered why he was even out on tour because he seemed to draw so little joy out of performing.
I can only hope that Willie and Mellancamp, who both really love being in front of audiences, can help keep Dylan bouyed through this tour. It's an interesting shifting line-up, but Dylan seems to be along for the entire ride.
posted by hippybear at 2:41 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
I can only hope that Willie and Mellancamp, who both really love being in front of audiences, can help keep Dylan bouyed through this tour. It's an interesting shifting line-up, but Dylan seems to be along for the entire ride.
posted by hippybear at 2:41 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Didn't get a chance to catch your favorite artist live on their last tour? How about catching them dead? Now you can! Ticketmaster in cooperation with VISA are proud to present
posted by phooky at 3:05 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
posted by phooky at 3:05 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Posted on 4/21? Really?
posted by gwint at 3:07 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
posted by gwint at 3:07 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
I was thinking, "I saw Willie Nelson not that long ago, and he sounded pretty good!"
...and then I remembered that it was before my daughter was born, more than 18 years ago. Time flies...
posted by clawsoon at 3:25 PM on April 21 [5 favorites]
...and then I remembered that it was before my daughter was born, more than 18 years ago. Time flies...
posted by clawsoon at 3:25 PM on April 21 [5 favorites]
The last concert I went to was Peter,Paul, and Mary...circa 1969...Tickets were probably 12.00 Dollars or near abouts. Great show!
posted by Czjewel at 3:35 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
posted by Czjewel at 3:35 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
$12 is a really high ticket price for that era. I'm glad it was a great show!
posted by hippybear at 3:52 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 3:52 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
hippybear. I did have to save my pennies for that one.I think my pretend girlfriend contributed some. Mary was electric on stage with that silver blond hair flying around.
posted by Czjewel at 4:23 PM on April 21
posted by Czjewel at 4:23 PM on April 21
Peter Paul And Mommy was released when I was 16 months old. it's music I've had nearly all my life. I don't own any other albums by them, but that one has always been in my life.
posted by hippybear at 4:25 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 4:25 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
My son worked the Willie & Co. show last time it toured here. He was on the stage and was star struck when an old man with a guitar walked by, less than 10 feet away. The awe lasted for a few seconds, when (and I quote) this absolutely ANCIENT dude with a guitar walked by him: WILLIE!!! My son treasures the memory. Go see these folks while you can!
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:32 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
posted by MonkeyToes at 4:32 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
Saw Willie twice and both shows were amazing. Dylan is probably my favorite artist but the show I saw him at was not good. Maybe this one will be better. I really wish the show near me had Plant and Krauss though. I am not a fan of the Coug.
posted by downtohisturtles at 4:57 PM on April 21
posted by downtohisturtles at 4:57 PM on April 21
Man, wtf. Tickets bought. Thank you! I thought I'd probably missed my chance to see Willy.
posted by agentofselection at 5:05 PM on April 21
posted by agentofselection at 5:05 PM on April 21
I saw Dylan on 1988 at the inaugural concert at the Gorge. I went with a couple of women from work. We booked a motel room together -- an awkward experience all around that turned out to be. I suggested an early start. They demured, expecting a leisurely ride on a two lane black top. Which turned out to be an eleven mile traffic jam moving at the pace of an overweight dachsund. At cruising speed. Had to park a quarter mile away. Our frontrow seats -- I stood in line for hours! -- missed Tracy Chapman and we sat to the side atop a rise above the crowd. On lead guitar was the insufferably smug G.G. Alin insufferably mugging throughout as he did when he was in the Saturday Night Live band. There was an article in the New Yorker by a writer who followed Dylan on tour. He described thr previous years performance at the Washington state fair describing Dylan dancing like an elderly grandfather entertaining the kids. In both cases, I can confirm. But Dylan and Alin combined was like Bizzaro Rocky and Bullwinkle if Bullwinkle was Rocket J Moose. Also, one of my companions sang along to every song. Most distracting. I was not enthused. But after the concert when we walked to our car in the dark, we looked up and saw more stars than we'd seen in decades, seen the Milky Way at .95% bright and then satellites! to boot. It was a dark sky despite all the headlights if one looked up, which added a surprisingly sublime note at the end for all. More or less.
posted by y2karl at 5:11 PM on April 21 [7 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 5:11 PM on April 21 [7 favorites]
Think that was GE Smith. Whom I also despise for his mugging.
GG Allin would have likely been a very different show, (more flying feces and such).
Which might have made for a better show, but...
posted by Windopaene at 5:27 PM on April 21 [17 favorites]
GG Allin would have likely been a very different show, (more flying feces and such).
Which might have made for a better show, but...
posted by Windopaene at 5:27 PM on April 21 [17 favorites]
On lead guitar was the insufferably smug G.G. Alin insufferably mugging throughout as he did when he was in the Saturday Night Live band.
Either you mean G.E. Smith or you saw the most interesting show in rock history.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:28 PM on April 21 [33 favorites]
Either you mean G.E. Smith or you saw the most interesting show in rock history.
posted by Horace Rumpole at 5:28 PM on April 21 [33 favorites]
OMG I could go to the Gorge! for half the price, although a much longer drive.
The gas will get you on that one. But I’m thinking about this too.
posted by corb at 5:30 PM on April 21
The gas will get you on that one. But I’m thinking about this too.
posted by corb at 5:30 PM on April 21
My car's gas to the Gorge would be under $80 round trip. Hyundai Accent FTW. Lodging would need to be reckoned with. Camping there used to be a ton of fun, but that hasn't been true for at least a decade. I could, in theory, drive back after the show. And there are rest areas not too far from the venue on my way back where I could just sleep in my car. That's my plan for after going to Missoula for Pearl Jam... sleep in the rest area.
posted by hippybear at 5:37 PM on April 21
posted by hippybear at 5:37 PM on April 21
So, I lived in Austin for a bit. And my mom came to visit, and we ended up in the Little City on Congress, near the capitol, and my mom had her back to the windows, and I said “Mom? Don’t be alarmed, but, if you turn around, you’ll see Willie Nelson riding a horse down Congress.”
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:58 PM on April 21 [4 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 6:58 PM on April 21 [4 favorites]
Is that the kind of prank you pulled on your mother often? ;)
posted by hippybear at 7:10 PM on April 21
posted by hippybear at 7:10 PM on April 21
Either you mean G.E. Smith or you saw the most interesting show in rock history.
D'oh! You are correct sir. And I feel like an idiot. Yes, I really mean G.E. Smith. Insufferable.
posted by y2karl at 7:45 PM on April 21 [3 favorites]
D'oh! You are correct sir. And I feel like an idiot. Yes, I really mean G.E. Smith. Insufferable.
posted by y2karl at 7:45 PM on April 21 [3 favorites]
GenjiandProust: I loved Little City! Did some of the best writing of my life there. Pouring out a cortado for the late lamented.
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 7:48 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
posted by slappy_pinchbottom at 7:48 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
20-odd years ago, living in Phoenix, John Lee Hooker was coming to town. I spent WEEKS trying to get someone to go to the show with me, but nobody was interested. So I didn't go. And then three weeks later he was dead.
That was a life lesson about seeing people you want to see, regardless of price or going alone.
This was me and a Wesley Willis show
posted by thecjm at 7:56 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Man I hate G.E. Smith...
I think he is in the David Bowie "Fashion" Video.
Always want to punch his smug face every time I watch it...
And I'm trying to think of other musicians who I hate as much. Maybe Joe Walsh. But not nearly as much.
posted by Windopaene at 8:03 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
I think he is in the David Bowie "Fashion" Video.
Always want to punch his smug face every time I watch it...
And I'm trying to think of other musicians who I hate as much. Maybe Joe Walsh. But not nearly as much.
posted by Windopaene at 8:03 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Amirite or wut?
posted by y2karl at 8:18 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
posted by y2karl at 8:18 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Uarerite...
It's kind of amazing that a random musician can give off so many negative vibes. He isn't a lead singer, frontman of a band or anything. But we "all" find him to be a smug asshole. That's a talent there of some sort. He must be a decent guitar player, given his resume, but, just no. Fuck off asshole. Which you kind of have to lean into when you are an essentially a session musician...
posted by Windopaene at 8:54 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
It's kind of amazing that a random musician can give off so many negative vibes. He isn't a lead singer, frontman of a band or anything. But we "all" find him to be a smug asshole. That's a talent there of some sort. He must be a decent guitar player, given his resume, but, just no. Fuck off asshole. Which you kind of have to lean into when you are an essentially a session musician...
posted by Windopaene at 8:54 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
And I'm trying to think of other musicians who I hate as much. Maybe Joe Walsh. But not nearly as much.
this is how i feel about dylan
posted by lescour at 9:07 PM on April 21
this is how i feel about dylan
posted by lescour at 9:07 PM on April 21
Well, Dylan is going to be part of every show on this tour, so I suggest you skip it.
posted by hippybear at 9:10 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 9:10 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
Why did I just buy 2 tickets to see 3 artists I don't really love (and I've never heard of), in a venue that's a complete pain in the balls to go to, because they were THERE? What is happening to me? I DON'T EVEN LIKE BIG CONCERTS.
posted by tristeza at 9:14 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
posted by tristeza at 9:14 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Why did I just buy 2 tickets to see 3 artists I don't really love (and I've never heard of), in a venue that's a complete pain in the balls to go to, because they were THERE? What is happening to me? I DON'T EVEN LIKE BIG CONCERTS.
Can you cancel the tickets or maybe resell them?
Like, I cannot relate at all to people who say that don't like big concerts. I get being reticent in this COVID era, but wear a mask? People won't side-eye you for doing that. They just roll with it these days.
I have tons of favorite memories from experiences at big concerts. I think you'll enjoy this show. Willie is a national treasure, Dylan is a global treasure, Mellencamp is... Johnny Cougar.
I haven't figured out my plans yet, but i'm working on them. I think I'm going to drive hours away from my city to attend a show at a more beautiful venue for half the price of seeing it a half hour from my house. I'm annoyed by this. But it might just need to be done.
posted by hippybear at 9:20 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
Can you cancel the tickets or maybe resell them?
Like, I cannot relate at all to people who say that don't like big concerts. I get being reticent in this COVID era, but wear a mask? People won't side-eye you for doing that. They just roll with it these days.
I have tons of favorite memories from experiences at big concerts. I think you'll enjoy this show. Willie is a national treasure, Dylan is a global treasure, Mellencamp is... Johnny Cougar.
I haven't figured out my plans yet, but i'm working on them. I think I'm going to drive hours away from my city to attend a show at a more beautiful venue for half the price of seeing it a half hour from my house. I'm annoyed by this. But it might just need to be done.
posted by hippybear at 9:20 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]
VLC and yt-dlp -x --audio-format=mp3 $* provide ample musical appreciation. ;)
I've never done concerts really, but my few experences suggest the venue matters enormously, probably more than the musician.
I've seen Nightwish once in Glasgow in maybe 2013, which rocked, and again in 2023 at Bercy (Accor Arena) in Paris, which felt meh because that venue sucks. Nightwish themselves have only improved over time, so this was 100% the venue's fault. I'll never again purchase another arena concert ticket, well not unless I bought some expensive close elevated seats, which sounds unlikely.
I saw Heilung (neo-folk) and Lili Refrain (ambient-ish neo-folk) in Halle 622 in Zurich in 2023 too, which also both rocked. I think Halle 622 is kinda a bad venue too, but with zero good places. We could weaseled our way close enough that we caught something. I'd skip Halle 622 if they're selling more than one ticket class, absolutely no good place worth paying more for, and really pointless if you're pushed way back.
We've known how seating should be done since like ancient Rome, so not sure why anybody thinks a flat surface makes sense for an audience. Yes people dance, but this imposes scale limits. We build arenas to watch 22 numbers chase around a ball, with both numbers and ball visible far off thanks to being 20 cm wide. If you've elevated but far off seats, then this 23 pixels view would not improve your musical experence much.
I think music needs a small to medium sized venue, so if your favorite musicians play arenas, and you like seeing concerts, then maybe you should find some new favorite musicians.
At multi-day camping music festicals, there are meal times back at camp where people could've interesting liminal experences with others who appreciate similar music, mostly lacking at concernts.
I personally have only done two music festivals, which felt kinda pointless and I've ignored music festivals since. I'd discovered regional burns immediately before the second though, and hacker conferences immediately after, so not an unbiased moment for a sample.
I've since quit even regional burns for doing only hacker camps, so music festivals shall not get another shot. I've a few performers like Myrkur or VNV Nation who I'd try to catch in sane venues though.
Amusingly, I do have one regional burner friend who kinda abandoned burns for the gathering of the juggalos, but she now prefers hacker camps over both too.
posted by jeffburdges at 10:22 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
I've never done concerts really, but my few experences suggest the venue matters enormously, probably more than the musician.
I've seen Nightwish once in Glasgow in maybe 2013, which rocked, and again in 2023 at Bercy (Accor Arena) in Paris, which felt meh because that venue sucks. Nightwish themselves have only improved over time, so this was 100% the venue's fault. I'll never again purchase another arena concert ticket, well not unless I bought some expensive close elevated seats, which sounds unlikely.
I saw Heilung (neo-folk) and Lili Refrain (ambient-ish neo-folk) in Halle 622 in Zurich in 2023 too, which also both rocked. I think Halle 622 is kinda a bad venue too, but with zero good places. We could weaseled our way close enough that we caught something. I'd skip Halle 622 if they're selling more than one ticket class, absolutely no good place worth paying more for, and really pointless if you're pushed way back.
We've known how seating should be done since like ancient Rome, so not sure why anybody thinks a flat surface makes sense for an audience. Yes people dance, but this imposes scale limits. We build arenas to watch 22 numbers chase around a ball, with both numbers and ball visible far off thanks to being 20 cm wide. If you've elevated but far off seats, then this 23 pixels view would not improve your musical experence much.
I think music needs a small to medium sized venue, so if your favorite musicians play arenas, and you like seeing concerts, then maybe you should find some new favorite musicians.
At multi-day camping music festicals, there are meal times back at camp where people could've interesting liminal experences with others who appreciate similar music, mostly lacking at concernts.
I personally have only done two music festivals, which felt kinda pointless and I've ignored music festivals since. I'd discovered regional burns immediately before the second though, and hacker conferences immediately after, so not an unbiased moment for a sample.
I've since quit even regional burns for doing only hacker camps, so music festivals shall not get another shot. I've a few performers like Myrkur or VNV Nation who I'd try to catch in sane venues though.
Amusingly, I do have one regional burner friend who kinda abandoned burns for the gathering of the juggalos, but she now prefers hacker camps over both too.
posted by jeffburdges at 10:22 PM on April 21 [2 favorites]
Oh, I just had the pleasure of seeing Willie and Family for the first time this weekend! I have just missed being able to see him several times and was getting anxious that I would never get to. He was great. He is an elder and it shows, but he still sounds great and his band was terrific. Happy to have picked up tickets to see him again in LA!
posted by tinymojo at 11:37 PM on April 21
posted by tinymojo at 11:37 PM on April 21
No shows in Texas? Come on now...
Thx for the heads up, I bought my brother and his daughter tickets Chula Vista, sent offers to a brother and his wife and my sister and her husband, pretty sure my brother and wife will go, pretty sure my sister and her husband won't go, but I'd be a churl not to offer to both for the Tinley Park (Chicago) show.
Amusing -- my sister and her husband are total Trumpers, not that they don't know he's a piece of shit but they are total RED RED RED. While my brother and his wife are BLUE BLUE BLUE as can be. It's awkward, or ~ could ~ be but LOVE LOVE LOVE is the prettiest color and I try to hold to it. My red sister and her red husband cried all the way down here when I was all but dead, comatose, no hope. And if not for the LOVE LOVE LOVE they gave me when I was so broken, absolutely trashed behind that divorce I don't know how I could have made it.
I don't know how I made it anyhow -- Kathy was a sticky, sticky woman. Her second husband, who she left me for, he succeeded in doing what I so desperately tried to do, got him another bitty red-headed woman, could literally worn the same clothes, shoes. She was as good as gold, solid as Kathy was shakey, together they built a beautiful, successful life, that new wife as perfect a mother as could be for Kathy's daughter, once they took full custody when Kathy was running hard. Cancer took her -- Newport cigarettes, in the ground just before her 40th birthday. 4 of her 6 husbands showed for the funeral -- I didn't make it, nor another who'Kathy accidentally run over with a pickup truck.
I told you all that to tell you this -- her second husband -- who had a perfect life -- 10 days after Kathy's funeral he put a ..44 magnum pistol in his mouth and blew his brains out.
Kathy was sticky.
Beware of bitty redheads.
Tell you what -- Willie helped me make it. To see him, makes me happy. I love him. He's just so goddamn cool. Maybe seen him eight times, ten -- you live in Texas you're gonna see Willie, and your luck runs good, and if in Austin all the moreso. He's got this huge heart, he's helped so many people. When Billiy Joe Shavers son OD'd early New Years Eve morning, it was Willie who set him back on the horse, got him on stage with him playing the New Years Eve show, gave of his heart. He paid for the funeral. I don't know him, but I know if I did and I got into deep shit Willie would be there
I'm going on and gotta stop. People think of Texas and think of hicks and/or yokels and psycopaths carrying guns around -- I'll give that to you, all of it. Don't think of George Bush or Dick Brainy -- yeah, they're here, and they suck. But Sam Houston -- his imprint is all over this state, which was a country, of which he was president. He was tall -- tall as I am -- and he was a big drunk. One of my favorite things about Texas is how many people got here -- myself included, though I had no idea at the time -- so many people get to Texas running from, not running to. "Oh, I think I'll haul ass to a crazy state and maybe I can stop these jitters." Sam Houston got here on the run, and it's a big secret, no one knows what the hell got him moving. But move he did. Did you know he was being groomed to be US president? True. Also, somebody disagreed with him over something and he beat the shit out of them with a cane or cudgel or whatever. When he was a child he ran away from home and lived with Native Americans -- I think his native name was "Raven." When he came to Texas he lived with Native Americans, and his native name was "The Big Drink."
Last -- I promise. You can hate on Texas all you want but her heart pumps beautiful music. You listen to it all the time, though you may not know it. No, I'm not talking about some asshole in a big hat singing about neon. Yes, there is a time for that. Maybe 18 months of your life. They you grow the fuck up and begin to pray that someone will come along and choke those dumbos, and they'll have something to sing about.............
posted by dancestoblue at 11:42 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
Thx for the heads up, I bought my brother and his daughter tickets Chula Vista, sent offers to a brother and his wife and my sister and her husband, pretty sure my brother and wife will go, pretty sure my sister and her husband won't go, but I'd be a churl not to offer to both for the Tinley Park (Chicago) show.
Amusing -- my sister and her husband are total Trumpers, not that they don't know he's a piece of shit but they are total RED RED RED. While my brother and his wife are BLUE BLUE BLUE as can be. It's awkward, or ~ could ~ be but LOVE LOVE LOVE is the prettiest color and I try to hold to it. My red sister and her red husband cried all the way down here when I was all but dead, comatose, no hope. And if not for the LOVE LOVE LOVE they gave me when I was so broken, absolutely trashed behind that divorce I don't know how I could have made it.
I don't know how I made it anyhow -- Kathy was a sticky, sticky woman. Her second husband, who she left me for, he succeeded in doing what I so desperately tried to do, got him another bitty red-headed woman, could literally worn the same clothes, shoes. She was as good as gold, solid as Kathy was shakey, together they built a beautiful, successful life, that new wife as perfect a mother as could be for Kathy's daughter, once they took full custody when Kathy was running hard. Cancer took her -- Newport cigarettes, in the ground just before her 40th birthday. 4 of her 6 husbands showed for the funeral -- I didn't make it, nor another who'Kathy accidentally run over with a pickup truck.
I told you all that to tell you this -- her second husband -- who had a perfect life -- 10 days after Kathy's funeral he put a ..44 magnum pistol in his mouth and blew his brains out.
Kathy was sticky.
Beware of bitty redheads.
Tell you what -- Willie helped me make it. To see him, makes me happy. I love him. He's just so goddamn cool. Maybe seen him eight times, ten -- you live in Texas you're gonna see Willie, and your luck runs good, and if in Austin all the moreso. He's got this huge heart, he's helped so many people. When Billiy Joe Shavers son OD'd early New Years Eve morning, it was Willie who set him back on the horse, got him on stage with him playing the New Years Eve show, gave of his heart. He paid for the funeral. I don't know him, but I know if I did and I got into deep shit Willie would be there
I'm going on and gotta stop. People think of Texas and think of hicks and/or yokels and psycopaths carrying guns around -- I'll give that to you, all of it. Don't think of George Bush or Dick Brainy -- yeah, they're here, and they suck. But Sam Houston -- his imprint is all over this state, which was a country, of which he was president. He was tall -- tall as I am -- and he was a big drunk. One of my favorite things about Texas is how many people got here -- myself included, though I had no idea at the time -- so many people get to Texas running from, not running to. "Oh, I think I'll haul ass to a crazy state and maybe I can stop these jitters." Sam Houston got here on the run, and it's a big secret, no one knows what the hell got him moving. But move he did. Did you know he was being groomed to be US president? True. Also, somebody disagreed with him over something and he beat the shit out of them with a cane or cudgel or whatever. When he was a child he ran away from home and lived with Native Americans -- I think his native name was "Raven." When he came to Texas he lived with Native Americans, and his native name was "The Big Drink."
Last -- I promise. You can hate on Texas all you want but her heart pumps beautiful music. You listen to it all the time, though you may not know it. No, I'm not talking about some asshole in a big hat singing about neon. Yes, there is a time for that. Maybe 18 months of your life. They you grow the fuck up and begin to pray that someone will come along and choke those dumbos, and they'll have something to sing about.............
posted by dancestoblue at 11:42 PM on April 21 [6 favorites]
I cannot relate at all to people who say that don't like big concerts.
I am one of those people. If I go to a big concert, I have to pay a fortune for a lousy seat in a venue with no atmosphere, the journey to the venue is a nightmare, there's officious security to deal with, long queues at the bar and far too much hassle at every single point of the process. Even buying the ticket in the first place is a pain in the ass.
And what do I get in return for all this? The chance to watch ant-sized performers prancing around on a distant stage, or watch proceedings on a TV screen- which negates the whole purpose of the live experience anyway. Yes, I'm in the same (very, very big) room as [INSERT HEADLINER'S NAME HERE] but so fucking what? Getting excited about that for its own sake has far more to do with celebrity culture than any genuine love of the music.
The club and theatre gigs I go to instead carry none of disadvantages I've listed above, and offer a far more intimate venue where the performer has a much better chance of delivering a good show. It's just a better experience all round.
posted by Paul Slade at 1:01 AM on April 22 [12 favorites]
I am one of those people. If I go to a big concert, I have to pay a fortune for a lousy seat in a venue with no atmosphere, the journey to the venue is a nightmare, there's officious security to deal with, long queues at the bar and far too much hassle at every single point of the process. Even buying the ticket in the first place is a pain in the ass.
And what do I get in return for all this? The chance to watch ant-sized performers prancing around on a distant stage, or watch proceedings on a TV screen- which negates the whole purpose of the live experience anyway. Yes, I'm in the same (very, very big) room as [INSERT HEADLINER'S NAME HERE] but so fucking what? Getting excited about that for its own sake has far more to do with celebrity culture than any genuine love of the music.
The club and theatre gigs I go to instead carry none of disadvantages I've listed above, and offer a far more intimate venue where the performer has a much better chance of delivering a good show. It's just a better experience all round.
posted by Paul Slade at 1:01 AM on April 22 [12 favorites]
The nearest to me is Hershey PA, and those tickets are not cheap.
I may be able to afford to go by myself, but that's no fun.
posted by james33 at 3:03 AM on April 22
I may be able to afford to go by myself, but that's no fun.
posted by james33 at 3:03 AM on April 22
I saw Willie Nelson on the outlaw tour a couple of years ago. He is prone to extreme noodling, which surprised me. He's a legend and I'm glad I saw him, but I don't need to go again, and particularly not at current prices.
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:15 AM on April 22
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:15 AM on April 22
Hippybear - Spokane is the most expensive because that venue doesn't have a lawn. All of the places that have cheap tickets have a lawn area way in the back.
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:16 AM on April 22 [2 favorites]
posted by grumpybear69 at 6:16 AM on April 22 [2 favorites]
Mellencamp is... Johnny Cougar.
Mellencamp is ... a Hoosier treasure.
Saw him first in '81 at the Bluebird in Bloomington where we'd landed after seeing the Ramones at IU Auditorium. He just happened to come in for a beer and ended up on stage with the band for an hour - which became a tradition for him having grown up just down the road in Seymour. Six years later, after founding Farm Aid with Willy and Neil, he showed up again ahead of Farm Aid in Indy and famously took the stage with Lou Reed and John Prine in tow.
Lotsa people love to hate on Mellencamp but gotta give the dude credit for both making Farm Aid a success that's still going 40 years later and for having a significant if almost completely uncredited influence with ushering in the whole No Depression alt-country genre on albums like Scarecrow (1985), The Lonesome Jubilee (1987) and Big Daddy (1989) with instruments like dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, accordion, dobro and penny whistle more characteristic of folk and roots music. And also for returning to his Midwestern roots decades ago to live and record in his own studio outside B-town.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 6:27 AM on April 22 [4 favorites]
Mellencamp is ... a Hoosier treasure.
Saw him first in '81 at the Bluebird in Bloomington where we'd landed after seeing the Ramones at IU Auditorium. He just happened to come in for a beer and ended up on stage with the band for an hour - which became a tradition for him having grown up just down the road in Seymour. Six years later, after founding Farm Aid with Willy and Neil, he showed up again ahead of Farm Aid in Indy and famously took the stage with Lou Reed and John Prine in tow.
Lotsa people love to hate on Mellencamp but gotta give the dude credit for both making Farm Aid a success that's still going 40 years later and for having a significant if almost completely uncredited influence with ushering in the whole No Depression alt-country genre on albums like Scarecrow (1985), The Lonesome Jubilee (1987) and Big Daddy (1989) with instruments like dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, accordion, dobro and penny whistle more characteristic of folk and roots music. And also for returning to his Midwestern roots decades ago to live and record in his own studio outside B-town.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 6:27 AM on April 22 [4 favorites]
Willie and Bob are two of the biggest heroes in my pantheon, but I'm passing on this. The ticket price is one thing, and a day off work quite another. Me going is *possible*, but not realistic, or even a good idea.
I've seen them both plenty of times, and there are good shows and not-as-good shows, and a daytime lawn show kinda points to the other, frankly.
And yes, I know it could be the last time for either. My great white whale was missing James Brown in Montreal, as I was a student and could not afford the $25 ticket price. Still stings.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:54 AM on April 22
I've seen them both plenty of times, and there are good shows and not-as-good shows, and a daytime lawn show kinda points to the other, frankly.
And yes, I know it could be the last time for either. My great white whale was missing James Brown in Montreal, as I was a student and could not afford the $25 ticket price. Still stings.
posted by Capt. Renault at 6:54 AM on April 22
I saw Willie Nelson on the outlaw tour a couple of years ago. He is prone to extreme noodling, which surprised me. He's a legend and I'm glad I saw him, but I don't need to go again, and particularly not at current prices.
Willie Nelson is the only concert I've ever gone to where I wore out way before he did. I was about 3 hours in, and that was enough.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:23 AM on April 22
Willie Nelson is the only concert I've ever gone to where I wore out way before he did. I was about 3 hours in, and that was enough.
posted by The_Vegetables at 7:23 AM on April 22
The British comedian Ken Dodd was notorious for playing very long shows. The gag at the time was:"Ken Dodd doesn't play shows - he takes hostages!"
posted by Paul Slade at 8:22 AM on April 22
posted by Paul Slade at 8:22 AM on April 22
“it struck me a few years ago that many of the musicians who have been part of the soundtrack of my life aren't getting any younger…”This was our thinking when my brother and I decided to go and see the Stones. They had been around for almost fifteen years and the Beatles had broken up more than half a decade before; how much longer could they last? So we went and saw them at Knebworth. That was in 1976 — nearly 50 years ago, my god, and they’re still at it! The thought was inconceivable at the time.
I’m not suggesting that Willie will be around for another fifty years, but then again with Willie you never quite know.
posted by Quinbus Flestrin at 8:34 AM on April 22
I had multiple opportunities to see Prince in the 2000s and 2010s and passed on all of them because I thought he was washed up, and also because I am an idiot.
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:57 AM on April 22 [1 favorite]
posted by The Card Cheat at 9:57 AM on April 22 [1 favorite]
Mellencamp is ... a Hoosier treasure.
And yet, no shows in Indiana. Not that I’d go, mind you. I respect these artists, but would not be able to sit-through a concert with them. Just not my cup-o-tea.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:04 AM on April 22
And yet, no shows in Indiana. Not that I’d go, mind you. I respect these artists, but would not be able to sit-through a concert with them. Just not my cup-o-tea.
posted by Thorzdad at 10:04 AM on April 22
And yet, no shows in Indiana.
True for the Outlaw tour and a little surprising they haven't yet found a slot for Indy (though he's not the steady third wheel) but he just played Muncie as part of his solo tour and iirc did a few in-state short-notice warmups on that over the past year which is kinda his in-state style.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 4:17 PM on April 22
True for the Outlaw tour and a little surprising they haven't yet found a slot for Indy (though he's not the steady third wheel) but he just played Muncie as part of his solo tour and iirc did a few in-state short-notice warmups on that over the past year which is kinda his in-state style.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 4:17 PM on April 22
I believe GE Smith also toured with Hall and Oates and was similarly insufferable.
posted by aspersioncast at 3:45 PM on April 23
posted by aspersioncast at 3:45 PM on April 23
I believe GE Smith also toured with Hall and Oates and was similarly insufferable.
I found this thread incredibly validating on my utter revulsion of GE Smith's inescapable appearances in that span even though I appreciated some of the artists that respectfully brought him on board for his chops - but damn, I never knew how fully his completely obnoxious, smug-ass persona was pretty much universally rejected until this post.
That said, I've noted that he's been a repeat return guest at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch here in Ohio which pretty much solely features the cream of the crop guitarists.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 5:08 PM on April 23
I found this thread incredibly validating on my utter revulsion of GE Smith's inescapable appearances in that span even though I appreciated some of the artists that respectfully brought him on board for his chops - but damn, I never knew how fully his completely obnoxious, smug-ass persona was pretty much universally rejected until this post.
That said, I've noted that he's been a repeat return guest at Jorma Kaukonen's Fur Peace Ranch here in Ohio which pretty much solely features the cream of the crop guitarists.
posted by thecincinnatikid at 5:08 PM on April 23
Why did I just buy 2 tickets to see 3 artists I don't really love (and I've never heard of), in a venue that's a complete pain in the balls to go to, because they were THERE? What is happening to me? I DON'T EVEN LIKE BIG CONCERTS.
All your tickets are belong to me then.
posted by y2karl at 2:03 PM on April 29
All your tickets are belong to me then.
posted by y2karl at 2:03 PM on April 29
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posted by hippybear at 1:33 PM on April 21 [1 favorite]