Live and In Concert (updated)

Almost five years ago, I wrote about all of the music concerts I'd been to over the years (well, going back to the late-1990s, which is when I began going to live shows in general). Given my penchant for lists, of course I ranked the experiences. It was fun revisiting those times and, because I've been to nine more music events since that blog post, so figured it was time for an update.

2019 saw Ashley & I attend seven(!) concerts. We were really on a roll. The last one we went to was The Ocean Blue at Lincoln Hall in early November of that year. Then, of course, the pandemic happened in early 2020, and the world shut down. It was only at the very end of last month that Ashley & I ventured out to a concert venue again and enjoyed a live performance (Suzanne Vega).

In total, I've gone to nine more shows since the last time I wrote about concert experiences, so there is an updated list, for anyone who cares. The 29 concerts I've been to, ranked.

Here goes!

29. Josh Wink - Chicago (circa 1998) - There are a lot of live performance dives in Chicago. The location for this concert was one of the dingiest. And Wink's style of ever-droning, simple-beat dance music isn't my style. I went mostly to impress a guy I liked at the time. That ultimately turned out about as well as the concert.

28. Air - Chicago (2004) - I've been a fan of this French band since their Moon Safari album in 1998. They're probably the best at soft, mellow electronic music. This show was part of their Talkie Walkie tour, and I was shocked at how awful the performance was. We arrived late with two friends who were bickering (that didn't help much), and the show was just the two band members on a dimly-lit stage, with minimal lighting and not very dramatic stage presence. A disappointment.

27. Cher - Champaign (2000) - Not so much bad, just unmemorable. I attended the concert with my mom, and when the only thing I can remember about it is that a college friend of hers was having some sort of medical procedure done, and mom had to leave for part of the time to take a call about an update on said friend, then you know it wasn't much to write home about.

26. Pet Shop Boys - Chicago (2006) - This wasn't a bad show but, out of the five (yes, five) occasions I've seen the Pet Shop Boys in concert, this felt uninspired. They were touring for their Fundamental album, which I wasn't terribly jazzed about to begin with. It probably said something that, when intermission had ended and the Boys were back on stage performing, many audience members were still out in the lobby chatting, making their way leisurely back into the concert hall.

25. Pernice Brothers - Champaign (2004) - I haven't thought of this band in years. They were touring for their solid Yours, Mine & Ours album, and made a stop at Cowboy Monkey in Champaign. It was a good, nice performance. I should listen to that album again.

24. Pet Shop Boys - Chicago (2013) - This is where I worried for a bit if I was becoming 'too old.' I was clasping my ears for much of the concert, as the sound felt screechingly loud. And I chose to sit down for a lot of it (most of the audience stood for the duration). In truth, while the sound was loud, it was the fourth time I'd seen the Boys in concert, so a bit of repetition and fatigue was likely setting in.

23. Pokey LaFarge - Bloomington (2018) - On a cold, January night, we drove the 45 miles northwest to Bloomington, IL for this concert. Born in that very same community in 1983, Andrew Heissler ("Pokey") was one of Ashley's favorite musicians. If only the event had been better. Pokey was fine, but the crowd was noisy. The Castle Theater venue isn't the largest place in the world, so we weren't that far from the performer, yet had trouble hearing him and the band over the talkative crowd. Surprising disrespect for a hometown boy made good.

22. A Night with Janis Joplin - Champaign (2019) - This was a good show, though it wasn't really Janis Joplin, of course. Mary Bridget Daviess "interprets" the style, voice and music of the long-deceased artist, and brought a lot of energy to the performance. The set was big and colorful, as well, adding to the overall enjoyable experience. Still, it wasn't Janis.

21. Andrew Bird - Urbana (2009) - Not sure I own a single Andrew Bird record, but by golly I was impressed with the man's live performance. His show was a nice mix of quirky music and endearing stage presence. Certainly memorable.

20. Alison Krauss - St. Louis (2008) - We saw Champaign's own down at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis, and it was a great time. Though her music isn't what I choose to listen to on a regular basis, I could appreciate that Alison put on an exciting show. A lively performance, good music, and a nice venue.

19. Pet Shop Boys - Chicago (2009) - Touring for their best album in over a decade, Yes, this concert saw the Boys back on form. Great fun and energy!

18. Art Garfunkel - Champaign, (2019) - This concert was... fine. Very sedate. Art did about equal parts singing and talking. But he's a legend, right? I was in the presence of a living legend, so that bumps this up a few slots.

17. Vampire Weekend - Chicago (2008) - Our entire reason for attending that year's Pitchfork Festival, the (then new) band did not disappoint. A short(ish) set, since they'd only had the one album released up to then, it was still long enough, and enjoyable. We also caught a bit of UK hip hop artist Dizzee Rascal's set while there. Solid.

16. Nellie McKay - Bloomington, IL (2011) - One of Ashley's favorite singer/songwriters, this was a unique and intimate performance from the talented iconoclast. I'm happy we got to see her in concert.

15.  Dressy Bessy - Champaign (2005) - Another cool show at Cowboy Monkey, when the band was touring for their Electrified album. An electrifying (get it?) show. Lots of fun. Very memorable. Lead singer Tammy Ealom is the business.

14. Suzanne Vega - St. Louis (2022) - Our first live music event in two-and-a-half years also lands in the top half of my concert-going experiences. Vega is one of Ashley's longtime favorite artists, so this was more for him, but I enjoyed it, too. A rather chill experience at Delmar Hall, with fellow middle-aged folk in attendance. It was just Vega and guitarist on-stage and, really, that was all we needed.

13. Cher - St. Louis (2019) - The third occasion to see Cher live did not disappoint. As usual, it came with the diva's standard exotic set design, and numerous and flamboyant costume changes. Oh, and the songs were pretty good, too. To date, this has been the only concert I've been to at Enterprise Center (where my favorite hockey teams plays their home games).

12. Pet Shop Boys - Chicago (1999) - My first Pet Shop Boys concert, this one stands out for that reason, and that it was also very good. A solid set list, accompanied by the most performers I've seen for one of their shows. The crowd was really into it. While enjoyable, it was also a bittersweet occasion. I went alone. Once there, I had to have a couple drinks to loosen up and not feel so isolated (ironically, among a crow of people). I would later find out that Ashley was at the same concert, though this was several months before we would know each other existed.

11. Dwight Yoakam - Champaign (2018) - Another one of Ashley's favorite artists, I only knew perhaps two or three of the country singer's songs going into this. To be honest, I wasn't very much looking forward to it, thinking it would be akin to whenever I've attend church services, and everyone starts singing hymns and I'm left standing there moving my mouth pretending to know the words. I needn't have worried. Mr. Yoakam and his band put on a rockin' show - one of the best I've been to. Our friend Terra happened to be there, as well, just across the aisle, and so it was nice to see her enjoying the concert, too.

10. Cactus Blossoms - St. Louis (2019) - Yet another of Ashley's favorites (sense a trend here?), brothers Jack Torrey and Page Burkum came to the small but fun venue Off Broadway in October 2019, for the next-to-last show we attended before the pandemic. It was a good show, and I quite liked hearing their lush, melodic country-rock songs performed live. Our friend Kelvin joined us, which made the experience extra-special.

9. Dolly Parton - Chicago (2005) - It was a privilege to see a legend live and in concert. Going to Dollywood last year was nice, but there's nothing like hearing Dolly herself belt out her classic tunes on stage in front of you. She was gracious and talkative during the performance and -- most importantly -- she started right on time. Showtime was at 8:00pm, and at 8:00pm the theater went completely dark for perhaps five seconds, and then the lights went up and Dolly was on stage and ready to rock. I've never been to another concert that's started on time, so kudos!

8. ELO - Chicago (2019) - We started off the day in St. Louis, wrapping-up a few days showing a friend from England around the city, then drove up to Chicago that day. I've long-enjoyed Jeff Lynne's music, though only grown to really appreciate his music in recent years. His work with ELO is classic in and of itself, but of course he holds a special place in my heart due to his involvement with the career of my favorite singer, Roy Orbison. The ELO concert was, of course, awesome, and was made poignant by the inclusion of the late George Harrison's son, Dhani. The light show ELO is known for was great. It was also my first time at the fabled United Center. 

7. The Ocean Blue - Chicago (2019) - Alright, say it with me... one of Ashley's favorite bands. The experience of seeing The Ocean Blue remains a highlight not just because of the concert, but of the entire day surrounding it. We left for Chicago in the morning, had a nice lunch, then saw JoJo Rabbit at the local Arclight Cinema, walked around the neighborhood close to the venue, wandered onto the DePaul University campus, had dinner at a Wisconsin-style supper club (where we saw the lead singer walk past the front windows), and then came the concert. It was at Lincoln Hall, and we sat upstairs, in the balcony overlooking the main floor. It was a nice show. I recognized some of the songs from when Ashley had played them over the years, and the crowed seemed into it. Good times.

6. Cher / Cyndi Lauper - Champaign (2002) - This was one awesome night. The whole experience adds to my enjoyment of it. We went with several friends. Met-up at their place and walked over to the concert venue, then were treated to a spectacular opening act by Cyndi Lauper. She nearly eclipsed Cher's main set! Both were great, though. 

5. La Bouche, Jocelyn Enriquez, Crush, etc. - Terre Haute, IN (circa 1996) - I'll never forget driving with friends to see what amounted to a multi-act Eurodance concert at what I think were some fairgrounds. Why on earth they chose Terre Haute, Indiana is beyond me, but there you go. I was so into that type of music then, and it was such a fun time! A bonus was hearing the headlining act - La Bouche - on the radio as we drove in. They were out shopping at the local mall. Only five years later, lead singer Melanie Thornton would be dead in a plane crash. I will always cherish this concert.

4. Pet Shop Boys - Chicago (2016) - After feeling their 2013 concert was loud and tedious, this was a refreshing experience. A great set list, beautiful venue, and solid performance from the Boys made for a splendid concert. Perhaps due to the deaths earlier in the year of David Bowie and Prince, I came to have an uneasy feeling of 'What if this is the last time I get to see them in concert?' A maudlin sentiment, for sure, but it made for a renewed appreciation in seeing them perform live. An added pleasure to the evening was having dinner before the concert with good friends (two of whom I'd gone to the aforementioned La Bouche show with). Fun times!

3. Saint Etienne - Chicago (2017) -  After so many years of listening to their music, it was refreshing and rewarding to hear Saint Etienne live and in concert. And they performed so well! A smooth show, receptive crowd, and a venue I'd never been to before. Park West has a nice set-up. I'd like to attend more shows there. And, to top it off, the band signed autographs out in the lobby after the concert. Just a lovely experience overall.

2. Johnny Mathis - St. Louis (2010) - What a wonderful, wonderful show! Ashley's long been a fan, and of course I knew who he was, so finally being able to see him in concert was quite a treat. Then 75-years-old, he put on a resplendent show. His voice was still superb, and he hit all the right notes. This was a Christmas-time show, which made for a nice blend of his regular songs, plus some holiday favorites. Chances are we were going to love this show, and we did!

1. Vampire Weekend - St. Louis (2019) - We have a new number one, everybody! While I still adore the Johnny Mathis concert, the one for Vampire Weekend -- nearly nine years later and at the same venue, the Fabulous Fox Theatre -- was one for the record books. It was on the same night as the final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs. It was the St. Louis Blues vs. the Boston Bruins. Everything hinged on this game. The crowd was pumped, and Vampire Weekend were in top form. They played relentlessly, and for a long time. I swear it feels like they played their entire catalogue that night. At one point, the young man seated next to us called out, "Play Walcott!" I scoffed and thought, 'They're not going to play Walcott.' They played Walcott. I really wanted them to play I Stand Corrected, but had little faith that they would. It's just an album track, but I love the lyrics, "Forget the protocol / I'll take your hand / right in mine," and so wanted to hear Ezra Koenig sing it live. Of course, they played I Stand Corrected. And, during the concert, the Blues won the Stanley Cup. The crowd was jubilant. After the concert, and before we headed back to the hotel, Ashley & I stopped at White Castle to shame-eat a few sliders. There were lots of happy people out that night, and we were among them.

And, there you have it. As before, there are a few concerts I've left out, mostly because of the internal parameters used for what constitutes a proper concert in my mind: No free performances. I had to pay to get in (so that nixes the occasion I saw Dressy Bessy for a second time, and seeing Soul Asylum, Parliament Funkadelic, and Berlin in concert). Other than that, this is a pretty comprehensive list. It was nice to revisit and add to it, and here's hoping the next concerts lined-up are just as good as (most of) these have been (and that they actually happen. I'm not taking anything for granted after 2020).

We are supposed to see Tears for Fears in Indianapolis in June, and then a joint Pet Shop Boys and New Order concert in Chicago in September. Here's to more live music experiences!