Tag: tour

Michael Schenker, Bridge the Gap Setlist & Concert Review

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Schenker 2014This past Saturday night, legendary rock/metal guitarist once again brought his Flying V’s to San Diego. This time out in the sticks a bit to the Ramona Main Stage.

Seeing Schenker, one of my earliest and greatest musical influences, is always special and never a let down. The man can play! Plus, in the ‘stranger than fiction’ category, my old pal, San Diegan, Wayne Findlay, now tours and records with the band as keyboardist/guitarist.

BTW happy belated Birthdays to Michael and Wayne, both January 10 babies!

It’s always easy to review a Schenker show….masterful guitar work, great sound, energetic band. This show lived up to all! Only drawback…the stage was too low! Since they set up tables you can’t really get to the front and see Michael’s hands! Ramona MainStage is a cool venue and I recommend you get up there as they have some great acts coming though in an intimate venue….but, they either need to raise the stage a bit or clear out the tables and let a rock n roll show happen! I know some of the aging rockers now days like to get a table and relax and watch a show, but c’mon rock n roll is rock n roll!!!! You’re past selves would have kicked those walkers out from under your present selves and you know it!

Another oddity at Schenker shows… I am always surprised how much the crowd seems to know the UFO songs over his solo work. Maybe because  I am a bit younger than the average fan…lol! Love the UFO stuff but I was raised on his first four solo albums and always want to hear more of those songs! This show did replace a few of the UFO tunes from recent tours with the aforementioned. Even played Assault Attack from the likewise titled 80s album. One of my top five albums All Time!

Since I was not able to find the current tour setlist any where beforehand thought I would do my best to represent the San Diego show here.

Michael Schenker, Bridge the Gap Setlist, Jan. 11, 2014 San Diego

Neptune Rising*

Rock My Nights Away

Cry for the Nations

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Assault Attack

Lovedrive

Another Piece of Meat

Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead

Attack of the Mad Axeman

Where the Wild Winds Blow*

Horizons*

Shoot Shoot

Let it Roll

Lights Out

Rock Bottom

Encore

Into the Arena

Armed and Ready

Doctor Doctor

*Since I hadn’t had a chance to hear the brand new album, “Bridge the Gap,” I estimated these titles as best I could.

American Idol Live! Tour, San Diego Concert Review -July 26, 2012

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Let me say I do watch American Idol. I didn’t see the first five years or so but every season since I have, but I never vote.  Growing up a rocker into Van Halen, Zeppelin, Judas Priest, etc., it is a bit out of my element.  However, when my wife’s cousin Mary (of Mama Mary) got tickets and asked us to go I was actually pretty excited. Maybe even a little afraid that it would be a cheesy pop concert but I was excited to see the show and hang out with Mary and her husband.

The kids did not disappoint!!

My fears that it might be a Brady Bunch Popfest were unfounded. Surprisingly, as well, the stage setup was not beastly over powering the singers. With all the hype Idol brings I expected a huge overbearing scene. It was, however, state of the art and perfect for letting the singers do their thing.

So here are some of my thoughts on the show…keeping in mind that I am a guy that loves music but not usually into vocals so much.

The Good!

First of all let me say there was no pitchiness Dawgs!

All the girls sounded amazing! So much serious musical talent for such young musicians. They don’t just sing but use their voices as instruments.

Highlights included;

Elise Testone’s version of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love.  Since I usually go to rock concerts it was a chance for me to feel in my element and rock out a little.

Erika Van Pelt, nailed Pink’s Glitter in the Air!

The duo of Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh hit some serious harmonies together and their musical phrasing was impressive! Their respective solos were great as well.

Very cool to see San Diego native Jessica Sanchez return to a hometown hero’s welcome. Sixteen years old are you kidding me? That girl can flat out sing!

On the boys side I would have to say my biggest surprise of the night was Colton Dixon. He sells it out! There is a difference between good singers and good singers who put their heart into it, good job my man!

Phillip Phillips, what can you say? First of all he was my pick from day one of the auditions when he sang Michael Jackson’s Thriller. All bragging aside he like Colton, but even more so, has stage presence, a great voice and likeability.  I would say he even stole the hometown crowd away from Jessica, a bit.

But the best singer of the night maybe one of the best ever is Joshua Ledet!!!! The boy can SANG! I said it not sing…SANG! His version of James Brown’s It’s a Man’s World was PHENOMENAL. Regarding my earlier statement that I like to attend concerts of musicians over vocalists does not APPLY to Joshua. Not sure what else to say but AMAZING!

The Not So Good?

Deandre Brackensick with his super falsetto and Heejun Han with the sweet crooner voice just did not quite live up to the others…keep at it though guys!

The flow of the concert was also a little off especially in the first half. I think it is just the nature of the show not being one recording artist and their own fans creating a bond.

Valley View Casino Arena…come on San Diego we can do better than that worn down piece of junk! I remember seeing shows there in the 80’s and it was not a great venue then…lots of memories though.  And sorry to Valley View…everyone is San Diego just calls it the Sports Arena!

The Must Be Mentioned!!

The band! Yeah, believe it or not there are real musicians backing these kids up and they have the best backing them up. Flawless rocking out in the band and some great guitar work throughout the show but most notably on Testone’s version of Whole Lotta Love…Don’t forget these guys!!!!

Alright, there’s my thoughts. I am going to go read Mama Mary’s blog  for her thoughts and you should too!

 

Click here to view the American Idol Live! Tour Setlist

Got Your 1979 Who Tickets? They’re Still Good!

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Remember back in 1979 when there was a tragic event at the Who concert in Cincinnati? 11 concert goers were trampled to death running  to get seats. The problem was that the whole event was festival seating meaning it was all general admission with no reserved seats. Imagine everyone barreling in to get good seats. I was barely old enough and think I mostly remember it because of an episode of the old sitcom WKRP in Cincinnati. The show was based on a rock n roll radio station in Cincinnati and the oddballs who worked at the station…Herb Tarlik, Les Nessman, Dr. Johnny Fever, Venus Flytrap and of course was the launching pad for Loni Anderson’s career. Obviously the show had to confront the situation.

The Who’s Pete Townshend reacts to the tragedy

One of the following concerts in Rhode Island was subsequently cancelled. Most of the ticket holders received refunds for their unused tickets. There were, however, some who kept their tickets as keepsakes. Turns out those tickets may be more valuable than anyone ever thought. Now as the Who is touring again in 2012, 33 years later, in support of their 1973 rock opera, “Quadrophenia,” those unused tickets are going to be honored for the upcoming concert.

1979 Who tickets to be honored

I just hope that they let those ‘kids’ who held on to their tickets keep the old stub…but the article in the above link seems to suggest the venue manager Lawrence Lepore, wants the old tickets. Even with his intent to donate the proceeds to charity…let them keep the tixs and generate a social media campaign for the charity….win win!!

American Idol Live Season 11 Tour Setlist

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Check here for my review of the San Diego American Idol show.

 

Post updated July 16

Here is a link to one of my favorite websites regarding the AI Live Setlist

Setlist.fm Check this link for the most recent setlists of AI and your favorite bands on tour.

America are you ready to see your favorites?

The 2012 final ten have kicked off their tour and are headed to a town near you!

The top ten this year include winner Phillip Phillips and runner up Jessica Sanchez from my hometown San Diego, Chula Vista more precisely. Also on tour are; Joshua Ledet, who I thought was the best pure singer this season, rockers; Elise Testone, Colton Dixon, and Erika Van Pelt, crooners; Heejun Han, Deandre Brackensick and the two pint size powerhouses; Hollie Cavanagh and Skylar Laine.

Below is the setlist as reported by Michele Amabile Angermiller on The Hollywood Reporter website. Check out the article for more info on the tour and videos!

I will keep an eye out for updates setlists if they become available!

If you see one of the shows please leave some feedback below.  I will see the tour in San Diego at the end of July.

Enjoy!

Set List:

Top 9 – “Sing” My Chemical Romance

Deandre Brackensick – “Master Blaster”  Stevie Wonder

Skylar Laine and Hollie Cavanagh – “Undo It”  Carrie Underwood

Erika Van Pelt – “Glitter in the Air” Pink

Colton Dixon, Erika Van Pelt, Joshua Ledet, Hollie Cavanagh – “Moves Like Jagger” Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera

Heejun Han – “Green Light” John Legend

Heejun Han with Deandre Brackensick and Jessica Sanchez -“Party Rock” LMFAO

Boys – “Everybody Talks”  Neon Trees (Without Phillips)

Elise Testone – “Whole Lotta Love”  Led Zepplin

Elise Testone (backing vocals by Erika Van Pelt and Deandre Brackensick) – “Rumour Has It” Adele

Colton Dixon – “Meant To Live” Switchfoot

Colton Dixon – “Never Gone” (Original Song)

Colton Dixon – Piano Man by Billy Joel

Top 9 – “Just The Way You Are”/”What Makes You Beautiful” Billy Joel/One Direction (Without Phillips)

INTERMISSION

Jessica Sanchez– “Best Thing I Never Had”  Beyonce

Jessica Sanchez (backing vocals by Deandre Brackensick and Joshua Ledet)– “How Come You Don’t Call Me Any More” Prince

Jessica Sanchez (backing vocals by Deandre Brackensick and Joshua Ledet) – “Proud Mary”  Ike and Tina Turner

Skylar Laine – “Gunpowder and Lead”  Miranda Lambert

Skylar Laine – “Stay With Me”  The Faces

Hollie Cavanagh (backing vocals by Elise Testone and Erika Van Pelt) – “Rolling in the Deep”  Adele

Hollie Cavanagh – “Give Your Heart a Break” Demi Lovato

Joshua Ledet (backing vocals by Elise Testone, Deandre Brakensick, Erika Van Pelt)– “Runaway Baby”  Bruno Mars

Joshua Ledet – It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” James Brown

Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez – “I Knew You Were Waiting For Me”  George Michael and Aretha Franklin

Phillip Phillips – “Superstition”  Stevie Wonder

Phillip Phillips – “Nice and Slow”  Usher

Phillip Phillips and Elise Testone – “Somebody That I Used to Know”  Goyte

Phillip Phillips with Jessica Sanchez – “Volcano”  Damien Rice

Phillip Phillips with Colton Dixon and Deandre Brackensick – “Home”

Girls – “Raise Your Glass” Pink

All – “Glad You Came” The Wanted

Van Halen Setlist

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One more day and it will officially be Van Halen week in San Diego as the boys from Pasadena get set to play Viejas Arena June 14th.

For you San Diegans who have been wondering about the setlist check out the link below. It looks like they are fairly settled on their selections now. It seemed to flutter from show to show earlier in the tour. Most notably it looks like they are exchanging The Full Bug and Romeo Delight every other show. From time to time they throw a ‘new’ old classic into the mix. The last show, June 5, featured their first performance of Bottoms Up! since 1983.

Added bonus is Kool & the Gang will be the opening act.

Time to get excited San Diego!!

Van Halen Setlist

Kool & The Gang Setlist

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