i should have brought my camera

I should have known that for this concert, I would have really wanted some photos, being a band I have loved for so long.

And having been to this venue twice in the past two weeks, I knew they were barely checking bags and weren’t stopping people from taking photos.

Signs at the entrance say no photography or recording, but the web site only specifically prohibits professional cameras (with removable lenses) … point and shoot would be OK.

And I could always have returned it to the car if there was a problem … but I didn’t bring it.

Anyway, I’ve been slacking as I neglected to report on several concerts. This will be an abbreviated version since I’m mainly here today to talk about the band featured in the crappy photo above.

May 28: Sheryl Crow
Opening acts: Ingrid Michaelson and Ray LaMontagne.

Ingrid is one of my favorite artists, and she was great. This was her only date on Sheryl’s tour, and must have been the biggest audience she’s seen! Despite being the first opener, there was a decent, attentive crowd, and Ingrid talked to the audience as if she were in a smaller venue. (I’ve written about Ingrid before. Go check her out!)

Ray’s music isn’t really my style. I just wasn’t into it. And, of course, Sheryl was fantastic! We had great seats, Row A in R Loge. (I’ve learned you can get much closer by sitting in the Loge section … way up front vs. something many rows back behind lots of people. At 5’3″, I’m always behind somebody taller than me!)

Next up …

June 9: Death Cab for Cutie
Opening act: Rogue Wave
Same seats, Row A, R Loge.

I don’t know Rogue Wave too well, but I enjoyed their performance and will probably spend some more time listening to their music.

Death Cab was fantastic. It was HOT on Monday. Humid and gross. Ben, wearing black jeans and a black buttondown shirt rolled to the elbows, was drenched after only a few songs, yet he kept on going strong. We’d heard everything we could have wanted to before the encore, and were actually surprised that they kept playing. The songs were slower, and less well known, and we actually left before they finished! Sometimes you’ve got to beat the crowds. And, it was hot!

OK, finally we get to the point of this post.

June 11: R.E.M.
Opening acts: The National and Modest Mouse
Same seats, Row A, R Loge. A woman who worked there recognized us from the Sheryl Crow show. And one of the beer girls remembered my husband.

I tried listening to The National’s CDs, and didn’t really care for them. But live? They were awesome. Maybe I’ll try to give the CDs another shot. Modest Mouse was also wonderful. Not too much talking, just a lot of rock!

And then R.E.M. took the stage. The crowd (must have been a sell-out) jumped to their feet and we stood for the entire two-hour set.

It was amazing. Check out the setlist.

It wasn’t nearly as hot as Monday, but still warm. Yet Michael Stipe wore a suit for the entire performance. He didn’t even unbutton the jacket for at least an hour! He came back for the encore with a bag of ice on his head to cool off!

Awesome set, and the band still rocks after all these years.

So yeah. No camera. But I insisted on trying with my crappy cell phone.