Love @ Mirage Hotel

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A, Drew & Lynn.

This was to be the 7th and final time I saw Love.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

A & I, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Me, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

From our room, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Tequila!, Westin Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

What I remember (in 2024)

Flew to Puerto Vallarta, via Phoenix, on December 10 for 4 nights.  Left Phoenix only to find out the plane did not have all the instruments for an international flight.  We had to return to Phoenix and wait a few hours.  When we finally were ready to take off, some dickhead wouldn't sit down and was being such an arse that he was eventually removed for the plane - his girlfriend reluctantly got off as well.

Stayed at the Westin.

We left the resort only on Friday night, to go into town to have dinner.  Otherwise we spent time by either the pool or the beach.  Water in both places was freezing.

Each afternoon we took advantage of the 2 for 1 happy hour drinks by the pool.

Barry Manilow @ Las Vegas Hilton

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A.

Comp tickets from SNHCA.

Had a flutter on the pokies before we went in and won a couple of hundred bucks.

Really disappointing show.  Manilow seemed to deride some of his fans, not sure if he was just having a bad night.  He didn't play Copacabana and just had no heart to what he was doing.  Would've been upset if we'd paid for tickets.

The Crap Facts

This is my 273rd concert.

This is my 2nd concert at the Las Vegas Hilton.

This is my 76th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 76th concert in Nevada.

This is my 81st concert in the USA.

Barry Manilow is the 333rd band I've seen.

Danzig & Dimmu Borgir @ The Joint

The Crap Facts

This is my 272nd concert.
This is my 23rd concert at the The Joint.
This is my 75th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 75th concert in Nevada.

This is my 80th concert in the USA.

Dimmu Bogir are the 332nd band I've seen.
This is my 5th Danzig show.

Love @ Mirage Hotel

Unwritten Law, Otherwise & Glory Stoppers @ Icehouse

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Dave.  Keli'i and Eric from work were also there.

A few people dressed up for Halloween.

Unwritten Law in a small bar - you can't go wrong.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 271st concert.

Icehouse is the 72nd venue I've seen a concert.

This is my 74th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 74th concert in Nevada.

This is my 79th concert in the USA.

Glory Stoppers are the 330th band I've seen.
Otherwise are the 331st band I've seen.
This is my 6th Unwritten Law concert.

Kings Of Leon & We Are Scientists @ The Joint

The Crap Facts

This is my 270th concert.
This is my 22nd concert at The Joint.
This is my 73rd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 73rd concert in Nevada.
This is my 78th concert in the USA.

We Are Scientists are the 329th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Kings Of Leon concert

Henry Rollins @ House Of Blues

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A & Bert, from her work).

Sat up in the top level looking down.

Another great 3 hours from Henry.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 269th concert.
This is my 29th concert at House Of Blues.
This is my 72nd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 72nd concert in Nevada.
This is my 77th concert in the USA.

This is my 6th Henry Rollins concert.

Gogol Bordello @ Fremont East

What I remember (in 2024)

Went on my own.

The show was in a vacant, fenced off block next to one of the casinos downtown.  

Didn't know what time it started and turned up as Voodoo Glow Skulls, who I really wanted to see, walk off stage.

Gogol Bordello were as energetic as always.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 268th concert.
Fremont East is the 71st venue I've seen a concert.
This is my 71st concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 71st concert in Nevada.
This is my 76th concert in the USA.

This is my 2nd Gogol Bordello concert.

Gogol Bordello are the 50th American band I've seen at least twice.

Jersey Boys @ Palazzo Hotel

Foo Fighters @ The Joint

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A.

Bigger venue, but just as energetic as the House of Blues show in 2003.

The Crap Facts
This is my 267th concert.

This is my 21st concert at The Joint.
This is my 70th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 70th concert in Nevada.
This is my 75th concert in the USA.

This is my 4th Foo Fighters concert.

Le Reve @ Wynn Hotel

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Lindsay & Val

Motorhead & Misfits @ House Of Blues

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Dave.

Misfits were good, but again not the right venue.  I bet close up in a smaller venue, this would be prefect.  At the House Of Blues the band was too far away to expel their tight energy.

Motorhead were as brutal as you'd expect.  Ace OF Spades as the 1st encore song was massive.

The Crap Facts
This is my 266th concert.
This is my 28th concert at House Of Blues.

This is my 69th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 69th concert in Nevada.
This is my 74th concert in the USA.
Misfits are the 328th band I've seen.

This is my 2nd Motorhead concert.

G Love & Special Sauce & John Butler Trio @ The Joint

What I remember (in 2024)

Went on my own.

Specifically went to see John Butler Trio, and they were awesome.  Actually both bands complimented each other and came out with a great night.

The Crap Facts

This is my 265th concert.

This is my 20th concert at The Joint.
This is my 68th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 68th concert in Nevada.
This is my 73rd concert in the USA.
John Butler Trio are the 327th band I've seen

This is my 3rd G Love & Special Sauce concert.

Houston, TX

What I remember (in 2024)

Flew down to Houston on my own on 22 August, to spend a long weekend with Saffa and Gretchen, for his birthday again.

Quieter than last year's revelry.  On Saturday morning we drove an hour down to Galveston.  Saf and I checked it all out, while Gretchen was running a half marathon.  On Saturday night we dinner at Fogo de Chao with a group of Saffa's friends.  He did declare this his favorite restaurant in the world.  It was my first time at a Brazilian Steakhouse, and it was excellent.

On Sunday, Saf reluctantly took me to NASA.  I thought it was amazing and could have stayed all day.  SAffa, on his millionth visit to Houston's premier tourist spot, was no longer impressed.

On a side note, 19 days after I left Galveston was hit by Hurricane Ike and completely devastated the area.  I remember seeing photos and footage and not recognizing the town we'd been in 3 weeks prior.

Jersey Boys @ Palazzo Hotel

Eddie Izzard @ The Pearl

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A & Dave.

Izzard performed in a suit, not in his feminine outfits that he was known for.

Spamalot @ Wynn Hotel

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Robbie.

This and Love are the 2 best shows in Vegas in the 10 years that I lived there.

Love @ Mirage Hotel

Stone Temple Pilots @ The Pearl

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A & Dave.

I never had the opportunity to See STP before, and had heard that their live shows could be erratic, depending on Scott Weiland.  From start to finish, Stone Temple Pilots were incredible.

The Crap Facts
This is my 264th concert.
This is my 5th concert at The Pearl.

This is my 67th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 67th concert in Nevada.
This is my 72nd concert in the USA.
Stone Temple Pilots are the 326th band I've seen.

Local H @ Canyon Club

What I remember (in 2024)

Went on my own.

Ticket said show started at midnight, but I showed up just after 9pm and had missed the first song.

Scott Lucas played 1 song in the crowd, no-one knew where to look or what to do.  As usual he finished the set and walked off stage, straight to the merch stand.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 263rd concert.
Canyon Club is the 70th venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 66th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 66th concert in Nevada.
This is my 71st concert in the USA.
This is my 4th Local H concert.

Tony Bennett @ Las Vegas Hilton

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A.  Ticket for her birthday.

Wow!  What a night seeing this legend!  Every word that came out of his mouth was smoother than the last.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 262nd concert.

Las Vegas Hilton is the 69th venue I've seen a concert.
This is my 65th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 65th concert in Nevada.
This is my 70th concert in the USA.
Tony Bennett is the 325th band I've seen.

Ministry @ House Of Blues

The Crap Facts

This is my 261st concert.

This is my 27th concert at House Of Blues.
This is my 64th concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 64th concert in Nevada.
This is my 69th concert in the USA.
This is my 4th Ministry concert.

Mighty Mighty Bosstones @ The Pearl

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Dave.

Another promotion where he got free tickets by buying a casre of Miller Lite.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 260th concert.

This is my 4th concert at The Pearl.
This is my 63rd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 63rd concert in Nevada.
This is my 68th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Mighty Mighty Bosstones concert.

Bette Midler @ Caesars Colosseum

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with A.  Was a freebie through SNHCA.

This was a warm up show for a residency at the Colosseum.

Bette was great.  Very funny and, surprisingly, very racy - I did not know this about her.  And a great voice.  The Rose and show ender, Wind Beneath My Wings being crowd favorites.

The Crap Facts

This is my 259th concert.

This is my 2nd concert at Caesars Colosseum.
This is my 62nd concert in Las Vegas.
This is my 62nd concert in Nevada.
This is my 67th concert in the USA.
Bette Midler is the 324th band I've seen.

Bateau Bay, NSW

What I remember (in 2024)

Flew back to Australia on December 15 to spend Xmas with family.  Stayed until January 31.  

A & Lynn came, but left on December 29.  This was the mothers-in-law meeting for the first time.

Showed Lynn around the Central Coast and also had a day where we ended up at The Newport Arms, with Tania and Olivia.  OTher touristy things included Putt Putt at Forries, Pelican Feed down at The Entrance, and Santa in a surf boat in Terrigal.

Christmas with Mum's side of the family was in Terrigal at K&J's new home.  Where we also got me meet Poppy.  Saw my cousin Michael for the first time in forever.  Fays, Pittmans, Aunty Vi, Betty & The Zordans all there.  K&J also hosted all my friends that evening.

Christmas day was spent at Trish & Nan's.  Trying to show the Americans a hot Xmas, and all we got was a cool, overcast day.  Dad, Manuia and Kathleen were there.  As was K&J.  Kara & Moz. Rob & Sab were there, with Grant & Jess.  Can't remember the last time I saw all of them.  May have been Grant's christening (1990ish).

On 27 December, Me, A, Mum & Lynn went and stayed in the Sofitel Sydney.  Saw the Botanic Gardens, Opera House & did a boat tour on Sydney Harbor.  That night we met up with Coasties at The Glenmore in the Rocks, before having dinner heading down to the harbour for dinner.  Somehow we also had a night down at the Coogee Bay Hotel before A left.

Reggae & I went to Helensburgh one day in late January to see the Benno's and meet Josh.

Australia Day was spent on the roof of the Australian in the Rocks with Coasties.  That night Reggae & I ended up in the city and had dinner with my old flatmates, Bridgey & Rach.

With Nan & Grandad, Terrigal, NSW

Pelican Feeding, The Entrance, NSW

America's Best Cricketer, Concord West, NSW

K, Kathleen, Dad & Me, Christmas Day, Concord West, NSW

A, Mum, Mom & Me, Harbour Bridge, NSW

Lis, Marbs,Linda, Reggae, Paula, Jill, Me, Nic & Barnesy, The Australian, NSW

Regs, Bridgey, Me & Rach, Sydney, NSW

Big Day Out @ Sydney Showgrounds

Regs & I - Big Day Out Veterans

Me @ Billy Bragg

Spoon @ BDO

Regs & I @ Rage Against The Machine

What I remember (in 2024)

Went with Reggae.

First 4 bands are bands that have come around since I left Australia, but Reggae thought I needed to see them.

Regurgitator were still great.

I thought Spoon were great (on a smaller side stage).

Nightwatchman did a Beds Are Burning cover.

Hilltop Hoods really got the crowd going.  Australian hip-hop is pretty good.

Thought I'd seen Billy Bragg in 96 Big Day Out, but not so.  Greeting To The New Brunette and Waiting For The Great Leap Forward were highlights of the day.

The old couple were seated in the stands for the rest of the day.  

silverchair were ok, but didn't play anything off Frogstomp.  

Arcade Fire didn't live up to the best live band around moniker that was currently being thrown around.  Bjork cancelled a second time - she did the same thing in Sydney in 1994.  

And Rage played the same set as the Entertainment Centre a few days prior.

This was my 9th and inevitably my last Big Day Out.  While I'm glad it reached the great success it was - with something like 40,000 people here today, I much preferred the first one, with a quarter of that amount of people at the old Showgrounds.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 258th concert.

This is my 2nd concert at Sydney Showgrounds.
This is my 2nd concert in Homebush.
This is my 181st concert in New South Wales.
This is my 184th concert in Australia.
British India are the 315th band I've seen.
Cut Off Your Hands are the 316th band I've seen.
Something With Numbers are the 317th band I've seen.
Faker are the 318th band I've seen.
This is my 7th Regurgitator concert.
Spoon are the 319th band I've seen.
The Nightwatchman is the 320th band I've seen.
Hilltop Hoods are the 321st band I've seen.
Billy Bragg is the 322nd band I've seen.
This is my 11th silverchair concert.
Arcade Fire are the 323rd band I've seen.

Arcade Fire is the 500th time I've seen a band in New South Wales.

Arcade Fire is the 650th time I've seen a band.

This is my 4th Rage Against The Machine concert.