Nine Inch Nails & Boys Noize @ Spectrum Center

What was almost a disaster of an evening turned into an incredible concert.

Free tickets from work were a blessing.  I had looked into buying tickets, but couldn't justify the price.  Seats in the lower bowl were over $200.  The last time I saw Nine Inch Nails, tickets were $40 and Soundgarden opened for them.  And the time before that was the $140 NIN/Jane's Addiction tour in Vegas.  But 2 days before work came through and we got some freebies up in the top deck.  Mike and I were there early and I went into the seats, with the stadium empty, and freaked out how high up we were.  I had to get back into the foyer to calm down.  We hung out while I tried to psych myself back inside.  Boys Noize started playing, so we walked back around to the seats.  That's when we were accosted by an angel.  A staff member was giving away tickets to fill seats in the lower bowl, and put us on an isle 6 rows back from the small stage in the middle of the floor.  I had already talked myself into leaving Mike there, and walking home.  But alas......we were about to see an amazing show.

Boys Noize DJed an hour.  The music was fine, but the old man in me thought it was only 1 song (and I should've been  DJ....ha!).  Trent Reznor slipped past us and onto the smaller stage right in front of us and started the set on his own, as the band joined one at a time (sans drummer) until they finished their 3rd song, Piggy right there in front of us.  The end of Piggy saw the Josh Freese kick into action with the drum attack of Wish on the main stage, as the rest of the band made their way up.  A frenetic start to the main stage was doubled with March of The Pigs.  Surrounded by a silk screen, and a cameraman who worked double time, Nine Inch Nails visually and sonically blew me away.  Copy of A was the pinnacle.  The multiple light copies of Reznor projected all over the stage was just perfection.  Never has a visual representation of a song been so suited to the music.  

Half way through the night, Reznor, Atticus Rose and Boys Noize cam back to the smaller stage in the middle of arena for another 4 songs, including the highly anticipated Closer.  I just spent the whole song being grateful to be there - I'd almost left before it started and I would've missed all this.  

Back on the main stage The Perfect Drug was a perfect song as was the double header to end the night.  Head Like A Hole was sung louder by the audience than the band in full throttle, only to be bought back down to earth by the haunting Hurt.  Just a dynamically different way to end a show.  This is the 5th time for me seeing Nine Inch Nails - over a 30 years period - and it's safe to say they are a great live band, who only get better each time I see them.  For the first show of 2026, I'm a little worried about how any other band can top that.

Nine Inch Nails Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 538th concert.
This is my 4th concert in the Spectrum Center.

This is my 133rd concert in Charlotte.
This is my 159th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 338th concert in the USA.
Boys Noize are the 631st band I've seen
This is my 5th Nine Inch Nails concert.

Spamalot @ Belk Theater

I love this show.  We saw it 3 times back in Vegas.  So when the opportunity arose for us to see it as a family, there was never a doubt.  I picked a Saturday matinee, because there was no soccer to interrupt us.  Boy was I glad!

All week Charlotte has been threatened with an ice storm.  Now it is due to start at 6pm tonight.  We ran to to Eric's (from soccer) family, who had scrambled to get tickets, as they were originally booked for Saturday night's performance, that has already been cancelled.

We got Uptown (too) early and went and had lunch at Cowbell.  It was perfect warming food for the freeze that was happening outside.  We had some time to kill afterwards, but opted to wait in the foyer of the Belk Theater, just to escape the cold.  We also had the obligatory finding of Mrs. Y, B's 3rd grade teacher.

And the show.  Just as funny as I remembered.  The full version, not the 90 minute scaled down Vegas version.  Casting was great, and how can you not like Monty Python and the Holy Grail set to music.  Mom & B loved it as well.  L could take it or leave it.  I think he is a musical non-lover.  He's rather of been anywhere else (again).  

It's important to me to give the boys these experiences, something that is not the norm, and hopefully expand their interests.  We left in a great mood, only to drive home through the start of sleet.  Spamalot did the right thing by cancelling their Saturday night and Sunday shows.  While we only ended up getting .25 inch of ice, in Charlotte that is Armageddon.  We're just not prepared for it, as shown by the kids getting 3 days off school for it, and to have people out on the road would just be dangerous.

Fechez la vache!

Aziz Ansari @ Ovens Auditorium

Again, I struggle to write a review of a comedy show.  Needless to say - it was funny.  Not quite as good as the first time we saw Ansari, which was fall out of your seat funny, but funny nonetheless.  I can't write down specifically what was said, as it would never do the stories justice, but A&I had a great laugh and would be happy to see Ansari any time he came through town.

GWAR, Helmet, Dwarves & Blood Vulture @ Piedmont Hall

As my las scheduled show of the year, I've picked GWAR at a new city to see a concert.  It's only just over an hour up the road, and I got a cheap ticket off Groupon, so, as tired as I weas, I jumped in the car and headed north.

I caught most of Blood Vulture's set.  A hard rock band with an 80's vampire vibe.  I feel that it was an odd combination for GWAR, but who on this line up isn't.  Not really my thing, but they did a job as the first of 4 bands.

Blood Vulture Setlist

Dwarves are one of those bands that I've wanted to see, but they've neve been where I have (except last years Punk Rock Bowling where they played a side show with the Queers, that I kick myself for not going to).  After some problems with sound a the beginning, Dwarves ripped through a 30 minute set of 15 songs of pure punk, anger, sarcasm and humor.  The bass player, Rex Everything, looked familiar.  I finally worked out it was Nick Oliveri of Queens of the Stone Age.  He was having a blast on stage.  I really liked this show, but you know it would've been better in a smaller venue on a shorter stage (like New Bomb Turks).  I hope the chance to see them again comes around.

Dwarves Setlist

Helmet being on the bill was definitely a draw, and probably the reason I drove to Greensboro for the show.  I took my spot, close to the front in front of singer Page Hamilton, and proceeded to have my ears ripped off (even with earplugs in).  This set had a lot of songs I didn't know, but when something came of that I knew, it was sonic perfection.  Wilma's Rainbow was 5 songs in and got the whole crowd moving.  Unsung was as brilliant live, as it was the first time I ever heard it. And then to end the night the trifecta of Milquetoast, Give It and the fucking awesome In The Meantime just left me wanting more.  50 minutes, and I felt the audience was just getting into its stride.  Helmet don't know how to put on a bad show. 

Helmet Setlist

It's been 11 years since I saw GWAR at Riot Fest.  I'm not sure I'd say I was a fan of the music, but the theatrics are stellar.  Tonight's show was about Gor Gor, the dinosaur GWAR found as an egg, raised as one of their own, taken from then, and his travel back to them.  So funny.  I'm not sure if this really counts as being at a GWAR show, as I was standing in front of Grodius Maximus, but never got covered in any stuff constantly spurting from the stage.  I don't really know GWAR's songs but I picked up on Sadaam a Go Go, Cracked Egg and Fuck This Place.  But it was the story of Gor Gor that was front and center.  His appearances from the egg, as a baby, as a teen to a full grown dinosaur was a feat in itself, pulled off fantastically.  The irony of the crowd singing along to America Must Be Destroyed as the final song of the main set was not lost on me.  A 3 song encore was perfect for what the crowd wanted, as a messed up crowd poured out of Piedmont Music Hall.

GWAR Setlist

Again, I struggled to get motivated to go to this show, but I'm glad I made the effort.  Dwarves were a great find.  Helmet was a powerful as always.  And GWAR is definitely the most I've laughed at a heavy metal show.

Balsac The Jaws Of Death

Beefcake the Mighty

Grodius Maximus

The Crap Facts
This is my 537th concert.
Piedmont Hall is the 143rd venue I've seen a concert at.
Greensboro is the 58th city I've seen a concert at.
This is my 158th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 337th concert in the USA.
Blood Vulture is the 629th band I've seen

Dwarves are the 630th band I've seen

This is my 6th Helmet concert.
This is my 2nd GWAR concert.

Six @ Belk Theater

This is a show that A has wanted to see for a long time, so when it comes into Charlotte, it's a no brainer to buy tickets.  The boys have had a mixed reaction to musicals, so tonight it's just Mom and Dad.  I picked a Sunday matinee, so as to not interfere with the boys soccer, and of course they were scheduled a game that day, so they wouldn't have made it anyway.

I was skeptical about a musical about Henry VIII's 6 wives.  But, to my surprise, this was a good show.  A modern version of each his wives sang their tales of woe, while mixing in the comedy of making themselves better than the other 5.  I really liked that it was just them, and a live all girl band on stage for the whole show.   While I knew a little of the story of his first wife, Catherine, and 2nd, Anne Boleyn, it was fun to hear the stories of the other wives.   And from a female perspective, and not a history book.

I too have not enjoyed some of the musicals we've seen of late, but this one I did.  And more importantly so did A.

 

Devo & B52s @ PNC Pavilion

I didn't really want to see these 2 bands at the big amp, I thought they'd have been better off out our amp.  Smaller, closer to the audience,  But when the offered $25 lawn seats, I even talked the boys into coming with me.

We didn't make it in time to see Lydia Lunch, but I did run into Jeremy from work on our way in.  He told us to check the VIP tent as they were giving free upgrades into sets.  Of course we would.  He had also put us on the VIP list so we could go into the private bar area, away from the crowds between sets.   We checked that out, and then went to our new seats.  We are now seated in the 2nd tier of seats, very central to the stage.  And just before B52s started we were joined by Chris (Eric from soccer's dad).  They had done the same thing as us, at a different time, and scored the seats next to us.  Small world.

I thought the B52s were supposed to be the headliners, but apparently they have been rotating each night, and tonight they were on first.  It has been 15 years since I saw the B52s kill it at Mandalay Bay (with Blondie), but this time didn't quite reach those heights.  It was a slow start and not until Deadbeat Club did I start to see a change from the band and audience.  Kate and Cindy's voices were as good as always, but Fred gave a vibe of not wanting to be there.  I thought they had done the final tour last year, which is another reason to get out and see them while you can.  But this show just didn't have the energy.  Roam was great, but it wasn't until near the end when Love Shack kicked it up a notch.  Everyone knows and loves that song.  Even the boys, who up until this point were just placating their aging dad.  It was cold, I don't blame them.  Rock Lobster finished the set and it was as awesome as I remember.  I love the sped up drum parts in certain spots, and lets face it, it's the most fun song.  I tried to go and get a shirt, but the blue one I wanted only came in women's sizes, and the black version didn't have a XXL.

B52s Setlist

We got some food and were back in out seats for when Devo came on stage. I'll admit this suits me better. I'm more of a Devo fan. Chris was saying he only really knew one of their songs and they left not long after that. Girl U Want and Whip It came back to back early in the set and were great.  This is the biggest stage I've seen Devo pay on, and been so far back.  But they handle it really well.  A quick break, and the band came out in their yellow outfits to rip through Uncontrollable Urge, and said uniforms.  Jocko Homo lead into Smart Patrol/Mr DNA - this was probably my favorite song of the night.  Devo finished with Gates Of Steel, before coming back for only one song.  The excellent Freedom Of Choice.

Late October was a risky time to have an outdoor concert in Charlotte, and tonight it was cold.  We were rugged up in jackets and beanies, but it will definitely have to be a line up as good as this to get me out here in this weather again.  devo have yet to disappoint me live.  The B52s may be closer tot he end of performing, but they still have a couple of songs to fire up a crowd.

Devo Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 536th concert.
This is my 6th concert at PNC Pavilion.
This is my 132nd concert in Charlotte.
This is my 157th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 336th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd B52s concert.

This is my 4th Devo concert.

P.O.D. @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

This was an unexpected show.  I was working but not in my usual spot at the top of the stairs.  (We were short staff).  Instead I was down in the usher area when POD came on, so in between guiding people to their seats I got to see most of the show.  What is most surprising, was how many songs I knew.

Boom! kicked off the set.  And set the tone for the night.  It was good....even in daylight.  Mid set we got a cover of The Beatles Don't Let Me Down.  It definitely better than I would have expected.  The band was appreciative of all the support they were getting for those who showed up early.  And the crowd was really digging it.  Youth Of The Nation was up next, and it is a song I forgot I knew.  It definitely was a crowd favorite.  As the opener of 3 bands, POD were only allowed 9 songs, but Alive to finish the night was superb.   This is their most known song, and from the reaction of the audience, it is absolutely a favorite.  I'd never considered seeing POD before, but after this performance I'd keep an eye out for them again.

I was back at the top of the stairs for Daughtry and Seether and my attention was taken away from the music all night.  And there was a break I got not long after Seether came on.  Because I'm not familiar with either band, no songs really registered with me while I was helping guests.

P.O.D. Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 535th concert.
This is my 24th concert at Skyla CU Amphitheater.
This is my 131st concert in Charlotte.
This is my 156th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 335th concert in the USA.
P.O.D. are the 628th band I've seen.

Everclear, Local H & Sponge @ Neighborhood Theater

I have been excited for this show for a long time.  Tickets were secured the day they went on sale.  Everclear always put on a good show, and Local H know no other way.  

I got to the Neighborhood Theatre just before 8 and was surprised by a line still at the door.  It took a while to get in, and it was hard to find a spot for Sponge, as the place was jammed solid.  I ended up side stage - just behind the VIP tables and caught the last few songs of their set.  I don't remember them being big in Australia in the 90s, and I didn't know any songs.  But the crowd knew Plowed (the last song) and the venue was jumping.  The band were humbled by the turnout so early in the night, and their energy let fans remember back when it was easier to be at concerts.  And let us pretend were were in out 20s again - and not our 50s.  well, me anyway.

Sponge Setlist

Once Sponge was over, and the crowd came tot he bar for drinks, I headed into the main room and got myself a great unobstructed spot midway down the hall.  I may actually be here more because of Local H.  They have been a favorite since I first saw them at Equinox in 1997.  Tonight they continued their run of 7 awesome shows.  They played my favorite song first.  High Fivin' MF set the tone for the rest of the intense 45 minute set.  As loud and as fast as you want it, this is such an awesome song, and a real ballsy opener.  A couple more songs off As Good As Dead filtered into the opening part of the set.  Fritz's Corner was great, as was Eddie Vedder.  Everyone loved, and shouted the chorus for California Songs.  And Bound For The Floor was the hit that sent the crowd over the edge.  I thought it was great, and the TV Eye snippet mid-song was the chef's kiss.

Local H Setlist

Everclear are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the great Sparkle & Fade album.  It's only appropriate the I see it, because they toured Australia on the back of that release in 1996, and they played an awesome show at the Metro opening for silverchair.  The band itself has changed with age.  Songs don't hit as fast as they used to, but Art Alexakis and band still enjoy themselves up there.  The songs do stand the test of time.  Heroin Girl was a great song, even if it sounds a little different when slower.  It is still my favorite Everclear song.  Father Of Mine got the crowd really going, and Heartspark Dollarsign was another great trip down memory lane.  The band didn't play the whole album start to finish but sprinkled some other songs into the set throughout.  In the meantime we got a couple of great covers, including Highway To Hell and Whole Lotta Love (with Scott Lucas).  

When the main set was finished I rushed over and got myself and Everclear shirt.  Then, Lucas was at the Local H table, with his dog, Karen, who was taking all the attention at the time.  I bought a vinyl copy of Whatever Happened to PJ Soles and he was kind enough to sign a poster for me.

I went side stage again for the 3 song encore.  So Much For The Afterglow was great, as was I Will Buy You A New Life.  But it was the crowd at its loudest singing Santa Monica put the icing on tonight's rock n roll cake.  Such a good song, and the perfect way to end the night.

Everclear Setlist

The Crap Facts
This is my 534th concert.
This is my 12th concert at The Neighborhood Theater.
This is my 130th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 155th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 334th concert in the USA.
Sponge are the 627th band I've seen.
Sponge are the 350th American band I've seen.

This is my 7th Local H concert.

This is my 5th Everclear concert.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club & Humanist @ The Orange Peel

I can't believe it's been 7 years since Black Rebel Motorcycle Club have been close enough for me to go and see.  Their show in 2018 was a pearler.

The Orange Peel filled up for the show and I got there early enough to catch the last half of Humanist.  There is a dark Depeche Mode influence in this sound, but not what I was really into tonight.

Humanist's sound did blend well with BRMC playing their 3rd album, Howl,  celebrating its 20th anniversary.  I don't know why this album escaped me, as I loved the first 2, but there was definitely a different sound to what I expect from BRMC.  More atmospheric and moody, not the straight forward rock I was used to.  So for me, the first half of the show was a slow start.  Once I heard Red Eyes and Tears, everything changed.  I think the band felt the same.  The crowd definitely did.  BRMC seemed more relaxed and ready to blaze into the night.  And they did!  Every song got better.  And the crowd really started to get into it.  White Palms was good.  Berlin was excellent!  Whatever Happened to My Rock & Roll was almost an out of body experience.  And Spread Your Love....  This song sits in my Fave 40 playlist.  I can't hear it often enough.  And tonight was as good as I've ever heard it, except that 1 time they played it in the Cosmopolitan, when the casino was using it in it's commercials.  One more song from Howl, Open Invitation, calmed the crowd down before being unleased back on the Asheville night.

This is the 3rd show I've seen in Asheville since the devastating Hurricane Helene 13 months ago.  and the town is still struggling.  There were not many people around before the show (I had another good meal at Farmburger) and I grabbed a quick breakfast before driving home, and it was like walking through a ghost town.  I hope things get better for this great place.

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club Setlist

The Crap Facts

This is my 533rd concert.
This is my 6th concert at The Orange Peel.
This is my 17th concert in Asheville.
This is my 154th concert in North Carolina.
This is my 333rd concert in the USA.
Humanist are the 626th band I've seen.
This is my 5th Black Rebel Motorcycle Club concert.

Neil deGrasse Tyson @ Ovens Auditorium

This is one for L.  He has taken an interest in space, so who better to tell him about it but Neil deGrasse Tyson.  A is out of town, and B wasn't interested so it is just the 2 of us, which is unusual.

Tonight felt like a university lecture done by everyone's favorite professor, but not necessarily my favorite topic.  Tyson spoke of other planets being able to support human life, what other universes might be like, the heat of suns, and his role in the de-planetizing of Pluto.

Like a comedy show, it is hard to go over everything that was said, but needless to say his 2 hours on stage was well received.  WHo knows?  Maybe we'll make a scientist out of L.

 

Wicked @ Belk Theater

I think I've been oversold on Wicked.  It's been around forever, and it is critically acclaimed everywhere, and I was super excited to see it.  A really wanted to go, and we thought the boys would like it too, so it became a family day.

For me though it didn't quite live up to the hype.  I just wasn't into it.  But I am also get less tolerant of musicals (for the most part) as I get older.  That and the fact that the Wizard of Oz is such a classic, I feel a prequel (or a sequel if it had of been) could never live up to that expectation.

On the other hand A&B loved it.  A has seen it before, and sang along with every word, and B was really into it.  L, well L wished he could be anywhere else.  Especially with Arsenal being on tv today.  It's not that I didn't like the show, but it just wasn't a favorite.  And obviously it's important to give the boys different experiences and let them make their own choices.

I was surprised at how packed the theater was for a matinee.  I had picked a Sunday afternoon, thinking that it wouldn't interfere with the boys soccer.  I knew there'd be a few families in there, but there wasn't a spare seat.  Turns out because to the incoming ice storm, the night show had already been cancelled and everyone scrambled for what was left in the matinee.

Papa Roach, Rise Against & Underoath @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

Another work shift at the  top of the stairs.

Underoath got things kicked off.  To be honest I didn't get to see much of them, as this is when the bulk of people were coming in.  With Rise Against being the 2nd band, crowds were getting in early and I didn't really have time to think let alone see Underoath.

But a majority of people were in seats by the time Rise Against started, so it was quite for me and I get to watch them for the 6th time.  While I've seen them now 6 times, it never seems to be on purpose.  It's either they have a great support band (Gaslight Anthem, Rancid, Bad Religion), supporting a great band (Deftones), at a festival and now at work.  It kicked off big time with Re-Education (Through Labor).  Give it All was great.  Prayer For The Refugee was a crowd favorite mid set.  And Savior to close their set, was a popular choice.  Overall a good set, and a solid show as always, but I'm still not sold on this band.  I wish I knew why.

Rise Against Setlist

So apparently Rise Against fans aren't necessarily Papa Roach fans.  I was busier bidding fans a farewell, rather than receiving more during the set changeover.  Regardless Papa Roach came on stage with a mission of matching and ultimately exceeding Rise Against's energy.  And they did a great job of it.   I didn't know any of their stuff until a California Love cover was played.  Lead singer Jacoby Shaddix was having a great time.  By his admission, this came about by turning his life around, as well as run ins with suicidal thoughts.  As an entertainer with a voice, he was really impressive in his advocating for suicide prevention - all the way through the night.  This is not a passing fad for him.  He is keen and willing to help.  While I don't know a lot of their songs, obviously the crowd did, and they loved every moment of it.  Especially during the 2nd last song, Help, when Jacoby came out into the crowd, and all the way back to the lawn.  During the 4 song encore, Papa Roach dropped a heavy medly including Bling, My Own Summer, Break Stuff & Chop Suey.  An absolute corker!  And a wild lead into the penultimate Last Resort, which is their song I do know.  THe perfect finish to a rocking night.

Papa Roach Setlist

I would not have come to this show if I wasn't working.  But I'm glad I was here.  Good crowd and good rock!

The Crap Facts
This is my 532nd concert.
This is my 23rd show at Skyla CU Amphitheater 
This is my 129th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 153rd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 332nd concert in the USA.
Underoath are the 625th band I've seen.

This is my 6th Rise Against concert.

This is my 3rd Papa Roach concert.

Charlotte FC v Miami CF @ Bank of America Stadium

I mean, of course we're here to see Lionel Messi!  He is one of, if not the, greatest players, especially of this era.  He was a big drawcard as seen by the number of Miami shirts in the stadium during the night.  Even non-football fans know who he is, but the disrespect he was given tonight was a blight on a great night for Charlotte.

The boys, Uncle D & I had prime seats.  Front row in the club level, in line with the penalty spot at the non-supporters end.  While the top bowl remained empty, the Bank was mostly full on a warm September night.

Miami started strong, down towards the end we were attacking.  Early on Messi went over to take a corner, and was booed.  Why?  A great player, who has boosted the profile of MLS, stays away from controversy and has literally won everything in world football.  I was really disappointed in this.  And Charlotte piled on from there.  

After half an hour Messi was bought down in the box.  Had my Charlotte goggles on and didn't think it was a penalty, even after seeing it on the big screen (that changed when I saw it later on TV - clearly a foul).   Messi stepped up to take it.  We were about to see him score.  Right in line with us!  Until he stepped up with a weak Panenka, which Kalina calmly and easily saved.  Then is seemed like we hadn't finished celebrating when Toklomati went up the other end and finished off a great move.  1-0 Charlotte.

So many people weren't back in their seats after half time when Toklomati slotted in his 2nd, after a nice cross from Bronico.  Charlotte 2 Miami 0.  Miami still dominated possession, and I watched everything Messi did, though he wasn't as involved as I expected.  But every time he touched the ball, the crowd were waiting for something to happen.  But it never did for Miami.  Instead, with 8 minutes to go, Zaha drove into the box only to fouled.  Penalty Charlotte.  Toklomati stepped up and completed his hat-trick and Charlotte want on to keep a clean sheet and win 3-0.

While he didn't set the world on fire, I'm glad the boys and I got to see Messi.  He is and always will be a legend and even to see one moment of brilliance from him was a priviledge.  But I'm much happier that Charlotte took the 3 points.

Charlotte FC 3 (Toklomati 34, 27 & 82) defeated Miami CF 0

Crowd: 35,607

Choir! Choir! Choir! at Carolina Theatre

For something different, A & I went to Choir! Choir! Choir! tonight.  I've seen some of their stuff on Youtube and thought it would be fun.  Tonight they are dedicating their show to the songs of Queen.  I thought it was usually one song, but in this case we did a a number of songs. 

We had seats near the back, but unfortunately the show was not well attended, and the band wouldn't start till we all moved tot he front to be together.  From the first song this was a success.  The sound of the crowd together was magic, and the band obviously fed on that.

We sang Don't Stop Me Now, Somebody To Love, Under Pressure, We Will Rock You among others.  A couple of practice runs where sections of the audience were give parts (alto, melody, harmony, tenor etc) and then a sing along to Choir! Choir! Choir! playing an acoustic, and vocally directing the crowd.  There was somewhere in the show where they broke into the rap from Barenaked Ladies' One Week.  Didn't finish it, but a group in the crowd made it known that their friend new ALL the words.  She was brave enough to perform it into the mike (wouldn't get on stage though).  And she killed it.  Almost the best applause of the night.  Of course the show finished with Bohemian Rhapsody.  By this point, everyone was really into it.

What a great night!  An interactive concert.  That's a first for me (and A).  TO sing aloud every song was a soul-positive experience.  Definitely took a while to come down from this.  Choir! Choir! Choir! have played in Charlotte before, but we were out of town when it happened so I am so glad we got to go this evening.  And I'll come back for more when they come through town again.

The Crap Facts
This is my 531st concert.
Carolina Theatre is the 142nd venue I've seen a concert at.
This is my 128th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 152nd concert in North Carolina.
This is my 331st concert in the USA.
Choir! Choir! Choir! are the 624th band I've seen.

Simple Plan, Bowling For Soup & Lolo @ Skyla CU Amphitheater

Another warm day at work, where I greet all the fans coming in for Simple Plan tonight.  I love this job.  I greet people as they walk into the venue and provide direction for their evening.  People are always in a good mood, and why wouldn't they be.  Great venue.  Here to see a favorite band of theirs.  Good atmosphere all around.  Plenty of Fineas & Ferb tshirts, for the Bowling for Soup fans (and even a Professor Doofenschmirtz), while the Simple Plan fans went for the full Scooby Doo outfits.

There's not a lot I can tell you about Lolo.  I was still guiding people in while she was on, and I'm not familiar with her stuff.  Though her cover of The Killers Mr Brightside stuck with me.

Lolo Setlist

Bowling for Soup came on and I was surprised that I knew some of their songs.  Girl All The Bad Guys Want was a song I haven't heard in forever.  A modern classic, and a great kick off to the set.  A medley that included Mickey & Fight For Your Right was also well received.  My boys went through a Fineas & Ferb phase, but i wasn't aware that the show's song was Bowling For Soup.  But the audience did, and they went nuts when Today Is Going To Be The Best Day played.  As the set finished Bowling for Soup gave the best introduction to a song.  "Everyone thinks we wrote Stacy's Mom, we didn't - it was Fountains of Wayne - so we're going to play it anyway.  And then their big hit 1985 finished a fun 40 minute set.  Way better than I expected.  I will lookout for them again if they come through town.

Bowling For Soup Setlist

In complete contradiction, I don't know any Simple Plan songs (well, 1 but I only learnt that tonight).  Simple Plan's pop punk was was well received by their crowd, whose only mission tonight was to have a blast - And they did!  Half way through the set, Simple Plan's singer Pierre Bouvier, came out to play Untitled (How Could This Happen To Me?) on a piano at the back of the seated section.  Staff was made aware of this and we moved to be in a spot to stop too many people coming too close.  There was one couple that said they were told to wait near the sound booth, but I moved them back a bit.  It wasn't until one of the crew grabbed them that I found out he was proposing to his girl before the song played.  I almost ruined it - felt like shit - nut it all turned out for the best.  Thank God!  My favorites was a medley near the end with All Star, Skater Boi & Mr Brightside.  This was followed by the song I did know.  As Simple Plan got people up on stage, who had come dressed in costume, they ripped through the their theme song from What's New Scooby Doo?.  Awesome.

Simple Plan Setlist

I love having a job that is this fun.  Sure I might not like the music, although tonight I came across a couple of new-to-me bands that were fun, there is usually 3000 - 5500 people that are into it.  And their energy is addictive.  They want to talk to you about their band, how many times they've seen it, and how good this smaller outdoor venue is.  Can't wait to work more shows here.

The Crap Facts
This is my 530th concert.
This is my 22nd concert at Skyla CU Amphitheater.
This is my 127th concert in Charlotte.
This is my 151st concert in North Carolina.
This is my 330th concert in the USA.
Lolo are the 621st band I've seen.

Bowling For Soup are the 622nd band I've seen.

Simple Plan are the 623rd band I've seen.