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.