Arsenal v Fiorentina @ Bank Of America Stadium

When it was announced that Arsenal were coming the Charlotte, there was never a question of if we were going, but where were we going to sit.  Tickets went on sale early in the year so it was the perfect birthday present for the twins in April.  We just hoped they could wait it out.

B, A & L with The Invincibles Trophy

It was well over 90 degrees game day, so I can't tell you how happy I am how the day panned out.  Thanks to a neighbor, we got a parking spot close-ish to the stadium and we walked through the Fan Fest at Romare Bearden Park, where the boys got a couple of fake tattoos, and soaked in the atmosphere.  The family got to pose in front to the 2004 Invincible's trophy.  We were near the stage when they bought out Arsenal's Rob Holding and 2 of L's favorites, Hector Bellerin and Pierre Aubamayang.  His head almost exploded.  We then marched the 3 blocks to the BofA stadium with the Arsenal Supporter's club which definitely had the crowd pumped.

Me, A, L & B, Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC

Unfortunately the atmosphere inside the ground didn't live up to the pre-game hype.  While we had some excellent seats in the shade the whole game and near the air-conditioned concession area, we looked across to a near empty east side of the stadium, where folks must have roasted in the blistering heat.  Also I'm not sure Fiorentina was a big drawcard for Charlotte.  I saw more Liverpool, Man U and Chelsea shirts than Fiorentina's.  Initially Arsenal was supposed to play Roma, but they had to withdraw to qualify for the Europa League.  Though I'd not seen so many Arsenal shirts since we went to Highbury in 2005.

The game was entertaining with Arsenal dominating.  Not sure how those players survived out there but I'm sure they were appreciative of the many substitutions that were aloud.  While Arsenal looked shaky at the back at times, going forward was aggressive and fun to watch.  A deserved victory for the Gunners.

I love that these games come to Charlotte each year, and already looking forward to seeing who'll play next year.  Whoever it is, we'll be watching from the same shaded seats.

Arsenal 3 (E. Nketiah 15, 65, J. Willock 89) v Fiorentina 0
Crowd: 34,902

Courtney Barnett @ NC Museum Of Art

Not since my Tumbleweed fix back at home last year have I had my fix of Australian rock until tonight.  Courtney Barnett is someone who has been on my bucket list since I heard her first album Sometimes I Sit and Think, Sometimes I Just Sit.  With Raleigh being her closest playing spot to us, we took advantage of Mum being here and Amy & I spent a night up in Raleigh.

We didn't get up to Raleigh until early evening and picked the nearest sushi restaurant for dinner.  Sushi Thai is this non-descript restaurant in a strip mall between the Double Tree and the Venue that we walked into and were completely taken aback by.  The place was packed, there were a million take away orders waiting and we were seated at one of the most ornate tables I'd ever sat at.  Obviously the food was fantastic as we munched through some sushi and appetizers.

Unfortunately this made us arrive at the NC Museum of Art after the opening act had begun.  The beautiful outdoor amphitheater was already full of people and we listened to Quinn Christopherson's last 2 songs as we wandered to the far side of the venue to set up shop at the side of the stage.  This venue is amazing.  Great views from most points and in a wonderful setting where relaxed security lead to a relaxed, respectful (of the venue, its boundaries and its performers) crowd.

Barnett and her band stepped on stage to a thunderous welcome at 9.15 and launched into Hopefulessness.  Sitting side stage was a new concert going experience for me.  But line of sight was good, and the sound was terrific where we were and we spent as much time watching the crowd as we did the band.  Avant Gardner was my first familiar song of the night and one that got the crowd started.  It wasn't until Small Poppies half way into the set that the band dipped into songs from that much loved first album.  Depreston was the great crowd sing-along, but Elevator Operator was the song that got everyone moving.  And Pedestrian At Best to finish the set was amazing.  Such a great song.  It definitely left everyone on a high.

A & I packed up the blanket and walked to a more central spot to see the encore.  On her own, Barnett sang her Kurt Vile duet song, Let It Go, before the band returned to finish 2 more songs.  Funny that the sound was better side stage than just behind the mixing desk.  Still a great show overall, in a wonderful venue (we may come back for John Butler Trio later this month).  I'm glad we got to see this great Australian singer/songwriter and I hope things get bigger and better for Barnett and her band.  

The Crap Facts:
This is my 455th concert.
NC Museum Of Art is the 125th venue I've seen a concert in.

Raleigh is the 52nd city I've seen a concert in.

This is my 91st concert in North Carolina.

This is my 258th concert in the USA.
Courtney Barnett is the 529th band I've seen.

The Boys On Good Day Charlotte Fox46

Litchfield Beach, SC

Our week at the beach for the summer starting on 16 June.  This year with Nanny.  While days were spent either at the beach or the pool, a couple of nights of dinners at Frank's - just Amy & I - and outside at Chive Blossom - our regular Pawley's Island Restaurant, this time with Nanny.  As well as our almost daily visit to Paradice Ice Cream.  Relaxing as always, what I wouldn't give to live near a beach again

The Lemonheads @ The Underground

25 years since I've seen The Lemonheads.  Where did that time go?  The last time was at the Coogee Bay Hotel with TK and Rog, when we ended up stuck in Sydney for a few days because of the bush fires throughout Sydney and the Coast.  I remember that being a great show and a fun weekend.

I was unusually late (Lost track of time, then got stuck behind a train crossing) and missed all of Tommy Stinson and a few songs at the start of the Lemonheads set.  The volume was noticeable as I neared the Underground and as I opened the door I was blasted with sound.  Not sure why, because usually I forget, but I had earplugs tonight, which I was glad to have.  The band played a lot of tracks from both It's A Shame About Ray and Come on Feel - which are my 2 favorite albums.  So hearing Ruderless, Bit Part and Confetti were highlights.

About two thirds through the night the band left the stage for Evan Dando to play 5 songs solo.  He did back to back Being Around and The Outdoor Type, which was my favorite of the night.  The band rejoined him for a few more songs including a slowed down Style.  There seemed to be some confusion as to whether the show was over after a one song encore, but the band came back to do Into Your Arms, which the crowd loved.

It's a shame the Lemonheads haven't crossed my path at other times in the last 25 years, because they still do a show full of great, familiar songs well intertwined between newer songs.  Hope I'm not 71 before I see them again.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 454th concert.
This is my 3rd concert at The Underground.

This is my 80th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 90th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 257th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Lemonheads concert.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

One more night in Vegas, and my 150th concert here, it's been a great weekend but feels a little weird to be back in Vegas. Driving around earlier in the day, I was finding it hard to wrap my head around the fact that I lived here for 10 years. I went to visit Aria earlier in the day to see some old friends at the Concierge desk and I had an amazing first-ever Thai massage at Dave's new business (well new since we left) Luxury Thai Spa. Holy hell! I felt fantastic and beaten up at the same time. Things are going well for Dave and I hope they continue as this place is beautiful and the massage excellent.

After a late lunch at Capriotti's, Erik and I are at the venue and in with ease today. So much so we watch Ravagers play on the smaller stage. Not quite fitting in with the punk theme of the festival, Ravagers play more of a straight ahead rock. But still get the crowd enthused early.

Back into the main stage for the Undertones.  I knew nothing about this band and wasn't particularly taken by them..

Left the Undertones early and walked back to the second stage to go and see the Toasters.  This band always comes through Charlotte and plays at the Milestone, but I never get around to seeing them.  So tonight I was a good opportunity to see what I'd been missing.  This New York ska band pulled a good sized crowd a the small stage and repaid the loyal following by putting on an energetic set.  I will make an effort next time the Toasters are around because I enjoyed the set.

I did leave during the last song to get back into the main stage to see The Stranglers.  I knew I wanted to see this band but on the night couldn't remember songs as to why.  Not until Peaches.  Of course!  From there the band played song after song I knew.  Always The Sun, Golden Brown, Hanging Around and the set closer No More Heroes, were great.  The Stranglers were tight, sounded as good as they did on 40 year old recordings and seemed to be having a great night.  My dad will be jealous that I've seen The Stranglers.

The reason I picked this festival to make return to Vegas was the next band. The Hives.  Possibly the best live band I've seen.  It is for that reason I didn't leave the main stage for food (especially after the Vandals fiasco last night) or to see the band on the other stage.  Instead I defied my old man tendencies to stand back, and pushed near the front of the stage.  I secretly hoped, being Punk Rock Bowling, The Hives would come out and play a ton of Barely Legal (the blistering 14 song/27 minute debut album).  Alas they played nothing off that album (as per the other 2 times I saw them).  They did however put on the set of the weekend.  As always, Pelle Almqvist owned the stage and demanded the love he deserves from the audience.  Erik & I were well placed between Pelle and his brother, Niklaus.  While I'm surprised they only played 9 songs, Pelle's crowd banter was extensive.  Walk Idiot Walk, Main Offender and Hate To Say I Told You So were the best.  Tick Tick Boom was the set finisher.  And I wished it had of kept going.  Not since I last saw The Hives in September 2012, just down the road at the Cosmo Pool, has a performance had such great energy, though Cage The Elephant goes close.

The Specials were the anti-thesis of The Hives. Where The Hives tore Punk Rock Bowling apart, The Specials mellowed everyone out before finishing the weekend. While Pelle of The Hives owned the Stage, I felt Terry Hall looked like he'd rather be elsewhere. The highlight came mid-set with A Message To You, Rudy. I also knew and loved Too Much Too Young to end the night. Again I might have swapped The Hives & The Specials, but Punk Rock Bowling sees fit. Now I just have to wait for the next line up that will get me to travel.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 453rd concert.
This is my 4th concert at the Downtown Events Center.

This is my 150th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 150th concert in Nevada.

This is my 256th concert in the USA.
Ravagers are the 524th band I've seen
The Undertones are the 525th band I've seen.
The Toasters are the 526th band I've seen.
The Stranglers are the 527th band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Hives concert.
The Specials are the 528th band I've seen.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

While we arrived at the same time as yesterday, a shorted line and a chance entry through the VIP line get us in in enough time to check out Drug Church on the 2nd stage.  They played here on Friday before Sick Of It All, but we were too late to see them.  Seemed like a good set, from a band I know nothing about, though the singer seemed a bit upset that the crowd wasn't into it as much as he'd like.

Met up with Dave again and went back to the main stage to see Fucked Up.  Straight forward heavy rock with a growly-voiced lead singer.  I preferred when other band member sang, as their songs  then seemed more melodic.

We decided on dinner after Fucked Up.  Turned out to be a big timing mistake.  I thought 20 minutes would be enough time to get dinner and get back for The Vandals.  So wrong.  Our order took so long we only got to see Vandals do their last song, I Have A Date.  Not cool.

In order to have a good spot for the Refused, we stayed at the main stage and watched Sloppy Seconds on the video screen next to the stage.  It looked like they, and the crowd, were having a raucous time.  Some great song titles (You Got A Great Body, But Your Record Collection Sucks & You Can't Kill Joey Ramone).  I wish we wandered over.

I knew nothing of Refused either.  But they had been touring with the Hives, and any heroes of theirs has got to be good.  And from the moment Refused got on stage you can tell Dennis Lyxzen is a huge influence on The Hives' Pelle Almqvist.  All  the moves and swagger I've seen before obviously originated from their fellow Swedes,  Refused were great!  Until after the show I found out about their history, and how long they'd been around, I was surprised I'd not heard of them before.  I hope they keep going as this is a a great live band.

After another great day it was going to be fun to finish the night with the Descendents show.  An old school band that every So-Cal resident that comes up to Vegas for the weekend loves (like Social D).  You'd never know we were in Vegas - it's Memorial Day weekend and only 49 degrees, windy, and some rain during the Descendents set. Erik & I were uncomfortable enough to seek shelter under the tent at the back of the venue and see the set from there.  I've seen the Descendents 3 times now, and am still am not familiar with their stuff.  I Like Food is a favorite, and once I heard that and Wienerschnitzel, Erik & I called it a night, listening to the rest of the set on the way back to the car.  One more day tomorrow - let's hope it's warmer!  

The Crap Facts:
This is my 452nd concert.
This is my 3rd concert at the Downtown Events Center.

This is my 149th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 149th concert in Nevada.

This is my 255th concert in the USA.
Drug Church are the 520th band I've seen
Fucked Up are the 521st band I've seen.
Sloppy Seconds are the 522nd band I've seen.
Refused are the 523rd band I've seen.
This is my 3rd Descendents concert.

Punk Rock Bowling @ Downtown Events Center

After a lazy day driving round to the old haunts, Erik and I land at Punk Rock Bowling at about 5pm and meet up with Dave in a spot not far from the front of the stage to the right.  The festival has come a long way since I was here in 2012, when it was a one stage show in a parking lot off 6th Street.  It has now taken over the Downtown Events Center (which wasn't even here when I left), has 2 stages and is shaded by the Golden Nugget across the street.

After a quick look around at merchandise and food trucks we find our spot for Fear.  I'm not sure how well this set translated on a big stage in the sunny climes of Vegas.  While Lee Ving was in full joke mode, and the band played their heart out, you get the feeling this would've been better at midnight at the Double Down, instead of mid-afternoon in a vast venue.  Regardless, the beer-themed songs were great, Beef Bologna killed it, and an Aquabat playing on New York's Alright If You Like Saxaphones, was a great way to kick off the festival.

The Damned were a drawcard for me.  Having never seen them before, and although I know only a handful of songs, the opportunity to see these punk legends.  So today we get the whole Machine Gun Etiquette album from start to finish.  Dave Vanian stalked and ruled the stage, with Captain Sensible providing the energy, and Monty Oxymoron the fun.  The set got better and better as it went along and the last 5 songs would have been enough to call Punk Rock Bowling a success.  The MC5 Looking At You cover was blistering.  It was an honor to hear Smash It Up live after being introduced to it many years ago the golden years of JJJ's Hottest 100's.  New Rose was as good as I thought it would be and Neat, Neat, Neat to finish was just fantastic.  Now I have to hope that one day they'll play close to Charlotte so I can see them again.

Yeah, I've seen FLAG before, but this has to be a punk's ultimate band for this festival.  4 ex-members of Black Flag and a Descendent playing nothing but Black Flag songs with a ferocity that would have matched back in the day.  From the moment Keith Morris screamed "It's not my imagination...I've got a gun in in my back" FLAG were on fire.  FLAGs' passion and intensity for these 30 plus year old songs translates to a crowd, who are left in a frenzy.  Great song consistently followed great song and for those of us who weren't old enough to see Black Flag the first time this is definitely a show for the ages.  23 songs in a 45 minute set is what you want and all your favorites will be played.  Gimme Gimme Gimme, Rise Above, Dez singing Thirsty & Miserable & Six Pack, and Keith's return to stage for Nervous Breakdown was phenomenal.  I just read recently that Greg Ginn is doing a Black Flag tour this Fall, but given when I saw them in Charlotte in 2013 - they will have their work cut out for them to match FLAG.  And what about a real Black Flag reunion? Given Keith Morris' "Fuck you Gregg Ginn" chant at the end of a song, I find that highly unlikely.

When you think that Fear, The Damned and FLAG were great, you realize there is no such thing as a bad Rancid show.  The crowd is bouncing from the first notes of Roots Radicals and don't stop for the rest of the evening.  Rancid are in fine form, as Pirates of the Caribbean outcast Tim Armstrong makes his moves across the stage, while Lars engages the crowd between songs.  Tons of a great songs including Old Friend, Olympia WA, and Fall Back Down to finish the set.  Of course the encore ended with Time Bomb and Ruby Soho, which left the crowd buzzing.  I know I'm old and left for home after the show, but I bet downtown Vegas was a buzz once that crowd spread out for the night.  A great first night for the festival.  Looking forward to coming back tomorrow. 

The Crap Facts:

This is my 451st concert.
This is my 2nd concert at the Downtown Events Center.

This is my 148th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 148th concert in Nevada.

This is my 254th concert in the USA.
Fear are the 518th band I've seen
The Damned are the 519th band I've seen.
This is my 2nd Flag concert.
This is my 6th Rancid concert.

Pennywise & Sick Of It All @ Downtown Events Center

I'm back in Vegas.  6 years after moving away (after 10 years of living there) I'm back for the first time.  Drawn in by Punk Rock Bowling.  It's good to be back!

I landed mid afternoon and went to the Mirage and Caesars Palace to catch up with some friends before heading out to Erik's to settle in for the afternoon.  With so many good restaurants to chose from, we decided to meet Dave at India Palace for dinner.  This is the original favorite Las Vegas restaurant as Dave took Amy & I there on our first night in Vegas back in 2003.  Food was as good as I remembered.  It's definitely worth risking your life to go into this neighborhood to eat here.

With the festival came a bunch of side shows.  Pennywise and Sick Of It All being one of them.  Originally scheduled for the Bunkhouse, the response was so overwhelming they moved the show to PRB's 2nd stage and replaced the Bunkhouse show with Flipper & Killing Joke - where Dave went.  Good for us as we were able to now get tickets.

We arrived just before 11pm (2am my time) as Sick Of It All hit the stage.  Hard, fast and loud is how I remembered SOIA at The Cockpit, a small club in Leeds 18 years ago, and while the atmosphere is never the same from a bigger stage, the intensity was the same.  The crowd were in a frenzy from start to finish but for me it was all about Step Down, the last song.  It's a personal favorite and a great finisher.  It also set a high standard for Pennywise to follow.

Pennywise made it clear that being in Las Vegas....for Punk Rock Bowling...that they were ready to party.  Actually it seemed as though they had already started.  Ironically the last time I saw Pennywise was when they headlined Punk Rock Bowling in 2012.  Back when Jim was on hiatus, so it was good to have him back up front.  It wasn't long before they played Same Old Story.  This song is in my top 30 and is a killer live song, and a good way to get the crowd fired up for the rest of the set.  The band seemed loose (or lubed maybe) and we heard plenty of bits of their favorite songs - TNT, Same In The End, Wild In The Streets.  But still it was the great So-Cal surf/skate punk sound that makes them crowd favorites.  Society was great, as was Perfect People and Fuck Authority and even at 1.30am when it was all winding down (and I couldn't stop yawning - it sucks to be old), Bro Hymn had the crowd in a raucous sing along, invading the stage, as though they were just getting their night started.  Bro Hymn is easily the best final song to any set of any band, and it was an honor to see it for the 8th time.

Really looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 450th concert.
Downtown Events Center is the 124th venue I've seen a concert.

This is my 147th concert in Las Vegas.

This is my 147th concert in Nevada.

This is my 253rd concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Sick Of It All concert.
Sick Of It All are the 50th band I've seen in 2 different countries.
This is my 8th Pennywise concert

Greta Van Fleet @ CMCU Amphitheater

So Erik has come in to town so we could see this show and we were supposed to go to Tool at Epicenter Festival in Rockingham on the weekend.  But the weather put the kibosh on that.  He's a fan of Greta Van Fleet, but by the time I realized there were only General Admission tickets left.  So we were lumped up the back - not where I like to be for this venue.

We walked in as Ida May were finishing their set.  What I heard from the 2 piece sounded good.  Should've got there earlier!  Especially after what was to follow.  When we bought the tickets, we got a copy of Greta Van Fleet's CD, Anthem of the Peaceful Army, which I couldn't get into at all.  But here I was surrounded by a LOT of die hard fans.  As expected the crowd went nuts when they came on but because I'm old and the eye's aren't what they used to be, the band started and it looked and sounded like I was seeing a Led Zeppelin cover band - except they were only playing the Zep's rarities and I knew none of the songs.  For 10 songs that lasted over an hour and a half (when the CD barely scrapes 45 minutes) it was a long night for me.

I won't be racing back to see them, but again with shows I don't like, there were a lot of people there that had a great night and getting into the band.  Just not for me.

The Crap Facts:

This is my 449th concert.

This is my 11th concert at the CMCU Amphitheater.

This is my 79th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 89th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 252nd concert in the USA.
Greta Van Fleet are the 517th band I've seen

Navarre, FL

Road trip to Carla & Tammy's for Spring Break with the whole family from 13 - 19 April 2014.  Included trips to Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, GA, a fishing trip with Captain Mike on Pensacola Bay, FL, and a day at the Air Force Armament Museum in Elgin, FL and plenty of pool time and good company at Carla & Tammy's in Navarre, FL

L, Me, B & A @ Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA

B's first fish - Pensacola Bay, FL

L's first fish - Pensacola Bay, FL

Blue Angel practice while we fish in Pensacola Bay, FL

A, B, Tammy, L, Carla & Captain Mike @ Navarre, FL

A & L @ Elgin Air Force Armament, FL

Los Straitjackets & Aqualads @ Free Range Brewing

What a great night!

I knew nothing about Los Straitjackets except that they played surf music.  I had never been to Free Range Brewing, even though I've driven past it a million times, let alone seen a show there.  But I talked Mike into checking in out, and we were glad we did.

Aqualads kicked off the night at 9pm.  It's been 17 years since I saw them open for Reverend Horton Heat at the Visulite (the first time we lived in Charlotte).  I remember liking them then, and tonight was no different.  They put their spin on the surf-rock sound and were a good warm up for Los Straitjackets.

Free Range Brewing use a back room for the bands, with a 6 inch raised stage.  Nice and intimate - which worked out well with the crowd size.  The dressing room is a curtained off area next to the floor, which Los Straitjackets came bursting out of.  They greeted and high-fived the crowd before getting on stage and demanding applause.  Which the crowd were happy to oblige.  I don't know if it was the sharp black suits, the uniform guitars or the Mexican wrestling masks, but the band were a step above from the very first note.  Really simple choreography during Casbah early in the set, broken Spanish audience interaction and a sense of fun the band were having infected the crowd.  Each song saw everyone inch closer to the stage to feed off the energy and fun that the band were having.  The end of each song saw the band bow and congratulate each other and command applause, and when an audience member shouted a request (I think the song was called "Champagne"), the band were more than happy to oblige.  Space Mosquito and the Game of Thrones theme were 2 other highlights. When Los Straitjackets finally left the stage, after an hour and a half, Mike and I decided we hadn't had that much fun at a show in years.

But it wasn't over.  A 2 song encore of The Batman Theme and Tequila sent everyone into a frenzy.  An awesome way to finish a great show.  Can't wait til Los Straitjackets come back again.

Los Straitjackets

The Crap Facts:
This is my 448th concert.
Free Range Brewing is my 123rd venue I've seen a concert in.

This is my 78th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 88th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 251st concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd Aqualads concert.
Los Straitjackets are the 516th band I've seen.

Elizabeth 8k Road Race

So the theory was to use this race to get me back into shape again.  That did not quite go as planned.  While I trained a few times, it was not nearly as much as when I ran this race 3 years ago.  Actually it was not as much as needed to cover 8 kilometers.

As usual, I took off too quickly and by mile 1 I had to slow down to walk.  I then spent the next 4 miles running on the flat and downhill and walking up the hills.  I ran without using a tracker I didn't know what sort of pace I was running (wish I had now) but at the 4 mile mark I looked my phone to see that I was on pace to get under an hour, which was my target from the limited training I did.  This was enough to power me through the last hour and finish in 55:34.

In hindsight I was disappointed that I didn't train more, but am happy with the time.  My lack of training really showed in the week following where my back caused me so much grief.  Next time I'll be better prepared.

Placed 601 out of 713 (compared to 418 out of 804 in 2016) and 30th of 32 in my age division (45-49).  

I'll try again next year?????

John Mellencamp @ Ovens Auditorium

I think this was A & I's first night out alone since before Christmas.  And what a good one it turned out to be.

The night started with an early dinner at Aix-en-Provence.  We'd eaten there once before and it was as great as I remembered.  You can't eat there and not get the mussels.

We walked into Ovens while a short film about Mellencamp was being played.  This did a great job of hyping up the crowd for what was to come.  After about 15 minutes, Mellencamp and his band arrived to thunderous applause.

The show was an up and down night to start.  Some songs you knew, Minutes to Memories & Small Town, and you were out of your seat and ready to dance.  But they were interspersed with unfamiliar or slower songs that let you sit down.  After a version of Robert Johnsons' Stones In My Passway, Mellencamp told a story and broke into We Are The People, and crowd was on its feet for the rest of the night.  I was having some trouble recognizing the opening of some songs, but once you got it, you knew every word to the song.  Lonely Ol' Night & Check It Out were great, but Jack & Diane gave me me a spine tingling moment.  Rain On The Scarecrow & Paper In Fire were played consecutively and were incredible - the audience reacting accordingly.  A got to here her favorite Authority Song before Pink Houses finished the set (technically).  Instead of leaving and coming back for an encore, Mellencamp introduced his band, told a great story about his long time guitarist, Mike Wanchic, before raising the roof with Cherry Bomb.  It was hard to hear him with the singing from the crowd.  Humbly he reprised Louis Armstrong's Long Gone, acapella, and left the stage.

You'd never believe Mellencamp was 67 years old and been doing this for over 40 years.  He has energy to burn and a voice that hasn't faded over time.  This was our second concert of his - the first when he put Bob Dylan to shame in Vegas in 2010.  Hard to believe that his show could be better - but it certainly was.  I'd go again any time.

The Crap Facts:
This is my 447th concert.
This is my 3rd concert at the Ovens Auditorium.

This is my 77th concert in Charlotte.

This is my 87th concert in North Carolina.

This is my 250th concert in the USA.
This is my 2nd John Mellencamp concert.

Harry Potter & The Chamber Of Secrets & Charlotte Symphony Orchestra @ Ovens Auditorium

One of the joys of parenthood is seeing what your kids get into.  Of the boys,both started reading Harry Potter, but B has taken his interest into an obsession which rivals their love of all sports.  So when Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets was to play with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, it seemed logical to get tickets for the family for Christmas.

We originally planned to go on Friday night, and had tickets for it, but an 8pm start would've seen the boys not last the night.  Luckily we sold them to neighbors and ended up with better tickets on the Saturday.  

Barry Potter

B had to be dressed as Harry Potter, and while only a few kids were dressed up, there were plenty of adults wearing scarves or shirts to show their allegiance to houses.  L was too cool to do such fun stuff.  The matinee show was announced after the Friday show sold out, so I'm not sure if people knew about it, but Ovens wasn't 2/3 full.

We have a deal with the boys that they must read the book before they get to watch the movie.  We are currently reading the Prisoner of Azkaban and have already seen  Chamber of Secrets.  The full orchestra sat under the screen and played the John Williams score.  It was definitely a fun concept, but so many times I was so taken by the movie I completely forgot about the live music right in front of me.

I have enjoyed the movies so far.  (Have yet to read the books myself.)  But the joy the boys got out of it was purely magic.  Will keep an eye out for future movies with live orchestras.