carrielovesconcerts

[carrielovesconcerts]

John Mayer

Date: September 16, 2019

Venue: Chase Center / San Francisco

Well, this concert wasn’t quite two months ago so I’m a little more on top of things though still very behind. Anyway...

First, let me talk about the new venue - Chase Center. It’s pretty impressive in all its shiny newness. And they had gluten-free snacks! The sound was good - you never what that might look like in an arena and it was easy to navigate around and find what you needed. 

But this isn’t about the venue, it’s about the incredibleness that is John Mayer. This man is so talented it’s embarrassing. He played two sets of music - no opener! - and was brilliant from start to finish. He’s truly one of the best guitar players on the planet and an equally gifted singer songwriter. And on that Monday night in San Francisco he sounded amazing. 

John’s banter between songs was witty and charming, a little self-deprecating...very John Mayer and very fun. One of the greatest parts of the show happened when John was joined on stage by Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) and even though I’m not fan of their music, it was a phenomenal moment. And it was made even better when Sammy Hagar joined in on the fun! It was serious rock and roll and seriously cool. 

This was only the second time I’d seen John live - the first time was at least 10 years ago and this was well worth the wait. 

[carrielovesconcerts]

Hugh Jackman

Date: July 17, 2019

Venue: SAP Center / San Jose, CA

Okay, so this concert was in July and it’s now November. Life is hard but now I’m gonna try to catch up. To be fair, I still remember this show vividly because it was SO STINKING GOOD!!

I saw Hugh Jackman’s one-man show many years ago in San Francisco at a regular Broadway style theatre and it was one of the coolest things I’d ever seen. This show was that on steroids. And it was magnificent.

Hugh Jackman is an incredible performer from singing to dancing to just being handsome and charming. The accent doesn’t hurt either. He was engaging and funny, and when something went awry with his in-ear monitors he just rolled with it and had one of his backup singers come out and sing something while they got it fixed. She was brilliant, as were the rest of the performers in his band. He definitely knows how to put together the right group of people to support his vision. They were all amazing. 

His performance that night was very singer-songwriter-esque and I loved it. He told stories throughout the show about why songs were important to him, how he learned to dance, and on and on. It was fun to learn a little more about him and hearing the music was uplifting and joyful. It was equally funny, cheesy and heartwarming. 

He sang songs from shows he been in - either on the stage or screen - and songs from other Broadway shows, including a lovely rendition of You Will Be Found which he played from the piano. There was also a little pop, a little rock and roll, and just some great, great singing. 

Watching him embody Peter Allen was fun the first time I saw him and this was just as good. He truly becomes him when he changes outfits and you can see why he won a Tony. 

One of the coolest parts of the show was when he brought out two indigenous Australian musicians to perform a native song. It was absolutely beautiful. I truly love how much he loves his homeland and how much he loves his wife, who he spoke of multiple times during the night. 

All in all it was a wonderful evening but never forget, at the end of the day, Hugh is and always will be ... WOLVERINE.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Shawn Mendes w/Alessia Cara

Date: July 14, 2019

Venue: Oracle Arena / Oakland, CA

I’d previously seen Shawn and Alessia open for other artists (Shawn for Taylor Swift and Alessia for Coldplay). Both of those shows were several years back and I’d not thought much about either of them since. I’d heard their music and like it but had never bought a single or an album. I know that Shawn toured since that show back in 2015 but for some reason I didn’t get involved. Well...shame on me. For not buying the music, for not going to the shows, for not getting involved until now. Because wow. Both of these artists are incredible and everyone needs to get involved. Go listen to their music. Buy their albums. Go to their shows. They are two of the most talented and real artists out there. I’m so glad I made it to this show. It was fantastic. 

Alessia kicked off the show and sounded great. She’s got a great message, so positive, and I loved everything about her set. She and her band have a great sound and they filled the arena with great songs. I didn’t know all of them but it didn’t matter. I loved them. She’s fun and sassy and is a great role model for young women. There were no theatrics, no costume changes...there was just music. That’s nothing against the artists who have all of those, I love them, too, but it’s always nice to just see the music on its own. I highly recommend checking out Alessia’s music if you haven’t already. I’m looking forward to a solo tour from her sometime in the future.

When I saw Shawn open for Taylor a few years back, I only new the one bit hit, Stitches, but I loved his whole set, brief that it was. I knew he was talented, and in the years since I liked everything I heard but wow. I had NO idea just how good he was until I saw this show. 

His voice is ridiculous, so smooth, so pure, and then he can also play piano and guitar?! Really?! The kid is unbelievably talented and honestly seems like a genuinely nice person. He had a ton of energy as he ran through his repertoire, from the big hits to deep album cuts, which I didn’t know since I STILL hadn’t bought any of his music. Trust me. That problem was remedied the moment I got home from this show. I was hooked and will not ever miss a tour of his again, if at all humanly possible. 

His band was just as talented as he was, and they produced an excellent sound throughout the night. There were some cool lighting effects, and a ridiculously awesome giant flower which glowed and changed colors, but none of it detracted from the music. I had a great time and truly became a fan that night. If you’re not on board with this kid yet, get your life right and get involved. You won’t regret it. I promise.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Rob Thomas w/Abby Anderson

Date: June 16, 2019

Venue: Mountain Winery / Saratoga, CA

It was lovely to be back at the Mountain Winery. It truly is one of the most beautiful venues around, even though getting in and out is a bit of a pain. It was a lovely night for a concert. 

Abby Anderson kicked off the show. She was unknown to me and it became clear right away that she was a country artist, which as you know is not my favorite genre. Still, she was clearly talented. Her voice was strong and she had a good stage presence. She also had a great backing band and played a little piano and guitar herself. It seems clear she’s going to be a force in the country music scene. 

We also spied Mr. Thomas checking out the set from the side of the stage...

It wasn’t log before Rob and his band took the stage and let me just say...wow. The man is incredible. I’ve said it before but I’m going to say it again...he was one of the most gifted songwriters in the music industry and he can put on a show like few others. He’s ridiculously talented, has a fantastic voice, and always looks like he’s having the best time ever. And on top of all that he’s got a fabulous backing band with some of the best musicians around. The amount of talent on that stage was amazing. Rob’s solo shows are different from Matchbox Twenty shows, but he always throws in a few MB20 songs, so the two worlds do cross every now and then.

Rob was particularly sassy during the show, joking with the audience and even playing with a beach ball that made its way to the stage. He played a great mix of songs from the new album as well as all the hits from his prior albums, including a phenomenal version of Ever the Same. And as previously stated, he threw in a few Matchbox tunes as well. “I’m gonna play a cover now but it’s okay because its mine.” 

I never leave a Rob Thomas or Matchbox show in a bad mood. It’s impossible not to be happy and inspired. His energy is infectious and joy drips from his pores. He has a love for life, and especially for his lovely wife. You can tell how much he adores her when he talks about her on stage and I just love that. He is what music is all about. He’s one of the best in the business and I can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you, Rob, for another great night. We had a blast. 

[carrielovesconcerts]

Jennifer Lopez

Date: June 13, 2019

Venue: SAP Center / San Jose, CA

I would never claim to be a huge fan of Jennifer Lopez’s music but I’ve always enjoyed it. And I’ve always like her so when she announced she was doing a tour I decided I wanted to go. And I was not disappointed. She was fantastic!

Instead of an opening band she had opening dance crews from her show, World of Dance and they were great! It was a fun change since I don’t normally see group like that live. There were two groups and one individual and they were all incredibly talented. Since Jennifer herself is such an incredible dancer it was a very cool way to start the show.

Jennifer took the stage in the most glamorous of fashions and entertained the crowd for almost a full two hours. She had a wonderful show with beautiful sets and numerous costume changes. She is a ridiculously amazing dancer and her songs are fun and entertaining. She sounded great, looked incredible, and clearly was having the time of her life. She is quite a performer and held the audience in the palm of her hand the entire night. Her backup band was fantastic, as were her backup dancers. There was tons of talent on that stage and it made for a fun night. I’m so glad I got the chance to see her.

[carrielovesconcerts]

P!NK w/Julia Michaels

Date: April 17, 2019

Venue: SAP Center / San Jose

Oh hey, another delayed concert review...apparently it’s what I do now...

I did not know who Julia Michaels was before the night began but I enjoyed her set even though I didn’t know any of the songs. The music wasn’t my favorite but as I said, it was enjoyable. She’s very talented; her band equally so. In addition she had a good stage presence and definitely got the crowd ready for the main act. 

Ah, P!NK. She’s just magnificent. This was the third time I’d seen her live and she did not disappoint. I have no idea where she finds her energy but boy does she have a lot of it. She put on a phenomenal show, swinging in on a literal chandelier. The night was filled with her wonderful singing, her magnificent band, the amazing dancers, and a lot of theatrics. I love how her shows go from bright and cheery to slow and moving. P!NK’s music is emotional and uplifting and her voice is brilliant. She sounded amazing and had the whole arena dancing one moment and brought tears the next, me anyway. I love her attitude and positivity. She cares deeply and that is proven not only in her music, but in how she gives everything she’s got to her performance. I also appreciate her humanity and the way she speaks up for what’s right. All in all it was a fantastic night, capped off by P!NK on a high wire flying around the arena. It was perfect.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Switchfoot w/Colony House and Tyson Motsenbocker

Date: April 7, 2019

Venue: The Warfield / San Francisco

I have no idea why it took me so long to write this concert review because the concert was phenomenal and I was on a high from it for several days. And yet, here we are. Anyway...let’s get to it...

The Warfield is one of the greatest theaters around and when I found out Switchfoot was going to be playing there I was thrilled. I’d actually seen them there twice before but it had been years. 

For this show I decided to do the Switchfoot VIP so I got to the venue super early and hung out in line with a few folks I met at other Switchfoot shows. It’s always great to connect with people through music and we had fun waiting to go inside. Once inside we were treated to some Switchfoot Q & A as well as a brief soundcheck and photos with the band. As always, Jon, Tim, Drew, Chad and Jerome were exceptionally gracious with their fans.

As he did in Denver, Tyson Motsenbocker opened the show. It was nice to know some of the music after seeing him just a week earlier. Once again he played a great set, just him and his guitar, which is always a favorite combo of mine. I highly recommend checking out his songs and finding him in concert somewhere along your concert journey. I look forward to seeing him again.

Once again Colony House put on a great show but this time there was a surprise guest in the middle of the set - the one and only Steven Curtis Chapman! I had no idea whatsoever that two of the members of Colony House were his kids! That was brand new information and it was exceptionally cool. I’ve loved SCC forever and it was amazing to see him singing on stage with his kids. How I did not know this before is beyond me. Anyway, the band hand tons of energy, as they always do, and they sounded fantastic. They are pure rock and roll and I thoroughly enjoyed their set.

But for me, the night was all about Switchfoot. There’s no question that they are my favorite band, and they never fail to put on an incredible show. This Sunday night back in April was no exception. In fact, it was one of the best shows I’ve seen in a long time. Maybe it was the theatre, maybe it was the power of their latest album, NATIVE TONGUE, maybe it was just a good night; whatever it was, there was magic in the air. I loved the show in Denver, but this was just special. There were some beautiful moments with fans and they played some songs they don’t usually play, which is always fun. And of course, Jon jumped into the crowd and came right toward us, climbing up on the ledge and standing right in front of us. I think he even grabbed my hand to ensure he didn’t fall - dangerous for him! He was good though; there was no falling. I so appreciate how connected he always is with the crowd and how he has absolutely no fear. 

This show was filled with emotion...from the joy of seeing Jerome and knowing he’s cancer free to the high of jumping around like a teenager to the heart-felt moments when Jon spoke of a fan whose child had died and what a song meant to her. I had no idea until he started playing the song that she was standing right next to me. Truly, it was a one-of-a-kind night that I won’t soon forget. I honestly got chills and tears in my eyes just now thinking about it.

I can’t wait to see this incredible group of musicians again. The passion they have for their music and their message is huge; it oozes from their pores and they hold nothing back. They are deep thinkers and some of the most compassionate humans on the planet. If you have not explored their vast repertoire of music, start now. You will not be disappointed.

I posted a few videos from the night...please enjoy.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Switchfoot w/Colony House and Tyson Motsenbocker

Date: March 30, 2019

Venue: The Fillmore Auditorium / Denver

I love going to new venues, especially ones in other cities. I’d heard of Denver’s Fillmore and wondered how it compared to San Francisco’s so I was excited to get there even though it meant standing out in the cold for about an hour before the doors opened. The venue is bigger than SF’s, so the feel wasn’t quite as intimate, but it was still cool. I liked the layout and the lighting and in the middle of the venue, where I stood, the sound was great. I’d definitely go there again. 

But this blog is about concerts not venues so let’s get to it.

Tyson Motsenbocker opened the show and I definitely enjoyed his set. It was just him and guitar, and I liked his voice and the music. He had good interaction with the crowd and definitely made me want to hear more. I’m looking forward to seeing him again when I see this tour in San Francisco. 

Colony House took the stage next and played a strong set of music. I’d seen them once before - with Switchfoot I think - and even though I didn’t know the music well I had a great time seeing them again. They have a ton of energy and their music is fun and entertaining. Each member of the band is incredibly talented and they clearly love playing together. The lead singer was good with the crowd and got everyone excited for the main event. I need to listen to more of their music because I liked everything they played. 

And then came Switchfoot.

As anyone who follows this blog knows, they are my favorite band and I’ve had the joy of being able to see them live many times. It had been about a year and a half since the last show since they were on hiatus the bulk of 2018 - Praise God they came back! - and that last show was not my favorite; not because of the band but because of the venue. But all that went by the wayside the moment the band walked on stage. In short, that hiatus did them good. 

I’d been listening to the new album for weeks and hearing the songs live was fantastic. To be fair, hearing Jon Foreman sing anything live is always a joy. The man is anointed. He is one of the best singer songwriters on the planet and his voice is a gift. His passion shines through every word he sings and every note he plays, and that’s the same with everyone in the band. Tim and Drew are masters of their craft and no matter how many times I watch them play I never tire of the pure joy they bring to their music. I’m never able to see Chad well enough but he always brings the beat and keeps everything moving forward. And when I do get a glimpse of him playing, he’s always got a smile on his face. Finally, Jerome. I can’t even tell you how great it was to see him standing on stage playing keyboards and guitar just a few short months after battling cancer. I mean wow. That was awesome. And hearing Jon talk about having his friend back on stage and cancer-free, well, let’s just say I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. I know I had tears on my face. Happy ones.

Everything about this show was perfect. Jon roamed around the crowd numerous times and the whole band came to the back of the floor to do a short acoustic set. I was lucky enough to be standing right in front of the mini stage so was up close and personal for those moments. I almost felt like I was part of the band. When the set finished Jon crowd surfed back to the front singing a ballad and just generally being awesome. 

Switchfoot never ceases to move me and I’m so excited that I get to see them again this weekend and experience the musical high once more. 

[carrielovesconcerts]

Matt Nathanson w/M. the Heir Apparent

Date: March 28, 2019

Venue: Great American Music Hall / San Francisco

A singer songwriter I’d never heard of, M. the Heir Apparent, opened the show and while I think his name could use some work his music was good. I liked the lyrics and the music itself. And while he was a bit rough around the edges he was funny and engaging, and got the crowd ready for the main event. As anyone who’s ever read this blog knows, I’m a huge fan of acoustic guitar and voice, so I thoroughly enjoyed his set. But that name...I’d love to know the meaning behind it. It’s hard to remember and doesn’t seem to fit. I wish I knew this kid’s actual name. Ah well, I’ll be checking out more of his music and suggest you do the same.

Now, let’s talk about Matt...

I’ve seen Matt Nathanson live more than I’ve seen any other artist or band and always enjoy seeing him play, whether it’s at a record release party, opening for another band or, like this night, being the headlining artist. As I prepared to write this review I looked back at my concert spreadsheet (yes, I have one) and realized I hadn’t seen a Matt headlining show since 2013 What?! How is that even possible??? I’ve seen him several times since then, opening for Train, OAR, Gavin DeGraw...but I hadn’t seen him do a headlining show like this in a long, long time and it was truly one of my favorite Matt evenings. 

Thursday happened to be his birthday, and I don’t know if that brought a little extra magic to the evening or what but Matt was incredible. He was extra hilarious, sounded amazing, and put on a show that I won’t soon forget. I will never understand how Matt is not selling out arenas and stadiums like Ed Sheeran, or how people still say “Who?” when I tell them I’m seeing him in concert. He is one of the most gifted singer songwriters of our time, plays a mean guitar, and has a wonderful voice. He can make me laugh until my side hurts then turn around and reach deep into my soul and bring tears to my eyes. And then he brings the incredibly talented Aaron Tapp along for the ride and makes the experience even better. 

A couple of years ago, on a tour I was not able to attend, Matt introduced the wheel; a giant Wheel of Fortune sort of spinning wheel that he uses throughout the show to decide what to play. It makes each show unique and provides some intrigue as the wheel spins and clicks to its final choice. I know others have seen this wheel many times, but this was a first for me and it was very fun. 

When an artist has so many songs you know you’re not going to hear all your favorites, but when Matt opened the show with Car Crash my night was basically made. I hadn’t heard him play that one in a long time and in my opinion, it’s one of his very best. How it wasn’t as big a hit - or even bigger - than Come on Get Higher is beyond me. There were songs from the newest album and from his whole career. Weirdly, I think that was the first time I’d seen him - other than his record release shows - where he didn’t play his cover of Laid, always a favorite moment of mine. But it didn’t diminish anything about the show. Truly, every song was good, every moment was filled with joy, and I had a great time singing along and laughing with a great friend. 

So thanks, Matt, for a phenomenal night of music. You are a forever favorite and I can’t wait until the next time I get the pleasure of seeing you live. 

If you’re interested, I posted a few videos from the night on my YouTube channel.

[carrielovesconcerts]

2 Cellos w/Jon McLaughlin

Date: February 9, 2019

Venue: SAP Center / San Jose

When I saw that 2 Cellos were coming to town I jumped on getting a ticket. I’d seen videos online but hadn’t ever seen them live and it looked like it would be an incredible show. Sometime after I bought the ticket Jon McLaughlin announced he was going to open for them and I couldn’t believe my luck. As any regular follower of this blog knows, he’s a favorite, so this quickly became a much more exciting concert for me. 

Jon opened the show and it was just him and a keyboard; perfection, in my book. The arena was definitely the largest venue I’d ever seen him play in and I was the farthest away from the stage I’d ever been. It was amazing to see him fill the arena with his voice and ridiculously awesome piano playing. Jon is one of the most gifted singer songwriters around, and every time I get to see him I’m happy. His music is uplifting and introspective while also being fun and entertaining. It was nice to say a quick hello to him after his set, and I can’t wait to see him again.

And then 2 Cellos took the stage and I can honestly say this is one of the coolest shows I’ve ever seen. The 2 cellists are from Croatia and are two of the most incredible musicians I’ve ever seen. There is truly no other act out there like these guys, at least none that I know of. They were charming, hilarious, and ridiculously entertaining. They ooze talent and I was on the edge of my seat from the moment they hit the stage, wondering what song they were going to play next. They played some of my favorites and some songs I don’t even like, but they made them all sound amazing. The stage was simple and the lighting amazing. They had a drummer join them for part of the show and he was just as fabulous as they were. I walked out of the arena on a complete musical high and I can't wait until I can see them again. If you haven’t checked them out, do so immediately. You will NOT be disappointed.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Kelly Clarkson w/Brynn Cartelli and Kelsea Ballerini

Date: January 24, 2019

Venue: Oracle Arena / Oakland

I kicked off my 2019 concert year with none other than Kelly Clarkson. I’ve seen her several times and while this wasn’t my favorite concert of hers - that honor will forever belong to her almost acoustic show at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley - it was still an enjoyable evening spent with great friends. It was the first show of her tour and I think there were some logistics that weren’t quite perfected yet, which happens quite frequently at the beginning of tours. Anyway...let’s get to it, shall we?

Brynn Cartelli started the show and it was her first-ever concert, which is pretty cool. She’s from The Voice, and boy does she have one. This girl is going to be a star, there’s no doubt about it. She sang, played piano, and had good rapport with the crowd. I liked most of her songs - she’s young and raw so some were a little rough, but she’s definitely got talent. i will be watching to see how she progresses in her career. I doubt this will be the only time I see her.

Next up was Kelsea Ballerini. I’d heard of her prior to the show but didn’t know her music. She’s a country singer and as anyone who’s read my blog knows, that’s not my thing. She can definitely sing, no doubt about that, and she even picked up a guitar and played a bit, which was cool. And she certainly knows how to entertain a crowd - I definitely appreciated her sass. There were a couple of songs that were more rock/pop than country, and I enjoyed those, but overall it just wasn’t for me. I was in the minority though; she was definitely a hit with the majority of the crowd. Can’t like everything, right? 

But finally, Queen Kelly took the stage. She sounded amazing - I mean she’s truly one of the best voices around - and she looked fantastic. She had numerous costume changes throughout the night, which broke things up a little bit too much, but overall it was cool to see the different looks. She sang a good mix of new and old songs, though not enough of either for my taste. I was glad that she threw in the covers from Hamilton and The Greatest Showman. I love her versions and it was fabulous to hear them live. 

She did something mid-set called Minute and a Glass of Wine, which had the potential to be very cool. She did a cover of a song that I didn’t know, but she sounded great, and then she talked about the recent fires in Northern California, specifically heralding the feats of a nurse then calling him out on stage. It was amazing that she wanted to honor him, but it just went on too long and she lost the crowd. The whole segment was almost 30 minutes long and again, it was fantastic that she honored him but I would have rather heard her sing several more songs during that time. 

As i said above, this wasn’t my favorite show of hers but I still had a great time. Maybe it’s because it was the first show and the flow of things was still being fine-tuned, but it all just seemed a little disconnected. It didn’t feel like there was a natural flow between songs, which made it hard to stay focused at times. Please don’t get me wrong, I am a HUGE Kelly fan. Everything she sang was wonderful, and I adore her personality. I’ve loved her from the first moment she walked onto American Idol’s audition stage. She’s charming, wickedly talented, and a natural born performer. She is truly at home on a stage and seems grateful for everything she’s achieved. I will still look back fondly on this show because I got to share it with friends and I got to hear some of my favorite songs live. 

[carrielovesconcerts]

Elton John

Date: January 19, 2019

Venue: SAP Center / San Jose

I’ve seen Elton John several times and knew I had to see him on his farewell tour. It goes without saying that he is a phenomenal entertainer; armed with his still-amazing voice and his piano-playing skill. All these years later he still knows how to put on a show.

Elton played all the hits and had a good time doing it. Is he a diva? Absolutely. But it suits him. I loved his stage, how the piano moved from one side to another and then turned and came back. It gave everyone in the audience a chance to see him from all sides, and without much other fanfare he put on a great show. He had a few costume changes, as was expected, but the last one was the funniest...when he came out in a bathrobe as if he was already done then took that off to reveal yet another outfit.

Elton’s band has always been great and this night was no different. They are incredible musicians and complement Elton well. Several of them have been with him for years which says a lot about who he is.

I loved the show and am so glad I got to see him perform one last time. It was cool to see the retrospective elements and think back on the other times I got to see him live. I first saw him in the early 90s in Chicago and have been lucky enough to see him several more times since then, including twice on the Billy/Elton combo tours. I feel sure he’ll still play some benefit things here and there but it was cool to hear him talk about wanting to spend time with his kids and be in their lives. 

Here are a few images of the show...a great, great night...

[carrielovesconcerts]

Mac Powell and The Family Reunion

Date: December 15, 2018

Venue: Rio Theatre / Santa Cruz, CA

Mac Powell was the lead singer of one of my all-time favorite bands, Third Day, and while it was painful to watch them end their illustrious career earlier in the year, it was delightful to see Mac and his new band so soon afterward. 

Mac has one of the best voices in music, in addition to his gift of songwriting. He is loaded with talent and clearly enjoys what he does. He truly was made to perform. 

This was a fun show because it was Christmas themed so there were Christmas songs in addition to the news songs with the band. He did show in a few Third Day songs for good measure as well, but really it was about moving forward. The new sound is different but Mac’s voice is still brilliant and the new music ROCKS!! The band is great and the show was wonderful, a great way to celebrate the season.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Aubrey and The Three Migos w/Roy Woods

Date: October 27, 2018

Venue: Oracle Arena / Oakland

I just realized I missed doing this review but did several others for concerts that occurred after this one. Anyway, it’s out of order but here it is nonetheless...

Roy Woods opened the show and the last time I’d seen him was the last time I’d seen Drake. I’d forgotten how good he was. The kid has real talent. I love his voice and he’s got great stage presence, entertaining a sold out arena there to see someone else. He had good rapport with the crowd and got everyone ready for the main event. If you haven’t heard his music, I definitely recommend checking him out.

Migos was up next and they were extremely entertaining. I only knew a couple of their songs going in but I realized I knew a few more once they were performing. They were fun and have lots of talent. Their outfits were brightly colored and it perfectly suited them. They clearly love performing and have great talent for bringing a crowd to their feet. They came back and performed with Drake during his set, which was also a lot of fun.

But the night was really all about Drake and he did not disappoint. The stage was the floor and I loved the images that appeared throughout this set, including the cell phone that showed up during In My Feelings. It was displaying all kinds of fan videos, which was really cool. There was also a flying car and some indoor fireworks, which just added to the spectacle of the night. Drake is wickedly talented and is a phenomenal entertainer. He sold out multiple nights in the Bay Area and I have no doubt the other shows were just as good as this one. My friend Melissa and I had a great time!

[carrielovesconcerts]

Electric Christmas

Date: December 6, 2018

Venue: Golden 1 Center / Sacramento

I don’t normally travel to Sacramento for concerts but when Lalaine and I heard 30 Seconds to Mars (read: Jared Leto) was going to be there, we knew we had to go. This was one of those radio shows where numerous artists perform and we had little to no interest in the others, only TSTM. However, we sat through most of it and got rewarded with the Brothers Leto at the end. 

First up were Matt and Kim, a duo I’d heard of but knew nothing about. I could tell pretty quickly that they weren’t my style - more of a techno kind of sound - but the crowd definitely loved them. I could tell she could sing pretty well, and she could for sure play the drums, but her banter between songs was quite crass and while I wouldn’t consider myself a prude, it turned me off. It just seemed wholly unnecessary and it seemed like even Matt was trying to pull her back from it. Overall not my favorite but I think we were in the minority as most of the crowd was excited about their performance. Can’t like everything, right?

Next up was Elle King and The Brethren who I’d actually seen before opening for someone else. I like a couple of her songs and she can definitely sing but again, overall her music isn’t my favorite. Her band was strong though and they did sound good. It’s so hard to focus on opening bands when you’re there for the headliner but Elle and her band played a good set of music.

Next up was Sublime with Rome, and while I’d heard of Sublime I had to research what “with Rome” was about. Once i had that figured out I looked up the music and realized I knew a couple of songs. Sublime was never a favorite of mine when they were big in the 90s but as a general rule I didn’t mind them. The band took the stage and sounded pretty good. The singer had a strong voice and the band sounded great. It seemed like a big portion of the crowd was primarily there to see them and they definitely got things going. A bunch of people left when they finished because I suppose, like us, they had a favorite band on the bill and the headliner wasn’t it. That’s pretty typical of radio shows; can’t like everything.

But finally, Thirty Seconds to Mars took the stage and I was so excited that I tripped up the stairs and gave myself a bruise that would last for weeks. Totally worth it!! It’s still weird to see only Jared and Shannon on stage, but it’s mostly always been about Jared’s voice so it was still great. Jared was his usual crazy self, roaming around the stage in sunglasses and some sort of cape like outfit, and singing beautifully. His voice is incredible and that night was no exception. Shannon was happily ensconced behind the drums sounding as awesome as always, and someone was playing guitar toward the back of the stage. They are one of my favorite bands and while their set wasn’t as long as if it was their own show, we got a good variety of music from their latest album as well as some of their big hits. There was also a bit of drama when Jared stopped singing, asked for the lights to come on, and proceeded to tell security they were being too rough on a guy. We have no idea what the guy did - he was on the floor and we were in the stands - but it was some kind of drama and Jared wasn’t having it. You can definitely find footage of this online, if you’re so inclined. All in all, totally worth the drive to Sacramento and always fun to hang with Lalaine. 

[carrielovesconcerts]

Matt Simons w/Chris Ayer

Date: November 23, 2018

Venue: Brick & Mortar Music Hall / San Francisco

If you’ve followed this blog at all you know that I’m a huge fan of Chris Ayer. He’s a favorite and I always try to catch him when he’s in the area, even if it’s the day after Thanksgiving. I’d only seen Matt Simons once before so was looking forward to seeing him again as well.

Let me start by saying that Brick & Mortar is one of my least favorite venues because the people at the bar are always too loud and it’s impossible to hear quiet songs. It’s also always unbearably hot even when it’s cool outside. It frustrates me. All that said, it was a fun night and I was definitely happy to be there. Also, as a side note, the lights were not conducive to photography from regular cameras so the ones below aren’t the best. 

Chris kicked off the night and sounded amazing, as always. His songwriting ability is among the best around and his songs always make me smile as they reach deep into my soul. His lyrics always dig deep to elicit emotion and his accompanying chords and melodies create beautiful works of art that are only made better by him singing and performing them live. His performances are always filled with passion along with wit and humor and this night was no different. It was great hearing some new songs live and hearing some of my favorites as well. It was also fun to see him join Matt on stage for a couple of songs. Their voices blend well and it was fun to see them perform together. I look forward to seeing him again soon!

Matt Simons played a great set and while I don’t know his music as well he is another great singer songwriter with a great voice. He also plays a mean piano. It was cool that he brought his wife up to sing a song with him, as well as Chris, as previously mentioned. It looked like he was having a lot of fun and definitely had a ton of fans in the crowd. Many of them were singing along behind me - not always on key but definitely with passion. It was great to see his drummer, Rodney Flood, who played in my living room earlier in the year with Todd Carey. He’s a remarkable musician and I love watching his passion as he plays. So all in all it was a great night of music and a fun way to spend the day after Thanksgiving.

[carrielovesconcerts]

Jon McLaughlin & Matt Wertz w/Scott Mulvahill

Date: November 4, 2018

Venue: Freight & Salvage / Berkeley

It’s obscene how delayed I am in writing this concert review. I honestly don’t know where the days go but my goal is to get all my reviews done by the end of January (this is the first of six). So, let’s jump right in!

The evening started with a pre-show meet and greet with Jon and Matt that included some acoustic tunes and a hilarious photo op. We laughed a lot and enjoyed watching people taking their photos. The music was lovely - I’m always a fan of acoustic! - and Jon even played my suggestion, Imaginary Tea. It was every kind of perfect. 

Scott Mulvahill opened the show and he was fantastic! It’s not very often that you see an upright bass-playing singer-songwriter, it was certainly a first for me, but I’m definitely a huge fan. Scott’s talent is ridiculous from his writing to his singing to his ridiculously playing. He was clearly having a lot of fun on stage and his energy was contagious. The music was good and different than what you hear on the radio. The sound was soothing and lovely and I loved listening to him. He also played with Jon and Matt and showcased some electric bass skills as well. I highly recommend checking him out!

Jon and Matt shared the stage and also did sets on their own and it was truly a wonderful evening of music. Jon has been a favorite as long as I can remember and I’ve seen him live numerous times. Each time is unique and perfect and always brings great musical memories. This was only the second time I’d seen Matt live and he was just as good as I remembered. I don’t know his music as well but he’s absolutely charming on stage and, like Jon, wickedly talented. The two musicians are clearly good friends and much of the show felt like we’d stumbled into one of their living rooms and were just hanging out. The night was filled with great songs that included old favorites and new soon-to-be favorites. Jon is an incredibly gifted pianist and I loved being able to sit close enough to watch him play. Matt is a fantastic guitarist and has tons of energy when he plays. Watching the two banter between songs was half the fun of the night and I hope to see them again soon.