It Happened – I Went to the Madonna Concert
Last Saturday night something happened that had been in the works since the eighth grade for me – I finally saw Madonna in concert. Many of you may think . . . big deal, but for me it truly was a big deal. As far as 80s artists go, there’s no denying that she is one of the best, love her or hate her (I love her, if you couldn’t tell already.) Think about it; who else from our generation truly has that superstar staying power as she...
Psychedelic Furs at the Trocadero, Philadelphia
By Chris Cagle June 14, 2013 Singer Richard Butler was the last of the Psychedelic Furs to come on stage at the start of their show, and he appeared with a fey enthusiasm that would last the entire show, as well as with a courtesy bow that seemed copied from some movie version of Shakespeare’s Puck character – impish yet playful. The gesture,repeated multiple times in their concert, seemed a fitting start to a victory lap, of a band...
Thank You for the Music, Duran Duran!
By Laura Borgman Pitts Saturday, October 8, 2011 I wasn’t interested in attending Bayfest until I learned Duran Duran was a headlining act and I might get to meet the band. This reconfirmed my belief that life is sometimes a combination of ‘who you know,’ ‘being in the right place at the right time’ and occasionally just being ‘lucky.’ It was a gorgeous night, temps in the 70s at 9 pm when I accessed back stage with my husband and a...
Modern English Show – Review
September 28, 2011 Birmingham, AL The Modern English show, at The Nick in Birmingham, was a blast. The Nick Rocks is a small venue with serious rock n roll credentials and has hosted acts as diverse as Bono, Rob Thomas and Jack Black over its twenty year history. This is the kind of place that has Jager on tap. The band had just played a huge music festival to a crowd of thousands in Melbourne, Florida so this was a smaller, more...
Concert Review: Devo at the Crystal Ballroom
Friday September 16, 2011 Portland, OR By Travis Greenwood ‘Greetings spuds of the NW!,’ proclaimed Bob Casale, keyboardist for ’80s icons, Devo, between songs during the band’s September 16th set at Portland’s historic Crystal Ballroom. The crowd, a healthy mix of longtime diehards and curious hipsters that came of age in a post-New Wave milieu, returned the favor with an hearty ovation, setting the tone...
Totally 80s at the Hollywood Bowl
Los Angeles, CA September 2, 2011 We had a totally rad 80s weekend in Los Angeles, including stops at famous 80s locales and interviews with awesome 80s rockers (more on those in separate stories). This was my first time in LA, and the weather did not disappoint. While it was 100 degrees with 80% humidity back in Birmingham, it was a cool 65 and dry at the Hollywood Bowl on the night of the Totally 80s concert. We started the evening...
Review: Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
Busch Gardens, Tampa, Florida February 20, 2011 In a word, it rocked. To say that she looked and sounded great for 52 years old doesn’t do her justice. That indicates that she was great in some sort of qualified way, which simply is not the case. She was fantastic without qualification for age and by any standards. The day was perfect – sunny and 75 degrees, a perfect reprieve from winter as much of the rest of the country is still...
Poison, Def Leppard & Cheap Trick – Summer 2009
By Ryan Zimmerman When I first heard Poison was coming to town on tour this summer, I was amped! I mean, the band I followed so passionately as a kid was coming to town, and despite my adoration of them back in the 80s, I had never actually seen them in concert. Then, I hear they are teaming up on tour with Def Leppard and Cheap Trick, so that was a no-brainer. I had to be there. That was one trifecta of teased hair and torrid talent...
