I set a goal - A year of live shows.

 

For some reason, back in January of 2023 I had this random number of shows I hoped to attend in 2023.  It may not be lofty for some, but for others it could be a daunting task.  I decided on "28".  No real idea why.  

Happy to report that I hit that mark on Wednesday December 27th  when I hit Start Making Sense at the Sinclair in Cambridge.

I sat down to write this and despite my best efforts I kept hitting 27.  Counted again 27...again..27.  So I panicked.  Here I was thinking I was done (not that I ever pass up live shows really).  So I went in to over drive and found the show.  I will hit the mark!

If you really are curious, and I think I am doing this more for me, have a look at how it went.

January:
Shows attended: Zero (I better get cracking!)

February:
Shows Attended: 1
Two early nineties bands were doing a co-headlining tour.  I headed to Big Night Live to catch the Charlatans UK with Ride.  Charlatans were the first band up and that was ok.  I am a casual fan of theirs, what I like I like but I never did a deep dive.  They were doing an album in full and then some other tunes so it was okay.  Ride was great.  They seem to get better each time I see them.

March
Shows Attended: 1  (man I need to pick it up!)
Jam band "Goose" had been getting some mixed reviews.  Seems like people loved them, or loved to hate them.  One really smart thing they do is they record their shows and upload to YouTube for example.  A random day at work might have 'last nights 2+ hour show" so I'd click and just minimize and listen.  I liked it.  A buddy helped me with an extra as the buzz is getting them out of the clubs and in to larger rooms.  This was at Roadrunner, which is one of my favorite venues in Boston.  It just has a LOT going for it for me. If a show is there I rarely hesitiate.  Goose was good, my first time seeing them and if continues to not be a hassle for tickets I will probably see them when I can.

April
Shows attended - 3
The first show was sort of a fluke.  Canadian band Atsuko Chiba played at AS220 in Providence.  A few days before I saw a social media and and decided to click on it.  It was a good evening.  Small room, light attendance (bummer for band I realize) and a few handshakes.  Glad I "found them".  The next was a cover band called "Start Making Sense"  They are a Talking Heads tribute that seems to have eluded me in the past but they were playing note even 10 minutes from my home, so my wife and I went.  It was terrific.  Two really long sets with horns!  If you get the chance to see them, with the horns, don't hesitate.  Lastly was Father John Misty.  This was sort of a last minute decision as well.  A friend ended up with front row so I had to get some tickets (not in front row). Had a good evening both pre and post show with another old friend.

May:
Shows attended - 2
Up first was Coheed and Cambria with Deatheaven at a very sold out Roadrunner in Boston.  Coheed is funny for me, I have all their studio releases but hadn't seen them live.  I went with a buddy that digs them and had seen them live so that was fun.  The second show was out in Worcester at the Palladium  This was Rival Sons, with the Record Company and a band called "Starcrawler"  Starcrawler did their best to get those that showed up early a good show.  Arrow De Wilde did a great job interacting with the audience and was a not stop ball of energy.  The guitarist (Henri Cash) did this crazy guitar solo on his custom three string guitar.  He then went for a walk up on to one of the crowes nests that looks over the stage, solo'd there too.  Once done he tossed his guitar down to the tech and headed to the merch stand. It was very unique. The Record Company was a pleasant surprise.  I knew one of their tunes (Life to Fix) and they were solid.  Rival Sons, for some reason fell a little flat for me at this show.  I still bought their two albums that came out this year and would see them again, but for some reason this show didn't blow my hair back like they had done previously.

June:
Shows Attended - 3
Up first was a band I had long waited to see again.  Elder played at Alchemy in Providence.  Small room small stage and a killer set.  File them under "Can't miss".  Saw the open for Earthless ages ago and it felt like they never toured the USA after (I was looking) but I'd end up seeing them twice this year.  Off to Boston for show #2 and that was the Pixies with Franz Ferdinand.  I had seen the Pixes support U2 back on the ZooTV tour but had sort of missed all the reunion shows.  They have some killer songs for sure but are not overly fun to watch perform.  Franz Ferdinand was a lot of fun, almost rowdy.  My friend had his teenage daughter with him and she ditched us old men to go hang out up front, which she did on the rail the whole show.  Bully was the first act on, caught the last song of a very very short set.  The last show of the month is/was The Four Horsemen, a Metallica tribute band based out of Ohio.  I am a casual fan of Metallica, I mean they are "ok" but its not typically something I race to track down to listen to.  It just happened I was free that night and they were great.  So much so I saw them again later in the year and if they continue to play these accessable venues and tickets remain reasonable enough, why not?

July:
Shows Attended 4
Back to Alchemy for the Reverend Horton Heat.  I saw his name on the concert calendar when I saw Elder and decided to go (the beauty of free parking and venues 20 minutes from home) add to the evening.  Never had seen him, interesting show.  Ravenous fan base made it fun.  Next was the Jim Irsay experience.  I wrote about that one so check it out here.  What I'd say, if you can go...go.  It was free as well and just a different experience.  Up next was the first and only Caspian show of the year.  This was a support set to boot.  You go when you can go and they never ever fail live. Finally it was back to Roadrunner for Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.  This was a killer show on about a 90 degree at 8pm kind of night.  This was a very very full venue but Isbell, once again is just electric live.  See him. (I still want to know where Amanda was though)

August
Shows Attended 1
Oh boy, this was a doozy. Sigur Ros at the Boch Wang Theater with orchestra.  Even before the show I was telling myself "You are probably going to see a top 10 of all time" type show.  My goodness was that a correct assumption  I had front row baclcony which is perfect for this massive specatcle.  No crazy lights, or lazers etc...just music.  A friend on the socials wrong "There is beautiful music and then there is this.....".  Unreal show.  Just...wow.  I'll give it the show of the year award.

September:
Shows Attended 7
Okay, this is where I got serious...at one point doing three shows in a row
The funny thing about the first one is it was yet another "tribute band". This time it was the Mahavishnu Project".  A tribute band for the Mahavishnu Orchestra.  This was a very lightly attended affair but my goodness there are some talented people among us. The power of live music and I admit I went in to this one sort of blind, not knowing a ton, but left looking to dive in more...which I have.  Changing gears was Black Tusk and Leather Lung at Alchemy.  Black Tusk had played the RPM Festival the same weekend and did a show in RI.  I had watched their stuff on YouTube and it was worth it.  Changing gears again, found myself at the site of a former state mental hospital for Buffalo Tom.  This was fun as there was some good friends there it was out doors on a decent enough day and it was over about 7pm.  Talk about checking off the boxes. Hope they do more at the site.  That was the first of the "three".  Next was out to Worcester to see godspeed you black emperor.  What was really great about this was my daughter had moved to the area so we got to spend some time with her, have dinner, my wife hung out there while I went to the show.  The last of the triple shot weekend was back to Roadrunner  for Mr. Bungle and Battles.  I have to admit about half way in to this show the "three in a row" was taking its toll.  I made it though.  A few weeks later it was Elder for the second time in the year.  This was at the Middle East Downstairs for a VERY sold out last night of the tour event.  REZN opened so it was cool to see them as I had heard a lot of buzz.  Wrapped up the month with Helmet down at the Met.  I got there late due to working but the 45 or so minutes was great.  My buddy took his teenager (same buddy but different teenager) and he got some picks, the setlist (which eventually got signed) and Page Hamilton came out to talk to him.  Killer night and some great memories made.

October:
Shows Attended 3

Roadrunner hosted Explosions in the Sky right at the start of the month.  Touring for "The End" we are left to know what it all was.  I don't think its the end, but if it was they were spectacular as always.  A few nights later it was to the Paradise to see Belly.  They were a lot of fun and my buddy mentioned to keep my eye on bassist Gail Greenwood.  She was hard to miss and so fun to watch.  Another cover band came mid month, this time with Smells like Nirvana.  I actually got free tickets for this when I was at Helmet.  They were fun and it was neat to take a stroll down memory lane.  The band also was sure to note "We are not here to replace anyone, but continue to play/share their music".  

November:
Shows attended: 0

December:
Shows Attended: 3

King Buffalo with Handsome Jack at Fete in Rhode Island - King Buffalo is probably my most played band on streaming.  I am always asking you know who to stream music by.....  It was great to see them in a small room and Handsome Jack did a lot to impress.

The Four Horsemen with   at the Met in Pawtucket RI.  - This was the second time I saw the band.  A lot sort of fell in to place with this one.  It was a Saturday, I didn't have other commitments that evening (and it helped me hit 28).  I am a casual Metallica fan, but these guys are a lot of fun.  I am not sure I'd go super far to see them, but if they continue to play in my area I'll probably continue to go.

The last was Start Making Sense just last night (12/27)

I

DID

IT!!!!

What should be the goal for next year?  I have tickets for four shows already in 2024.  I have a number in mind (its lower than 2023, but not by much)