I've got two of my all time fave music acts coming to town in the next few weeks, Billy Bragg and The Who. Now normally if I was employed going to see both might be an option, but in these cash strapped times it was even doubtfull I'd get to take in even one of the shows. Well, despite my financial hardships I really wanted to go to these concerts, so a few weeks ago I went to ticketmaster and typed in Billy Bragg... sure enough tickets just went on sale for the show (Which is happening at the beautiful Commodore Ballroom). And get this, they were only 30 bucks each!! Wow, this might be do-able I thought to myself, so let's just see if I can get some cheap seats for the same price for The Who in October at GM place.*Clackity clackity clack* goes my keyboard as I look for tickets to what was once the loudest Rock 'n Roll Band alive (And for my money the best live Rock band EVER!). The results came upon my screen and my Jaw Dropped........... $202.00 per ticket to see what was still left alive of The Who!!!! $202.00??? $202.00 FREAKING DOLLARS???? Hold on this must be some super up-close seat that allows you to hang with the band after the show, and also lets Roger Daltrey make out with your date.
"My god I can't do that ...Lets check what the cheap seats are going for!"
*Clackity clackity clack*
"$87.00?!?!?!?? $87.00 for nose bleeds?"
I felt ill. Now going into this ticket buying mission, I had seen The Who twice before and was not going to be denied a third viewing, that is until the figures of 202 and 87 bucks filled my eyes. Sorry, but unless The Beatles and Elvis were the opening act I wasn't shelling out that kind of cash. Suddenly going to see "The Bard of Barking" Billy Bragg at 30 bucks seemed like a free show! I quickly bought a ticket for myself and my good friend Mike Ciccone to see Billy and then sat back to try and figure out how ANY Band can charge $202.00 for a Stadium show.I could see MAYBE paying that if I got to see The Who in a small club or cafe where I could request songs. Much like when I got to see the Barenaked Ladies do a private concert for me and 30 other people some 10 years ago. Now that was a show!!! I took a girl I sold shoes with at the time named Jeanette Coomber.... *Sigh* Whatever happend to Jeanette Coomber?? Man, did I have the hots for that girl! Anyhow I digress...
I've seen Billy Bragg twice now (The Picture of Billy above is from the last show I saw him at where I was front row Center!) and this show will make number three. The guy puts on a fantastic concert and even if you don't like his music, his in between song stories and rants are worth hearing as they are funny, extremely well thought out, and smart. Can't wait to go see him on Sept. 29 at the Commodore with Mike (Although Mike don't look HALF as good as Jeanette Coomber did!) It'll be like an early Birthday present for myself (I turn thirty-freaking-five on Oct. 21 ...can you believe that?)
I'm sure most of you have heard of "The Who" but if you haven't heard of Billy click on the many Billy links scattered throught this post and if you'd like to hear one of his songs click here! Let me know if you like it and want to come along to the show with me next Friday!
5 comments:
The Who died the moment the real heart of the band died - Mr. Keith Moon. I love the Who, but I have turned down several opportunities to see what was left of this great foursome, taken to touring the States every few years in a near-annual pillage of unsuspecting dupes willing to shell out that kind of money to see the ghosts of what was once one of the greatest bands in the world. To know all you need to about Roger and Pete, it was well-publicized that they wanted to carry on with the tour immediately after Entwhistle overdosed. The show must go on, right boys? Ironically, it was the very men who sang it loudly and most-distinctly that somehow avoided a fate that should have mercifully befallen them, not Moon and later John: the wrong two guys died before they truly got old.
Yikes Mr. Michalski! I dunno if I'm gonna go that far. I mean lets be honest Moon and Entwhistle killed themselves, pure and simple. I don't feel sorry for them at all. It was their own stupidness that brought about their ends.
I will also say having seen the Who twice, they still had 'it' each time I saw them. And if their appearance on Letterman last week tells me anything they still do.
I think their ticket pricing is stupid, and horribly out of line. But, unlike the Rolling Stones, who are now a pale imitation of themselves, even one half of 'The Who' are still a volatile rock n' Roll presence that are very much legit in the eyes of this humble blogster.
have you checked out the price of Stones tickets - the Who seems like a great bargain when you compare them with the Stones
Let's not even get me started on the Rolling Stones . . .
There was a time when I wouldn't have given Billy Bragg the time of day. I was put off by his political stance I guess. Then I actually listened to some of stuff thanks to you. He is a talented musician. Enjoy the concert.
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