Wow I haven't posted since May!!! This one's really just for me to keep track of all the concerts I went to in 2008, and is a month and a half late. I saw 14 shows last year, crazy lucky I know, and too many apparently because I'm missing one from this list that I can't even remember anymore! Here's the list:


Stevie Nicks, Sovereign Center, Reading, PA, April 18 - I finally got to see her live! I'm a huge Fleetwood Mac fan and of course love Stevie's solo work. The show was too short, I was surprised and a little bummed about that, but I couldn't stand for more than an hour and a half in 4-inch heels either. She and her band were fantastic and people LOVE her. Everyone in the front row (I think this happens at all of her shows) had flowers and stuffed animals for her, and she literally walked the entire length of the stage to shake hands and take everything. When she played Landslide I was completely in tears, and Rhiannon and Gold Dust Woman were my other faves. There was a woman who dressed as Stevie circa 1993, with the fake wig. She and her friends parked near me in the parking lot. Scary, but funny.


Fiction Plane, Crocodile Rock, Allentown, PA, April 27 - Opening for The Bravery, who are like 12 years old. Whatev, FP rocked the hizz-ouse! I saw my FP buddies, Swati and CC and made some new friends. Great show of course and I can't wait for the new album!


Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Wachovia Center, Philly, June 5 - I had never seen him live but was told that he and the band are fantastic. I was sort of a fan and just wanted to see him because I thought I "should." I am now a huge fan! He is a phenomenal band leader and "Learning to Fly" I think is my new fave. Steve Winwood opened for them too! He was awesome and has a fabulous new album. It was the most packed I'd ever seen a venue for an opening act, but of course he's a legend. At one point in the show he came out to perform "Gimme Some Lovin'" with Tom and the band and the place went nuts. AWESOME.


Coldplay, Wachovia Center, Philly, July 25 - My first time seeing Coldplay and WOW! They do pay homage to U2 quite a bit, which is of course why I love their music, and Viva La Vida is a FANTASTIC album. I was sitting in section 104 and I'd heard that they come out and play in the stands at one point, but I didn't realize it was going to be in MY section! They were about 10 rows above where my seat was, and everyone was running up the stairs so I really couldn't see very much. But it was such a cool thing to do!! Then there was butterfly confetti during Lovers in Japan! Great great great show.


George Michael, Wachovia Center, Philly, July 26 - Yes I saw George Michael the night after Coldplay at the same place; I should have just camped out! My voice was quite scratchy after screaming, er singing along. George hasn't performed in the U.S. in like 17 years and I was SOOOOO excited to see him! He has the most amazing voice and he was in great spirits. It was so fun. Lots of lights, and the stage was set up in such a cool way. His band was set up on tiers or "floors" on either side of a huge video screen that rolled down onto the stage itself. It was basically a greatest hits show but he has a lot of them and they are wonderful songs.


The Police, Madison Square Garden, NYC, August 7 - Their last show ever. I couldn't miss it. I pulled huge favors at work to be able to go, but it absolutely was worth it. I was a couple of levels up but relatively close to the stage. It felt like the last day of school and they were all very playful and I think relieved that the tour was over. I LOVE this band and it was sad that it was over, but they and everyone else had a blast. Thank you boys! (Side note: I was not impressed with the Garden, though, it's pretty claustrophobic and difficult to move anywhere (this was my first time there). I guess if I was on the floor at a U2 concert I'd feel differently, but oh well.)


Bruuuuuce and the E Street Band, Hersheypark Stadium, Hershey, PA, August 19 - Would you believe Bruce had never played in Hershey before? Well finally he and the band made it. I was bummed that Patti (Bruce's wife, who is in the band) wasn't there, but I think it was back-to-school time for their kids so she had to be home. But they played all the big songs, Born to Run, Thunder Road, and (a first for me, finally!) Rosalita!!! SO exciting. It was an awesome, 3-hour show, putting everyone else to shame. He did the knee slide across the stage!! He's 59 years old!!! My friend Rob came with me and he doesn't really like Bruce's music so much, but recognizes that he is the best live performer on earth.


Lindsey Buckingham, Sovereign Performing Arts Center, Reading, PA, October 10 - Continuing with the Fleetwood Mac theme, this was my first time seeing Lindsey. I adore him - he's so passionate about his music and is a great performer. His band rocks and the audience just loves him. The SPAC is a beautiful theater and I wish the people I like would do more theater shows b/c they have way better acoustics than arenas. Big Love and Tusk were personal highlights, but the whole show was fabulous. And he looks damn good for being almost 60.


Elton John, Giant Center, Hershey, PA, October 15 - Okay, as much as I hate my job, every once in a while there's a big perk, like free tickets to an Elton John concert. I had never seen him before and our tickets were to the side of the stage so we couldn't see what was happening on the giant screen behind him, but he was facing us and we were pretty damn close. This was also kind of a greatest hits show, but oh my God he's Elton John and he friggin' rocks!! He played all of my favorite songs, including a bit more obscure one called "Sacrifice," which is very sad and very beautiful and a wonderful surprise. The Bitch is Back (my theme song - haha), I Don't Wanna Go On with You Like That, and Levon were the other highlights (that's an odd combination isn't it?), but honestly they're all great and he is as energetic and amazing as he's ever been.


Reba McEntire and Kelly Clarkson, Sovereign Center, Reading, PA, October 18 - Yes, this was free too. I would not pay money to see them, but it was a really good show. They sang together the entire time, sometimes as a duet and sometimes as each other's backup singer! How fun! People LOVE Reba, and Kelly was really cool, I do like a lot of her music. One of our stations is a country station, so my friend Rita and I got to meet them too! For like a second, and get our picture taken. They were really nice and Kelly said "Hi I'm Kelly," which was ADORABLE because, like yeah, I know who you are :) I do actually like some old country music, and Reba is a spunky gal so I appreciate that. Her TV show is actually quite funny too! They seem to have become best buds and both were awesome. Kelly's voice is crazy amazing.


Coldplay again!!, Wachovia Center (again!), Philly, November 1 - They came back and I almost didn't go, but Duffy, who is a great new British pop/soul singer, opened for them and I love her. I have to say that the Coldplay online fan community is really great because I found a floor ticket online from a very nice guy and I was in the 7th row!! OMG! I was also right next to the walkway to the B-stage where they play two songs. So I have a nice butt shot of all four of them - score! Haha. I also got loads more confetti, so I can have my own party/concert. Chris gave a shout out to Pennsylvania because the Phillies had just won the World Series and we are a really important swing state in the election. Yey! I heart them.


New Kids on the Block, Wachovia Center, Philly, November 5 - New Kids on the Block let's rock! They are back and all the haters can just step off! Wow, okay, sorry for the slang there. I literally could not believe that they got back together. They were my first concert 19 1/2 years ago at the York Fair in 1989. I was almost 13 and I had to go with my mom and my little brother. This show was a week before my 32nd birthday and I was beside myself. I was SCREAMING at work when I found out the rumor was true and all 5 of them really had made an album and were going on tour.

The new album is okay, much more hip-hoppy and R&B than their previous albums, but the show was AWESOME. Like, I don't mean fun to see them back together and scream like a 13-year-old girl. I mean they brought it - they danced and sang and kicked ass. They had this rotating stage right in front of the soundboard so when they came out there I was about 10 rows away from them! It was the night after the election, which was so cool because Donnie said what a great night it was and everyone was screaming. I have never been to a show where EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the room was singing along and doing the hand waving thing to Hangin' Tough and was completely into the show. They were so happy that anyone would come to see them, let alone selling out a tour. I guess proud is the right word for how I feel, proud of them for coming back with their dignity intact. I'm really excited too because they're coming to Hershey next month! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


David Byrne, Tower Theatre, Upper Darby, PA, November 8 - 3 shows in a week! This was my first time seeing David Byrne, but he's been on my wishlist forever. If you don't know (what's wrong with you!?), he was the lead singer of Talking Heads. He also has a new album with Brian Eno, who is the greatest person on the face of the earth, and has produced several TH, Bowie, and U2 albums, and Coldplay's latest. I had heard that he puts on a great show, and I love his solo music and the Head's music, but I was not prepared for the audio-visual extravaganza that I saw.

I don't like to say that shows are the best ones, or my favorite, because then I'll see someone else and love them and it's all subjective anyway. But WOWWY WOW WOW WOW WOW. If you EVER have an opportunity to see him, RUN to the theatre. He has a great band, great backup singers, DANCERS! Everyone wore white outfits, and everything was choreographed but it was like a cross between a musical and a concert and performance art. It was GENIUS. It was billed as the "Songs of David Byrne and Brian Eno," so it was almost entirely those awesome songs from all the albums they've done together. The crowd was absolutely blown away, like stunned that they were witnessing something so cool and emotional and fun and bright. I think even people who'd seen him before were overjoyed.


David Byrne (again!), Strand-Capital Performing Arts Center, York, PA BABY!, December 4 - Someone actually got him to come to my town! I could not miss this!! I found a ticket in the front row on the left side of the stage and got some pretty great shots, if I do say so myself. It was a glorious show. Here's a link to my photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/abulous2001/sets/72157612391807223/

I didn't mention how chatty and genuinely appreciative he is of his audience. He is a little nervous speaking in front of people, but he talked about the songs and he and the band were very jovial. He's also a great guitarist, which I guess you wouldn't expect b/c he's so arty. But when he said "thank you" at one pointing, people were shouting thank you back, for coming to our little podunk town and for kicking our asses with this amazing show.

Thank you for reading all of this if you've made it this far! Here's to many more shows, including U2!!! in '09!