Denver Show Sept 24

Lauren · #1 09-25-2008, 03:46 PM

hey everyone!
Boy am I tired...but what a show! I am going to make this short (unlike my old long winded moment by moment reviews) but let me just tell you that you are all in for a BIG treat if you have not seen LB yet this round. I have to say, I've seen him 5 times in 11 years - 3 with FM and 2 solo (including last night) and he was the BEST I've seen him - both in voice and guitar. Amazing is the best way to describe it. Just amazing. He was in a great mood too and everything just worked (except for that darn BASS that was soooo loud during So Afraid I still have a headache from that...) but seriously, wonderful, wonderful show.

Betsy and her daughter sat next to me and we had so much fun (minus the security guard- Right Betsy? he kept pushing anyone back that tried to move up into empty seats)

The place was called the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and it was a great venue. Very classy and intimate yet not too small. I had 5th row (thought it was 4th but the seating chart was off) but still a good seat. It was basically the same seat I had at the FM Dance tour - even though that was 3rd row those seats were farther back from the stage, but same distance and same seat which is good cause LB looks that way a lot- LOL! Loved hearing the original "Go Insane"- the new songs were great and the FM one's just as great. I had tears in my eyes during So Afraid- just his guitar playing is so incredible I can't get over it. GYOW (my fave) was of course the best and loved loved hearing "Don't Look Down"!

I waited outside after to see him and get a pix. He got right into his car - no pix but he did roll down the window and talked to us out there. I told him he was amazing, he smiled and warmly thanked me with a big smile (and thanked all of us) . So that was cool. Works for me. Next time Lindsey I am getting a photo of us :-)

So enjoy everyone- great great show!
Lauren

wondergirl9847 · #2 09-25-2008, 05:20 PM

Awwww, Lauren.

I was hoping you'd get your pic with LB. One of these days!

Thanks for the review! My first show is tomorrow night in Tulsa!

Lauren · #3 09-25-2008, 06:53 PM

I know, I was a little bummed on the pix- I don't know when "next time" will be cause it's so hard when he's with FM which I imagine is the next tour unless he does a 2nd leg of this tour and comes back this way.

Enjoy Tulsa- I hope you get some better after show luck :-)
Lauren

michelej1 · #4 09-26-2008, 12:46 AM

Well, it's a shame that you didn't get pix, but I think it's great that he rolled down the window and talked to you. Doesn't sound like the altitude was weighing him down either, by the way you described the show! Michele

Lauren · #5 09-26-2008, 01:48 PM

no, the altitude did not bother him. At the FM show he was using oxygen in the back (the 2004 leg of Say you Will) while Mick did the Tusk drum thing but this time he seemed fine!

SRhiannon · #6 09-26-2008, 02:05 PM

Hey Lauren! The CD you want, is it already autographed or does he do autographs there?
Brenda

Betsy · #7 09-26-2008, 02:09 PM

Good old Ticketmaster SAID the seats started at Row D. The seating chart said Row D....the Opera House's website said they started at Row D.

Guess what? The rows started at Row A.

The first three rows were given to promoters or "powers-that-be". A security guard said that they were reserved for "friends and family of the band." Neale lives in Denver and Brett was born, raised in the Denver area so maybe it was their special guests.

I sat in Row G by Lauren and my 22 year old daughter, who was kind enough to go with me.

I discovered that I prefer the acoustic Lindsey to the "I-am-going-to-break-the-sound-barrier Lindsey." Even being 7 rows back, my chest hurt from the bass and drums. My heart was actually vibrating. I tore up a napkin from Arby's to put in my ears.

The stage lights were blinding. You had to duck behind the person in front of you because after a while, it hurt and was like staring into the sun.

Don't get me wrong...it was cool to be lit up. The band could see the audience. The stage lights also reflected off of LB's guitar. This (the loudness and lights) I could have lived with.

It was the interruptions that bugged me. People were coming in and out of the rows to go to the bathroom...and the security guard on our side was humorless...and took his job seriously...like he was the head dude of HomeLandSecurity.

If he saw a camera, he insisted in going INTO the row to hassle the person who had it...usually 15 chairs in. He hassled the front row more than he did us, but he made sure he hassled as many people as possible.

He was a very large man, (think bouncer and pro-wrestler) who had long black hair which was tied in a ponytail and hung down his back. He had on a tie and suit jacket and black slacks.

All hell broke loose during GYOW. People started coming down the aisle to play the guitar...they came from - I don't know where - but somewhere behind row 7 because Mr. Security was running a tight ship in our section of the boat.

Mr. Security was sitting on the stage, off to the left, jumped off the stage and started physically pushing the people back. He was so wide that he blocked the aisle...there was no one getting by him. He backed those people to the end of the orchestra section and where reinforcments were located...and they forced everyone back to their seats.

Meanwhile, Lauren, who kept trying to get down front, left her seat and while he was pre-occupied. She and others went down to the stage. LB was on the side of the stage, but would pull the guitar back so that the guitar couldn't be touched.
Security Man, comes back and he is pissed...he points at Lauren and I don't recall him touching her, (she is only 5'1' and was jumping up & down, dancing to the music). I think he just stepped between her and the stage and using his body as a shield. He walked her back to her seat, she was walking backwards and he forward.

Meanwhile drunk man and his wife, see that he's pre-occupied, so they rush the stage...again....they are in the 50's. I thought Mr. Security was gonna start throwing punches. He was so angry. It got ugly. The guy's wife got scared and tried to get her husband to go back. When he wouldn’t budge, she deserted him. He was oblivious to everything.

Security was not to be ignored. All of this is happening right next to me, because I had the aisle seat. It lasted about 30-45 seconds but was a definite distraction...and upsetting. Wife came back trying to coax hubby to go with her. Security is yelling "Don't mess with me".

After the song, Lindsey said something like – "What was that?" and pointed to the aisle. Brett said something like “Yeah, what was that?"

Earlier in the concert, after about 8 songs a theater worker came to me and my daughter and asked for our tickets...folks came in late and said we were in their seats. Come to find out, their tickets were for the row BEHIND us...and then 8 seats INTO the row, not the aisle seat....

I was pissed....because I had to open my purse, find my ticket and then have this flashlight in my face while the music is playing. The illegal-seat-sitters got evicted from the seats, which meant smacking me in the head with a bag as they exited the row.

Then someone else has to go to the bathroom....it was like being with a bunch of attention deficit disorder people...who could not stay focused on the music.

There were men in my row, who liked to use their cell phone cameras. The Security Man would come all the way into our row to stop them. Remember...he's built like a brick **** house so when he comes into our row, there isn't enough room for him AND you and he's gonna get by, even if he has to walk on you. There were shouts of "Kiss my ass, you're not gonna take my f*ing phone." And security saying he could and would get the man kicked out. This episode happened not once but twice.

As for the attendance - the place was only 2/3's of the way full...with empty seats, in rows 1-3. Security SAID we could move up if no one came...but when you did, you got escorted back. Lauren was able to move up because it was an aisle seat and Mr. Security seemed to allow it.

The next day I had (what felt like) a hangover. My head was throbbing, and my eyes hurt. I think it was from the loudness and brightness....but my daughter said she was fine.

She also said that she was surprised. She felt like she was the only young person there. The audience was 40's-50's-60's...with gray hairs and bald heads and -- get this -- the males outnumbered the females. I hadn't noticed, but she did.

When Second Hand News started playing....again, there was another *rush the stage*. This time, the crowd was bigger...Security gets on his walkie, talkie and this time there was touching...big time...with him shoving people with his hands on their chests. There were yells of "We're not hurting anybody. Let us up there." and "We just wanna dance near the stage!" And he is yelling "Don't mess with me. You don't wanna mess with me."

I thought...I've had enough of this crap. When the aisle got cleared, my daughter and I got up and left. There were only two songs left and since we had ridden the train into Denver, and it only runs every 1/2 hour, I wanted to get the next train and not have to wait until 11:00.

While we were waiting I spotted Lauren. The concert had ended. The stage door was on the same side of the street as the light rail train. The train didn't come until 11 (we missed it!)

Above a large door it said "Stage Entrance" There was a glassed wall that read NO PARKING. The NO PARKING SIGN began to rise which revealed a white SUV waiting for LB and the band. A large tan tour bus also parked on the street. It was similar to the one that was in Boulder.

Lauren told me later that she waited an hour at that door....LB & band did come out...but got in the car -- signed no autographs and there was no picture taking. He did roll down the window and talked to them before the SUV took off.

Interesting to note & beware...the souvenir vendor had RAISED prices on the merchandise--- $5 to $10 higher than what was reported at the California concerts. This time, the vendor accepted credit cards. In 2006 and 2007, it was cash only.

One could buy autographed CD's ($25 a piece) of all of his solo work...or you could buy a set of all 5 for $95. (Law & Order, Go Insane, OOTC, UTS, and Gift of Screws) The Bass Hall was also autographed (it cost more than a CD) but it and GOS did not have jewel cases, so the autograph is not protected. ... Just a heads up.

The vendor had keychains for $5 -- ($3.95 at Fanfire) -- white coffee mug with no photo, just "Lindsey Buckingham Gift of Screws" (also cheaper at fanfire) and 5 different styles of T-shirts...red, navy blue, brown, white and black...with only one having a photo of LB...the rest were the name of the tour and Lindsey's name....and the price was $30.

So, there you have it. Be prepared for a good concert....but expect LOUD --- really, really LOUD.

Lauren · #8 09-26-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRhiannon

Hey Lauren! The CD you want, is it already autographed or does he do autographs there?
Brenda

Brenda- I emailed you too but it's already signed- you just get it with the tshirts and such- they have all his solo CDs signed on a table. I just need Law and Order! thank you!!!! I will get you the $$$ asap (I emailed you can paypal to you or send a check!)
have fun! I want details!!!

SRhiannon · #9 09-26-2008, 02:23 PM

Okay! No problem :-) I'll get it for you. I Can't Wait!!!! I'll fill you in tomorrow. (P.S. ~ I'm glad you found a babysitter!)
Brenda

Lauren · #10 09-26-2008, 02:35 PM

Betsy- LOL at all your comments- you described it great- I didn't even realize half of that was going on behind me once I moved up with what you dealt with- (the tickets, cell phones, drunk men). I did get so pissed at that security guard (you described him perfectly!), esp cause the ticket people said if no one sat in those seats we could move up. I was eyeing a front row seat that sat EMPTY the whole time and when I tried that guard told me to go back remember? I even told him before the show that the ticket people said I could go. Did I tell you I confronted him after the show cause he waited with us outside where LB was coming out? he claims the band didn't want us in those seats but I don't buy it. He pissed me off. Why on earth would he not let someone sit in that front row EMPTY seat? grrr...I know, I fogot I rushed down in front during GYOW- I had to during that song and at least I got up there for a few min.

The best place to be was on the right front of the stage where everyone was dancing and having fun and was able to stand during most of the show.

I thought the CDs were $20- that's what the sign said in front of them? (Brenda, just let me know how much- don't get me one if more than $25 though)

Also, yeah the lights glaring were hard and that bass- I get visual aura migraines and as you know I was so worried I'd get one with the light glares as those are my triggers but I avoided it- but did have that hung over feeling like you never day and pounding headache. Show was great, LB was great, but they should fix the lights thing a bit. Or maybe we are too old! LOL!

I know, there were a lot of men and older couples- it was nice to see for a change.

I think the show was wonderful but I do wish we could have all been closer. I think you and I are spoiled Betsy after our last front row :-)

Betsy · #11 09-26-2008, 02:41 PM

^^^

The sign SAID $20. I bitched about the price (and the sign,) to which he answered, "Sorry. Do you want it or not?"

It was 5 til 8 and there was a crowd behind me. I paid the higher price, shut up and got out of there.

SRhiannon · #12 09-26-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lauren

I thought the CDs were $20- that's what the sign said in front of them? (Brenda, just let me know how much- don't get me one if more than $25 though)

Gotcha! I will watch the price.

michelej1 · #13 09-26-2008, 02:56 PM

Betsy,

I don't envy you and am glad I did not have that experience, but your comments are so funny. Ah, I am sure it is wrong to be glad that someone else suffered just because their description of the suffering gives me such pleasure!

Your security guard sounds like quite a character. He needs to have his own sitcom. I was looking at the security guard at the San Diego show and feeling that he was hired more for his girth than for his ability to keep things . . . secure. The drunk people who squeezed in next to me were not intimidated by him at all. I wish I had your guy. I think he would have kept them in their place. The problem is, he spoiled the concert for many fans who were not doing anything except trying to enjoy the show. That's a rotten shame.

As for that light, I know during a quiet moment at one of the concerts, someone yelled at Lindsey, "We love your music, but can you stop that light from shining in our eyes. It's really blinding." Lindsey did not address the comment. He turned and said something to one of the crew people, but I don't know if his comment was about the light. I do know that the lighting didn't change.

A whole pack of signed CDs for $95. Wow, Lindsey's people are really catching on to this merchandising thing.

When I fill out the livenation surveys, I always say I bought tons of merchandise, hoping that that will mean there's plenty of good stuff when FM goes on tour again.

Well, I'm glad Lindsey put on a good (if loud) show and sorry you got trampled on, hit in the head, etc. Michele

Betsy · #14 09-26-2008, 04:30 PM

I am glad my daughter went with me. She's 22 and works at Home Depot. She works the 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. shift and was tired...but she went. I made her eat her Arby's sandwich and I held her drink as we walked to the venue.

I kept encouraging her to "Hurry up," as we ran as many stop lights as we could...even though the orange hand was saying "No go."

Her rememberance of the concert was that she thought it was funny...watching "all these old guys" (the term she used was "senior citizens") rushing the stage and have a fat guy push them back.

(Her groups are Rise Against, Blue October, TV Smith etc.) and she tells me about being in the ? mosh pit?

Anyhow, thanks for reading...it was fun to share.

(On to OK and KC!)

carol7lynn · #15 09-26-2008, 05:40 PM

Oh, gawd it sounds exactly like the Stevie Nicks concert at Soboba in May 2007 that a few of us Ledgies went to. Security even tried to stop us from shaking Stevie's hand during her Edge-walk and we were front row center to begin with.

Luckily, the three Lindsey Cali shows, including San Diego, that I went to security, left us alone; especially at Royce Hall were they didn't even have any security.

Sounds like a nightmare.

They always blame it on the band. No one tried to play Lindsey's guitar in Cali but I did grab his foot at Royce Hall and he didn't seem to care. Strange he pulled his guitar back though.

Carol-Lynn