Just a quick post about the BLS show on April 12th. It ruled. I went and saw them in Vancouver in May of ‘05 and this show blew that one out of the water. It was amazing. The sound was awesome, the playing was awesome. The band seemed to really enjoy themselves the whole time they were up there. I couldn’t have asked for a better show. And it was just that much better because I got to meet Zakk a few hours before.

Anyway, here’s some pictures, videos, and forum posts about the show.

Images on Flickr:

Black Label Society - April 12th, 2007 MacEwan Hall Calgary

BLS Playing Suicide Messiah

Zakk Introducing JD

Eric Clapton was awesome. This is a concert that I really never thought I would get a chance to see, and it was amazing. My favorite Eric Clapton is Blues Clapton, and this concert was 100% blues.

Sadly, when I purchased the tickets they had a different seating plan showing on Ticketmaster than the actual one they used. In the plan they show it looked like we were on the 6th row to the left of the stage. In actual fact we were in the 36th row. I know, sucks. Still, it was amazing to be at the show and I would have paid what I did again any day.

Robert Cray was Clapton’s opening act. He came on at about 7:30 and played for 30 minutes. He has a cool style and an amazing voice. I thought he was really good. By 8:30 Clapton was playing. He stuck to the blues this time and every song turned into an extended solo for every member of the band. He played songs including Keys to the Highway, Got to get Better in a Little While, Tell the Truth, Motherless Children, and Little Queen of Spades. At roughly 10pm the band left the stage but soon came back for an encore. For their encore they whipped out Crossroads and Little Wing. Oh yeah, and there was an acoustic set in the middle of the show. I loved hearing Running on Faith live.

On top of the amazing musicians, the sound setup was pristine. I have no complaints. It sounded just like it would if you had the DVD playing on your home stereo system. Whoever did the sound setup should give themselves a pat on the back. I was impressed.

I think the 14,999 other people at the Saddledome will agree with me that it was one of the best concerts they have ever seen. Anyone who likes Clapton would have been in heaven. I know I said I would try to get photos, but it was much too dark and nothing seemed to turn out on my digital camera.

Wel’p. Tomorrow night is the big night, Eric Clapton at the ‘Dome. I’m pretty stoked about it. I have never seen Clapton live and I never expected to see him. I am really happy about the seats I got too (6th row). They always say no cameras, but every show I have been to I have yet to be checked and every time I see other people with their cameras taking pictures. It kills me a little inside every time. You watch, I’ll try it this time and get busted.

I’m just going to go for it and see what happens. I’ll post pictures tomorrow if I am able to get some.

I got a tip today that for 2007 the high priced Ozzfest tickets will not only drop… they will be free!

Sharon and Ozzy along with the tour’s producer Live Nation will be turning to sponsors to cover the bill. Ticket prices have been soaring over the past few years as artists demand more to play summer shows. Ozzfest has been running for 11 years and this year they will pull the plug on ticket prices. I’m not sure what face this will take. Obviously they must already get some of their funding from sponsors. I guess we will have to wait and see what a fully sponsored concert will look like.

Ozzy will be returning to headline the festival, but the rest of the bands are still unannounced. Sharon says she already has some bands that are committed, but she is hoping that more will be excited to take part in this ground breaking event and jump on board.

Sharon points out, “we have bands committed, but we’re hoping that after today’s announcement we’ll have a whole influx of artists who want to be a part of something this ground breaking. We know there aren’t any major headlining acts that would tour all summer for nothing, but we’re confident we can turn some of the genre’s biggest bands on to what we’re doing and have them come out to play a date or two. If they’re in town and want the rush of performing in front of 20,000 frenzied kids, they’re more than welcome to join us. They can sell their t-shirts, CDs and whatever else they’ve got. They’re also welcome to book their own shows in local venues on the day of OZZFEST. I’m not stopping them. People have to be creative and think of alternatives.”

How to get tickets is not 100% clear as of now, but the announcement says fans can visit www.ozzfest.com and www.livenation.com for links to sponsor websites which will have details on finding them. It also notes more details will be coming.

25 dates have been announced, starting in Los Angeles on July 7th. Although the schedule is not finalized, other cities on the tour as of now include San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Columbus, Pittsburgh, New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Hartford, Charlotte, Atlanta, West Palm Beach, Nashville. Sadly, still no Canadian dates to be heard of. (Sharon: We like metal too!)

You can read the entire announcement at Ozzfest’s official website.

Ooohhh shit yeah. I’ll be going to see Eric Clapton at the Saddledome here in Calgary on March 26th. A buddy and I both got on ticketmaster at 10am. I happened to get the better tickets, so we bought mine. We got floor seats row 6. It is pretty much going to be the pimpest event of my life. I am super excited. Eric Clapton is one of the guys that I never though I would get a chance to see live. A couple of years ago he was saying it was his last tour (we all know how that goes though) but this is just awesome. I am going to head down to ticket master next week to pick up the tickets along with my Jesse Cook tickets for may. Next year is going to be a good one. Now if I can just see Jimmy Page my life will be complete.

Continue reading Going to Eric Clapton at the Saddledome March 26th ‘07

Yeah, I’m just gonna do a bit of bragging right now. I got tickets for Jesse Cook, seats B1 & B2 for May 2007. I’m pretty stoked about it as I have never seen the guy play live.

Here is a music video of his:

Now yes, the video is super lame… and by some standards he is not an amazing guitarist, but his skills are nothing to scoff at and from what I hear he is amazing live.

Long story short I’m counting the days until the show.

Here is another video. Jesse Cook talks about his musical roots in Flamenco and Classical and how he developed his style. Then he talks about the music on his album Nomad. I just think it is amazing to see a guy who lives breathes and sleeps music. It is his entire life and I envy him.

PS, if you go to his website linked above, there are about 2 dozen tracks you can listen to. Then go buy the album.

Continue reading Jesse Cook Tickets For Banff in May ‘07