Jaye's Musings

I've been feeling kind of just blah lately, and lethargic since getting back from Reno, and it is affecting my writing. Oddly enough, I seem to be doing better at writing longhand during lunch and breaks at work than I am in sitting down at the computer and getting to tags. I'm getting to some, just really slowly.

That said, the concert in Reno was EXCELLENT!! Even better than the Police a week or so ago. I think mostly because this was a much smaller venue and so you could feel much more connected to it. Three Brit groups, in a show named "Rockin' the Colonies." Openers were The Alarm...if you're not familiar with them they were a post-punk group of the early 80s, heavily influenced by The Clash and from Wales. Their major hits were "Spirit of '76' and '68 Guns', which they did both, and they rocked. I mean, really rocked as if 25 years hadn't gone by. I was looking forward to them but really wasn't expecting them to be THAT good. Then came The Fixx -- I never even realized they were a British band as they never had any major success in Britain, but had in the US...therefore the hubby is much more familiar with them than I was. I like a couple of their songs, which they did, but after The Alarm, it wasn't as upbeat and it showed. And their lead singer looks like Michael Stipe. Lastly, was a favourite of Reno's, The Beat (or The English Beat as they're known in the US)...they're a SKA band, again from the 80s. We saw them in November, for a full set...and even just doing half that...they were excellent. A real friendly band, and a relaxed concert, where they had a dance area up front....and security didn't interfere when several people climbed up on stage to dance.

Afterwards, heading to the restrooms we walked right by The Alarm (heading from the bar). It was one of those moments when you don't realize it until you've just passed, and you do that double-take. Then as me and the hubby were sitting at another bar, enjoying a tipple or three, Dave Wakeman, lead singer of The Beat, walks past...so we say "HI" and tell him what a great concert it was, and he spoke to us for several minutes before going up to his room to change. A little while later, the bassist passed by and saw my Beat t-shirt and said "HI" to us and introduced himself, asked our names. What a great band!

They are officially the coolest band ever...after Chamber, because Max is still utterly adorable.

The Police rocked!

So did Elvis Costello!

And all just a very few miles from where I live. No, Sting...contrary to what you kept telling us, you were not in Sacramento, although I admit "HELLO WHEATLAND!!" doesn't quite have the same ring to it.

First time I've been to the amphitheater here, and it's a great little venue. 12,000 people, and we were lying back on the lawn. Once the sun went down it was pleasantly cool...making it more enjoyable. One big treat, during Elvis Costello's opening...he sung "Alison" and Sting came out to duet.

As for The Police...they are still fantastic. Sting's looking older...and the grey beard didn't help, but Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland (oh yeah!) barely looked any different from the 80s. They did a lot of my favourites (except "Sychroncity" :P) most of them coming from "Regatta de Blanc" and "Ghost in the Machine" and two encores. I was there with the hubby, the youngest, and a friend's son (extra ticket as the eldest had to work). It was the youngest's first concert...not sure he was too impressed.

One of his quotes: "They played too much music." And he didn't quite understand the idea of encores...."I kept thinking it was over."

And best of all, it looked like they were having a great time too, really enjoying playing together again.

They rocked!!