MY LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCES FOR 2023

Live music is my passion. It can be extraordinary to experience great music, hang with nice people, enjoy the scenery and live in the moment.  If you hit the right show, it could truly be a euphoric moment.

My objective is not to push my unique tastes upon others but, rather, to create an exchange of recommendations. My motto has always  been the greatest music you've ever heard is the music you've yet to hear ... so I enjoy being turned on to new artists, bands, genres, songs and venues. I used to be a musician myself, have played in many bands,  like to pursue the history of music and I'm always hungry for more.  Since I'm a guitarist, I like my music organic. Synthesized, computerized, overproduced, formulaic stuff is not my thing. It's not that my tastes are any better than anybody else, it's just that I want art...genuine art. I need the artist to shoot for the stars. I don't mind if they horribly fail since at least they made the effort. Give me something a lot more than what may come out of a headphone or car speaker.  

That is why I usually have disdain for nostalgia acts. I  mean, how any times can you hear the same song?!  I liken live music to porn... I want to be entertained by virile artists,  not somebody in their 80's trying to emulate a teenager. My baby boomer  brethren has really screwed things up since some are paying top dollar to see some of these nostalgia acts...which is insane!  Experiencing pop music should not be akin to going to the opera.  It's the everyday fans that made the artists not the elite. Paying thousands to see acts from the 60's and 70's is absurd. In my experience, the real magic takes place either at a music festival or at a small venue. Arenas can be like going to the movies, it's hard to experience something extraordinary if you are relegated to your seat. Live music should involve some dancing and gyrating,  roaming around,  a bit of imbibing and should not take place in a sterile environment (the Hard Rock in Hollywood is awful).  Some great local venues are Crazy Uncle Mikes, The Funky Biscuit  and Sunset Cove in Boca Raton, The Culture Room and Parker Playhouse in Fort Lauderdale and  The Pompano Beach Amphitheater.  

Here is a list of my memorable shows. In that I see well over 100 live acts a year and I'm definitely a music snob, these distinguishable performances were,  indeed,  something special.  Remember, I put up this post because I'd like feedback from you concerning what was a special live show for you.  I need to keep on adding to my arsenal. 

Brandi Carlile  at Red Rocks- She is the consummate professional that covers all bases. Immensely talented, her songs touch many genres and her band is virtuostic and energetic. However, what makes her truly special is that her concerts create a poignant,   kumbaya environment where she can bring anybody to tears of joy. Prior to this show and unknown to her, rainbow-colored cray paper was passed out for the audience to attach to the light on their phone upon her playing the standard "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Once this occurred (she had no idea that it would take place) she was quite affected since 10,000 fans created an electrified rainbow facing the performer.  She closed her show with an empowering cover of Queen's " We Are the Champions". It was my  favorite show of the year.

 

Deanstock- "Dean" is my son's father-in-law and possibly a bigger music fanatic than me. To celebrate his wedding anniversary, he hired members of some national touring bands to perform in his back yard which is situated on a lake. This occurred right after the passing of The Band's Robbie Robertson so the set list had lots of Band songs along with Allman Brothers and Grateful Dead tunes. It was all jam band baby.  Add in a swimming pool, barbecue stations, tons of booze and food and lots of happy-hippie patrons, this was a party like no other. It was an exceptional musical experience.    

Jason Ricci at Crazy Uncle Mikes- Jason Ricci is a blues harmonica player. He blows that harp like it is a saxophone or trombone. He does things on his instrument that I have never seen anybody else do.  He is among one of the most unique musicians I've ever encountered...he can segue from a blues scale into Beethoven within the same song. He played at Crazy Uncle Mikes...the most fun place in South Florida (it's a brewery, restaurant, sports bar and music venue). He's not only an amazing virtuoso musician but also a terrific entertainer and showman. If you ever get a chance to see him (he's playing at the Funky Biscuit on January 18th, 2023) go, he is simply amazing.   

The Smile at The Knight Center- The Smile is an offshoot of  the iconic band Radiohead comprising of that band's vocalist Thom Yorke and guitarist Jonny Greenwood... along with a jazz drummer. There were no hits played, it wasn't that energetic  and at times it was pretty challenging to listen to. However, this was truly adventurous  and creative music...they were making art. It was kind of like watching a Stanley Kubrick film where you have to re-watch in order to fully understand what was going on. While I was at the show, I did enjoy it yet wasn't overwhelmed . But then after the show, I started to think about it, re-listen to some of the songs and discuss the show with other concert goers. In hindsight, this was a very serious effort to create something new and to take the guitar,  bass and vocals into uncharted territories. This was the most artistic and bold show that I've probably had ever seen. 

Billy Strings  at Red Rocks- Billy Strings is the Jimi Hendrix of bluegrass guitar yet his talents are not limited to that genre. He grew up playing heavy metal,  is a huge fan of the Grateful Dead and easily segues into different genres. As a guitarist he does something quite extraordinary, within the same song he employs different styles going from bluegrass picking to jazz scales to heavy metal runs. Red Rocks holds approximately 10,000 people where he played a three night run there, and then afterwords at another arena in Denver. To say that he is popular would be an understatement.  When I was there, Denver was being inundated with rain however the music Gods parted the sky when Billy took the stage. In an impromptu manner, he sang the Johnny Nash,  70's pop standard " I Can See Clearly Now ( the rain will fall) It was the perfect song for the scenario! The Billy Strings fans are the most exuberant I've ever seen, there was more dancing, partying and crazy antics than I've ever seen anywhere. This was a wild  show.

String Cheese Incident- at the Hulaween Music Festival - Hulaween  is a music festival in Live Oak,  Florida at the incredible "Spirit of the Suwanee Park". It focuses on cutting edge acts, EDM and jam bands. Long time jam band,  "The String Cheese Incident"  is the host of the three day event.  One of their sets was a Halloween-themed set made up of all cover songs. In a selection out of left field, but the ideal song for the moment, they played the 70's King Harvest, bubble gum song "Dancing in the Moonlight"... while a huge full moon was illuminating the park and 20,000 fans ... were dancing in the moonlight.  

Avett Brothers - Outlaw Music Festival featuring Willie Nelson at the iTHINK Financial Amphitheater. If the Ramones played folk music, they would sound like the Avett Brothers. They play acoustic music real loud.  They are... absolutely... one of the top-tiered live acts out there. This Outlaw Music Festival primarily aimed themselves at country music fans and the bulk of the crowd was there for Willie Nelson. It was obvious that the Avett Brothers intended to grab some new fans so they took the stage going 100 mph.  They were so amazing that none of the other acts even deserved to be in the same vicinity as them.  The Avett Brothers always deliver a 10/10 performance but,  somehow,  they took it up a notch. 

Margo Price at the Ryman Auditorium- Margo Price has lived a difficult  life; she lost a child during childbirth which triggered significant drug and alcohol issues. After wallowing in sorrow, she then decided to turn it all around. I first saw her last year at the Hulaween festival where she was the only country performer . She may have been categorized as "country", but at that festival , she came to rock... I mean she was melting faces all over the place. After seeing her do a limited, one hour festival performance, I had a desire for more so I went to Nashville to see her. Wow did she work her butt off! She first harmonized and sang backup for the two opening acts, and then played for over two hours for her own set. She ended her show by covering Paul McCartney's "Let Me Roll It", went into the audience and never returned to the stage as she escorted the audience out the door.  She was a force of nature.

Some special mentions should go to The Mavericks at the Parker Play House, Wilco and Father John Misty at the Sky Blue Sky festival in Riviera la Playa, Mexicio, Samantha Fish at The Funky Biscuit and Jennifer Hartswick at Hulaween. Lastly, Grateful Dead tribute band "Crazy Fingers" playing at Tarpon River Brewery in Fort Lauderdale is more fun than 95% of what you may see at an arena...and it is free.

What musical performances excited you this year?

 

Have a great holiday, may you be victorious in your professional endeavors and ROCK ON!