Skiing and Music

[deadheadskier]

I've never understood the fascination with SPAC other than the town of Saratoga being cool and the park grounds being scenic. I do like Pav seats there, but the lawn is the worst of any shed venue I've ever been to. I don't know how someone could design something so poorly. I haven't been to SPAC in probably a decade. Has security lightened up? Only venue I've ever been to that I've had beer confiscated for simply having it in my car. Took it while waiting in line to park.

 

[Smellytele]

Think I said on here how much I disliked SPAC. Lot scene was fine but once inside it was horrible. 3/4 of the people couldn’t see the stage. They pack so many people in. Hundreds were behind the trees and the sound is horrible.
Most sheds you can setup on the lawn sitting on blanks and chairs and actually see the show, not at SPAC

 

[chuckstah]

I was on the SPAC lawn in 83 and 84 for the Dead. Back then they didn't stop selling tickets, just kept packing people in. There really are very few good sightlines from the lawn, but somehow we managed to see if I remember correctly. It might have just been during the thunderstorm, not really sure at this point. I think there were 40-50 K or something like that people in attendance. Packed. It was a crazy good time, at least 10 of us in one shitty motel room. People camped everywhere. No law or order. I've only been back once since, for Steve Winwood and Steely Dan, and the lawn sucked, but it was pretty empty so not terrible.

 

[WoodCore]

Will be spending the next few days enjoying a much different SPAC concert experience this weekend. 30+ years of continuous attendance, wouldn't miss it for the world.

 

[crank]

Did Sphere D&C last July 4 - visuals were insane and I thought the coolest thing was seeing a few shows I saw in my youth when they put up all those ticket stubs. As always being a Jerry freak and very appreciative of Bobby's longevity - I am not one of those DH's that is very critical cause D&C is always a fun time with old friends but could've been musically better. Still had a blast for the weekend and my girlfriend loved it

We went to the Friday and Saturday shows that weekend. Tons of fun. Met up with some west coast friends for the weekend.

 

[jimk]

This is kind of fun, an article (from 2013) on the best amphitheaters in America.

The "shed" nearest me and that I usually see a show or two at almost every year is Wolftrap, VA. It has a capacity of about 7k. The great thing about Wolftrap, besides being about 15 min from my house, is that they allow you to bring your own food and drinks, including booze. I think the first show I saw there was B B King in the late 1970s. Most recent two shows were Robert Plant/Alison Krauss and Daryl Hall/Elvis Costello in 2024. The acts they book cater to an older/sedate crowd, so the BYOB policy results in very little craziness. I guess two of my favorite concerts there were Lyle Lovett and Large Band and Joe Cocker, both about 15 years ago.

 

[crank]

I've been to SPAC a bout a half dozen times over the years. Haven;t been in at least 15 years. Went to a bunch of the NYC Ballet galas there , always a good time and talk about elaborate champagne picnics! Saw Tom Petty and Bob Dylan there - they sounded like 2 alley cats when singing duets. Saw a couple of Newport Jazz fests there, standouts in my mind were George Benson and Stephane Grappelli (not together).

 

[Hawk]

One of the best outdoor concert venues I have been to is the Shelburne VT concerts on the Green near Burlington. I saw tedeschi trucks band there. you could bring in your chairs and food if you wanted. Plenty of space and they don't over sell the tickets.

 

[deadheadskier]

One of the best outdoor concert venues I have been to is the Shelburne VT concerts on the Green near Burlington. I saw tedeschi trucks band there. you could bring in your chairs and food if you wanted. Plenty of space and they don't over sell the tickets.

Burlington waterfront shows are also great, though no BYO. There and Thompsons Point in Portland are probably my two favorite larger outdoor venues in New England

 

[Smellytele]

Burlington waterfront shows are also great, though no BYO. There and Thompsons Point in Portland are probably my two favorite larger outdoor venues in New England

Isn’t Thompson point a huge parking lot?

 

[deadheadskier]

Isn’t Thompson point a huge parking lot?

No. It's a big grassy field on a point jutting out into the Fore River.

Even though it's near the highway, it doesn't feel like that. Just a great full GA venue for 5k attendance shows. Right behind Bissell Bros as well for those who like pre gaming at a brewery.

And the big bonus is it's Portland. So, it's far less of a hassle and less expensive than say Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston. It also doesn't have total asshole security like most every single venue in Mass.

 

[Smellytele]

No. It's a big grassy field on a point jutting out into the Fore River.

Even though it's near the highway, it doesn't feel like that. Just a great full GA venue for 5k attendance shows. Right behind Bissell Bros as well for those who like pre gaming at a brewery.

And the big bonus is it's Portland. So, it's far less of a hassle and less expensive than say Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston. It also doesn't have total asshole security like most every single venue in Mass.

Every time I have been to bissell’s the place looked like a dirt parking lot with a roof over a cement slab

 

[BodeMiller1]

This is kind of fun, an article (from 2013) on the best amphitheaters in America.

The "shed" nearest me and that I usually see a show or two at almost every year is Wolftrap, VA. It has a capacity of about 7k. The great thing about Wolftrap, besides being about 15 min from my house, is that they allow you to bring your own food and drinks, including booze. I think the first show I saw there was B B King in the late 1970s. Most recent two shows were Robert Plant/Alison Krauss and Daryl Hall/Elvis Costello in 2024. The acts they book cater to an older/sedate crowd, so the BYOB policy results in very little craziness. I guess two of my favorite concerts there were Lyle Lovett and Large Band and Joe Cocker, both about 15 years ago.

View attachment 66424

That's nice. Similar to Great Woods in Mass.

 

[deadheadskier]

Every time I have been to bissell’s the place looked like a dirt parking lot with a roof over a cement slab

That is the beer garden for the venue. It's actually nice to have as it's massive. So, if a rain storm comes through there's lots of space to duck out of the rain. Also rarely bad lines to get a beverage.

The concert field itself is grass.

 

[KustyTheKlown]

unfortunately this recommendation comes late as the east coast dates have now wrapped, but david byrne's current tour is really beautiful and amazing and is high up there on my list of all time favorite concerts. radio city music hall helps. 2+ hours non stop, entire 13 piece band is in constant choreographed motion (keys and drums are set up like a marching band with harness), giant video production the entire show, a narrative and theme. he is a national treasure. i dont know how many aging rock stars in their 70s can do that kind of performance.

 

[urungus]

R.I.P. Space Ace

 

[jimmywilson69]

unfortunately this recommendation comes late as the east coast dates have now wrapped, but david byrne's current tour is really beautiful and amazing and is high up there on my list of all time favorite concerts. radio city music hall helps. 2+ hours non stop, entire 13 piece band is in constant choreographed motion (keys and drums are set up like a marching band with harness), giant video production the entire show, a narrative and theme. he is a national treasure. i dont know how many aging rock stars in their 70s can do that kind of performance.

this sounds similar to the show he did a few years ago that ended up on Broadway. I saw the first run of it at the Hershey Theater and it was amazing.

I've been reading his book, Bicycle diaries. its a blog/memoir sort of book about tour dates he did about 20 years ago. I have to be in the mood to read it so I mix it in with other books.

 

[jimmywilson69]

I was never much a of a Kiss fan, but appreciate their mark on the entire music industry.

Sucks to be loosing these folks. Rock icons are aging out...

 

[KustyTheKlown]

this sounds similar to the show he did a few years ago that ended up on Broadway. I saw the first run of it at the Hershey Theater and it was amazing.

I've been reading his book, Bicycle diaries. its a blog/memoir sort of book about tour dates he did about 20 years ago. I have to be in the mood to read it so I mix it in with other books.

yes on all. this is the 3rd iteration of that concept. i saw the show you saw at hershey at forest hills. then i also saw the broadway show, which was turned into a movie and can probably be streamed on hbo max. the new show takes the mobile band concept, but adds this massive level of video production, and a slate of songs from his new album which had surprising life in a live setting to a room of people who dont know the songs - the video aides helped a ton with that. i assume there were talking heads songs that were not performed at the prior shows but i am not sure. didnt matter. i can see those songs over and over. this was easily my favorite version of this concept. the videos and the theme added a ton to the show.

bicycle diaries is great and im due for a re-read. he's definitely still biking around on tour. he posted pics from philly no kings with his bike on saturday. ive spotted him zipping around the east village on his bike once or twice. the puff of white hair on the bike is unmistakable.

how music works is another byrne book which reads kind of like an anthropology textbook but is also cool.

 

[jimmywilson69]

thanks for the show and intel on the other book!

there were talking heads songs in the Hershey show.

Its clear he's pretty smart based on his thinking and writing in the book. He's a very unique individual and has very unique tastes/ideals. I have to be in a spot where Im into reading his style. I've been on and off with the book. I should just finish it LOL...

I appreciate that he's reinvented himself over the years and has chosen the "Robert Plant" path post his famous band. That all being said, I'd drop a wad on a talking heads reunion.