Another way to pronounce "Great Live Show" is "Lynyrd Skynyrd" (Belated recap at Darien Center on July 13th, 2018)

When a band such as Skynyrd embarks on its final tour, even a casual fan may regret not going. Before that day, all I knew was ""Sweet Home Alabama," "Simple Man," how to pronounce the band's name, and that my friend, Joe, was a big fan. I also knew that the running joke of yelling "Freebird," over any other Synyrd song, at concerts where they aren't even playing has lost its appeal; which may be why I hadn't heard it pronounced aloud. I familiarized myself with some more of their music before the show, and heard almost all of their Innyrds.
I would be remiss to not mention The Marshall Tucker Band and how their set converted me into a fan, without knowing any songs. It may sound like I am sensationalizing their set, but I am just recording how it made me feel. The only song I know the title of is "Dog Eat Dog World," the rest of the songs I will have to find by playing their albums in full. "Can't You See?" Sometimes it only takes one listen for great music to connect with an outsider of the fan base; great music transcends time and generational gaps, and doesn't necessarily require familiarity to move someone new to its sound. I did see why the band has been at it for so long, and given the ability to, and they were appreciative of every year they were able to do what they love and expressed that during the set.
The same thing occurred when I heard the Charlie Daniels Band playing live, the only song I knew was their biggest hit, but never made the connection, until another fan told me what it was before I had seen their set. Their sound also took me by surprise, but only knowing one song out of their cannon or discography, I could not begin to conceptualize.
If these two bands revved you up Skynyrd Nation for the main reason they most likely came for, Johnson tempered that energy and slowed it down a bit with his brand of country; I cannot exactly describe the difference between Southern Rock and Country, but you could tell the difference in their styles.
Out of all the performers, it was Johnson that I was most familiar with, yet that's not saying much because I was mainly out of my element, but it was a pleasant surprise to see him live. He played at least four covers, one of which was the patriotic "This Land is My Land." Johnson made the set a family affair with his sons performing a song, as well as his daughter and her friend singing another. while I cannot recall the majority of titles aside from "That Lonesome Song" or "In Color," I do remember that he made his billing worthwhile.
 When it came to the last of the street survivors, they sounded as energetic as they had when these songs were recorded; they opened with a gigantic record screen and went right to "Workin' for the MCA." They addressed the "Skynyrd Nation" before playing that decent song, but it doesn't compare to "Travelin' Man" or "That Smell." I'm aware the band was not the same coming into the aughties, but their last few albums did not reek of limburger cheese; this commentary might, but to be honest, they meant business when they set their feet on stage, and I could see Johnny a little perturbed at times when the crowd went mannequin.
I understand that many of the concertgoers may have already seen the band before, and that "final tours" don't usually include many surprises, because when most people come to see a live performance they come for their favorites, which may not align with all of the bands' hits, so it would make sense to play the most recognizable on the last stint. Although it was Friday, they gave us a "Saturday Night Special" and presented "The Ballad of Curtis Loew." One of my friend's favorites followed, "Tuesday's Gone," and "Gimme Three Steps" was one of mine. They paid tribute to JJ Cale and other "heroes" via photo compilation as their sound interjected "Call Me The Breeze." "Simple Man," "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Freebird" all graced the ears of the venue patrons, and the latter was preceded by a few minutes of an empty stage for dramatic effect, and included video of Johnny Van Zant singing some of Freebird toward the second half, if I remember correctly, but it is only natural that they do so.
While this was a concert I would not have chosen to see if it were only myself to consider, It would have been a regret later on, after acquainting myself with the music of some of these legends. Passion can serve as a youthanizer,  these artists and their passion for the music, and this concert was a testament to that statement

The (Belated) Adventures of Kesha and Macklemore at Darien Center July 22nd, 2018

I recently found out I am a Gemini, and while I believe that a concert can be  effective in coverting listeners to fans (there is a difference), I was already a fan of Macklemore and his music; what he has done and intends to do with it.
There is usually a reason or story behind every song, and while concerts are about the music, it wouldn't be the same without those stories, those that inspired the music or those that came to be after the music was released. Concerts may spotlight the artist and their music, but the right one will make it about the fans, and Macklemore was one of those artists. From the story about his uber-cool experience with the ride-sharing app, and how he nearly was directed out of the venue had a guard failed to pay more attention to detail. Or there is the story of the snake that he won at Darien Lake, and "Out of all my accomplishments that I've had in my career, winning this snake is in my top three
thousand, but I may keep this forever." (paraphrased).
Before Macklemore opened with his presumptuous party anthem "Ain't Gonna Die Tonight," things happen, he let everyone know that regardless of any factors that may divide (creed, pigmentation, sexual orientation,etc.) that everybody is welcome at this past show and any future shows; that love and acceptance had set the tone. So if had died that night it would have been on a high note.
Whether the palm trees were from a "Thrift Shop" or not, it didn't matter. It was a party, and the venue was an island, of acceptance and elation, to name a few.
Not that it is a requirement, but if Macklemore went on about universal acceptance without performing "Same Love," it may not be the same. I could see and hear the passion throughout one of his biggest tracks and that smile when he reflected on his opening line.
While the original "Willy Wonka" cannot be replaced, Macklemore looked pretty good in that hat.
One of my favorite songs from This Unruly Mess I've Made features Idris Elba makin one heck of a Vincent Price impression. To think it would be a regular surprised me, but what is a party without some dancing?  The performance would be a farce had an actual "Dance Off" failed to occur, while the moves were simultaneously memorable and forgettable, the victory of the six year old was a triumph, and so the recording artist and his snake were parted. "If I had a daughter, and she did half as well as you I would be proud." That placed a smile on this face, and that of many others, most likely, and it would only grow wider with what followed.
Yes, it was written that when Macklemore performed one of his most rocking anthems, that the crowd would go nuts and it would blow the roof off the venue, at least for the lawn seats. One of my favorite high- energy jams to spaz out to. The cooldown consisted of a stroll "Downtown," and then a "Glorious" tribute to his Grandmother, it also described my state of mind at the time. Having a live band perform these tunes added more to the performance for sure.
I must have been so high that I failed to notice that a spaceship landed on the stage. Kesha managed to blow expectations out of the water with her first song; even improving upon the solid musicianship already showcased on her declaration as a "Woman." I was not the only one who brought their  "Boogie Feet," and its been awhile since they have been in use.
Kesha's latest album served as a revival or a phoenix of rainbow flames, rising from the ashes of what was to free herself, in more ways than one. With her shift in style, it was only natural that her live show also undergo a change, allowing her to prove herself and party as a Rock Star.
There were moments where the songs weren't immediately recognizable, but hearing "Timber" with a southern rock swagger was refreshing, although I do enjoy the original.
While some of the fans may have missed the style and sounds of her earlier records," Macklemore said it best when he said "That's life people" even though he was not referring to the concept of change and its constant presence in the world, but the fact that only two lucky fans received golden tickets, from which the winners made their stage debut with "OMG, I'm on stage with Macklemore" either in text or on a social media app of their choice. But to return to the point, I admit that her rock reinterpretation was not as addictive when it came to "Your Love is my Drug," but the energy compensated for that. "We R WHo We R," and this anthem of acceptance of self was even better in its rock reinvention.
"As if you could not tell by now, I am a singer, but I am also a songwriter." While that statement may still draw criticism, even after her resurgence with Rainbow, it would not be accompanied with as much laughter. I find her music to possess a unique charm, and her latest is a pot of gold.
So to answer your question, She did perform Macklemore's future ode to the "Good Old Days," and her tribute to one of her favorite women and songwriters was made when she performed "Jolene."
While "weird" is a subjective term, the duo kept it interesting and made sure the crowd was engaged, because most go for, and to be part of, the experience. Near the end of his set, Macklemore applauded the crowd for their participation and giving it 100%, saying the crowd was the show.


You can bet that before performing her clothes-dropping anthem, some fans did "Take It Off," and donated a few shirts and bras to Kesha's wardrobe, to which she graciously accepted and thanked the fans. She took a selfie for another and graced a fan of sweet sixteen with a towel adorned with boobsweat; you could not find a more unique and personal gift for an animal than that. Then, there was a rainbow flag that was given by a fan, to which she exclaimed "this brings me good luck," and then had it arranged to wrap around her microphone stand.
Kesha did take out her guitar to play her anthem that shouted out the bastards, and encouraged the "different" animals, or any outsider, to be themselves and to not allow that persecution for being different to drag them down.
Her fauxnale was determined by the reaction of the crowd to her song , that could have been the last before she would "Blow" the joint; leave, smoke, double entendre. Long story short, it wasn't over. She played a one of the darker colors of her rainbow, but that was merely because it reflected a darker time in her life, to which it still draws much emotion. "Its a little different every night, but I still feel it." The crowd was "Praying" to hear her debut smash, which still causes me to cringe occasionally, or laugh a little at times when I focus on the delivery and lyrical content aside from the chorus; it is a fun song, but it serves as an example of her growth as an artist, from the other end of the spectrum.

The Goos at Shea's- October 20th

If you have known of a band for nearly two decades after its breakthrough album, and they hail from an umbrella locale , it's safe to say its time to see that band. I cannot designate a reason why this year I felt so compelled to see the Goo Goo Dolls live this year, and it really wasn't because of the 20th anniversary of Dizzy Up The Girl,  but it may have been due to the fact that I couldn't let any more time slide by without seeing them live. While the riff was a little muted, their energy more than made up for it, as well as that percussive break before that "Yeah" moment.
Although the former 2-Day, then 3-Day residency was in honor of the celebrated album, I had not heard it "from top to bottom" until that night. While I did not know the majority of songs aside from "Broadway" and the string accompanied "Black Balloon," my body was still under the influence of euphoria, and their performace was quite persuasive. The percussion of Craig Mcintyre was lively and sounded spot on, and  Rzeznik may have appeared disconnected at times, but he was engaging, and focused on giving us the best he has. Robby reminded me of Alice Cooper, and not just for his looks; that is a compliment. His silent interactions, kept the crowd engaged, and his leg extensions communicated excitement and vitality. If there were a song that had the crowd dizzy with anticipation, it would be "Iris," and it was quelled by their performance of the song with its larger than life sound and thematic transcendancy.
The first break found Rzeznik admitting that it would be a good time to bring out a celebrity guest, and that there was a reason he doesn't have many famous friends, most of them are a--holes, "and this guest is no exception." The rectangular vertical screen revealed the next few songs to be a collaboration with himself. The first of which being the song promising "Better Days," and it was a heartwarming, candid and energizing presentation that included "Can't Let it Go" and "Two Days in February," the latter of which found Takac jumping in toward the end.
One of the reasons why I had never seen them was because I hadn't heard much aside from the hits, and the interest in going to a show wasn't as potent until now; point being, the only song I could "Name" when it came to the deeper cuts was that breakout hit from A Boy Named Goo, that was preceded by a phony story before the performance.
 One song that sounded out of place in the context of the rock show was "So Alive," and it was during that extended performance that Rzeznik had the crowd participate in a test to see if their patience was "Notbroken," the latter song included commentary remarking how it was written when the world was in some of its darkest days and it seemed that no one that had power to do anything about it cared.
While I had a few more that I would have liked to hear, I was floored when "Big Machine" was played, and it was the near ending to a show better than expected, coming from a fan, not the biggest, but big enough to see their musical showcase.