I watched Rock in Rio back in October and GnR played my favorite song Estranged for the first time in 18 years! Yes it made me cry and I was hoping they would play it for us Saturday.  So when Axl started singing “talking to yourself” not even an hour into the show, I couldn’t help it and I got a bit emotional again.  Best song of the night.  Axl surrounds himself with so many talented musicians and to be completely honest, I prefer the new songs to the old when the guitarist aren’t trying to cover Slash but are working their own personal brand of magic.  That’s why I was mildly disappointed that they didn’t play any ‘new’ songs that I hadn’t seen them perform previously. Concerts are spread out over five years and all three sets are very similar.  By the encore, rolling around about 1:00am I was exhausted! After singing, dancing and screaming during every song for two hours I could barely mouth along to the last few songs, good work boys you wore me out.

Set
Chinese Democracy
Welcome to the Jungle
It’s So Easy
Mr.Brownstone
I’m Sorry
Shackler’s Revenge
Estranged
Rocket Queen
Richard Fortus Solo
Live and Let Die
This I Love
Riff Raff (AC/DC cover)
Tommy Stinson Solo
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo
Street of Dreams
You Could Be Mine (with Duff McKagan)
DJ Ashba Solo
Sweet Child of Mine
Another Brick in The Wall (Pink Floyd cover)
November Rain
Bumblefoot Solo (Pink Panther)
Don’t Cry
Whole Lotta Rosie (AC/DC cover)
Civil War (with Duff McKagan)
Knocking on Heaven’s Door
Night Train

Encore
Madagascar
Better
Patience
Paradise City

Highlights; They brought out a cardboard cutout of Micheal Jackson and propped him up at a mike for two songs which was hilarious and the guitarist and bassist did a great dance to a remix of Hey Big Spender.  Best opening act I’ve seen since Sleigh Bells a few years back.

Thirty minutes later the lights dimmed for Friendly Fires to take the stage.

I’ve been listening to Friendly Fire’s music for a few years (thanks Jess) but have never watched a video or even knew where they are from though I correctly assumed they are English.  Immediately the lead singer Ed Macfarlane starts busting out these wild dance moves and sweating through his collared shirt.  Then halfway into the first song Lovesick he jumps down into the crowd (right in front of me) and finishes up the track dancing and grooving with the crowd.  It brought everyone to life!  He proceeded to this four, five, I don’t know six more times in the next hour and fifteen minutes.  This was the best concert dance party I’ve ever been to, and I’ve gone to many shows in the past five years.  Great night, thank you Friendly Fires and Theophilus London.

Only sad note, I bought a  FF t-shirt but came home to discover holes at the collar.  I wrote the band, but who knows if/when they’ll get it, I’m hoping for a replacement.

SetList

Lovesick
Jump In The Pool
Blue Cassette
True Love
On Board
Chimes
Skeleton Boy
Show Me Lights
In The Hospital
Live Those Days Tonight
Hurting
Pull Me Back To Earth
Paris

Encore
Hawaiian Air
Kiss of Life

Yesterday I attended my first concert in a while, and I think it’s been a couple years since I’ve gone solo to a show.  The Melkweg is an interesting venue, a former warehouse located right on the canals it’s very charming.  Instantly walking in I saw that the 1,500 capacity space was packed all the way up to the back bar.  I pushed up my sleeves (literally I did) and began the Vancouver concert shuffle of squeezing my way through and ended up at the best spot on a riser just off side of the stage with a perfect view.

Want to know my method?

It’s simple enough, be bold.  If the venue has the entrance at one side like Melkweg, move across the back first as the side further away from the door will have less people.  Move like you’ve already been up there, like you are just returning to you spot.  Show no hesitation, occasionally I even gently place my hand on peoples shoulders, man that is a rude habit I have :S but people seem to be fine with it as they move out of the way.  I found Amsterdammers to be exceptionally polite letting me wiggle my way up in a quarter of the time it would take me back home.  They also give each other lots of space instead of squishing in together, very nice.

The Show

Ebony Bones opened and her band was quite the sight!  Everyone is face paint, masks and costumes.  The music had a very Santogold/M.I.A feel.  Her background singers had some wicked choreographed dance moves as Ebony belted her heart out and commanded the stage.  There were a few kinks here and there but I am sure she will be headlining her own tour within a couple years.

Cee Lo started with a lot of energy!  He came out in the classic Gone Baby Gone leather jacket and the largest wallet chain I’ve ever seen.  His band is a bevy of sexy ladies clad in tight clothing and stilettos who can really rock out.  The acoustics seemed a bit off as his voice distorted and there were a lot of backing tracks played instead of having background singers, only from time to time you’d catch a good moment showcasing his voice.  After amping us up Cee Lo delved into a few slow songs before really rocking our socks off with I Want You, Satisfied and a faster paced version of Crazy.  I was super surprised after that when they broke into classic Gnarls Barkley songs Run, Smiley Faces and Gone Daddy Gone, excitement!  I wasn’t sure if he play any of those and I was in a great group of fans who sang along to every word with me as we shook about.

For the encore I moved to get right up front at centre stage and boy that was easy, everyone spread out even right at the front??  This is new to me.  Sadly the encore was more slow songs, I was just feeling like dancing too much….  At the end all of a sudden Cee Lo burst into the crowd to walk through everyone to get to the exit.  This lovely crowd was barely rushing him, so for me (using the Vancouver concert shuffle) I easily got around and over to him and got my set list for the night signed.  Have I mentioned yet how much I <3 Amsterdam!