Okay, I can't remember every single concert I've ever been to - but there are three in particular that stick out in my head - so much so that I actually do remember the dates of those concerts (insert Rain Man joke here).
November 17, 1989. The Omni, Atlanta, Georgia
Yep, you guessed it - my first concert was New Kids on the Block for the Hangin' Tough Tour. I wore a black leather mini skirt and vest (with my brand new NKOTB t-shirt). I probably sported some sort of side ponytail. My bff at the time, Amanda, and I rocked out while my mother sat in her seat, reading her New Yorker. (She was not impressed by Joey, as I was, I suppose.)
December 8, 1997. The Georgia Dome, Atlanta, Georgia.
Front row tickets in front of the B Stage for the Rolling Stones for their Bridges to Babylon Tour. I was a freshman in college and brought my then-boyfriend with me as my guest. This concert is still my favorite concert memory, because hearing the Stones live changed my life. I kid you not. I knew their songs (with my parents, how could you not?), I had a few CDs I'd stolen from my mother - but I was not prepared for the amazing show that they would put on. I've seen them twice since then, and I still believe that they put on the best live show of any band out there.
October 20, 2005. The MCI Center, Washington, DC.
Chris and I were offered tickets to U2's Vertigo Tour stop in Washington. I hadn't even tried to get tickets for this concert, because of the high price - the worst seats in the house were selling for $250 each. So imagine how thrilled I was when Chris' friend got tickets through his company, and asked us to go! And, to make things even cooler, we got moved to better seats when our seats were blocked by video equipment. And when I say better seats, I mean front row seats. Literally. What an amazing show.
There are a many, many others that come to mind:
Live at Legion Field at UGA, our sophomore year (this was the first time in my life I ever smelled pot smoke. I believe I asked my friends, very loudly, around those partaking in the smoking, "Oh my God, that STINKS! What is that?!?!").
Counting Crows - both at the Classic Center (my favorite venue) and at Chastain.
Lillith Fair with the girls from high school (was that 1997, ladies?).
Cowboy Mouth - twice, both at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC. If y'all haven't seen these folks perform live, GO. They will literally keep you dancing and moving for the entire concert - and you don't have to know the songs. The lead singer (also the drummer) Fred LeBlanc is probably the most rockin' lead singer I've ever seen. He will not let you sit in your seat - you MUST dance. And you will!
Neil Diamond - against my will by my husband, at the MCI Center in DC. I was not too keen on this one. But let me tell you, it's pretty fun, aside from the 60-something women in sequined tank tops and shirts screaming and throwing their bras on stage.
I know I'm forgetting a TON of concerts, but these are the first that come to mind. As for my dream concert, I'd like to see Maroon 5. Yeah, not too exciting, but I just love their music, and Adam Levine is HOT.
4 tips left at the bar:
I'm so glad you mentioned NKOTB because I almost did another bonus category on what concerts you missed that were most memorable. And that would've been one of them. Fifth grade, right? My parents wouldn't pay for the tickets.
For my sister, I'm pretty sure that concert would've been the George Michael Faith Tour. I remember her being soooo mad that they wouldn't let her go.
Ah, boy bands of yore! :)
I LOVE that your mom read the New Yorker during NKOTB. Was she wearing earplugs?
OMG, you may not have remembered them all, but the ones you've got are pretty impressive!
You totally left out the "underground" Justin Timberlake show - I'm still jealous of that (but don't tell anyone).
Oh my God, I can't believe I forgot the JT Show. That was the best small show I had ever seen - he had the house band play for him at 930 - it was a BLAST.
And Nik, I have you to thank for getting me into JLC. :)
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