Monday, May 17, 2010

Outdoor Concerts

I got my first hint that summer's almost here this past weekend by attending an outdoor concert at the Hollywood Bowl.



I had forgotten how much I loved listening to music with the sunset and then stars as a backdrop. How an outdoor arena can seem at once vast and intimate.

It brought back numerous memories of concerts at the Greek Theater, Central Park, and even some ballfields and race tracks.

Sure, it got chilly as the evening wore on, and yes, the whole exit process was jammed packed enough to make even a non-claustrophobic hyperventilate. But the outdoor ambiance made a wonderful night seem magical.

So how about you? Do you have great memories of outdoor concerts, too?

8 comments:

Janie Emaus said...

One of my favorites ever was Boz Scaggs at the Greek Theatre. And then way back in ancient times, I saw Billy Joel open up for Janis Ian at Universal Ampitheatre...before it was enclosed.

TinaFerraro said...

Oh, yes, Janie, remember when the Universal Ampitheater was outdoors! I saw The Blues Brothers there!

Cara King said...

I saw Genesis at the Hollywood Bowl last year -- and it was great! And I saw Thomas Dolby at the Greek Theater a long time ago...and the atmosphere, the sky, everything contributed hugely to the experience of some of his songs....

Cara

Wendy Toliver said...

Nothing can beat a concert at Red Rocks in Colorado. I agree that concerts are WAY better outside under the stars. Let's see, my favorite would have to be Lalapalooza in Denver (at Fiddler's Green) circa 1993. My then-boyfriend/now-husband drove from Utah with 3 of his friends to go with me.

Erica75 said...

Okay, so here's the most embarrassing revelation ever. New Kids on the Block. New Glarus, Wisconsin. Twice.

nymfaux said...

Good good memories. I still remember the first one, when I was in Kindergarten, Chubby Checker came to our town's 4th of July celebration--I was completely in AWE. It was the first cassette tape I ever bought, and incidentally, also the second, as my first cassette player ate it. Yea CDs. I got a chance to see him live again the summer I graduated from college. What an amazing performer!!!

Also, got a chance to see the Live 8 concert from Philly--Black Eyed Peas, Def Leopard, Richard Gere, Natalie Portman, Maroon 5, Kanye West, and live feeds from London, Germany, and Africa...Followed two days later by Elton John performing a 4th of July concert in Philly, featuring Bryan Adams and Patti LaBelle. Just amazing, amazing concerts, and priceless memories!

TinaFerraro said...

All these concerts sound terrific! And Erica, the only thing better than seeing a band you like outdoors once is seeing them twice!

Marley Gibson said...

Awesome, Tina! I saw R.E.M. my freshman year in college when they performed at "Radio Free Tuscaloosa" right before they really hit it big. It was amazing!