Coming Soon to a Concert Near Me...

Concert-wise, things are looking good this March and April. Here (in no particular order) is a list of some of the concerts happening soon...

• U2 - March 24th. Much anticipated. I'd bought tickets for this way back in December. I know they're pop royalty and all that, but I have mixed feelings about the band. I still get goosebumps when I listen to 'War' or 'The Joshua Tree', but I simply can't get into their new stuff. I also get rather annoyed that everybody just loves Bono (and his sunglasses)and seems to forget that there are other people in the band. What about The Edge, I ask? I mean, he's probably one of the most under-rated guitarists ever. Well, that's not the band's fault. Anyhoo, it'll be a fun concert simply because this is one where I get to stand in front of the stage with a whole bunch (about 10 or 12) of friends. It's way better than the usual concert experience. Previously, I've either gone alone or with one other person, and I have to actually have to sit down, and sit way back. (Hmmm...Is that speck over there Dave Matthews?). I just heard that the gates open at 4 o'clock for a 7.30 show, so it's a good reason to take half the day off. Promises to be a rockin' concert. Hope they play 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'.
• Coheed & Cambria - March 23rd. One day before the U2 concert. I just got into this band. I've only heard one album, and its growing on me. I read a few write-ups about the band, and was initially drawn into it because someone said it was prog-rock. Well, I wouldn't know about that. Maybe it is, maybe its not. But it certainly has some elements of eccentricity. They sound like a mix of Green Day (only because the singer sounds like he recently got kicked out a punk band) and Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd. They definitely reference Zep and Floyd and Rush and the Police in their album, which has a ripper of a title - Good Apollo, I'm Burning Star IV, Volume 1: From Fear Through The Eyes Of Madness. Critics claim that 'Coheed and Cambria is to music what Dungeons & Dragons is to board games. Baffling to outsiders, compulsively addictive to fans'. Right now, I'm baffled but interested-bordering-on-addicted. I have a feeling that the concert will be good, and, at $50 a ticket, it's cheap entertainment.
• The Rolling Stones - April 13th. What can I say? Probably the greatest rock & roll band ever! I still remember when I first heard 'Paint It, Black', way back in 7th grade. (It was the theme song for the TV serial 'Tour Of Duty'.) It remains my favourite Stones song. I grew up with this band. Hell, my dad grew up with this band! They started off with the Beatles, and 40 odd years later, they're still playing. They've come up with their share of absolute drivel, but they've had more than their share of all-time classic hits, and they've earned their title of one of the best live acts ever! My brother asked me the other day, "Will these guys ever retire?". Well, I don't know. But at least I get to see them play live before they do. Which reminds me, I'd better go buy myself a ticket...and fast!
• Opeth - April 23rd. I'm really not a big fan of Death Metal, but progressive death metal (If there ever is such a term, these guys would be it), now thats another story. I first heard Opeth last year. A friend played me their album called 'Damnation'. It was one of the most beautiful and proggy albums I've ever heard. Haunting melodies, dark lyrics, astounding guitar work, and vocal harmonies that would give Art Garfunkel a run for his money. But here's the thing. 'Damnation' was one of its kind. I heard another album of theirs - 'Ghost Reveries'. Again, musically, its brilliant. However, the vocalist, this self-same chap responsible for the aforementioned Art Garfunkel-type vocal harmonies, growls. He growwwwwwls! (Apparently, that's the sound of Death's voice or some such thing). I'd have given up if not for the fact that the music is simply too progressive to ignore. And after many listens, I'm getting used to the growling. I'm also getting used to the cheery lyrics about Death's lullaby and the baying of the Hounds of Hell and all that. I just hope it does not make me evil! (For the record, I'm already mildly evil. My friends can vouch for this. But its a harmless sort of evil, that most people would find,... ahem..., cute. I'm worried about turning really EVIL. I mean Pol Pot-meets-Bride of Chucky-type evil. If you find me sporting black lipstick and spiked dog collars, it's probably happening. If it does get to that, feel free to whack my bald head with a spatula. Just do it gently so as not to leave a mark.) In the meantime, when the lads from Sweden cast their signature dark sounds over Melbourne, in a night of interwoven beauty, melody, aggression and lots of growling, I'll be there. Looking forward to it.
• Deep Purple & Status Quo - April 14th. I last saw Deep Purple 5 years ago in Bangalore. It was the worst concert experience I've ever had. (The worst concert was Michael Learns To Rock, but lets not go there. No. Pleeeese! Let's not!) While the band was cranking up 'Highway Star', I was stuck between two tall, huge, Sardarjis (I didn't get their names, in case you're wondering) who were jumping around and sweating bullets. No prizes for guessing where all this sweat fell. It left me scarred for life! Now everytime someone mentions Deep Purple, I cringe in fear and reach for the nearest umbrella and a can of anti-perspirant spray. I'm sure I won't encounter any sweatstorms this time around, but what is this cheap stunt of forming an alliance with Status Quo?? Have only heard one song of theirs - 'You're in the Army Now'. Anyhoo, because of this alliance, tickets are $125! They can go shag! I ain't paying that much.

Well, that's it. Funny thing I noticed about these concerts though, they all come in clusters. There are 52 weeks in a year, but it seems like every band touring Australia wants to do so in the same 4 weeks! I've already got 2 concerts in 2 consecutive days. It's a good thing I've decided not to see Purple. Otherwise, that'd be another 2 concerts in a row. What's up with that?