In these distressing times there's nothing that soothes the brain better for me than seeing my favorite artists perform live. (That's me very-white-knuckling it through the second Reagan administration at a Cure concert at Pine Knob in 1986, above.)
We had been awaiting the
Kylie Minogue show for months -- it was a bigger-than-normal deal because my best friend was flying in from Omaha expressly for the event -- so it's almost slipped my mind that I have tickets for several others, too.
So in the interest of not repeating my mother and stepfather's "forgetting" to go to the Cher concert my sister and I bought them tickets for in 2014 (read
HERE), I'm posting this reminder to myself -- which may also nudge some of you to join the fun at a venue near you:
Vicki Peterson and John Cowsill: "Long After the Fire" album release party:
May 9 at The Cutting Room. I've been listening to the new LP and it's so wonderful. featuring many songs written by John's late brothers Bill and Barry Cowsill. (You may recall that the Cowsills were the inspiration for "The Partridge Family,"
which a 2011 documentary chronicles in harrowing detail.) In fact, I've been listening to Bill's '90s band called the
Blue Shadows to hear the original versions of some of the songs and have fallen in love with those arrangements too, which have more of a Roy Orbison meets the Everly Brothers feel to them. Compare Vicki and John's "A Thousand Times"
HERE to the original
HERE. Normally I would be jonesing for these two accomplished artists to do their old hits. But this time I'm really looking forward to what they've created together -- Vicki's harmonies on "Vagabond" give me chills!)
Tennis: "Face Down in the Garden"/farewell tour(!):
June 1 at The Rooftop at Pier 17. Was shocked that the married duo announced this would be their last album -- very Ben Watt and Tracey Thorn 1999 of them -- so am happy to get this in before the inevitable reunion 25 years from now ... when I'm 82!
Neko Case:
Oct. 22 at Beacon Theatre. Clearly we're giving her the benefit of the doubt given what happened
LAST TIME! I know touring is her principal source of income so am happy to support her. Here's hoping the
"Thelma and Louise" Broadway musical she's been working on here in the city is a big hit too, even if it sounds like the most ill-conceived thing of all time.
Belly (celebrating the 30th anniversary of "King"):
Oct. 24 at Sony Hall. I'm largely in the minority here, but I've always liked "King" better than their more successful "Star," so I'm over the moon to hear it in its entirety live! The only way this could be more fun is if Greg were to join us again, like he did
when the band first reunited in 2016!
