Category:Concert

My 1st Springsteen Concert

I saw my 1st ever Springsteen concert exactly 30 years ago today. On April 23, 1993 Springsteen played Flanders Expo with his “new” band. After the Tunnel of Love tour, Bruce had disbanded the E Street Band. On the back of the release of the albums Human Touch and Lucky Town, he set out with a whole new band.

I had been into Springsteen’s music since he released Born in the U.S.A. in 1984. But up until 1993 I had never seen him live. I remember being a bit disappointed when he announced he would not be touring with the E Street Band. That disappointment disappeared quickly when I got to Flanders Expo back in 1993. I can still feel the excitement I felt that day! Actually I feel that same excitement before a Springsteen show even today.

Tickets were 1100 Belgian Franks back in 1993. That is €27.3 or roughly US$30 at the rate of publication of this article. Quite the difference with the current ticket prices even if you take inflation into account. You had to go and queue at a ticket outlet or call a ticket hotline number to get tickets to the concert back in those days. Compared to today’s internet age, a lot more hassle.

I got to Flanders Expo quite early on April 23, 1993 and ended up on the 3rd row center stage on the 1st night. On the 2nd night, I was a bit further back. I remember having a blast on both nights. These 2 shows got me on a 30 year–and counting–journey with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. It has been a lot of fun so far. I’ve been to a bunch of cities and met many new friends along the way.

Concerts

It’s in the roar of the crowd after each song. It’s in the smiles of the folks around. It’s in the cheers of someone hearing their favorite song. It’s in de sparkle in the eyes of that one girl while she’s slow dancing in the arms of the boy she loves. It’s in meeting friends before the show for dinner and drinks. It’s in the excitement raging through my body when the houselights go down. It’s in the surprise guest appearances and songs you didn’t expect to hear.

It is not just one thing that makes me love going to concerts. It is in a 1000 little things. And for me… It is also about in the ice cream on the way home.

The last song of the last concert I saw was Samantha Fish’s cover of Bukka White’s Shake ‘Em on Down. That was March 11, 2020. I have not been in a concert venue since that day.

Boy, how I’ve missed going to concerts. And I am so utterly happy that I’m going to a Barbara Dex concert tonight. A local hero playing a gig in my hometown. I wouldn’t want to miss that. I have to admit that I am bit nervous though. COVID-19 is still among us. Obviously, I will take every precaution possible to avoid infection. But being in a crowd is a risk and that does make me nervous.

I am very grateful for all the live streams I am able the enjoy. From the weekly show at the Opry on Sunday mornings, Marren Moris, Brian Fallon, Martin Praetorius’ weekly gig on Wednesday, Taylor Tote and Zara Larsson to the Dropkick Murphys featuring Springsteen, and everyone in between. I tipped artists where tipping was due. I have a pile of new albums on my desk. But nothing, absolutely noticing beats the feeling of a live show!

Lennon Stella at La Madeleine

Canadian born Lennon Stella is best known for her role as Maddie Conrad in the ABC/CMT TV-series Nashville. Being born into a musical family—her parents are singer-songwriters—she picked up a guitar at the age of 5. She opened up for The Chainsmokers and even last year for Anne-Marie when she played the Lotto Arena in Antwerp.

Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium

Having missed Lennon’s performance in Antwerp last year, I did not want to miss her concert last night. Her soft electro pop is the perfect soundtrack for a relaxed evening. And best of all: I got to see her up close for the 1st 3 songs working as a photographer.

Lennon Stella at La Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium

Lennon Stella, La Madeleine, Brussels (B)
on assignment for FrontView Magazine

Light of Day 2019

Early December means it’s time for the Light of Day fundraiser. It is a yearly tradition that I wouldn’t want to miss for anything in the world. It started 20 years ago as a birthday party for artist manager and music industry veteran Bob Benjamin who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Over time, the Light of Day Foundation raised over $3 million for Parkinson’s research.

The yearly Light of Day concerts started in Red Bank, NJ and expanded to Europe several years ago with stops in Italy, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, the UK and Belgium. The artists included regulars like Joe D’Urso, Jeffrey Gaines, Vini Lopez, James Maddock and Rob Dye. And this year, for the 1st time in the lineup: Miss Emily.

Light of Day 2019

Here’s my photo impression of this year’s rendition of the Light of Day show in Belgium:

Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019
Light of Day 2019

Aurora Concert in Trix

Norwegian singer Aurora presented her 2nd album Infections of a Different Kind (Step 1) to her audience in Belgium last weekend. I had the pleasure and the honor to cover her gig at Trix in Antwerp for FrontView Magazine. Here’s a couple of photos from Saturday’s concert. The full album is on FrontView Magazine’s website.

Aurora at Trix in Antwerp, Belgium
Aurora at Trix in Antwerp, Belgium
Aurora at Trix in Antwerp, Belgium
Aurora at Trix in Antwerp, Belgium
Aurora at Trix in Antwerp, Belgium

The ‘59 Sound Redux

The Gaslight Anthem 59 Sound The Gaslight Anthem is currently touring to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the release of their sophomore album The ’59 Sound. Like their lead singer Brian Fallon, the band hails from New Brunswick, NJ. The band appeared on my radar when Bruce Springsteen did a couple of notable guest appearances with them. I remembering loving the album at first listen. Their garage rock sounded very familiar to me, and yet fresh at the same time. Many of the songs were set in my beloved New York City and gave me similar vibes as I get them from listing to Springsteen’s Born to Run album: when I close my eyes, I see flashes of NYC in a film-noire kinda style.

I Saw them live for the 1st time at the Hard Rock Calling festival where they were on the bill together with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band. Guest appearances did happen that day. And I saw them pretty much on every tour that brought them to Belgium or the Netherlands after that. After the band went on hiatus and Brian Fallon released 2 solo albums, I went to see him live a couple of times too.

This album and the band opened the door to a whole new generation of young Jersey Shore artists for me. Once I got to know The Gaslight Anthem and I started looking for what-else-is-new on the Jersey Shore, I discovered bands like The Brigantines, Dentist, Bobby Mahoney and the Seventh Son and Taylor Tote. So, tonight as I head down to 013 in Tilburg to go see The Gaslight Anthem, it is more than just about that album. It is about a ton of great bands that helped me write the soundtrack of my life.

C2C Festival London

I’ve spent the weekend in London for the C2C Festival. C2C is a country festival at the O2 Arena. It had a fantastic line up this year: Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, Kelsea Ballerini, Ashley McBryde, Sugarland, Ashley Campbell, Kacey Musgraves, Danielle Bradbery, Emmylou Harris, Little Big Town and my 1st ever chance to see Lindsay Ell live. Tons of good music. I came back with a big smile on my face and a bunch of signed CD’s.

Lindsay Ell Live at C2C Festival 2018

My iPhone was pretty much the only camera I had on me all weekend. And it still surprises me that–in the right conditions–it is an amazing camera. I shot this view from the platform of the West India Quai DLR station on our way to the festival.

London City View and Marriott Hotel from West India Quia

Concert: Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather

Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather

Brian Fallon, a native of New Brunswick, NJ hit the music scene as front man of the punk rock band The Gaslight Anthem in 2006. They attracted the attention of myself, Bruce Springsteen and the world with the release of their album The ’59 Sound. After the band went on indefinite hiatus, Brian Fallon started a solo carreer, releasing his 1st solo album Painkillers in 2016 and his sophomore album Sleepwalkers early 2018. Be sure to also check out Brian Fallon’s latest album Sleepwalkers.

He is currently touring the US and Europe with his band The Howling Weather and he played De Roma in Antwerp last night.

More photos of yesterday’s show on Frontview Magazine.

Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather
Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather
Brian Fallon & The Howling Weather

Light of Day Belgium 2017

A little photographic impression of the 2018 Light of Day concert in Belgium. The Light of Day Foundation, raises awareness and funds to support research to defeat Parkinson’s disease. It started in 1998 as a birthday party for music veteran Bob Benjamin who has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease himself. For 20 years, Light of Day benefit concerts are held in the US and Europe. My friend and fellow Springsteen fan Jeffrey De Roeck organizes a Light of Day show in Belgium for quite some years. I cover the show as photographer every year.

More photo on the website of  Frontview Magazine.

Light of Day
Light of Day
Light of Day
Light of Day
Light of Day
Light of Day

The Legendary Opry

The Grand Ole Opry truly a legend in the Music City. It started as a 1 hour long radio show on WSM on November 25, 1925. Back in 1925, it ran as a weekly show, Today, it runs several times a week, either from the Rynam Auditorium in downtown Nashville or from the Grand Ole Opry House on the banks of the Cumberland River.

Artists become member of the Orpy by invitation. Over the years, artists like Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris and The Gatlin Brothers have been invited to the Opry. And more recently, amazing young country artists like Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town had the honor of joining. Membership in the Opry remains one of country music’s crowning achievements.

You can listen to the shows at the Opry live online via 650 AM WSM.

The Ryman Auditorium is a 2300 seat theater in the heart of Nashville. It is considered the birthplace of Bluegrass music. Over the years it hosted many famous country artists and even Bruce Springsteen has played there on his Devils & Dust solo acoustic tour.

The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
The Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
The Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium

The Grand Ole Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium to the Grand Ole Opry House in 1974. The grand Ole Opry House has 4400 seats and a circle at center stage is actually a part of the original Ryman Auditorium stage.

Seeing a show at the Opry was a dream come true and their backstage tour after the show was the icing on the cake.

Selfie in Front of the Grand Ole Opry House
Artists Taking the Stage at the Grand Ole Opry House
Behind the Scenes at the Grand Ole Opry House
Behind the Scenes at the Grand Ole Opry House