Stevie Wonder concert last night
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I went to the Stevie Wonder concert last night in Baltimore. He came out of retirement to do ten "Get Out And Vote" shows.
I had never seen him before and I'm glad I went. Even backed by a super professional large band and a squad of back up singers he comes off as relatable and personable. He did a fair amount of talking and joking around between songs with the theme of kindness to others, respect for humanity, and we're "not-going-back." A great spokesman for the cause.
The crowd was dressed to the nines and felt like a Democratic National Convention. Our bartender said the high security was due to all the politicians in attendance.
During the first song or so, the Obamas came out and the room exploded with joy. I hadn't experienced a crowd reaction like that since the Grateful Dead days. (Side note: Barack cannot clap with the beat.)
Every time Stevie played a hit the audience was right there with him 100% -- soundtrack-of-our-lives sort of thing. He was old, but he sounded as good or better than his recordings.
The venue is a very small-feeling rectangular 14,000? person 1960s style basketball arena (Baltimore Bullets) and I've been going there since like 1973 to see concerts. I think I still have my junior high school ticket stubs from Deep Purple/ Rory Gallagher, Marshall Tucker. Jethro Tull, etc. The last time I was there was probably for Neil Young's 83 Trans tour.
I kept reminiscing about the 77, 79, 80, and 82 Grateful Dead show I saw in that place. It really does feel like a rather intimate space and I was fortunate to be there.
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
[The performances, titled
[The performances, titled “Sing Your Song! As We Fix Our Nation’s Broken Heart,” are produced by Wonder Productions and promoted by AEG Presents in partnership with Free Lunch, begin Tuesday, October 8 at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, with stops in New York City, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Greensboro, Atlanta, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis before concluding Wednesday, October 30 at the Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.]
https://variety.com/2024/music/news/stevie-wonder-announces-u-s-tour-pre...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Alan, I'm glad you went and
Alan, I'm glad you went and supported the cause and got to see a legend do some important work. Thanks for the report.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Philzone Refugee
The one time I saw Stevie, it
The one time I saw Stevie, it was a shorter festival set at NOLA Jazzfest, and the sound was hampered by lots of wind and not doing a proper soundcheck.
Sounds like you had a good return trip to the Civic. You're lucky to have seen so many shows there, not to mention the Bullets while they were still in Baltimore.
President Obama is a rhythmically challenged nerd beaureaucrat, but his intelligence and his oratorical and leadership skills give him a pass. He's sort of like the Urkel of U.S. politics.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
Thanks for the post Alan.
Thanks for the post Alan. Good to see Stevie doin his part.
I saw him once at MSG - with special guest Bob Marley on one tune. Believe it was Bob's last public appearance.
The stakes are SO large for this election....the wait is agonizing
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Dave, as you probably know
Dave, as you probably know the Baltimore Civic was also the place to see the Harlem Globetrotters. Going to that was always a treat.
I don't think I ever saw a Roller Derby there cause my memories of that were probably from the local UHF channel that showed the matches on Saturday afternoon.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Strangha
Ah, the San Francisco Bay
Ah, the San Francisco Bay Area Bombers with Charlie O'Connell and Jane Weston?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
Looks like fun Alan. I wish I
Looks like fun Alan. I wish I'd seen Stevie wonder as an adult (parents took me when I was 1)
But Stevie Wonder and Bob Marley together? Incredible!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Gentlemen, all credit goes to
Gentlemen, all credit goes to the wife for getting us tickets and dragging me along. She was right, as usual.
The extra cool thing was our regular local bank (whose name is on the arena now) has a promotional thing where you flash your debit card and they let you park in the attached garage (otherwise the ungodly $65!) and go in a "special" entrance with the corporate folks that have suites. Best of all, you get to go to a "private" club section for free (the upgrade usually costs $75) and take advantage of their VIP bar and extra clean bathrooms. Free is a good deal. I don't even have a c card with that bank.
It was so easy to get a drink and pee that we are thinking of going back for Billy Strings!