Now were on to the final post in the Concerts, Concerts, Concerts series.  We have revisited The 80’s and The 90’s.  It is time to see what shows I have been to in this century. So, no more waiting, here are the shows.

The 2000’s

The 2000’s started out slow.  I don’t have my first ticket stub until February 13, 2003.  My wife was pregnant with our first child so my oldest daughter’s first concert technically.  The concert was for Bon Jovi.  The opening act was the Goo Goo Dolls, but we didn’t get to see them because Philips Arena (formerly the Omni but completely new building) implemented metal detectors.  The line was so long to go through those that we missed the opening act even though we arrived in plenty of time.  I was pissed.  Ticket price was $57 plus $6.50 in fees (robbery).  Bon Jovi was awesome and played a really long time. They were touring for the album Bounce.

On November 9, 2003, it was off to a new place called The Arena at Gwinnett Center.  It was only 10 minutes from the house and the parking was free.  Awesome.  We saw Elton John and he didn’t disappoint again.  He always entertains and puts on an amazing show. Ticket prices are now $61.50 but fees only $5.  Insane.

Now we hit a major dry spell.  I don’t have any ticket stubs until 2010.  After having kids, the concerts slowed way down…obviously.  My wife and I joined some of our close friends for Bon Jovi in 2005.  I remember having a great time with our friends and the seats being at the very top of the arena.  Nosebleed sections for sure.  The show was okay, but it was more about the company.

We did go see Train on November 17, 2009 at one of the cool venues in Atlanta called The Tabernacle.  It is an old church and has this really cool vibe to it.  The shows are very intimate and a great place to see a show.  Train was touring for the Save Me San Fransisco album and were big again.  The opening act was Uncle Kracker and he was great.  The evening was a blast.

The next ticket stubs I have are for a special concert for my wife and I.  We decided to splurge and get tickets and Meet & Greets to see Train again.  The tickets were only $175 a piece…only!!  The date was August 27, 2010.  The opening act was just as good as Train.  It was Needtobreathe.  They are one of my current favorite bands.  Go see them if you can.  Train’s show is always awesome.  Pat Monahan is a great frontman and has such an amazing voice.  The seats were really close to the stage and it was an all around great night.  The guys were so nice and signed the CD Cover to the album Drops of Jupiter.  We wanted that one signed because my wife’s brother was the Engineer on the album.  We put together a nice little memory box of the evening.

Needtobreathe was so amazing, I grabbed tickets to their next show in Atlanta which was on November 10, 2010.  I went with one my life long friends and were able to grab a balcony seat at the Tabernacle.  The band was even better this time around because they were the main act and I got more of them.  I hope I get a chance to see them live again.

On December 13, 2011, my daughter and I went to see the Star 94 Jingle Jam at the Arena at Gwinnett Center.  The lineup was mostly great.  It had The Script, Parachute, Matt Nathanson, Big Time Rush and Daughtry.  They were all pretty good, except The Script.  I couldn’t understand anything he said or sang.  His accent was so heavy and the sound was off. Big Time Rush was okay, my daughter liked them so that is all that matters.  No ticket stub found.  Matt was amazing.  He was hilarious and I knew I had to see him again.

On February 23, 2012, I took my daughter to see Kelly Clarkson at the Fabulous Fox Theater. The opening act was one of my favorite artists, Matt Nathanson.  We just saw him a few months earlier.  The tickets were courtesy of my brother-in-law.  He had just worked with Kelly & he had worked with Matt and was able to make a call and get us some tickets. Both Matt & Kelly were sensational and we had a great time.  The highlight came after the show when we got to meet Matt Nathanson.  We got a picture with him (I won’t post as my daughter is in it) and my daughter got his autograph. It was a cool experience.  I also got to meet Matt’s tour manager and thank him for getting us the tickets.

On September 7th, 2012 it was back to see Train at Chastain again.  This time the opening acts were Mat Kearney and Andy Grammer.  We also took our girls with us and made it a fun family night.  Andy Grammer came rushing out into the crowd and came right up to our row and we got the picture below.  Train, Matt and Andy were all exceptional and it was such a fun evening.

I am sure I went to something after that show, but don’t remember.  It sucks getting old.  I do know that the next show I remember was on July 19th, 2014 after we had moved to Charlotte.  It was Kiss’ 40th Anniversary Tour and the opening act was Def Leppard!!  That is right.  The 2 bands I have seen in concert the most were playing together in the same show.  Wow!!  My brother, my sister and her husband drove up to Charlotte to see them with me.  If I am being honest, Def Leppard was absolutely amazing.  Probably the best show I have seen them do.  They blew the doors off Kiss. Kiss has become a well organized, choreographed Las Vegas show and it felt forced.  It did not have the excitement as did Def Leppard’s.  It was still an awesome time and I am so glad my family came up to see it with me.  That meant a lot.  I can’t find a stub, but I have a shirt and some pictures!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In November 2014, my wife and I drove to Greensboro, NC at the Greensboro Colesium and saw Garth Brooks.  We had both enjoyed Garth back in the day and we figured why not go see him and drive and 1 1/2 hours on a work night to go see him.  Garth was amazing and put on a very entertaining, hit filled show.  The only hiccup of the night was his wife was double booked.  She was doing a Charity event that night and was supposed to be one of the opening acts.  She had trouble getting there and arrived just in time for the finale of Garth’s show and she came out and did a couple songs.  My wife enjoys Tricia Yearwood so I know she enjoyed that part of the show as well.  I can’t find pictures or a stub for this show.

On June 9th, 2015, it was back to see Train with the entire family.  This time it was in Charlotte at the PNC Music Pavilion.  The opening acts were the Fray and my favorite, Matt Nathanson.  The show was great.  Matt Nathanson was just incredible as usual.  The man can command an audience.  He is also very funny. The Fray was also good and I was impressed by their show.  Train…well…what can you say.  Perfection as always.  It was also a cool moment when Matt and the lead singer of The Fray came out during Train’s set and did a song.

The next show after this one came a month later on July, 19th, 2015 when my wife and I went and saw Shania Twain.  Oh, be still my heart!!  We had great seats and I got to slap hands with Shania and even with Gavin DeGraw who was the opening act.  Shania put on a hell of a show and she still sounded and looked amazing.  I am glad I finally got to see her live.  The show was at Time Warner Arena and the ticket price was rather steep at $136. plus a $20.50 fee…ridiculous!!  But worth it.

For 2016, my daughter and I hit up a couple shows.  The first was Tori Kelly with Thirdstory opening up.  She was at the Fillmore in Charlotte.  You can read the concert review at the Tori Kelly Concert Review post.

The next show was also at the Fillmore in Charlotte.  This time it was James Bay with Joseph as the opening act.  You can read the full review at the James Bay Concert Review post and at the Joseph Concert Review.

That brings us to the final show of 2016 and the end of my list.  On December 13, 2016, the family went to the Spectrum Arena (Formerly Time Warner Arena) and saw the 95.1FM Kissmas Concert.  There were 6 bands including Shawn Mendes, Alessia Cara, DNCE, Hailee Steinfeld, Charlie XCX and JoJo.  It was pure Pop, Sugary Overload and it basically was for the kids.  I enjoyed Shawn Mendes, DNCE & JoJo.  I didn’t care for the other acts.  Alessia at least played an instrument, but each song sounded the same.  Hailee Steinfeld just had herself and 4 dancers.  No live band.  It was basically Karaoke.  Charlie XCX was just herself and a DJ.  Again…more Karaoke.  At least the others had a band (or were a band).

And there you have it.  The full concert experiences I have been on throughout my life.  I will update one day with any new concerts I hit over the coming years.  Until then…happy concert going!!