cavo's corner

Ticket Stub Tuesday…Round Thirty-Three:

Another entry without a key component: no ticket stub! The marquee will have to suffice. But, I’ll fill in the other info: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2010; DOORS OPEN @ 6; GA; $30. Unlike the last entry that didn’t have a ticket stub, I didn’t lose this one in the venue — rather, we never had tickets to begin with!

When @SimTilver and I discovered that the beautiful Sara Bareilles would be in town, he got tickets to the show right away for himself, me and @TGH3RD. Unbeknownst to him until the day of the show, Ticketmaster never sent the tickets to his house! In a slight panic, he called the box office and they informed him that we could pick the tickets up at the will-call window before the show. But when we got there, our names were just on a list — no tickets, no ticket stubs. Oh, well…

Not having tickets actually worked out in our favor. The doors to the venue opened at 6 and Sara wasn’t scheduled to go on until about 9, which in concert lingo means 9:20. Having gone straight from work to Webster Hall, we were all a little hungry. We decided to go across the street to the Village Pour House to get a quick bite (and a few drinks) before the show.

After we finished up, we headed back across the street and straight to the bar to get some concert cocktails. Then it was time to “find our friends.” Let me explain. When attending a concert that is GA (General Admission, i.e., no assigned seats) one must be assertive with finding a spot. Don’t expect to actually see whoever is on  stage unless you can weasel your way into the thick of the crowd. This is a talent that @SimTilver and I have perfected over the years.

“I think I see them up over there.” “Oh, yeah… I can see his hat.” “I can’t believe how much the crowd shifted.” “We should just hire someone from CraigsList to bring us drinks during the show.” These are the absurd statements that come out of our mouths while navigating the crowd. Of course we run into some people that are not to pleased with us, but for the most part, we tend to make friends along the way. The three of us are very charismatic, after all.  

This night was very different. Nearing the front of the crowd, we hit a wall of people. There was no place left to go, so we simply stayed put and sipped our drinks. All of the sudden, I get PUSHED from behind. Not like normal crowd-movement-push. Full on, forceful, I-hate-your-guts push.

So, I do what anyone else would do — I turn around. Looking back up at me is a four foot tall, middle-age woman. “Um, I was there…” she said, her piercing voice cutting through the din of the crowd. “I’m sorry. We were looking for our friends and we got stuck here.” I replied with a smile, laying on the charm. “Well, now I can’t see and you’re being an asshole.” Cunt! Are you serious?! “Well, this show is general admission — that means there are no reserved spots. My $30 goes just as far as yours.” I turned around while she bitched to her husband. Whatever, sweetheart, you have to be in it to win it.

Thinking that the nastiness was behind us, the three of us huddled close as we enjoyed our cocktails. Boy were we wrong. This short, Asian treasure:

decides that she doesn’t want to stand next to her husband, she wants to stand in front of him, so she comes in between @TGH3RD and me. Um, okay. Whatever.

Finally, Sara comes on and was brilliant as usual. She puts on such a phenomenal show that any bullshit that you may have to put up with is worth it. Although this was my sixth time seeing Sara in concert, this was the first show of hers that I saw since the release of Kaleidoscope Heart.

Her set had some very exciting surprises, including a “New York exclusive,” a cover of Cee Lo Green’s “Fuck You,” which was just so fun, given the people surrounding us. I was really pleased with the ratio of new and old songs. All too often, when an artist is promoting a new album, they choose to leave out older songs. I prefer a mix. Sara delivered.

As the concert was winding down, and the crowd having shifted, I was now standing in front of S.A.T. (Short Asian Tresure). To be nice, I asked her if she would like to switch places with me. “Do you want to switch with me so you can see?” To which she responded: “Yeah. That would have been an hour and a half ago.” Fuck you. Seriously. You’re about fifteen years too old for this crowd. No good deed goes unpunished. 

In any event, stuck-up bitches aside, we had a great boys-night out. Sara Bareilles is one of my all time favorite artists. She is truly talented. I can’t wait to see her again!

[[Sara playing the ukulele while Holly Conlan sings.]]

[[Sara tickling those ivories.]]

Read about past Sara Bareilles Concerts here:

Sara w/ Mika @ Nokia Theatre - 6.15.07

Sara w/ Jon McLaughlin @ Bowery Ballroom - 9.19.07

Sara w/ Maroon 5 @ MSG - 10.10.07

Sara Bareilles @ The Fillmore - 4.23.08

Sara Bareilles @ Joe’s Pub - 2.18.09