cavo's corner

Ticket Stub Tuesday… Round Nineteen:

I went to this Mika concert with @SimTilver nearly two years ago. It was a bitter cold evening and the two of us nearly froze to death while waiting in line. The show was at Terminal 5 which is so far on the West side of Manhattan that you’re basically in New Jersey. The wind was blowing in off the frigid Hudson River, making each and every second spent in that line excruciatingly uncomfortable. I’m sure that I was dressed inappropriately, as I seldom wear proper attire when I know I’m going to be in cramped quarters. Usually, when I go to concerts that I hold a general admission ticket to, I’m in the thick of things.  I.E., sacrifice my comfort in the line for my comfort in the venue.

Per our usual concert schtick, the two of us made a b-line for the bar, where we obtained vodka-based beverages. From there, we secured our position on the floor, waiting (and drinking) patiently for Mika to take the stage. Unfortunately, the wonderful Ms. Sara Bareilles did not open this show, so I’m sure we had to suffer though the set of someone like Rachael Yamagata. As a matter of fact, I think it actually was Rachael Yamagata who opened the show because as I recall, a little Asian girl poured her drink on me. Don’t worry, I bought a drink for the sole purpose of retribution. However, she was so nimble that I lost her in the crowd, so I wound up drinking that ish.

I digress — This was my second Mika show, to date. (Read about the first show here)! The apropos thing about Mika is that, like his album, Life in Cartoon Motion, he himself exudes the persona of a cartoon character. He (and his hair) is larger than life. From the moment he takes stage, you know that you’re in for a good time. As this was the second time I went to see Mika in concert, I had a lot of time to listen to his album. By this point, I knew every song inside and out. While I do recall some new material included in the set-list, everything was pretty straight-forward; there were few surprises.

While this show was part of the “Dodgy Holiday” tour, the only thing “dodgy” about the concert was that stupid girl who spilled her drink on me. Oh, and maybe the creepy construction site next to Terminal 5. Other than that and the bitter cold, this was a great experience. I guess I could have done without the $10 drinks too. I mean, not the actual drinks — those I loved — just the price. I could have done without them being so expensive.  But, yeah, despite the chick whose drink ended up dripping down my arm, the shanty bowels of construction next to the venue, the subzero temperature and the ridiculously inflated drink prices, Tim and I had a great time!

[[Mika killin’ it!]]

[[“Big Girl (You Are Beautiful)”]]

Ticket Stub Tuesday… Round Seventeen:

As you may have noticed, a key component of “Ticket Stub Tuesday” is missing…. the ticket stub! This is the only concert that I’ve been to (to date) where I lost the stub in the venue. That just goes to show what a great time I had! @SimTilver was supposed to scan a copy of his for me, but he still hasn’t done that.. uhHum…

This was my second Sara Bareilles concert and first time seeing Jon McLaughlin, both of which co-headlined this show at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on 19 September 2007. Both artists were supporting their debut albums, McLaughlin with Indiana and Bareilles with Little Voice. Having already seen Sara B. once before, I knew what to expect. I bought her album and listened to it on repeat for the first couple of days. (As a matter of fact, her’s is an album that I still listen to over and over).

Jonny M. was exactly what I had expected. Having been paired up with Sara Bareilles, I knew he had to have a mellow, relaxed sound yet at the same time exhibit some sort of poppy hook. I’m surprised that he has flown under the radar for so long; I’m just waiting for him to blow up. in the same vein as John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band and Jack Johnson, McLaughlin makes for some kick-ass stoner tunes… not that I smoke the reefer. Just speculating. (I’ll submit to a drug test, people)!

[[Jon McLaughlin killin’ it!]]

[[Sara Bareilles playing her little heart out!]]