I knew this would be an awesome day from the start. Early in the afternoon, I decided to go to Lehigh's webpage to look for directions. While I was there, I thought to check and see what tickets were still available. I was shocked when I saw a pair of front row tickets available. I had decent seats already, but I wanted these tickets. I begged and pleaded and Harry told me to buy them :) We didn't want to be rushing around so we headed out early and we arrived just before 6. I parked on the street and left Harry in the car while I ran in to get my tickets. I walked in and heard Pete playing his soundcheck. woohoo. I stayed outside in the lobby area and heard an awesome rendition of "on your side." It was truly beautiful and the sound in this place was amazing! Truly some of the best accoustics! The box office opened up and I got my tickets then ran out to tell Harry about what he missed again. :) We then went out for dinner... the only crappy thing about that night - doesn't seem like there is much of a choice for dinner out in Bethlehem. We arrived back at Lehigh and ran into Joey outside. He even remembered me from the Khyber earlier in the month :) Harry and I hung outside for awhile... I almost had him steal a poster that was out front for me but then I changed my mind. I then decided that we should head in because I really wanted to pick up tramp vol 2 while I had the chance. Inside we ran into the bbs'ers and hang out before the show. It was great seeing everyone and I let them know I had front row tickets. :) There was an announcement made that no cameras were allowed and they would be searching bags and we would have to go through security points. I scurried off to the bathroom to do the ol' hide the camera in your bra trick. To pull this off, underwire is a necessity :) Anyways, we headed inside and got ready for the show.
Minibar came onstage first and they were awesome! I have heard so much about them and was thrilled to finally be seeing them perform. I saw Luke over on the side of the stage and found it weird when he picked up a guitar. I then saw the other dirty birds over on the side and then Pete finally came up. Pete came out and played drums for one song and then Luke played guitar for another. So many talented individuals! Minibar finished up and Jesse Malin's band began setting up stage.
Jesse's guitarist, Rick, gave me the setlist for Minibar. He told me that it would be $5.00. Cute. People began filling in some of the seats around me and a couple people from the bbs came up to my row to keep Harry and I company. :) Jesse Malin hit the stage finally and not only was this another great performance, but it was also a humorous one. He loved to pick out people that were up front just kinda sitting there... he'd ask them if they were ok and if they were taking a nap. Rick (awesome guitarist in his own!) was funny during the show.... I'd be cheering and clapping at the ends of songs and he'd clap back at me. During one of his songs, Jesse decided to reach out to the audience and stood on the armrest of the first row of seats. His microphone stand fell towards him and he laid it onto the laps of a couple girls. By the end of his set, Jesse finally got everyone up on their feet and dancing. When the finished, I asked Rick for his setlist again and he handed it to me and told me I was up to $10.00. I was thrilled at this point and excitement for pete and the db's quadrupled. :)
Finally, they came out on stage. It was truly an amazing show! Next to Khyber, this was the best I've seen him. He started the show with I feel good again - one of my now favorites to hear him perform. Just the way he actually makes you feel the music - it engulfs you. The band then joined Pete and I was happy to see R. Walt to be directly in front of me :) I even said "welcome back" to him and he smiled back and said "thank you." They rocked on and continued with the following:
Pass Me By
Black
Carlos
Turn Of The Century
Closet
Long Way Down
Lose You
Simonize
Just Another
Strange Condition
Life On A Chain
All At Once (acoustic)
Suspicious Minds* (*Mark James cover) (acoustic) - Minibar joined with percussion parts of the song :)
On Your Side
June
Crystal Village
At some point in there, R. Walt tossed his pic to me :) Then Pete asked for request. Once again, I pleaded for Patience and he heard me. He actually played a line of the song but then said he couldn't remember anymore. I was thrilled just to even hear a little bit of it, but it leads me for wanting more! He decided to play 17, followed by For Nancy, Burrito, and their "end of the world" finale Murry. R. Walt was over near the drums, but came back over to his spot, yanked his setlist off the floor, crumpled it up a little bit and handed it to me. He put both his hands around mine and said thank you again - what a sweet guy!
The show was over, but not the night! I wanted to get all three of my setlist signed, so I started to wait in line. I started off with Jesse.. and did something really stupid. I didn't looked and handed him Minibar's list. DUH! He told me he'd be happy to sign my list, but he wanted to sign the right one - what a doll :) I chatted with him and then got a picture taken. Next, I waited for Minibar so I could get their list signed to. I asked them to come back to Philly soon and they said they'd love to :) R Walt appeard behind the table too so I was able to talk to him for a lil while and thank him for a great show and he posed for a picture with me. He is a great sweet guy! I was really thirsty at this point and asked Harry where I could get a drink and we walked off to get one. He turned around and I was gone - he found me with Rick from Malin's band and joined me. He complimented Rick on his playing abilties, but then informed him that somebody really needs to clean up their guitars. Rick laughed and agreed... said it would be a good thing for them to do tomorrow. By this time, everyone was cleaning up shop. The merchandise was packed and everyone started leaving. Pete hadn't come out yet, and we began to wonder if he would. We walked outside into the rainy weather, and heard the tour bus running. The gang began heading towards the parking garage, and we ran into a couple guys. They told us that Pete was on the bus and one of them actually decided to go over and ask him to join us. The next thing we knew the bus started pulling forward... then it backed up. woohoo! It was pulling into the loading zone so it could pack the gear up. I had sent Harry over to the parking garage already to make sure we could still get out - it was supposed to close at 11 - and I hear Harry calling my name. I walk towards him and there stands Pete :) He gave me a smile and I was thrilled. The bbs'ers and I hung around for awhile and we chatted with Pete. He even talked to some guy's fiance over the phone. Harry explained to Pete how he really likes LOAC, but that it was missing something - he said it needed more cowbell. only harry... anyways, we posed for a few more pictures and got ready to leave. Pete even told me to be careful and have a safe ride home - what a truly sweet guy! All in all, this was an amazing night and I really enjoyed myself. And this time, Harry was with me :)
