Smackie the Frog

If you know me reasonably well, you know that I’m not a huge fan of concerts. I don’t really like being forced to listen to songs that I don’t want to hear, I don’t like being surrounded by strangers, the sound quality is never that good, and you’re just kind of “stuck” there. But I still end up going, and sometimes I enjoy myself. Very rarely I’m even pleasantly surprised, like last year when I discovered The Felice Brothers, who are now one of my favorite bands.

Last week Kelly and I went to see Ben Folds, for what seems like the 15th time since I’ve known Kelly. I’m not really a fan of his music, but I am a fan of the man, Ben Folds, so I went. The concert itself was pretty terrible, but it got me thinking, and conversing with Kelly. I put together the top 3 bands, past or present, that I would like to see live, and what I would give in order to see them. And so here, in reverse order, I present my list of the 3 concerts that I would most love to see.

3) Nickel Creek. Amount I’d be willing to pay to see them. $1000.

I’ve seen Nickel Creek live 4 times, and each time it has been an incredible show. But they are on an indefinite hiatus, which could mean that I might never see them again. They are definitely one of my all time favorite bands, and they don’t have many bad songs. They also put on a live show that always managed to be exciting as well as intimate. About every six months I check in and see if there is any hope of them touring again. So far, no such luck. But I can keep hoping.

2) Cat Stevens (from the 70s). $2000.

How badass would it be to see Cat Stevens in his prime? Maybe even more than my number 1 choice, he doesn’t have a bad song. I never get tired of listening to his music. And from the videos I’ve seen on youtube, it looks like he put on a hell of a show. Now, I know that there is a possibility I could still see him, since he has started performing again as Yusef Islam. And that would still be awesome. But I’m not sure it would be #2 on the list awesome. But the Cat. Yeah, that would rock.

1) The Beatles. Absolutely anything and everything. I can’t think of what I wouldn’t be willing to give up to see them.

Maybe it is easy to say that I’d give up pretty much everything I own to see the Beatles live, even just once, but I totally would. More than any other form of art for my entire life, the Beatles have moved me and changed who I am. If I could only listen to one band for the rest of my life, it wouldn’t even be close. They are hands down the best band ever, changed music and our world, and if somehow I had the chance to see them perform live, even though by all accounts their concerts didn’t live up to the majesty of their albums, I would do it in a heartbeat. There is no question about this. They are #1 by FAR.

So there you go. The top three concerts that I would like to see. And maybe 1.5 of them could actually happen. Maybe this is why I’m so unhappy with concerts in general. Completely unrealistic expectations.