Blue's Concert Calendar

I haven't updated this in a while so I thought I'd give it a look in a slightly different fashion. Instead of just listing a pile of shows that I think sound snazzy, I thought I'd spotlight a handful of my favorites that I'd like to go to the absolute most and then give a little insight as to why.

Sound good? Good!

Tuesday - Feb 17 - Largo - Ben Lee
This is a record release show for Ben Lee and since I kinda dug his last record, I'm thinking I might kinda dig this one too. For someone who went from my least favorite of the Bens [Folds y Kweller being the others,] I've quickly developed a fondness for Mr. Lee. Bonus points if he gets Mandy Moore there to duet on Birds And Bees.

Tuesday - Feb 17 - Glass House - Lykke Li
I really wanted to see Lykke Li at a live in-store at Amoeba late in '08 but didn't make it. I think I'd enjoy this show - or I'd leave it absolutely hating Lykke Li. It's one or the other - I don't think there's an in-between on that one.

Thursday - Feb 26 - Largo - Colin Hay
I've extolled the virtues of how awesome Colin Hay is on this page a handful of times. Mix his newer solo stuff with his acoustic greatness in tackling the old Men At Work jams and I'd have to imagine Colin Hay is one hell of a show to see.

Thursday - Feb 26 - Club Nokia - Tenacious D
Oh, come on. It's the D! Do I really need to go further? The first time I heard more than one or two songs from the D was when they performed at Comic-Con a few years ago. An actual sorta full concert at Comic-Con in front of 7,000+ geeks. You've gotta love that. Oh, and don't forget that Jack Black was on stage a couple hours earlier to answer questions about King Kong and got only D questions instead. Awesome.

Tuesday - March 10 - Henry Fonda - Cut Copy
Cut Copy was one of my favorite discoveries of 2008. Their amazing blend of retro 80's sounding greatness mixed with a tinge of the modern electronic style made theirs a sound that I loved to hear over and over throughout the year. And people are still discovering Cut Copy so I'd love to see them in a small venue before they potentially explode.

Thursday - March 26 - Glass House - The Airborne Toxic Event
One of my favorite band names EVER - The Airborne Toxic Event also holds the honor of being the only KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic podcast that I've actually taken the time to listen to of the 20+ on my iPhone. They played a fantastic acoustic set on that show and ever since I heard it, I thought seeing them live in a small venue would be amazing.

Thursday - April 2 - The Wiltern - Lily Allen
Well, since I enjoyed Kate Nash so much, it only seems fitting that I might enjoy the artist that most people confuse Kate Nash for. Lily Allen preceded Kate Nash by about a year but I just never got as into her as I did Kate Nash. But the Lily Allen album has provided some surprising moments for me on shuffle over the past six months or so.

Wednesday - April 15 - LA Sports Arena - Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Arguably my favorite band in the world and almost definitely my favorite live act of all time? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I want to go to this show. The only thing holding me back is the shitty venue. The LA Sports Arena? Really? Bruce, how can you make all the 25-65 year olds that make up your demographic travel down to the fuckin' ghetto to see you live? It's just mean!

Thursday - April 16 - Staples Center - Britney Spears
Now, I'm only half-joking about this one. I mean, I'd go - I seriously would go. But there's a handful of reasons it'll never happen. 1] I would hate every single person in the arena. There's not a doubt in my mind that I'd ponder several times throughout the night the best way to permanently silence 15,000 voices. 2] She'll lip sync and I'll be pissed. It'll be some bullshit "Oh, she has to focus on the dancing" excuse that'll make me want to tear down the heavens because Janet Jackson and Madonna dance as hard as Britney does and they don't use that shit as an excuse. 3] Well, I just don't know if I'd want to admit I was at the show. It's bad enough that I have to tell people I saw New Edition in concert. How many strikes against my street cred can I have?

Thursday - April 23 - Henry Fonda - Mates Of State/Black Kids
That's a hell of a double bill. I adore Mates Of State and have ever since they outshined everyone musically at the Death Cab show a few years back. Seeing them in that small of a building would be a fantastic night. Plus, you get the Black Kids who have one of my favorite songs of the moment. It's a win-win night.

Tuesday - May 19 - The Palladium - The Decemberists
I don't think I've been to the Palladium for somewhere approaching a decade and since they recently renovated the place, I'd love to check it out to see what they've done. Plus, I've been wanting to see The Decemberists for a long while since I had to miss out on their night at the Bowl with the Orchestra to attend a bachelor party.

Sunday - May 24 - Greek Theatre - Flight Of The Conchords
The greatest comedy act of our time in one of my favorite concert venues? How can we go wrong? But I'm not sure I'm willing to cough up $50 for this show.