"One Good Thing About Music, When It Hits You Feel No Pain" - Bob Marley

So tonight (thanks to some awesome friends) I was able to see my first concert down under. and let me tell you when you're feeling a little home sick, all you need is a little live music. Pete and Patrick and the boys of Fall Out Boy, rocked it tonight, only there second show ever in Australia. I had the sweaty opportunity to push my way right up to the front of the crowd and was about 5 persons back from the front of the stage. My friend Barbara, who went with me and is about 5' 2", made it for about 5 minutes before she was pushed and pulled to the back of the crowd. She's from Staten Island so I had "no worries" that she could hold her own. So because it was there first time in Australia they played a lot more of the first album then I was expecting. I don't really know the first album besides the three singles (all of which they played), and they they played three songs from the new album (This Ain't A Scene..., Golden Rule, and Thriller). They sounded really good and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. After one of the roadies Anthony was introduced to start a circle pit, I screamed "Yeah New York" (anthony was from buffalo) and got a lot fo crazy looks from some Aussies, but whatever.

Before the show we had the opportunity to meet up with some Australian blokes too. Scott and the boys were really cool and from Sydney, and they are going to take us some cool places the next couple days and hopefully months. I also got to meet a mom who brought her daughter to the show, who was originally from Seattle, WA and had relocated with her Aussie husband almost 25 years ago to Australia. She was really cool and we chatted about the differences and nuances between the states and Australia.

Any way Fall Out Boy is touring the States on the Honda Civic Tour coming up shortly. I know they are playing Saratoga Performing Arts Center on May 30th (or close to that) so Matty and Kiernan talk your mom's into going. It's a great time :) If I was home I would totally take you. Well I know you guys are just waking up but its about 12:30am on Friday night here so I'm going to shower and see what else the night brings.

Until later

Currently Listening to Fall Out Boy Infinity on HighCheck it out on Barnes and Noble.com

This concert experience was brought to you proudly by LaT Productions and Island Records

The difference between a singer and a songwriter

Tonight I had the pleasure of witnessing Corinne Bailey Rae live at NYC Town Hall. My first time at the venue was a great one. The setting and the acoustics were great (except for a few sound glitches towards the end). Going into the show I only knew "Put Your Records On" and didn't know what to expect from the show...but I was blown away. Although there were 10 people on the stage there was no doubt that Corinne was the center of it all. The band and backup singers were the perfect accompaniment to Corinne soaring and soulful voice.

The difference between someone who gets their songs and sings them and someone like Corinne who writes them isn't always evident on an album, but it is clear in a live show. The amount of emotion and energy that was put into each and every note of every song was moving. She was able to connect with the crowd and draw her audience into the palm of her hand.

ALthough it seemed effortless when she sang, the in between banter and praises is where she got flustered. Whether she was clapping along with the audience ("thank you for thanking me and enjoying me so much, perhaps?) or talking just a bit too much, it seems that is the only thing she needs to work on.

"Put your recods On" was played somewhere in the middle of the set and everyone was still there at the end of the show. At the encore she came out and said..."I only have 11 songs that you know, so i guess you're getting the whole album."

A great artist and one who is sure to be around for a few years.

Corinne was also recently nominated for several Grammy awards.