Vegas Part 2

I'm sitting in the Vegas airport so don't know how much I will get down before they call my flight. I'm also typing with only 4 hrs of sleep so expect mistakes! I had a great time at last night's show, with a different perspective from the rear floor rather than front risers. Both have their advantages and disadvantages so I am blessed to get to try both. All of you who have back floor seats should know that the Ticketmaster floor plans are pretty much "guesstimates" - I don't think the arena or even Keith's crew knows exactly how this new stage with that extra long catwalk will fit with seating until they actually get there. I had front row section 4 seats which on Ticketmaster looked like essentially front row for the second stage. But in fact the catwalk went maybe 15 rows farther than what ticketmaster showed, so 4A was about 2/3 of the way down the catwalk, right where there is a little fenced area for the sound techs. So know that figuring out the floor plan for these concerts is a new experience for everyone.

I completely missed the Wreckers because of my Backstage Experience and came in during the great music Keith has a DJ doing while they set up the stage after the Wreckers finish. Keith took the time to introduce the guy and talked about him during the show because the DJs family was in the audience, as was guitarist Brad Rice's familyfrom Austin. It is particularly appropriate, I think, that one of the last tracks they play before the band comes on is "You Shook Me All Night Long" (Yes Keith - you did!!). During the last few of the DJ’s tracks you hear an occasional "thud thud" ,which, as it becomes more frequent, becomes recognizable as a heart beat. Over a period of about 15 minutes that heart beat occurs gradually more frequently. At the same time what initially looked like a little spot of light on the big video screen gets slowly bigger and eventually is recognizable as the LPATWCT heart and the heart beat becomes the lead in into Once in a Lifetime Love. Everyone screams and rises to their feet as the arena goes dark and we hear the beginning beats of the song – the show so many have been counting down months to, then weeks to, then days to and finally hours to is finally here!!

Now from rear floor I sometimes had to stand on tippy toes to see real Keith but I could always see “video Keith” on that great screen. The set list was the same as Phoenix I believe, but there were some special differences from the night before.

It appeared that Keith and the guys were just buoyant, riding on the high of the great concert the night before. They were playful all evening - doing head butts, guitar duels, leaping at each other in WWWBM, joking and laughing and having so much fun. Did I tell you they show some great silhouettes of all the guys playing and moving (on the video screen) - during some songs like Shine. God I don't know anyone who moves like Keith. Is that all just his natural graceful prowl or did he practice in front of the mirror? Whatever - I could watch even with no sound on forever! He read some signs! And was drawn to one he described as the biggest sign ever - looked like a bedsheet! It said something about 2 sisters who came all the way to Vegas from Florida. So he invited them up on stage!! Hugged them, brought them to the mike and got their names and home town. They were just shaking from the excitement. He joked that they had stolen the sail off their dad’s sailboat to make the sign and chatted with them about Clearwater (their home town) So chances to go up on stage are still alive!!

He wore multiple Monkeyville bracelets last night (and threw them to the audience along with his LPATWCT heart bracelet at the end) and what looked like a vintage T-shirt but I can't recall what it said. Also a heavily studded good looking belt and either somewhat more low slung jeans or a shorter tee, because all night we were treated to little flashes of side, back and belly when he stretched for something. He was in fine form again - fantastic vocals. One in particular - the closing song Everybody (which has not been my favorite track on the album) moved me to tears. He sang it so expressively and they kept just a head shot on the big video screen so you could see the sincerity in his face. He added in little extra phrases like "Yes even I need somebody." The crowd went crazy again. Apparently he was so tickled with the display of cell phones lights in Phoenix, that he played with that idea in Vegas. He had everyone sit down and get out their cells and then directed a "Wave" of raising up your lit phones that went twice around the entire arena! Crazy fun! And he was just as delighted as a little kid smiling and laughing at what he had created - so happy that he said "God I love all you guys - you are just terrific!!" (The feeling is mutual Keith!!)

One plus of being seated on rear floor was being up close for the catwalk and small stage songs. I was lucky to know something about which songs would be done down at the end of the catwalk. When I heard the beginning chords or saw the guys begin to move, I dashed to the railing to be up front and had some terrific views. He apologizes to the front floor audience for the backside view they get while he is on the small stage but, man, it is not a bad view at all!! Lol