Sensational St. Paul

Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul is a huge arena and it seemed to be filled to the brim with Keith and Gary fans last night. Even the third tier nosebleed seats were full! I had already missed the ticket pre-sale when I decided the Twin Cities concert was a great opportunity to bring my best friend, an Urban Virgin, to the show since she has a daughter in town whom she likes to visit. So I bought a pair of floor tickets on Ebay and hoped for the best. With every arena numbering their sections, rows and seats differently you just never know where you’ll be until you actually get to your seats. Section C was supposed to be mid-floor and we had seats 13-14 in the 17^th row, so who knew where they would be. Well God smiled on us and gave my friend a first Urban experience she will never forget. The Xcel Center had a short section A, so C was closer than I expected and – hallelujah – seats 13-14 were right on the catwalk!!! We were so tickled, although Joan did not yet really realize just what that meant.

After gushing over that pleasant surprise I noticed something else. There was no person-sized gap between the catwalk railing and the catwalk on the side we were sitting. When we arrived the railing was about 8 inches from the walk but as soon as people started leaning on it it moved even closer. We, like the women I had observed with envy in Champaign, could rest our elbows on the catwalk and, with my arm extended, I could reach almost (but not quite) to the middle of the walk!!! This was going to be extra interesting! I decided later that they are obviously doing this on purpose. Keith and the guys slapping more hands this tour has been a big hit, and now moving the fans closer to the catwalk allows even more fans to possibly get the thrill of a touch and also makes for some great camera shots of fans close to Keith during his kneeling guitar solos.

I noticed that there was an orange piece of tape on the catwalk next to me and I hoped it meant something special. And it did – from the very start. Once Gary ventured off the main stage, he came down the catwalk right to that orange tape for part of Nothing On But The Radio. Emboldened by the actions of all the neighboring ladies on the catwalk, I followed their lead and first felt the black suede of his boots. And a bit later the orange tape marked the spot where he set his stool to sing Life Ain’t Always Beautiful (but my view was!) and those of us nearby gently tugged his pants leg when he was done, trying to get his attention for one of the hand grasps he gave a select few. Never got a hand, but I’ve pulled on Gary Allen’s pants – lol!

I caught a hand slap from Brian (tonight in a purple dress shirt with his vest and tie) after their catwalk trip at the end of Faster Car, and Brad Rice actually handed me (rather than tossing) his guitar pick, so I was getting “touches” right and left, but you know who I was waiting for!

My prayers were answered when the orange tape also turned out to mark the spot for the ROS microphone!! I watched (with rapid heartbeat) Keith’s slow approach as he strummed that long introduction to ROS and came to stand right in front of me, inches away. He smiled as extended arms all along the catwalk stretched out hoping for a touch. I didn’t even have to stretch – that suede boot was smack dab in front of me, so I gave it a rub, remembering how he teased us by pulling off those boots one at a time in that Moline KU-Tube videotape. It was early in the evening and he was singing so sweetly, I was still a bit timid and stood there, enraptured, for the rest of the song, just swiping at the edge of his jeans as he turned to retreat down the walk. But all evening he sauntered first close to one edge of the walk, then across to the other side – by no means staying in the center where he would be most out of reach. I took that as a bit of an invitation! He returned to the orange tape multiple times and by the end of the evening I had twice felt that muscular right calf and was so tempted to reach higher…. .. Joan was snapping pictures all the while – maybe she caught one of my Keith “contacts”. (And here is one of Linda feeling up Keith….)

I noticed during all the shows this weekend the songs were peppered with extra “Sweet babies”, “Pretty babies” and even a “Sweet baby girl”or two. Maybe he is pining for his sweet baby. Also a few lyric changes here and there although at the moment I am blanking on the one or two I told myself to remember for you all. The audience in St. Paul was very animated but didn’t sound quite as good as the Chicago crowd J. There was a bit of excitement mid show when some guy worked his way down the row in front of us (uninvited) and boosted his butt up onto the catwalk. Since he was right in front of me I told him he was blocking my view and couldn’t sit there – no sooner were the words out of my mouth and security hauled him away !! No butts allowed on the catwalk!

The music, as always, was just wonderful, the guitar work astounding! Keith was in fine voice and even sang us a few extra songs (“You’re not ready to go home yet, are you?” And the audience gave a resounding NOO!!!) So, during the encore, they did a long rendition of The Joker, with Gary coming back out to sing a couple verses. (Both Brad Rice and Brian are really getting into their shots at soloing at the mike!) Keith followed that with Billy Joel’s You May Be Right. Midway in the show we were also treated to an extended guitar intro and then rocking chorus of Saturday, Saturday. And following Everybody each night this weekend Keith sang a brief bit of Glen Campbell’s Everybody’s Talking At Me during the video shots of that magnificent tree (any particular significance to that song selection, do you think?)

Keith once again stayed around after the rest of the band left the stage, slapping hundreds of hands. He even jumped off the small stage (into the fenced in area surrounding the stage) to get to more fans that were still standing around that enclosure. And I got a hand grasp on his final return down the catwalk (so at least one touch of the evening was “voluntary” rather than me just copping a feel – lol! And during that brief grasp I got out a “Thank you Keith for a fantastic night!” My newly initiated urbanite friend agreed that it was the best concert she had ever seen. Having begun with catwalk seats though will she ever be able to sit elsewhere? That’s two Iowa Urban virgins that I have induced to travel a couple hundred miles each to their first KU concert this weekend – one to Chicago and one to St. Paul. Have I earned my KU Girl Scout badge yet?

Chicago LOVES Keith!

>Chicago LOVES Keith!!! This had to be just about the most participatory audience I have ever seen in my two dozen concerts – standing, singing, clapping, dancing, yelling – the whole arena was totally into the show tonight and that made it extra special. I had never been to the Allstate Arena before and it had to be the most confusing arena to get to with the worst signage to direct people. Luckily it is big enough and gaudy enough that we finally made it without signs. My sister and I were sitting in Floor 4 – the rear floor as I had expected from the seating charts but quite a few folks around us were surprised and dismayed that they weren’t closer to the front saying that the area we were sitting in was usually labeled section 6 at the Allstate Arena (the third and farthest set of floor seats), not section 4. We were close to the small stage, so that was good.

No security to speak of at the Allstate!! That was really different from most other venues and lead to folks surrounding the small stage and almost totally blocking the aisle early in the evening (and no one shooed them away)! The arena was not yet full when Gary played, but he still got a good response from the crowd that was there. I am enjoying his set more each time now that I am more familiar with his new music.

The break between Gary and Keith seemed particularly long tonight – it was nearly 9:20 when that countdown clock finally appeared on the screen and the response of the audience was thunderous. And the audience immediately began singing along and continued for the whole show. Keith was wearing the same tee that he has worn in recent television spots like GMA– the one with the circle design on the front that I have been trying to figure out the meaning of (anybody know what that circular pattern is about?). As soon as he got into WTBE it became clear that that tee is none too long and when he would lift his guitar over his head as he does at the end of that song and a few others, we were treated to glimpses of skin – side, back and sweet belly – thank you Keith! The wallet chain was in evidence (didn’t happen to notice it last night).

When Keith welcomed the crowd and asked each section in turn if they were feeling good tonight, he of course ended with “down on the floor??” and when we finished screaming he added “And that’s where many of us will be ending up tonight!” J

During ROS he has been lengthening a dramatic pause before the first chorus, with his head flung back, looking up at the ceiling – maybe 10 seconds long before he will sing the first refrain. It is a tease in song format and drives the crowd crazy. The sound of all the audience joining in gave me goosebumps last night. And you should have heard the guys sitting around me belting out all the words of Stupid Boy – it was really something.

It seemed like the energy from the audience was feeding straight into Keith’s fingers on the guitar. Sometimes it seemed you could hardly see his fingers – they were moving so quickly and effortlessly to every possible position on the neck of the guitar while his other hand picked a blur of strings. What amazing sounds he drew from his instruments- he just couldn’t have been better and he was loving every minute.

When the band moved down to the small stage I made it almost to the railing (one person in front of me) so had a pretty good view. I think Brian and Chris recognized me from handing over the fluffy ears last night because I swear they nodded at me. Keith thrilled the crowd with a verse or two of a special song about Chicago. Even though I spent the first 25 years of my life there I didn’t recognize this particular Chicago song – I’ll have to see if I can make out some of the lyrics and search it online. It seemed the microphone on the small stage had a lot of reverb when Keith was chatting with the audience so I had a hard time catching what he was saying because of the echo even thought I was standing just feet away. He had some fun with his introduction of Chris R, repeating everything that Chris does (banjo, guitar, vocals, banjo, vocals, guitar) several times over. After singing Better Half Keith called up onto the small stage the cutest little kid who had colored Keith a picture. The kid looked a little like the kid in Jerry McGuire with big white spectacles and blond hair. Keith asked his age and he said 5, but then corrected himself and said he was almost 5 and a half. Keith joked about not yet being 40 and a half. He asked the boy what he had colored for him (a turkey and a barn) and posed for photos with the cutie – so sweet!!

Before MMOU he asked how many in the audience were single, how many were couples, and then, how many weren’t sure…. Then dedicated MMOU to all who were in love.

Keith thanked the crowd more than once for making them feel so welcome, for making it such a special night, for making it feel “like new year’s eve” – there was so much excitement in the air and finally thanking everyone for the letting them feel the love from the crowd.

The cell phone wave returned during the encore!! and we had fun with it. Keith once again pitted one side of the arena against the other as to where the wave should begin and was amazed at how much rivalry he immediately generated – each side screaming their approval when he paid attention to them and booing the opposing side. When all the cell phones lit up Keith said it looked like “a bunch of horny fireflies!” And “Everybody” was preceded by the reminder that it had been written right there in Chicago with a Chicago boy – Richard Marx. Last night Keith dedicated to everyone in the audience who stayed to “The bitter end”. Oh Keith your concerts are sweet, sweet music and time with you!! We'd stay forever!

Keith once again stayed behind long after the rest of the band had left the stage, slapping hands and even signing a guitar for someone. I think he was out there moving to all areas of the stage and catwalk for nearly the entire length of that reggae song they play once the lights come back up (Let’s get together and we’ll feel alright!) And feel alright we did – sad that it was over but very definitely satisfied!

Urban-a Heaven!

>Now don’t you think that since Keith was going to play at the University of Illinois they should have played up the Urban-a instead of the Champaign??? Okay, so the arena was technically in Champaign, but I kinda like the idea of being in Urban-a. Anyway it was one terrific start to my 3 day Urban adventure. My ride down from Iowa went a little faster than expected so daughter Sara (who is getting her Masters in Engineering at U of I) and I had time to catch some dinner at an interesting Noodle Shop before heading over to Assembly Hall, a quite impressive space-ship shaped basketball arena. Although it looked big from the outside the arena was actually rather intimate compared to most of the venues Keith has played lately, The catwalk had to be shorter than usual and there were only a total of 17 rows of floor seats next to the catwalk and small stage area – I think that is less than half the usual number. Although I had “Floor 4” seats they were really seats on low risers set just beyond the small stage, in front of the regular first level risers, just elevated enough that we had a great view over the heads of the standing floor crowd.

As soon as we arrived I had my Monkeyville passport stamped and renewed my membership (only $20 – less than what they charge online, with the extra bonus of a chance at a first row seat upgrade). We didn’t win but I was quite pleased with our seats anyway. I was convinced that DJ Debonair was not there tonight – I could not locate his “Twin Disks of Love” or whatever Keith calls them – usually lit up somewhere near the stage – but enjoyed the fact that the opening music included more classic rock than is sometimes the case. But Keith did end up introducing DJ later, so I’m not sure where he and his equipment were hiding.

Gary put on a good set and seemed to get a good response from the crowd. But once he finished it didn’t take long for fans to line the sides of the catwalk, anxiously and excitedly awaiting Keith’s arrival. The left side of the catwalk, from my vantage point, appeared to not be fenced off from the walk – several of the gals had their arms or elbows resting on the walk itself and all night long they appeared to be within easy reach of Keith as he sashayed by – they kept catching his pant legs etc throughout the evening. I didn’t get over to that side to see how the set up differed from usual.

A new addition (new to me) tonight – a huge countdown clock which appeared on the big video screen one minute before Keith came on stage – counting down the seconds (and tenths of a second) until the starting beats of OIAL. The clock worked to whip everyone up in a frenzy.

Keith was looking so good – I do love the blond highlights and the less styled hair and is it my imagination or, with the hard work of this tour, are his legs getting lankier? And boy those cameramen are doing lots of butt shots – I think they know our weaknesses! He had on the usual dark tee, grayish jeans and a heavily studded belt; there was some faded writing on the back of the tee that I could not make out. Keith was wearing a couple special bracelets – a blue one and a silvery gray one – on his left arm, likely something he received from fans at the BSE, but I couldn’t tell if they were supporting some cause. Brian was dressed up again, like he was on GMA – long sleeve shirt and tie and nice looking vest.

They did She’s Gotta Be again tonight!! What a treat to see a song I haven’t seen done in years and a fantastic guitar solo to boot. He also went out into the left risers during YLGIMS but tonight the ladies seemed to be relatively respectful and well behaved. I noticed he played more facing up towards the risers rather than facing down towards the floor like he did in Wilkes-Barre, for example. When facing up towards the risers it is harder for anyone to grab him around the neck from behind as has happened at a few of the shows, so it might be quite intentional. He treated the crowd to his medley of classic rock guitar riffs before transitioning into YLGIMS – he looked like he was having so much fun as he did that – just little kid delight beaming from his face with each new bit he performed.

I had brought a pair of fluffy feather “ears” or antennae in U of Ill colors along and when the band came down to the small stage I made it up to the railing and passed them up to Chris McHugh. He put them on and posed for several pictures, but then tossed them back rather than keeping them on. My spot by the rail turned out not to be too good though, once a cameraman came and blocked my view, so I had to move a bit further away to be able to see Keith as he played MMOU and YTOM. Keith scolded security for hassling the fans gathering at the end of the small stage – told them to leave the fans alone and let them stand there. During the encore, while playing Better Life from first the right end, and then the left end of the stage, he also welcomed fans down from the risers to come stand down on the floor for a while! Go Keith!

Both Keith and Gary threw out an abundance of guitar picks to the audience. The guys were all playful as usual. Keith and Jerry again did a “slow-motion” charge at one another at the beginning of WWWBM – this time from more distant points on the stage so the slow run was really funny. Also tonight the guys all gathered at a single mike to single the closing of the song.

The applause and hoots of approval from the crowd were especially loud and the arena was a-twinkle with cell phones as we urged the band out for the encore. No extra songs during the encore this evening (and hence no re-emergence of Gary)– maybe they are heading out immediately to spend a night in a Chicago hotel. Keith did a little bit different “thank-you” to the crowd when he talked about this last year and all the emails and cards he received - he said he was he was moved by how many friends he apparently had in Illinois. Keith also did a new variation in his wonderful performance of Everybody – instead of the “Everybody needs somebody – somebody like you” that he has been singing at the end of the song, tonight it was “Everybody needs somebody – like I need you!”, gesturing to the audience – really nice!!! He stayed quite a while after the closing bows, going to the stage edges and down the length of the catwalk to slap more hands and on the way gathered many gifts, posters and other offerings from the fans. It was a terrific evening – making me hungry for more. On to Chicago!

Detroit Was Dandy!

>Our First Surprise

A Keith concert in Detroit was an ideal time to visit my daughter Jen who goes to the University of Michigan. She collected me at the airport and we headed straight for Auburn Hills in heavy traffic. We spent the afternoon watching the Michigan-Michigan State game at the Post Bar, across the street from the Palace Arena. Happily Michigan pulled out a win from the close game so Jen’s spirits were high. We took the shuttle from the bar to the arena about 7:00 and found, to our delight, that not only did we have 8^th row seats, but we were immediately next to the catwalk rather than on the aisle as we had initially been told!! I was ecstatic – I will have to have my daughter Sara (who bought the tickets for me because I was on Capitol Hill when they went on sale) do all my Ticketmaster transactions! One thing was different about this venue – they had about a 30 foot square fenced area (no chairs) beyond the small stage. Since this is where a crowd would usually gather when they do their set at the end of the runway, I’m not sure who got to enter that region. There were about a dozen ladies standing there before the start of the show but I lost track of it later in the evening.

Not the Backstage Experience I Wanted

We didn’t have any luck finding country radio stations offering BSE passes, but I ended up going backstage – unfortunately not to see Keith. As I entered the 8^th row to go to our seats, my shoe caught one of those folding chair legs and I went crashing to the floor, hitting my face on a chair post on the way down. I laid there stunned and in pain for a few moments and security came rushing over. Nothing broken, no blood – just a very sore face, but security wanted me to fill out an accident report and be checked out by medical. So backstage I went, passing within touching range of that long rack of guitars (I didn’t touch since I was being escorted by security), then down a long hallway, passing all the drums of the drum corps, to the infirmary where 3 people fussed over me. The doctor checked my face bones and mouth and gave me a pain reliever and an icepack. I told him I would have to change my concert sign to “Keith please kiss my boo-boo better,” My cheek is swollen like a chipmunk’s this morning Lol

Gary Allan Was Great!

I thoroughly enjoyed Gary’s performance – he looked quite hott tonight, has some great moves, is definitely going to be a contestant in the cute booty contest, and sang several of his hits as well as two from his new album. He had a rather elaborate 8 foot platform with stairs that he began the night on, and several fancy glowing candlelabra. They also began pumping out not such the usual smoke machine but fragrance as well. During Gary is smelled a little like Bob Dylan’s patchouli but later, during Keith it was more sweet vanilla or butter rum J Gary did a few songs from the catwalk just a few feet in front of us. He wore nicely torn jeans decorated with copper metallic painted designs, gorgeous silver jewelry pieces, and the longest snakeskin or alligator boots I have ever seen - the toes actually kind of curled up at the ends.

Our Main Man

It is disconcerting to me not to have that growing, glowing, beating heart on the screen as Keith’s performance approaches. The music during the set-up break also included some new songs and no one had a sense of when Keith was finally going to appear. I kind of miss the more structured anticipation. But then the DJ finally played that New Radicals song that I did recognize as one of the last before the OIAL. And there he was – so rising platform, no walk down a ramp – just there at the front microphone, playing a sweet acoustic version of OIAL that I really loved. He was initially backlit but not the glowing white background of previously; then the lights finally came up (a little later than with the album style OIAL) and the crowd went crazy.

Keith was in excellent spirits and kept poking and butting and rabbit punching the other band members when they drew close for their little guitar interactions. He seemed ever so slightly husky in voice sometimes – I heard the Grand Rapids show went 2.5 hours – and I did notice that he avoided singing the highest note and ooo-whoos during the evening.

But if he was feeling at all under the weather he didn’t otherwise let it affect the energy he put in the show. He gave us all sorts of “specials” during the night and we do so appreciate it Keith. I kept wanting to shout “Entertainer of the Year” at the top of my lungs with each little treat he provided.

He, as usual, thanked and welcomed the crowd , asking each side, and then the rear of the arena how they were doing or were they feeling good. Then is finally directed his question to us “Down on the floor” and after our cheering stopped he said it again in his “dirty” voice “Mmm, down on the floor” and one of those sexy chuckles.

In the midst of the usual start of the show line-up – after being down on the runway for ROS – he played a new long, beautiful guitar interlude which I didn’t recognize. He, and now Brian and perhaps the others guys, continued to play it as he moved back to stage and then it suddenly evolved into an utterly rocking version of “Saturday, Saturday” – he was jumping and stomping and just burned that guitar up. What a treat!

When they headed to the small stage and Keith did the usual introductions down there, he started laughing because, the night before in Grand Rapids, apparently Keith cut his hand and bled all over Brian’s guitar. It wasn’t until they got down on the small stage that they noticed Keith’s blood what still there on the guitar.

The high school (I think) drum corps (who are staying in my hotel) received band assistance as they played last night. I’ve never noticed this happening before, but last night Brian played one of the drums in the drum corps!!!

At piano time Keith treated the crowd to a very twangy country version of “I Was Born in Saginaw Michigan” – he got through 3 verses but then had to sing that that was all the words he knew. So much fun. He also did his usual playful interaction with the crowd with the chords that elicit a big “Charge” from the audience and the usual Violent Femmes bit . This time when thanking everyone for sticking with him this last year he described this last year as crazy but “the best year of my life” and thanked the crowd for their part in that.

The special treats were not over yet!! Keith was in such a rocking mood that when he put on his guitar and began the intro to YLGIMS he went off on a bit of famous guitar riffs and phrases that went through perhaps a half-dozen greats. Some were ones I knew but can’t immediately name for you – I’ve have to replay my video of it to catch them all – but I think he played some Hendrix, some Sweet Home Alabama, Smoke on the Water, Walk This Way, Stairway to Heaven, and a couple others I knew but have not yet identified. He braved the left risers during YLGIMS and nearly got himself strangled by all the hugs and rubs he received – good thing he has good security guys but more than once during the night he (with good reason) said “Detroit – you guys are crazy!!” He nodded and acknowledged signs but really didn’t read any to the the crowd, He slapped lots of hands (Yes once again I am typing with one hand so as not to lose my essence of Keith – I also caught a feel of his guitar strap at one point when he took off his guitar as he passed me.). He was so close so many times – I wanted to rub his boots, his pants leg, touch his guitar or arm as he knelt right in front of me for his WWWBM guitar piece, but I didn’t want to scare him away from my spot on the runway so those times I just stared (and grinned like an idiot no doubt).

We also got an extended version of The Joker with one or 2 verses sung by each band member except Chris McH – Brad Rice was really funny, Brian had a surprisingly sweet voice and Gary Allan even re-emerged to sing a couple great verses. The sonh ended with Gary, Keith and Jerry all out mid-runway singing together. Super, super, super! They must have played at least two and a half hours – what a wonderful evening!!!