Rowdy in Roanoke!

>Well I have danced and clapped myself to near exhaustion and sang, screamed and woo-hooed myself to hoarseness. Virginia definitely gave Keith some love tonight!! He said the crowd sounded like New Year’s Eve and that is not because they were drunk! I didn’t actually look for an alcohol vender, so I can’t say for sure, but tonight’s venue may have been a dry venue because I never saw anyone drinking or carrying beers tonight. But that didn’t keep the crowd from loudly participating!

The evening had a bit of an auspicious start however. I arrived at the Civic Center at 6:15 for the 7:30 show and there were already huge lines of ticketholders at each of the doors, with shuttle busloads more arriving every few minutes. The doors did not open at the expected 6:30, or 6:45 and the crowd was getting antsy. Close to 7:00 staff shouted something I could not hear over the sound of one of Keith’s highly decorated tour buses that was running next to our line, but the folks next to me heard the words “fire marshall”. So officials delayed doors opening until 7:00 meaning that they had to back up showtime to 8:00 to allow enough time for everyone to enter.

I only decided to go to tonight’s show on Thursday afternoon when I learned hubby had to go out of town and I’d be all by my lonesome for the weekend. I quickly found a reasonably priced flight and hotel. I knew I’d have to settle for what concert tickets were available at the last minute for what tonight looked like a sold out concert. I bought what I thought, from the seating chart on Ebay, was a “Club” seat or whatever they called that kind of mezzanine level above the lower risers. I was just glad that it was in the front row of that section, close to the stage and beggers can’t be choosers. But lo and behold it was not really a “Club” seat, but instead first row of the “Box Seats”. I think the Ebay seller perhaps didn’t know just how good a seat it actually was at the Roanoke Civic Center (a fairly small venue like the Mohegan). I was level with the height of the stage and sitting 10 ft from Keith’s microphone at stage right!! Face to face with the man every time he sang or strummed on that side – what a joyful experience!

Tonight it looked like the edge of the catwalk was a free for all – crowds lined the walkway during the break after Carrie. The glowing bulbs (red) that outline the catwalk and center front of the stage were used to good effect both during some of Carrie’s songs and one or two of Keith’s. But I was surprised that Keith and the guys did not make their usual first trip down the walk at the end of Faster Car. Tonight they all lined up on the front edge of the stage for that pounding guitar ending – that’s the first time I’ve seen them do it there. A few other staging elements were also new to me. The catwalk bulbs glowed blue for ROS and tonight Keith’s great Stupid Boy guitar solo also took place halfway down the runway. During the lead-in to the first ROS chorus Keith took an extra long exaggerated pause, leaning back in almost a back bend for so long that eventually both he and the audience cracked up laughing – laughing so much, in fact that he had a little trouble getting back to the ROS chorus! But he enjoyed that laugh and said we were his kind of crowd! God I love his various laughs. I couldn’t hear what later set off some sexy chuckles when they moved to the small stage, but I enjoyed the chuckles nonetheless. While on the small stage Keith brought up a darling 4 year old named Sydney who had a monkey for Keith and a sign to the effect of “I want to be your Monkeyville mascot.” They had a very sweet conversation and a couple of hugs. As she left the stage Keith said “I’ve got to get me one of those” – expressing his desire and excitement, I believe, about having a “little person” in his life! I wonder if they know they might be expecting a daughter……

On a completely separate note Keith and Verizon are really working together now. Verizon allowed audience members to send in text messages which showed on the big screen during the break as well as having some other special promotions in the lobby. But what really intrigued me is their contest to win a backyard BBQ with Keith!! And, if I understood correctly, another contest to appear in a Keith video. I’ll get the grills ready Keith!!!

Some of my favorite concert parts were made more special than ever. Keith not only dedicated GIRTT to Nicole, but tonight added “After all, I wrote this song for her!” and inserted some “Sweet sweet girl”’s in the song. After ROS he sang a little extra “And if it is raining or snowing on Sunday in Roanoke, it doesn’t matter – we’re staying!” He said a special hello to an old friend from Franklin County, Virginia that was in the audience and, earlier in the evening, thanked Virginia for the great weather Saturday because it had been perfect for riding the cycles.

But sometimes a change in a favorite moment is not as appreciated, even if it is skillful.

I have always loved the purity and intimacy of Keith singing TIWC at the piano, He was wonderful as usual – so heartfelt. But then the band came in behind him on the second verse and chorus – kind of like they do on the Celebration version of GIRTT (not quite as fullblown in TIWC but not subtle). I’m sorry Jerry (who was leading this guitar addition), but for this song I just want Keith’s sweet voice, expressive face and the piano.

Tonight Keith never made it off the floor during his brave venture into the crowd during YLGIMS. He was simply mobbed – some gals tried to hold onto him for the entire length of his walk rather than just being content with a touch or a squeeze. He made it halfway back in the arena and then stepped up on a chair to sing his verse (which helped protect him while on that perch). Again he signed and gave away a guitar but I couldn’t see who received it.

Tonight Keith really wanted ITYS to be participatory and the crowd obliged – it has joined the list of songs that much of the audience seems able to sing along with. And the cell phone wave returned tonight with great success!

Other bits and pieces – Brian Nutter sure looks different with a full head of dark hair! Sweet B seemed to be guiding around a family-looking group before the show – I watched him shepherd them back behind stage. I do like Keith’s new haircut, even if I miss the flippage. Keith was particularly profuse in his thanks to the crowd for staying “to the bitter end tonight” as he says it. There were a few empty seats after the pre-encore break but not many. He again outlasted the other guys after the lights came up – he continued to walk down the catwalk and to both sides of the arena, thanking, nodding, accepting roses, slapping hands, throwing picks, signing a few autographs. It was nearly midnight when he finally left the stage leaving a well-satisfied , happy audience.