Oh What A Night: Keith Urban in Las Vegas!!

Well sometimes you just can’t follow that old “whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” rule! Keith’s show at Mandalay Bay was so special - it certainly needs to be shared!

Las Vegas was hot, hot, hot even before Keith got on stage (about 115 degrees) and the air conditioning most places just didn’t seem to be keeping up. I made the most of my short visit to Sin City, catching a fantastic Cirque de Soleil show called Ka at the MGM Hotel the night I arrived, and the cool Shark Reef at the Mandalay Saturday afternoon. I looked longingly at the arena box office where 2 years ago I picked up a Backstage Pass to meet Keith. But I couldn’t complain - I had gotten a good floor seat in the Monkeyville pre-sale, just 2 rows behind the elite “front” section. I had forgotten that the Mandalay Bay Arena is pretty small -even smaller than the Mohegan Sun I believe. I only counted 20 rows of risers (not even a full alphabet!) and there were only 4 rows of front section seats between me and the end of the right-hand runway so I knew it would be a good night. Happily the air-conditioning in the arena was cranked up so initially a few complained that it was too cold (something that almost never happens in Vegas!), but I knew that situation wouldn’t last long.

The audience was a bit slow to arrive (maybe because of all those bars, restaurants and gambling opportunities on the long walk through the Mandalay Bay) so I felt bad that there were so many empty seats when Keith surprised everyone by coming out to introduce Glen Campbell (even though he did so about 20 minutes after the 7:30 starting time printed on our tickets!). Those seats filled, of course, a little later in the evening, but still I was still peeved about it.

Keith’s introduction was so touching, He came out in his black button down shirt and black jeans and seemed quite serious and nearly emotional while praising this man who had been such an important influence and role model in his career (see my clip on youtube at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMEtc_uPpSw ) In fact Keith called him “my greatest influence” at one point.

I haven’t kept up with Glen’s music or career in recent years, but I got the feeling that it had been a while since he had been on stage. He seemed a little bit nervous and out of practice (in terms of his unease with the audience) and made a couple different comments about his age like “I’m happy to be here in Las Vegas - of course a guy my age is happy to be anywhere, if you know what I mean.” I believe he was using a teleprompter down low in front of his microphone to help him with some of the lyrics, so maybe he is feeling his age more than he likes.

Since my fond memories are of Glen, the ballad-singer, I have to admit that his first 3 or 4 songs, which I believe were from recent albums, seemed too loud and somewhat too rock or jazzed up for the Glen I was looking forward to seeing. And I couldn’t say much for the band or their arrangements on these fast tempo tunes. But as soon as he got to his classics all that changed and I loved them all and sang along to all those favorites. But that is not to say that I only enjoyed his oldies. A little later in his set he sang several from his newest release - covers of bands like Green Day and Foo-Fighters - which were just great and really appealed to the younger segment of the audience who may not know songs like Wichita Lineman, Galveston, Rhinestone Cowboy, and Gentle on My Mind. He thrilled us with his guitar work on some numbers but sang others with just his band backing him up. It was wonderful to see him perform again after all this time.

During the break between Glen and Keith the arena was just a-buzz with excitement. A couple times it seemed all of a sudden everyone decided something was about to happen and many stood up, with scattered screams. Many looked to the rear, as if they expected Keith might enter that way. All that attention focused on the rear arena spurred some dancers in the audience to REALLY start dancing to the break music - and that progressed to one of the dancers flashing the crowd! Yes, there were some high spirits last night!

Security, in red or gold suit jackets, was very obvious through Glen’s set. I had mentioned to the couples on either side of me that Keith had generally told security to be pretty laid back once he came out on stage, but I didn’t know if that was going to be the case here at the Mandalay. During the break we noticed folks began to line up at the edge of the stage and catwalk so the gal next to me asked one of the ushers whether she could go up there too. That guard said “No - only the seat-holders in the front section can do that.” Nevertheless, once Keith’s set began another security guard, seeing us looking uncertain about whether we could leave our row and move forward, actually waved us up to the front!! We found spots on the edge of the right runway and stayed there the rest of the night! I hope, in turn, maybe somebody from farther back in the arena moved up to our original seats.

When the big curtain dropped Keith had changed out of his black shirt and pants to a gray on black plaid shirt and some soft comfy looking jeans (you just wanted to touch those soft jeans that fit him so well!). It looked like his hair was freshly trimmed up too.Although his hair sometimes looked dark some of the bright lights later on showed that there are still some blond highlights to it. I swear he has a new wallet chain - it was sparkling like a string of diamonds last night (see the Hit the Ground clip), adding to the glitter he gets from his guitar strap.

After a few songs Keith greeted the audience as usual, and asked us to put our hands together again for the amazing, the legendary Glen Campbell (which we did) and then thanked Glen “for letting us close for him.” Tee hee.

What fun when Keith came down the ramp I stood next to for the ending of Where the Blacktop Ends (see clip) and again when he headed out to the small stage. Boy he is a wily one though - even though I knew he was coming I didn’t catch him (on film or with my lovepat) that second time.

Quite a few signs were present tonight but Keith did not read or noticeably acknowledge any. He played the usual three songs on the small stage, but then played a new (to me) melody as he returned to the mainstage, slightly disheveled from all that loving contact with his fans.

Somehow standing stage edge I feel more obligated to pay a bit of concentrated attention to the other band members when they happen by. I love watching all the guys (and it would be rude to only stare at Keith, no?), but felt my attention torn all evening. I did pat Chris R’s knee and Brian’s, when they played on the ramp, and tried to coax picks (without luck) from each of the guys when they were nearby.

When it came time for introductions Brian surprised us with a new solo - a little Mariah Carey I believe - Open Arms (see clip) - although I thought I heard Keith mutter something about Celine Dion? (maybe he was commenting that Brian may do Celine next?) Once again Keith cutely perched up on an amplifier while introducing Chris M (see clip),

It was wonderful to get an up close view of stage antics and of the songs Keith sang from the stage microphone. I’ve got some really good clips of the passion and intensity he shows in his face during those amazing guitar solos (although there was one gal between me a Keith who I ‘hated’ for 2 reasons - her waving arms kept getting in my shots and those waving arms BOTH sported the LPATWCT wristbands Keith and the guys tossed out at show’s end last tour!) I had mostly a rear view when Keith used the catwalk microphone. Generally I don’t mind that at all, but I did regret not having a front view when Keith brought Glen out for a duet towards the end of the show. He said he wanted “to change things up a bit tonight” and that this night was the only opportunity he had in the entire tour to perform with one of his idols (my word, not his). So I filmed a little of their backs(see clips below) but then turned to the big screen to see their faces and their guitar playing.(I put a little longer clip of this on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/iowalw#play/all/uploads-all/0/mTJg8FiLuAI ) I’m sure someone else will have captured their performance from a better perspective. Wichita Lineman, as a duet, has never sounded so sweet. It was clear that Keith was giving Glen the lead, keeping his own voice and guitar rather subdued. Very, very nice.

There was no venturing offstage during You Look Good in My Shirt Tonight. I’m guessing that they had to save a little time because of the extra duet (and Keith commented that the show was still running past the Mandalay’s 11:00 deadline). But Keith did kind of pit the different areas of the arena against one another in their singing along during that song. He started with the risers to his right, then recruited the risers to his left, who apparently weren’t singing loud enough because he yelled out a “I can’t hear you!” (a la the Sargeant in Gomer Pyle). I was disappointed when my camera flashed “Memory Card Full” at the end of this number with another four songs yet to go :(. Guess I took too many pictures of sharks and Glen!! I especially regret not being able to capture Keith and C-Rod during Better Life. They were out on the catwalk and Chris was playing with his knees quite flexed, as he often does, so his head was lower rather than higher than Keith’s. Keith put his left arm around Chris’s neck and continued to play and sing while Chris was sort of held (affectionately) captive!

From all appearances Keith had as wonderful a time last night as we all did! He did his usual thank yous and thanked us and Glen for such a special, magical night. After a few bows (including a very deep princely bow by Keith to the left risers), handslaps and pick tosses, they were off! And probably off very quickly to L.A. - the crew began taking apart the ramp I had been leaning on before we even had a chance to leave!!

PS Travel, to me, also means trying new things when possible. My new tries this trip:

Friday - Scallop sushi roll

Saturday: Green corn tamales

These clips I put on You Tube:

Keith Introducing Glen

Keith and Glen - Wichita Lineman

Glen Campbell Sings Green Day