Rock Concerts

I was brought up with Classic music and pop love songs, if you sit through a Chinese love song, you have pretty much heard the whole genre. I didn't get introduced to rock music until 2000 when my friend in High school shoved a Linkin Park CD (Hybrid Theory) in my face. LP is of course not representative of the genre, but it was the first time I had heard anyone yelling at the top of their lungs in songs. It started a rebellion in my world (of music) and although it wasn't life-changing experience, it nevertheless widened my horizon and planted the seed for what is to come. The taste for Rock didn't really establish itself until about 2004 when I was working at a part-time job at pizza joint (Hell Pizza). The supervisors at the store introduced me to Mainstream Hard Rock, Classic, Modern, Metal, the proper stuff. We'd talk about tales and legends of rockstars during break time; the radio was always stuck on Rock: Bon Jovi, Metallica, ACDC, GN'R, Pearl Jam, U2, Chilli Peppers, Osbourne and Clapton. That was where I picked up the habit of turning up the radio when "shot through the heart" ring through the speakers.


By the time my taste in Rock music was slowly being cultivated, I had already missed out quite a bit: The Groove in the 60s, Rock n Roll, Punk rock, Metal era, 80's hair-bands, and 90's grunge. It has since taken me a long time to catch up and lament about being born in the wrong times. Here, I am intending to keep a record of the concerts that I've been to, so in 20 years time, I can look back and say, I have lived outside of medicine.


2006
April - Rolling stones; A Bigger Bang Tour. Auckland.

              Yes, that's right. The first ever rock concert that I went to was Rolling Stones. I am not a big fan of the Stones, and was more or less there to pay tribute to the great icon. The VIP area surrounding the centre stage was fenced in; we sat on a hill so away far from the stage that my naked eyes cannot see anything but blurry blobs, and I forgot to bring my telescope that night. Which was just as well, because the real atmosphere is generated here. All around me, old and young hippies created a merry "ambiance" with their smoke of weed, and they sing and they danced. in nearby bushes, there were couples bumping uglies. It was sensational for the novelty factor. Looking back, I'd imagine that was what Woodstock must be like.

2007
June - Gun N' Roses; Chinese Democracy. Auckland.
           I wasn't much of a fan back then. I went to the concert having only heard of a few of their songs, their legendary status, and one of my friend who was a hardcore fan would not shut up about them, so I figure I should see what the fuss is all about. Sebastian Bach of Skid Row opened for them with a few familiar tunes, but it was nothing special. Axl was drinking backstage and didn't come on till 11pm, but he made up for it by playing till 3am. I was hooked onto GNR ever since. This would also be the first concert that I've been to on my own. Waiting around pre-concert, I was surprised to see how many young faces there were. 13, 14 year old girls with their mums and dads at the concert, they must sigh about being born 10 years too late too.


October - Linkin Park; Meteora Tour. Auckland.
         LP was the first Rock band I know. By the time their second album came out, not only am I a fan, I knew every song, almost word for word. Needless to say, it was a great night, one of the best live experience. I came to realise that if I knew the songs well, one get a much bigger kick out of going to a live concert. This would also be the last time I'd buy a seated ticket to a rock concert.


2008
May - The Foo Fighters. Echo, Silence Tour. Adelade. Missed
         I didn't go because I was too lazy, and didn't know anyone in Adelaid to go with. I'd kick myself for it. Won't miss out the next chance I have to see them.


August - Alter Bridge. Adelaide. Missed
         My favourite band of today's Rock. The tour flew below my radar, I was totally stricken with grief when I found out in mid 2009 that they had been and gone. Vowing never to let a tragedy like that happen again, I signed up to a bunch of websites that warn me about future upcoming tours.


2009
Nov - Pearl Jam; Backspacer Tour. Adelaide.
         Having been told that Last Kiss was written after an actual incident back in Hell Pizza days, I have always thought that Eddie was a passionate, poetic of a man. The concert was below my expectations. He missed out some of the classics that people wanted to hear, half of the material were from the latest album, which was bland. Ben Harper, however, who was the support act, totally rocked the stage. I was really impressed with his talents.


2010
March - ACDC; Black Ice Tour. Adelaide.
         One of the best concert that I've been to so far. Say what you will about the Bogan fans, but the act itself was phenomenal. Apart from 2 or 3 songs from the new album, which were hits anyway, the rest of the night were all classics. It was incredible to see Johnston work the crowd. The stage was remarkable as a 3-story-tall steam engine Rock n' Roll Train start the concert, Hell's Bell rang from a huge bell that was lowered from the ceiling, and in case you didn't get the sexual innuendo, a 5-meter-tall blow-up doll was inflated to ride the train as "you shook me all night long". There was no low points throughout the whole show.


August - Slash & Myles Kennedy tour. Melbourne.
          See Slash & Myles Kennedy Concert.


September - Metallica; Death Magnetic Tour. Melbourne.


December - U2; 360 Tour. Melbourne.