What a trip down memory lane! Through the years, I've been writing down all the concerts I've attended with openers, venue, friends etc. I'm only half way through this trip of digitizing the list, but so enjoyable to go through this list. So many firsts... arena show, club show, jazz, Buffett, Electronica, all kinds of stuff. I've seen quite a few bands, and quite a few of them have been repeats. This makes it very hard to pinpoint a favorite. Instead of detailing one awesome concert that I went to of the too many to count shows, In this case, I want to weave a quick story for you. Sit back & enjoy!
I've seen Moby four times now, and it has been an adventure each time. The very first time, was during just my second festival. The first time, I went to a festival was Lollapalooza '94. It was with a group of friends and we pretty much stayed on the lawn the entire time sitting back and enjoying some awesome bands (George Clinton, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Breeders
). The second year I went, a.k.a. the first year my mom knew I was going to Lollapalooza, I took the bus to the show to be "safe". As a result I took a more vagabond approach to the show. Likewise, more and more people had started to realize this was an event to be at, so it was no big deal to not go with anyone in particular.
Another factor was the lack of headline strength. I was looking forward to Beck, Elastica
, Cypress Hill
, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones
, but at that time, none were really the type of band to carry a whole amphitheater. Hole might have been, but some jagoff (this is Pittsburgh remember) threw a shot gun shell on stage, and she stormed off. Anyway, I spent lots of time wandering around soaking it all in and hooking up with friends. The first time I experienced the second stage, I came across a very new experience: Moby! Was he punk, was he techno? I had no idea, but I was hooked when I saw a mosh pit brewing to a hardcore version of 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
A little over a year later, when studying abroad a friend asked me if I wanted to see Soundgarden as they were going on tour. We were studying (if you could call it that) in Bristol, England at the time. So I was a little surprised when we were getting ready for our weekend and he started talking about tickets to Amsterdam. Soundgarden was actually playing nearby in Rotterdam, Netherlands. I was going to get to see Moby, the opener, for a second time.
The best part about concert #2 was the buildup. I had really got into 'Everything is Wrong'
Moby's 1995 release and it's techno anthem 'Feeling So Real
' I kept building up to my trip pals, how great this song was.
.
Original Moby video for 'Feeling So Real' circa '95
Then... it happened. Rather than the glow lights and beats. It was Moby and his guitar strumming slowly to a country version. The embedded YouTube clip below doesn't begin to show the shock that I was experiencing. How could he do this? Why would this awesome song be country? Entirely country, there was no techno version. Fortunately, the awesomeness of Soundgarden salvaged the evening. Touring in support of Down on the Upside was incredible, playing all the hits from Badmotorfinger, Superunknownand their latest album. Little did anyone know this was their last tour until a 2010/2011 reunion.
Live Moby 'Feeling So Real' Country Intro of the Hybrid Country-Techno version.
I've seen Moby four times now, and it has been an adventure each time. The very first time, was during just my second festival. The first time, I went to a festival was Lollapalooza '94. It was with a group of friends and we pretty much stayed on the lawn the entire time sitting back and enjoying some awesome bands (George Clinton, Beastie Boys, Smashing Pumpkins, and the Breeders
). The second year I went, a.k.a. the first year my mom knew I was going to Lollapalooza, I took the bus to the show to be "safe". As a result I took a more vagabond approach to the show. Likewise, more and more people had started to realize this was an event to be at, so it was no big deal to not go with anyone in particular. Another factor was the lack of headline strength. I was looking forward to Beck, Elastica
, Cypress Hill, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, but at that time, none were really the type of band to carry a whole amphitheater. Hole might have been, but some jagoff (this is Pittsburgh remember) threw a shot gun shell on stage, and she stormed off. Anyway, I spent lots of time wandering around soaking it all in and hooking up with friends. The first time I experienced the second stage, I came across a very new experience: Moby! Was he punk, was he techno? I had no idea, but I was hooked when I saw a mosh pit brewing to a hardcore version of 'Sweet Home Alabama'.A little over a year later, when studying abroad a friend asked me if I wanted to see Soundgarden as they were going on tour. We were studying (if you could call it that) in Bristol, England at the time. So I was a little surprised when we were getting ready for our weekend and he started talking about tickets to Amsterdam. Soundgarden was actually playing nearby in Rotterdam, Netherlands. I was going to get to see Moby, the opener, for a second time.
The best part about concert #2 was the buildup. I had really got into 'Everything is Wrong'
Moby's 1995 release and it's techno anthem 'Feeling So Real' I kept building up to my trip pals, how great this song was..
Original Moby video for 'Feeling So Real' circa '95
Then... it happened. Rather than the glow lights and beats. It was Moby and his guitar strumming slowly to a country version. The embedded YouTube clip below doesn't begin to show the shock that I was experiencing. How could he do this? Why would this awesome song be country? Entirely country, there was no techno version. Fortunately, the awesomeness of Soundgarden salvaged the evening. Touring in support of Down on the Upside was incredible, playing all the hits from Badmotorfinger, Superunknownand their latest album. Little did anyone know this was their last tour until a 2010/2011 reunion.
Live Moby 'Feeling So Real' Country Intro of the Hybrid Country-Techno version.
The third time, I saw the wee man I was roaming around Metropol prior to a show. I met a short, bald headed, skinny vegan type. For those of you familiar, this person was a dead ringer for Moby. Silly me, I asked him if it was. Of course, he replied no, which made sense as he had a show to prepare for. But he allowed me the time to ask/explain my previous experience and request a faster version. He said he would get a message to the man.
The result was a hybrid like above, but no introduction to what he was doing. Also, I was just a little geeked as I may have just met Moby. It was yet another exciting experience. And a new Moby experience, first a festival, then an arena show, and now a club show, just as Moby was picking up steam with 'his future smash hit Play.
Later that year, during Rolling Rock Town Fair after Fuel
, and before Filter
and the Red Hot Chili Peppers
, I saw Moby for the fourth and likely final time. This was his natural setting. He had a large crowd and tons of adoring fans. His album was a really starting to move. 'Bodyrock' was a great anthem, and the crowd was thrilled. This was before commercial success of Play really came, with hits. 'Southside', 'Natural Blues', 'Porcelain', and 'Find My Baby'; but the show was a rocker nonetheless.
, and before Filter and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, I saw Moby for the fourth and likely final time. This was his natural setting. He had a large crowd and tons of adoring fans. His album was a really starting to move. 'Bodyrock' was a great anthem, and the crowd was thrilled. This was before commercial success of Play really came, with hits. 'Southside', 'Natural Blues', 'Porcelain', and 'Find My Baby'; but the show was a rocker nonetheless.
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