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over my head? Rush Concert

S

swaps

Guest
May 12, 2012
42
0
Austin, MN
#1
I havn't gone to a concert in years. Actually, my concert history is pretty sad.

Violent Femmes, Stereomud/Saliva/Crazy Town, George Carlin (not music, i know, but still awesome), Proclaimers/Barenaked Ladies (awesome live show), Hed PE, Keith Urban/Kenny Chesney, some country music festival in Minnesota, and other than some small bar gigs, nothing of interest.

Anyway, a buddy and I are going to Rush at Target Center in September. I love Rush's hits, YYZ is a masterpiece, but I'm not well versed in their ancillary songs that the true fanbase goes crazy for. I do know that a lot of Rush fans are crazy as hell. We couldn't afford floor seats, so I trust that we'll be seperated from the true fanatics, but have I gone a little over my head considering my lack of concert experience? My friend is even worse off. He's NEVER gone to a concert. So for him it's trial by fire.

What can I expect, and what should I be prepared for when I witness the Holy Triumvirate.
 
#2
Expect to become just as crazy as the rest of us! You are not in over your head, just enjoy. My wife wasn't really into Rush until I took her to her first concert on their R30 tour. I suggest picking up a DVD or two and checking out some concert footage. Particular favorites are the Rush in Rio DVD, Grace Under Pressure, Snakes & Arrows, etc. If you want to see CRAZY fans, start with Rush in Rio. Even Geddy, Alex, and Neil were shocked at the fan turnout and involvement. Not very often that fans will sing along with an instrumental. YYZ live has that effect. :bassist:
 
#3
I watched the Rio concert on Youtube. When they're playing YYZ the crowd jumping looks just phenominal! That has to be such an awesome feeling knowing that something you're playing is causing that reaction. I have no delusions of grandeur, I know I'll never be 1/10th the player that Geddy is, but if I can just learn, and perform YYZ, I can die happy.

Flipping through the channels yesterday I actually found a Rush concert and watched a good chunk of it. Maybe I'll find a show in the Twin Cities to bring my buddy to so he can pop his cherry on something a little more gentle first before the mega show. I can't wait!


do they have opening acts? If so, are there any clues to who will be joining them on their tour this summer?
 
#4
swaps said:
I havn't gone to a concert in years. Actually, my concert history is pretty sad.

Violent Femmes, Stereomud/Saliva/Crazy Town, George Carlin (not music, i know, but still awesome), Proclaimers/Barenaked Ladies (awesome live show), Hed PE, Keith Urban/Kenny Chesney, some country music festival in Minnesota, and other than some small bar gigs, nothing of interest.
Click to expand...

Were some of those tickets free? ;)
 
#7
It's a concert... I think you're over-thinking it.

Regardless of the genre, if a band is good, the show is euphoric because of the energy. It doesn't matter if it's Rush or some punk band in a basement. I say just go and forget that you're not well-versed in their musical catalog... you probably will be by the end of the night anyway. I've gone to many shows where I didn't know the bands or only knew one that was playing and those were some of the best shows of my life.
 
#8
Don't mind the ribbin' on musical taste. Some people have nothing better to do with their lives... :scowl:

You, on the other hand, are going to see Rush! As mentioned before, don't over think it. You're not going to some metal show where you can expect the band to bleed all over you or light you on fire... The likelyhood of a fan rampage is next to nil. Just go and enjoy the show. Sing along with the ones you know and get to know the ones you don't... If you're fan enough to have bought tickets at today's prices, there is no doubt you will have a good time.

Of the bands you mentioned, I've seen Violent Femmes, Proclaimers, Barenaked Ladies, and regardless if you like their music or not, all those bands blew the roof off their respective venues. I'm jealous you got to experience George Carlin live...
 
#9
You can't compare rio crowds with North American ones. I am in my 40 s and have seen Rush at least a dozen times. Rush fans are respectful and older in general. Don't expect to see waves of people jumping up and down to YYZ. People appreciate the tunes but don't flip out at shows....
 
#10
Well, all Rush fans tend to be pretty fanatic, so even though your not on the floor, you'll still be surrounded by hardcore fans.

How does one go in over their head on a concert? It would be sketchier to go to a local grind core show than an international touring act. Plus Rush is way to technical for hipsters to attend, nobody will judge you for "not getting it"

What did you do at stereomud/saliva/crazy town? Try doing that same thing.

And wow, it is really hard mentioning those three bands with bands without a joke :D
 
#11
DiabolusInMusic said:
nobody will judge you for "not getting it"
Click to expand...

That's the biggest thing.I can't say I've celebrated their entire catalog. So I don't want to sit next to Mr. SuperFan who'll turn up their nose.

What did you do at stereomud/saliva/crazy town? Try doing that same thing.
Click to expand...

Most of the concerts I've been to I've just stood behind the crowd and appreciated the music. I went to the Crazy Town concert because Butterfly was a big hit at the time and it was a really fun bass lick (written by Flea) to learn and riff with. I'll admit, Crazy Town sucks. Their lyrics are terrible, but if you look past the lyrics the music is really good. Revolving Door was another really fun song to learn. But the lyrics are just GOD AWFUL!


The biggest thing from that concert is that I found Stereomud, their song "Lost Your Faith" is my favorite metal song (that isn't on the Vulgar Display of Power album, rip dimebag). I'd never heard them before the concert.

Saliva was just garbage. The concert was only a few years removed from Colombine and Jonesboro school shooting, and the lead singer of Saliva started trying to get the crowd pumped up by saying something like "this next song is dedicated to all the teachers and punks at school who keep giving you a hard time." Then they went into Click Click Boom. If I had driven myself I would've left. I pretty much went to the concession stand and bought a Stereomud shirt while Saliva was playing their set. Classless.

Anyway, that explains why I went to see Stereomud, Saliva and Crazy Town.

Anything else you want an explanation about?
The country?
I dated a chick who was into country music. Concert=poontang. I'm only a man.
 
#12
swaps said:
What can I expect, and what should I be prepared for when I witness the Holy Triumvirate.
Click to expand...

Expect no opening act. Their cue to come on stage has been the Three Stooges Theme last few times I've seen them.

Expect to hear plenty of music piped in. From Aimee Mann appearing to sign Time Stands Still on the video screen to everything in between. I only bring that up because someone told that Rush did not sync anything or use additional musicians on or off-stage. I'm pretty sure that I naively believed someone who was pulling my chain years ago.

Geddy's voice isn't what it used to be in some songs, like Temples of Syrinx, but he's spot on in other areas.

Do not expect to much band-crowd rapport. They're not much into that and I've never heard them try to get a sing-along going. Not saying the ignore the crowd, but nothing prolonged or anything.

Do expect a excellent show. There was pyro and the whole nine yards last time I saw them. You'll be glad you went.


swaps said:
That's the biggest thing.I can't say I've celebrated their entire catalog. So I don't want to sit next to Mr. SuperFan who'll turn up their nose.
Click to expand...

Might depend on where you are. I ended up with free "platinum" tickets to see Radiohead a couple of months ago. Aside from only ever hearing Creep and that song about plastic trees, I knew nothing else. Couldn't name a single band member or album. Everyone was cool and most were surprised that the arena was only half full. Seeing that the press stated that the show sold out in something like 20 minutes.
 
#13
swaps said:
Saliva was just garbage. The concert was only a few years removed from Colombine and Jonesboro school shooting, and the lead singer of Saliva started trying to get the crowd pumped up by saying something like "this next song is dedicated to all the teachers and punks at school who keep giving you a hard time." Then they went into Click Click Boom.
Click to expand...


That is a hilarious story in a bad taste kind of way, some peoples kids...

Man I hated growing up in the 2000's, we got such bad music...
 
#16
Everything sounds cooler lives. I've had plenty of times where I saw a band I hadn't heard opening or something and thought they were the shiz, to then go home and look them up and find it to be utter lamesauce. Just go, listen to the music, have a brew, oggle some hot rocker babes (wait, scratch that, I forgot it was a Rush concert for a sec...;)) and just enjoy the sesh. Part of the fun of going to see a show has nothing to do with the band at all, imo.
 
#18
purfektstranger said:
You can't compare rio crowds with North American ones. I am in my 40 s and have seen Rush at least a dozen times. Rush fans are respectful and older in general. Don't expect to see waves of people jumping up and down to YYZ. People appreciate the tunes but don't flip out at shows....
Click to expand...

Except when Neil Peart plays that long drum roll on Tom Sawyer. The sight of 25,000 air drummers is a sight I'll never forget! :D
 
#20
I largely stopped buying the catalog in the early 80's. I still consider myself a fan. I agree that you're overthinking it. Catch the videos for the various live shows. It's tricky and interesting stuff. They usually don't go too deep into the woods with the song selections. They tend to play enough of the "classic" material to not alienate people too bad.

Enjoy the show.

KO
 

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