Guess Where I Went Friday

[Estonut]

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There's a bonus optical illusion here, too, as the lights at the top of the pic make it look non-rectangular...

[kayrharris]

I keep waiting for someone else to comment, because I'm still trying to figure out who this is.
She look familiar, but I can't tell from this angle.

I hope you enjoyed it.


kay

[TheConfessor]

My guess is that you went to a concert. Am I right? I can't be any more specific than that, but I'm curious to hear the details.

[Estonut]

Thanks, you two!

Yes, I did go to a concert, at a very well-known venue.

I didn't want to make it too easy, so the first picture was of Ane Brun, a Norwegian singer who opened the show with a 2-song performance and then shared back-up vocal duties with the artist's daughter, Melanie.

This was the "band" for the night, the New Blood Orchestra. The event was advertised as "no drums, no guitars."


This was the artiste. Anyone recognize this geezer?

Spoiler

Spoiler

This is what Peter Gabriel looks like these days. He's been one of my favorite artists for about 36 years, now. His new album, "scratch my back," is backed by the New Blood Orchestra and contains covers of 12 of PG's favorite songs, some new and some old. He is also working on a companion album, "and I'll scratch yours," where the covered artists return the favor and cover one of his songs. That part of the project has been dragging. I've heard that those songs may be available on iTunes one-by-one, as they are completed.

The L.A. show (@ the Hollywood Bowl) was the last of 10 dates in 6 cities. It was the only one on the west coast and he only did 2 shows in NYC. The others were all in Europe. I haven't been to such a fantastic, limited engagement show since I saw Pink Floyd perform "the Wall" when it first came out.

[kayrharris]

No way I would have guessed that! Thanks for sharing. Sounds like it was just what you wanted and
then some! Glad you enjoyed it.



kay

[secondchance]

Wow, that must have been wonderful! I'm jealous.

[TheConfessor]

I didn't want to make it too easy, so the first picture was of Ane Brun, a Norwegian singer who opened the show with a 2-song performance and then shared back-up vocal duties with the artist's daughter, Melanie.

This was the "band" for the night, the New Blood Orchestra. The event was advertised as "no drums, no guitars."

I guess no one told Ane Brun about the "no guitars" rule.

[Estonut]

I didn't want to make it too easy, so the first picture was of Ane Brun, a Norwegian singer who opened the show with a 2-song performance and then shared back-up vocal duties with the artist's daughter, Melanie.

This was the "band" for the night, the New Blood Orchestra. The event was advertised as "no drums, no guitars."

I guess no one told Ane Brun about the "no guitars" rule.

No one else spoke Norwegian there...

[Estonut]

Here are some of my favorite photos from the evening...

[littlebeast13]

They did a lot of stuff over the last few years with Peter Gabriel on VH1 Classic, and I was surprised how much he's changed since the 80's. While I did recognize his new look (Only after you said who he was), I did not guess it was him.....

lb13

[kayrharris]

Those are great photos!


kay

[Odyssey]

I never would have guessed that was Peter Gabriel--I still can't see it in all the pictures.

[Estonut]

Those are great photos!

Thanks! In this case, it was OK camera + great seats = great photos.

I learned my lesson (the hard way) about cameras and concerts in July, 2004, when I had front row seats to see Barenaked Ladies/Alanis Morissette at the Greek Theatre. I called ahead of time and asked what was their camera policy. Since I was told they are forbidden, I left mine home. At the show, of course, I felt like I was the only one without a camera (or phone). In the 6 years since, I have always brought it along, and only twice (Celtic Woman & Dolly Parton) have I been asked to put it away. These days, they can't prohibit cell phones, so most places allow non-professional cameras, as well. The Universal (Gibson) Amphitheatre even has a policy defining non-professional as 5 megapixels or less.

Hollywood Bowl's website says they are prohibited. I sent an e-mail to the company putting together this event to see if there was any exception for this show. I was told there was no exception. I didn't even try to hide it and no one said a word. Many, many others did the same thing.

[Estonut]

They did a lot of stuff over the last few years with Peter Gabriel on VH1 Classic, and I was surprised how much he's changed since the 80's. While I did recognize his new look (Only after you said who he was), I did not guess it was him.....

I never would have guessed that was Peter Gabriel--I still can't see it in all the pictures.

I have seen each of his solo tours, and he hasn't changed much since I last saw him in 2003. He was already pudgy, white-haired and balding for the "Up" tour in 2002.

On Friday, he performed "Don't Give Up," with (daughter) Melanie singing the Kate Bush part. It was a powerful song, and so timely in the current economy. I remembered loving the song and then being floored by the video, as it was so beautiful in its simplicity. They slowly rotate around, so each one faces the camera as they trade vocals, and the eclipse in the background further illustrates the emotions of the song. I looked up the video on Saturday, and said "holy crap!" when I saw how young he looked in 1986. Here is the first video for the song, created by Godley & Creme (of 10cc fame)...