(Almost) summer concerts

Last night was the Human League, Alison Moyet, and Soft Cell concert at the SDSU Open Air Theatre. It was so much fun! Yes most of the crowd was mid 50’s on up, but everyone was dancing and singing and having a good time. This was the beginning of the tour. H got very good seats for us and the walk through campus for me is always like going back in time. We walked by the dorm I used to live in and by the house that used to be a fraternity where I first heard “Don’t You Want Me” at a party in the spring of 1982. I still remember my college roommate and I going to a party at USC (we were on spring break!) a week later and asking the DJ for the song with the guy and girl singing. We didn’t know the name of the band or the song! Anyway, loved the music and the vibe last night as well as the walk down memory lane.

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Bots scooped up all tix for the only local concert we were interested in: Tori Amos. No way we are paying $300 a ticket to those scalpers. Maybe if it rains on the day, someone will dump their tickets at a “loss.”

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Date night with my love last night - Joe Jackson (the musician, not Michael Jackson’s dad) in downtown Los Angeles.

Last night was a beautifully curated evening of brand new & some favorites. His band for this tour was 4 plus himself on keyboards - one Latin percussionist, one drummer, one rhythm guitar, one bassist. While I was initially disappointed that there were no horns, I immediately perked up when the vibraphone was played! My favorite instrument of all time! The evening was intimate and very “storyteller” influenced. His voice is still lovely.

I say if they come near you, go. You won’t be disappointed -

The set list from last night: Joe Jackson Concert Setlist at Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles on June 2, 2026 | setlist.fm

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I assumed as much, since the latter is long dead. :grin:

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I thought y’all might appreciate this. I can’t believe how good his voice still sounds.

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I love this! He does still sound great.

I was interning in London (college) in 1982, and “Don’t You Want Me” is seared into my mind. To me it is THE iconic 80’s song. I can’t wait till I go – thanks to you!

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wonderful time last night. philip oakey still has his voice, just like boz scaggs at 80 last year in santa barbara, and much better than daryl hall at the greek in 2024.

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I had the immense pleasure of seeing an incredible lineup last week. Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Jackson Browne, Sheryl Crow, Gary Clark, Jr., Mavis Staples, Darlene Love…it was a celebration of American music.

Ever frugal, I purchased the cheapest seats I could, which were billed as “partially obstructed view.” I have never in my life had such good seats for a show. We were three rows up from the stage entrance…the only thing obstructing my view was that Bruce Springsteen (who sat 2 rows below me) :star_struck: would occasionally stand up to talk to a performer as they exited the stage. It was incredible.

I have no other tickets for anything this summer, but that incredible show will certainly sustain me for the rest of 2026.

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My brush with greatness … I know Gary Clark Jr!

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He is some crazy good guitar player!

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We saw No Doubt at the Sphere last week, and the show was amazing and the venue was very impressive.

We had a trip to Vegas already planned, and bought tix not too far in advance when we found out they were doing a residency there.

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