My Top 10 Concerts of 2018

[TageRyche]

[b]Top 10 Concerts of 2018[/i]

It's time for yet another year end Best Of List round up. This year I decided to do my Top 10 concerts of 2018 because I actually had a list large enough to choose from.

This year I attended 16 shows in all. And while that is not a lot for most avid concertgoers, it is the most I've ever gone to see in one calendar year.

While my enthusiasm for live albums has waned, it would seem that I have had a corresponding uptick in my appreciation for attending these live concert events.

And while it should be obvious, I should point out that this list reflects only the shows I've gone to see. If I didn't go, it wouldn't make the list.

#10 - JOHN WAITE - Live in The Vault at the Greasy Luck Brewpub - October 20th, 2018.

This is the only show on my list where I didn't do an official review write up. I'd long wanted to see John Waite in concert and though I narrowly missed going to this because I was sick for a couple days before the show, I went strictly as a fan and had a great time. His opening act, Leslie DiNicola was pretty good as well.



#9 - KIP WINGER - Live In The Vault at the Greasy Luck Brewpub - July 20th, 2018.

I know a lot of rock fans might not be into an all-acoustic set, but for me if it is done well, this particular musical show can be just as thrilling as a full throttle pyrotechnic electric show as well. Such was the case when I got to see Kip Winger this past summer. Not only did I get to see him perform songs from the Winger catalog but I got introduced to some pretty cool sounding solo material as well. I was NOT a fan of the opening act The Concept though.



#8 - DIO DISCIPLES - Live In The Vault at the Greasy Luck Brewpub - August 4th, 2018.

I am a HUGE fan of Ronnie James Dio so when I saw that Dio Disciples were going to be in my area I knew I had to go. Paying tribute to Dio is never a bad thing and I got to spend the night doing so. Given that three members of the Dio solo band are in the Dio Disciples lineup, you knew they were going to do things right. While I wasn't overly fond of opener Burnin' Time, the other opening act was Metal:101 and they were just flat out awesome!


#7 - THE IRON MAIDENS - Live In The Vault at the Greasy Luck Brewpub - June 30th, 2018.

While the band may be a tribute act for Iron Maiden, this in no way lessens my appreciation for the show they put on this past summer. It was a flat out killer show that actually made me less inclined to seek out any other Maiden tribute act in the area because this group just does a magnificent job. Opener East Coast Alice was likewise great to see.

#6 - TED POLEY - Live In The Vault at the Greasy Luck Brewpub - April 14th, 2018.

I admit it, before this show I wasn't really much of a fan of Ted Poley or Danger Danger for that matter, other than the two songs they are most known for.. But talk about being converted! This was a fantastic show and I definitely consider myself oa fan of his now. This was a blast of rock and roll enthusiasm that was easy to get swept up in. How much did I like Ted Poley's set? I got in early and picked up his new solo album long before it was set to be OFFICIALLY released. Openers Sygnal To Noise was OK at this show but I didn't really know their stuff. However I saw them once more later in the year and enjoyed that set a lot more. As for Super Troup, I really liked their set.

#5 - ANTHRAX / TESTAMENT - The Strand Ballroom & Theatre - August 2nd, 2018.

While I wasn't all that crazy about opener Churchburn, I was really into both of the main acts on this bill. Testament was kind of a acquired taste for me. I knew of them, had a couple of albums but wasn't what you would call a huge fan. After their set however, I was once again converted to the cause. They were great. And I have always liked Anthrax so getting to see them once again after nearly 30 years from the first time I saw them, well it was worth the wait.

#4 - ARMORED SAINT - Brighton Music Hall - July 14th, 2018.

While opener Act of Defiance wasn't my cup of tea, the night of July 14th was all about Armored Saint anyway. I've been a fan of the band since their Raising Fear album but until this past summer had never seen them live. Making things even more anticipated was the band performing the entire Symbol of Salvation album on this particular tour. They have a song that asks "Can U Deliver?", but without a shadow of doubt, that's exactly what Armored Saint did on this night for the audience.

#3 - HELLOWEEN - Worcester Palladium - September 14th, 2018.

I don't know what else I can say about this show but that it was absolutely amazing! No opening act, just 2 hours and 45 minutes of pure "Pumpkins United" greatness!

#2 - JUDAS PRIEST / SAXON / BLACK STAR RIDERS - Worcester Palladium - March 23rd, 2018.

This was an amazing night. While I'd seen Rob Halford when he was doing his solo Halford project, I'd never seen Judas Priest in concert. Leading up to finally accomplishing that musical goal, the set from Black Star Riders was quite good and Saxon (a band I really hadn't been a fan of beforehand) was great. Well worth seeing as both bands did a great job at making me into a fan. Particularly Saxon because I've gone out and bought a bunch of the reissued editions of their albums. But then Judas Priest hit the stage and it was just killer...everything I could've hoped for including seeing them perform "Breaking The Law" with Glenn Tipton on guitar!

And my choice for the best concert I saw in 2018 is:


#1 - DIRKSCHNEIDER - Worcester Palladium - April 7th, 2018

There were a bunch of local bands on the bill that I skipped entirely. The official opening act was a band called Elm Street, and I didn't really care for them. But that all paled in comparison to seeing Udo Dirkschneider performing all the songs he helped make huge during his time as the singer for Accept! This show was totally "Balls To The Wall" for me.



So that's a wrap on my 2018 concert excursions. 2019 was going to be a year where I saw less shows but already there are eight shows announced that I want to go see and I've got tickets for four of them thus far. So it looks like next year could be my Year of Live Music, Part 2!

So get out there and join me in supporting live music!

[verslibre]

CONCERT FUN FACT #2: I've been a huge fan of Linda McDonald ever since the 1989 debut album from PHANTOM BLUE. So part of the reason I wanted to go to this show was so that I could hopefuly get the chance to meet her. After the show, they did a meet and greet where they all signed the band photo. But I also had the chance to get my copy of the PHANTOM BLUE album Built To Perform signed by McDonald. While she was having trouble speaking due to losing her voice, she was genuinely enthused to see the CD booklet for the album for her to sign. So that's another item crossed off my musical bucket list!

I cranked that one from start to end two weeks ago. It really holds up. Every song kicks ass. BTP is a criminally underrated slab of no-bullshit heavy metal.

[TageRyche]

I cranked that one from start to end two weeks ago. It really holds up. Every song kicks ass. BTP is a criminally underrated slab of no-bullshit heavy metal.

'
Yes indeed. It is a fantastic album.