The Concert Thread

Niall Kielt said:
My work also has the same but way more than 3 periods and its over 12 months not 18. And covid related absences are not counted against it. Not that Im a company man, not at all, fuck the system and all that but I wouldn't last 6 months in your place!
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Not many people do last that long! To be fair, I haven't known them actually get rid of anyone after 3 short absences, but certainly after longish ones, and Paul got a warning after one long and two short absences. It's 12 months from the last time you were sick, but if you've been off in the 6 months prior to that, they count that too.

Covid will be included as sick leave, but there's small print saying they can't issue a warning if that hang on a covid absence. Long covid is a different matter. Someone I know is in real trouble, and his long covid is plain for all to see.

Anyway, I can use flexi to escape at midday. :)
 
Saw Saxon last night in Manchester, have wanted to see them at their own gig for years but never had the right opportunity to. I have to say the entire gig was incredible, every band put on a stellar performance. Uriah Heep being the surprise stand out, that was a rare performance where I was left open mouthed from how great they were.

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Planning on getting tickets to see Paradise Lost in Stoke next week, so my current gig line up is:

(9/2/22 - Paradise Lost - The Sugarmill, Stoke)
3/3/22 - Smith/Kotzen, KK Steel Mill, Wolverhampton
14/3/22 - Gojira - Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
24/3/22 - Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds - Resort World Arena, Birmingham
26/3/22 - Sleep Token - Lafayette, London
15/4/22 - Ghost - Resort World Arena, Birmingham
17/4/22 - Devin Townsend - Royal Albert Hall, London
11-14/8/22 - Bloodstock Open Air - Catton Park, Derbyshire
1/10/22 - Parkway Drive - AO Arena, Manchester
13/1/23 - Trivium - O2 Academy, Birmingham
22/2/23 - Avatar - KK Steel Mill, Wolverhampton

(Waiting for Sabaton to announce the new dates for their Wembley show after it was postponed)

I'm sure I'll be filling in the gaps throughout the year - definitely making up for what I've missed out on the past few years.
 
Brigantium said:
Two periods of sick in 18 months and you get a warning. Three periods of sick and you're fired. Got to save my sick leave for catching covid in the office ;)
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That is super cruel. Do you need a doctor's note for all those sick periods? Like, I'd maybe kind of get it if it you went away for a week 3 times WITHOUT a doctor's note, but if it's the same WITH a doctor's note, people who have weak immunity and get sick all the time are fucked in that case. That just encourages you to go to work sick.

At my current job, I have 20 days off per year, and 5 sick days. Days off you have to announce 20 days in advance (although I got a few approved with less time left so they aren't super strict), and sick days are for emergencies that don't always mean that you are sick (like funerals and such) and you don't need a doctor's note for them. I only used one sick day so far and that's when I got drunk with coworkers lol

But if I had to be absent for a longer period of time, with a doctor's note I can be off work as many times as I want all year and they can't fire me except I get paid 70% of my full wage for every day I miss (this is for all companies). Obviously the company would look down upon you if you got sick every month, but 3 periods of 2-3 days in a year really isn't much.
 
The rule is you can self-certify yourself sick for up to 7 days at a time, any more than that and you have to get a doctor's note. Technically you could have one long period off sick with no repercussions at all, maybe two periods sick. What they don't like is if you go sick every time you catch a cold.

I get the point that people abuse fixed sick leave allocations by taking off Monday or Friday off from time to time, but wanting people to come in ill is just a bad idea.
 
Sadly to say, I haven't been to a concert since '05 and that was Oasis at Mansfield,MA. It was sold out but i was out on the lawn and I thought that sucked. I vowed never again to go to one unless it was in a small club such as Toad's Place in New Haven. Prior to that I had seen Maiden in '96 at the Avalon in Boston(great show/time), Cheap Trick at the Oakdale in Wallingfor CT, Metallica at the Meadows( Now Xfinity in Hartford CT). Was in the 300s section and Metallica looked like the size of carpenter ants. Also saw KISS at Mohegan Sun(awesome show),Bruce Dickinson,Ozzy, Maxi Priest,Great White and a few others. A main reason I stopped going because even my friends lost interest so i didn't see the point of going anymore. Reading the comments ahead of mine I wish I had. Oh well.
 
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Bruins1 said:
A main reason I stopped going because even my friends lost interest so i didn't see the point of going anymore.
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I've been to several concerts solo and had a great time every time. It's not as awkward as you would think. Everyone is there to have a good time and see a good show, and no one is going to judge, or even care, who came alone. It can be a lot easier to get up close to the stage if you're by yourself, too.

If there's a band I really want to see, then I'll go see them, and I haven't regretted it yet. :)
 
Concerts:
4/16/22 - Deftones @ The WAMU Theatre, Seattle, WA
5/08/22 - Mastodon & Opeth @ The Paramount Theatre, Seattle ,WA
9/29/22 - Iron Maiden with Trivium @ Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
9/30/22 - Iron Maiden with Trivium @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA

I got to see Dream Theater for the first time last night which was awesome of course. It's only February and I've managed to sneak in two concerts this year! I'm currently selling my Judas Priest ticket which was scheduled for the next month. I've just lost interest in going. I don't know why exactly, maybe it's just the bands drama lately or potentially my musical tastes are changing. I haven't probably played a full album in a couple years. Them changing the opener from Sabaton to Queensryche was definitely a factor too. I really wanted to see Sabaton again as it's now been 8 years. On the other hand Queensryche live is very uninteresting, and this is coming from a Queensryche fan.

Also with Mastodon announcing their short run of dates I will be going to that instead. I truly love their new album so this is really a must see show for me. Also I haven't seen Opeth before so that's another reason to go to that over Priestryche. I haven't bought the ticket yet, but I will on friday one way or another. I've already committed to going.

The Early Years:
  • 12/15/02 Neil Diamond @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
  • 04/09/04 Kelly Clarkson and Clay Aiken @ The Spokane Arena, WA (Note: did not go to this one willingly)
  • 07/03/04 Fleetwood Mac @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
  • 09/26/07 George Thorogood and the Destroyers @ The Big Easy, Spokane, WA
  • 06/24/11 Kiss @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
2012:
  • 07/29/12 Iron Maiden with Coheed & Cambria @ The Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, BC
  • 07/30/12 Iron Maiden with Coheed & Cambria @ White River Amphitheater, Auburn, WA
2013:
  • 06/24/13 Machine Head @ The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA ***
  • 09/12/13 Iron Maiden with Megadeth @ Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV
  • 09/21/13 5FDP with Halestorm, Sevendust, and 10 Years @ Greyhound Park, Post Falls, ID
2014:
  • 05/05/14 Sabaton & Iced Earth @ The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA ***
2015:
  • 03/08/15 Machine Head @ The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA ***
  • 05/29/15 The Eagles @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
  • 09/30/15 Def Leppard, Styx, and Tesla @ The Spokane Arena, WA
  • 10/25/15 Queensryche @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane, WA
2016:
  • 02/27/16 Schism @ The House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV (Note: Tool cover band) ***
  • 02/28/16 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV
  • 04/11/16 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA ***
  • 07/09/16 Alice in Chains @ The INB Performing Arts Center, Spokane, WA '''
  • 09/02/16 Duran Duran @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane, WA
  • 11/03/16 Steel Panther @ The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA
2017:
  • 01/17/17 Chevelle @ The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA ***
  • 06/17/17 Tool @ The Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA
  • 06/30/17 Sammy Hagar & The Circle @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane, WA
  • 07/03/17 Iron Maiden with Ghost @ The T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV ***
  • 08/09/17 Metallica with A7X and Gojira @ Century Link Field, Seattle, WA
  • 09/29/17 The Scorpions and Megadeth @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA ''' (Note: Megadeth meet and greet also side stage)
  • 10/24/17 Mastodon with Eagles of Death Metal & Russian Circles @ The Knitting Factory, Spokane, WA ***
  • 12/4/17 Foo Fighters @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
2018:
  • 03/01/18 Queensryche @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane, WA
  • 06/22/18 Mastodon with Primus @ Marymoor Park, Seattle, WA ***
  • 08/26/18 Alice in Chains, Bush, The Cult, Stone Temple Pilots @ Sunlight Supply Amphitheater, Vancouver, WA ***
  • 09/13/18 Australian Pink Floyd @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane WA
  • 11/17/18 Ghost @ The Joint, Las Vegas, NV ***
  • 12/2/18 Metallica @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA ***
2019:
  • 2/4/19 Kiss @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA ***/ '''
  • 6/19/19 Judas Priest with Uriah Heep @ Northern Quest Resort & Casino, Spokane, WA ***
  • 6/22/19 Mastodon with Coheed & Cambria @ Marymoor Park, Seattle, WA
  • 9/5/19 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA***
  • 9/6/19 Iron Maiden @ Moda Center, Portland, OR (Note: Skipped The Raven Age)
  • 9/13/19 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
  • 9/28/19 Aerosmith @ The Park MGM Theater, Las Vegas, NV
  • 10/11/19 UFO & Armored Saint @ The House of Blues, Las Vegas, NV
  • 10/12/19 Billy Idol @ The Pearl Theater, Las Vegas, NV ***
  • 11/2/19 Guns N' Roses @ The Colloseum at Caesars, Las Vegas, NV
2020:
  • 1/17/20 Tool @ The T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
  • 3/9/20 Tool @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
2021:
  • 8/13/21 - Guns N' Roses @ Grizzly Stadium, Missoula, MT
2022:
  • 1/22/22 Tool @ T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
  • 2/8/22 Dream Theater @ ShoWare Accesso Center, Kent, WA

Key:
*** = On the rail/Front Row
''' = Met the band/Meet & Greet

My Top 10 concerts
1. 04/11/16 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA ***
2. 3/9/20 Tool @ The Spokane Arena, Spokane, WA
3. 07/03/17 Iron Maiden with Ghost @ The T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV ***
4. 9/13/19 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV
5. 07/09/16 Alice in Chains @ The INB Performing Arts Center, Spokane, WA '''
6. 1/22/22 Tool @ T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
7. 2/8/22 Dream Theater @ ShoWare Accesso Center, Kent, WA
8. 11/17/18 Ghost @ The Joint, Las Vegas, NV ***
9. 06/17/17 Tool @ The Gorge Amphitheater, George, WA
10. 02/28/16 Iron Maiden with The Raven Age @ Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, NV
 
I just learned that Opeth and Amon Amarth will perform in Tallinn within one week of each other. Opeth on Sep 14 and Amarth on Sep 20. Should be an epic week of metal!
 
Keeping my fingers crossed so I can see Van der Graaf Generator on their latest (last?) tour next week. They are my favourite prog-rock band and I have had tickets for this (twice-rescheduled gig) since September 2019 so I hope I will be able to make it (I missed a Peter Hammill gig back in 2018 due to a terrible case of shingles and I am still regretting it!).
 
GhostofCain said:
Keeping my fingers crossed so I can see Van der Graaf Generator on their latest (last?) tour next week. They are my favourite prog-rock band and I have had tickets for this (twice-rescheduled gig) since September 2019 so I hope I will be able to make it (I missed a Peter Hammill gig back in 2018 due to a terrible case of shingles and I am still regretting it!).
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Well that didn't work! Positive Covid-19 test means that I will miss Van der Graaf Generator's show. :(
 
What a fabulous few days of live music I have had.
It began on Thursday with local legends String Ninjas playing in a chapel. They are a guitar and fiddle duo that play originalsand covers ranging from Metallica to Daft Punk via The Eagles and The Prodigy. It was the first time Ive ever performed my world famous cossack dance on holy ground. They are truly phenomenal live. Here is a flavour of their craic...
Supporr came from blues man Lee Hedley who once played a private gig for Gadaffi in one of his palaces. Not that I like Gadaffi but its an interesting side note.

Then Saturday was Belfast Traditional Music Festival. This featured lots of free sessions, a day of music and song, from lively jigs and reels to quiet, candle lit chants where you could hear a pin drop. I saw a 14yr old boy sing a song with a gravelly depth of emotion in his voice that belied his years. I never got his name but I have no doubt thats I will hear from him again.
This video is not from the weekend but its one of the bars I was in and the same kind of caper...

And then Sunday was Cam Cole. He was damn good. A lot of heavy Tool-ish stuff, not what I was expecting based on the youtube videos Id seen.

What a wonderful, long weekend.
Next up is The Mary Wallopers, twice. Once in Belfast (been rescheduled twice) and then Dublin on St Patricks Day. It will surely be a messy affair. They are a fabulous bunch of funny fuckers who usually get embroiled in a lock in after gigs and play til the sun comes up.
 
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