Sunday, May 11, 2025

Rock and metal shows starting to accumulate

When the year began I had just one show on schedule, Ace Frehley on Jan. 30 at the Tupelo Theater in Derry, NH. Possibly a second in Lotus Land, a Rush tribute, though that might have been an early year purchase.

After committing to Blind Guardian on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at the Worcester Palladium a couple days ago, I’m up to eight. In this age of artificiality I crave live performances. I need a regular metal and hard rock fix, and Spotify alone doesn't cut it.

I’ve never seen Bruce Dickinson solo so that one intrigues me the most. Hairball (a band that covers various 70s-80s metal acts, including costumes etc.) should be a blast in a wild venue. Foreigner’s Journey is another tribute act of, as you might guess, both Foreigner and Journey. I’ve seen them once before and the lead singer sounds uncannily like Steve Perry, less like Lou Gramm.

And yes, I did see Ace Frehley 2x this year. I might yet add 1-2 more (shows, not Ace Frehley).


Thursday, Jan. 30

Ace Frehley

Tupelo Theater, NH

Friday Feb. 14

Lotus Land

Cabot Theater, Beverly

Saturday March 15

Ace Frehley

Blue Ocean, Salisbury

Friday June 13

Foreigner’s Journey 

Blue Ocean, Salisbury

Thursday Sept. 11

Bruce Dickinson

Citizens House of Blues, Boston

Friday Sept. 26

Judas Priest and Alice Cooper

Holmdel, NJ

Saturday Oct. 11

Hairball 

Hampton Beach Ballroom Casino

Wednesday Nov. 26

Blind Guardian

Worcester Palladium


4 comments:

Ian said...

I'm jealous that you can go to so many concerts. Unfortunately, my finances, work schedule, and location make it virtually impossible for me to see live music these days. It's a shame, because I love a good live performance, and largely for the reasons you give. A live performance might lack the polish of a studio recording, but it makes up for that in raw energy.

Brian Murphy said...

Sorry man, hopefully your circumstances shift in the near future. I am pretty fortunate and at a point at my life (recent empty nester, etc.) to go to more shows than I might otherwise.

Paul R. McNamee said...

A few years ago I was intrigued by The Joe Perry Project's appearance at Hampton Beach, but I had a schedule conflict. It was stripped down, with Gary Cherone on vocals.

Now, it's back this summer but it's a bit all-star with Chris Robinson (Black Crowes) singing, bass & drums from the Stone Temple Pilots, Brad Whitford on second guitar, and the Aerosmith touring keyboardist.

Could be an interesting set list, but I still think I would have preferred the last incarnation.

Either way, I'd be more interested in that than an Aerosmith show at this point - Tyler's vocal issues not withstanding.

Brian Murphy said...

Very cool. Hampton Beach Ballroom Casino has some interesting shows this summer including David Lee Roth, who can no longer sing but evidently has added some backup singers and turned it into a cabaret act of sorts. I'm a fan of that venue.