concert

Check One off the Bucket List

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / Leave a comment

I can (almost) officially check one off the bucket list.

My bucket list is a bit vague and indefinite, but one very clear and definite goal of mine has been to see U2 live in concert. I missed out in 2014 when they played at Vanderbilt Stadium here in Nashville.

I’d decided then that I’d probably missed my chance. I mean, these guys have been around for nearly 40 years. How much longer will they go through the grind of a world tour?

Well, this time came around and I grabbed my chance. Actually, I grabbed, missed, almost gave up again, checked back, grabbed for good, and succeeded.

The first time I tried to purchased a ticket, I couldn’t find any that were under $200, counting fees and taxes. That was where the part about almost giving up again came in.

Tonight, I decided to give it one more shot.

I went to ticketmaster.com and looked for tickets. Lo and behold, I found one that was under $100. I supposed for a bucket list item, that’s reasonably cheap. Also, it’s in the extreme nosebleed section of Bridgestone Arena. But at least it’s inside. I’m going.

There would be a happy dance right now if I weren’t so frickin’ tired. But I’m celebrating on the inside.

I’ve been a fan of U2 since The Joshua Tree in 1987. I own every one of their albums (including the new one, Songs of Experience, which arrived in the mail today) and a few of their concert DVDs. I admire Bono’s outspokenness about the causes he believes in– and most notably, about his faith in Jesus.

I can think of very few other bands that have not only survived but remained relevant for as long as they have. I can’t think of a single other band that has lasted as long with the same lineup.

My next bucket list (in case you’re wondering) is to dine at an In-N-Out Burger restaurant, which will probably also mean me traveling out west.

 

Behold the Lamb of God

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / Leave a comment

I don’t normally do shameless plugs, but here goes: if you’re ever anywhere near a place that hosts Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God concert, just go. Don’t ask any questions. Just go.

The absolute best venue to see this concert is the Ryman Auditorium, but go wherever is convenient for you.

Aside Handel’s Messiah, I honestly can’t think of any other Christmas music that mines the depth and splendor of the Incarnation in the way this music does. It also happens to be a very good synopsis of the overarching meta-narrative of the entire Bible, the whole story in one short setting.

In the mean time, go buy the album. I’m making it really easy for you. Just go to this link, whip out the ol’ credit card, type in those numbers (including that pesky little 3-digit number on the back), and make that purchase. You will not for one second regret it.

https://www.amazon.com/Behold-Lamb-10th-Anniversary-2-disc/dp/B0040QTHMW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1481775641&sr=8-2&keywords=behold+the+lamb+of+god

The theology is solid and the songwriting is among the best. My new favorite Christmas song may just be Labor of Love. The whole album is profound and moving in a way very few Christmas albums I’ve heard are. So go buy it.

Here endeth the shameless plug.

 

Sing a Song of Sixpence

/ Ragamuffingospelfan / 2 Comments

Sixpence None the Richer PHOTO 2 credit Tec Petaja

I went to a fantastic concert tonight. Sixpence None the Richer, one of my all-time favorite bands, played just about every song from their 2008 Christmas album, plus several other well-known songs.

I had a great seat at the front, maybe 5 feet from the stage. It was like having the band play in my living room. If I had a very big living room with about 200 seats and a great sound system.

franklin theatre outside

The absolute best part of the night, and probably the highlight of 2012 thus far, was hearing Leigh Nash and company perform their signature song, “Kiss Me.” It was a perfect moment that I will always remember.

Afterward, I met Leigh Nash and got her to sign my Sixpence Christmas album. She was incredibly kind and gracious to me, actually taking time to talk to me and ask me if I came to the Franklin Theatre often.

franklin-theatre

The one bummer for the night was that I couldn’t use my credit card to buy the new Sixpence album. They were only taking cash, which I almost never have on me. But even that couldn’t dampen my spirits.

If you could make a feast of fond memories, then I am a full man. Everything about this night was pitch perfect and I hope to have a repeat or a sequel one day very soon.