Blockbuster-Sony Center
Camden, New Jersey (05/06/99)
(Opening for Sheryl Crow)
Well, my friend Rachel and I tried to get there pretty early, so after buying some "manly" sunflowers, we drove over to the E-Center. We get there, and when we try to park, we're told that we can't because we're too early {what?!}. Eeeek. So, after parking in another lot for what seems like forever, we drive back over and park. Rachel and I start wandering around outside, and I spot the big red tour bus in this little parking lot inside this gate. I start, um, looking around in there {I'm across the street from the lot because there's a guy guarding it}, when I see two guys playing basketball... One had a bleached head, and one had longish dark curly-ish hair... John and Jake? I'll never know because right when I spotted them, the guy guarding the slightly open gate closes it, preventing me from looking in.... So, Rachel and I go and wait to be let in. We get hit on by a really frightening guy {who later turns out to be a photographer...}. Cut to the show.... Let's see. Dan wore the fun reflective tape suit, John wore black pants, black shirt and {I believe} a maroon vest thing. I didn't really see what Jake was wearing. {Sorry Mandy!} The last show I was at {back in December}, our guys really didn't seem like they were in fabulous moods {to be expected since it was almost x-mas and they were away from their families}. But, they totally made up for it this time around. The set list {in no particular order} was In Another Life, If I Run {with a long jam session}, Gone to the Movies, Singing in My Sleep, Never You Mind, Delicious, and Closing Time. While Rachel and I were waiting in the lobby prior to the show, their sound check was broadcast over the loudspeakers, and they did Because. {Remember this from the Dan Wilson @ Bryant Lake Bowl tape? I wish they would have done it during the show. That would've been great to see.} So, the show was fabulous, and at the end, I wanted to throw my flowers onstage. Right before the end of CT, a security guard stood in the aisle, in the way of the path to the stage. I asked politely, and he let my by. I thought that my throw was going to be really pathetic and the flowers would never even reach the guys. I screamed "John" {he was closest to me} and through the flowers... The adrenaline must have really kicked in because I threw them so far, that I nearly smacked John in the side! They flew right in front of his face! I turned around as soon as I threw them, and then Rachel started screaming because Jake went and picked them up and shook them as if to say "Thanks for the flowers, though you almost hit us!" It was cute, though.
So, the show was great, though I really can't wait to see them headline! {Three shows and no headlining yet!}
Joanna