Jason DeBord's Rock Subculture Journal

Adam Ant at Silver Legacy Resort Casino | Reno, Nevada | 8/4/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“This next song I’ve been singing since I first came to the USA many years ago… it still means a great deal to me. It’s called Kings of the Wild Frontier.” Adam Ant with his amazing band, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Silver Legacy Resort Casino’s Grande Exposition Hall in Reno, Nevada.  Performing artists say things like that all the time, and a jaded concert-goer might consider it mere banter in-between songs.  Not so, with Adam Ant.  After performing that song on Saturday night – originally released early in the New Wave era way back in 1980 – Adam Ant paused for a moment as the heartfelt accolades of the fans in the room showered over him.  For some reason, I happened to capture the moment in video on my iPhone from the video screen off to the side (iPhone video snippet here), and at the time and in review again going through my notes and videos I took another look and Adam Ant has so much emotion and gratitude on his face at that moment that it’s genuinely moving to, well, feel him “feel”.  He brings so much to the stage with his concert and presumably touring in general these days that I felt so fortunate to just be part of this incredible show that brings his latest North American tour to an end.  It’s definitely may favorite show of 2018 thus far, and I can’t imagine anything besting the experience.  Truly an icon of music and pop culture for my generation, and I firmly believe his live shows today are the best he’s ever given his fans.

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Foreigner at Ironstone Amphitheatre | Murphys, California | 7/28/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“Foreigner has just passed our 40th anniversary… Four zero… that’s a big deal!”  Kelly Hansen at Ironstone Amphitheatre in Murphys on Sunday night, the third lead singer of Foreigner over the course of the past four decades.  The evening served as a celebration of a wide variety of music and genres, with performances by Foreigner, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Evening, and Queensrÿche. [Read more…]

Michael McDonald at Crest Theatre | Sacramento, California | 7/10/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“I know you know the words to this song; we love the words to this song because it’s more timely and relevant right now than it’s ever been…  It was relevant in the 60’s when it was written but it seems to have grown only more relevant with the years.  This song, if people sing along with us and sing it loud, maybe the rest of that world out there will hear what we’re saying tonight…”  Michael McDonald at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento on Tuesday night, in preface to his encore beginning with a soulful cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”.  It was quite a night for fans of one of the great voices of his generation, as he played hits from his solo career as well as works he created with the Doobie Brothers.  Special with his most recent tours is the showcase of several songs from his latest album, Wide Open, which was released in late 2017.  His first studio album of all-new material in 17 years, it’s really a brilliant work and the songs are even more remarkable live in concert.  If you have seen Michael McDonald in concert in the past, it is well worth turning out for this current tour just to hear some of the new songs.  Fantastic show. [Read more…]

Counting Crows at Ironstone Amphitheatre | Murphys, California | 7/3/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“I wanted to write a song about that… I wanted to reflect the idea of the country, and the sense of the country…” Adam Duritz of Counting Crows brought a mix of concert and storytelling to Ironstone Amphitheatre at Ironstone Vineyards on Tuesday night, as part of the band’s “25 Years And Counting Tour”.  He shared some stories about the origins and inspirations behind the songs that are so familiar to their fans, in a sprawling set approaching two hours.  In addition, the crowd also enjoyed a lengthy set from the band Live as well as younger act Boom Forest.  It was a beautiful night in Murphys and the mix of musical styles and genres entertained the massive crowd in attendance. [Read more…]

Little Big Town at Ironstone Amphitheatre | Murphys, California | 7/1/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“I mean, I don’t think there’s anything that we love more than California, drinking wine, and singing some songs…” Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town, performing before a massive crowd at Ironstone Amphitheatre Sunday night.  It seemed to be a sentiment shared by all in attendance as the band played through their own hits as well as some interesting cover songs, putting on a show that really impressed. [Read more…]

Ironstone Amphitheatre at Ironstone Vineyards 2018 Summer Concert Line-Up

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Richter Entertainment Group’s Summer Concert Season at Ironstone Amphitheatre in Murphys will be happening in June, July, August and September this year. Artists include Toby Keith, Little Big Town, The Isley Brothers, The Commodores, The Family Stone, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, Foreigner, Jason Bonham’s Led Zeppelin Experience, Queensryche, Counting Crows, Live, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, America, Stone Temple Pilots, The Cult, Bush, Culture Club, The B-52s, Tom Bailey from Thompson Twins, and more!

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Portugal. The Man at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 4/11/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“It’s always weird on the first night of tour…  I’m well-rested… I’m not hung over…  It doesn’t seem right.  One thing I know is I’ve been to Reno before several times.  We will not be well-rested tomorrow.  We will not be showered.  We will be hung over.  We’re Portugal The Man.  Thanks for hanging out with us tonight.” Zach Carothers, in preface to the encore to their show at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino on Wednesday night.  The band put on an electric show that impressed not only with their unique sound but a spectacle of visuals and lasers.  They even had warnings in many forms before the show about the latter… and a pre-set disclaimer about their overall lack of banter.  Coupled with a drumhead featuring Weird Al Yankovic, it was clear from the start that Portugal. The Man is a band that is driven by their own unique beat, and I don’t think that fans would want them any other way. [Read more…]

Wolf Alice at Ace of Spades | Sacramento, California | 3/17/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“How we doing out there?” Ellie Rowsell with Wolf Alice at a rare appearance in Sacramento at Ace of Spades Saturday night, a few shows into their massive schedule taking them all over the world in 2018.  In addition to their own headlining shows, they are playing gigs in support of Queens of the Stone Age as well as shows across the festival circuit.  I’ve been following the band since 2015, and now with two studio albums under their belt (sophomore effort Visions of a Life came out late last year), they are better than ever, with a massive amount of killer songs to fill up their sets.  I’ve always seen them as a band made to play live, and they did not disappoint.  This concert will certainly rank among the top at the end of the year for me personally, so I can’t recommend enough getting out to one of their shows if they stop in at a city near you. [Read more…]

Roger Daltrey (with members of The Who Band) at Bob Hope Theatre | Stockton, California | 3/13/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“…so for us, it was a very difficult time indeed. This song kind of sums it up, really quite well. Tonight, I’m going to dedicate this song to Rex Tillerson.” Roger Daltrey’s intro to “Another Trick Day”, performing before a relatively intimate crowd at the Bob Hope Theatre in Stockton on Tuesday night, given that he is the front man for one of the bands most anyone would name as one of the greatest of all time.  This was my first time seeing any incarnation of The Who live on stage, and I was struck by how much Daltrey seemed to enjoy it himself.  A born performer with boundless energy and enthusiasm, he is also a storyteller, giving background, stories, contest and inspiration behind the music that he and The Who Band played for the crowd.  And that crowd… one of the best ones I’ve stood among in some time, looking around, it would seem to almost be a religious experience for a lot of the people who turned out for the show.

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Jason DeBord’s Top 100 Concert Photos of the Year: The Rock Subculture Journal 2017 Year In Review

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This is the first of my two 2017 “Year In Review” articles. As with my articles in 2012, 2013, and 2014, 2015 and 2016, I reviewed a sampling of my concert photos from 2017 and compiled some of my favorites and stopped when I hit around 100 photos in total. Please also check out my companion 2017 Year in Review article, which covers my Top 5 Concerts, Top 5 Albums, Top 50 Songs and more. [Read more…]