Just got back from the OLP show in Columbus, Ohio and since theres still some strength left in me I figured I'd write up a review. Although I do caution you it's 1 am (probly later by the time this is finsihed and posted) and I've been driving home for 2 hours.
So begin at the begining I spose:
Got in line with maybe 20 or so other people around 3'ish. Not to horrible of a wait but unlike previous shows I've gone to the line was straight out from the place, not strung along the sides of a building giving a placeto sit down.
So doors opened approx. 5:30 (on time foronce sweet) and me andmy friend made a mad dash to the stage. "Be sure to get over to the left center" I instructed ehr earlier in roder to see Steve upclose and personal.
Well aparntly the first 20 had that same idea so we "settled" for front row center.
So around an hour I guess goes by watchign Shine/Shine down(?) get their soundcheck underway. Then the rain began. Not so bad at first but the raindrops grew bigger, colder, and more in frequency untill we a good rain going to get us realtivly soaked.
At this point the concert was put on rain delay as the roadies and crew began throwing trashbags over everything. The rain grew in intesity and storms were comming fast. Luckly for us the staff guards at the front gave us his poncho. So some 8-10 of us streched out this poncho above our heads. Theonly other highlight was some sort of huge banner that was strapped tot he top of the stage roof some 30-40 feet above our heads fly off and come down on us.
So were some 1:30 - 2 hours later and the rain is finally letting up. That's when Promowest got the great idea to find a huge plastic sheet for half of the entire crowd to takecoverunder. "TOO LATE TOO LATE" many yelled.
"RAIN OR SHINE, RAIN OR SHINE" was also shouted when they started toremove all of the equipment for Shine. Unforntonatley because of the delay Shine part of the shwo was cancelled. Not a big deal but I always love to check out new/unherd of bands.
So then the skies have cleared and we have to sit another 45mins through seethers soundcheck. Then seether came on and played 4-5 songs. Good music for headbangers and the heavy hard core (or like the person next to me) drunks. But not entirely my liking. Not to say I hated them but I woudl had rather checked out this shine group than hear stuff I've already herd on the radio a dozen times over and not a huge fan of.
So then familiar faces hit the stage, you'd think after some 6-7concert experiences you'd get to know the roadies and set-up/soundcheck crew but instead for me it's simply "Hey that's the roadie for OLP, the start is soon!"
Then OLP finally hits the stage. Instead of starting off with the familiar piano intro to All For You the kicked thigns off with "Not Afraid" Holy shit does that song rock live.
Back to my earlier statement about settling for front row center I was actually thrilled to see raine jsut go nuts on the stage. Really getting into everything. Plus the stage was verysmallso I could still see both Steve and Duncan go at it and even make eye contact with them.
So Not Afraid was an awsome way to kick it off, did I mention that song rocked?
Next up the old opener of all for you, then OLP staple Supermans Dead (Good crowd participation but not great) and Innocent.
Then the moment I'd been waiting for: BIRDMAN!
OMG
Steve
Steve has turned Birdman into his baby orsomethign to that effect, that's steve's moment to shine. WOW.
He blew me away when I saw him at the State Thater Detroit for Birdman. The first song I d/l'ed of the boot from that show was bridman and I've yearned to see it again live. Just incredible what the feeling is from him on his solo and combined with Jeremy pounding away on the drums, WOW! I get chills just thinking about it.
To quote and earlier quote by myself after the Detroit concert:
"I now know what a female orgasm is like"
I mean he took off just like at Detroit and then some! Just frickin incredible!
So after my Birdman high. I was literally speechless as my voice was gone at this point from yelling for Steve,
I admint it's very ahrd to follow Birdman but I think a better choice coudl ahd been made than "Do you like it" nothgin against it, Just not a concert song IMO.
But you knwo is and will always be an OLP concert song "Clumsy" it's what but OLP on the map and the song that first captured my attention when I was in Jr. High and thought it was a Smashing Pumkins song. So no doubt I had to muster up my voice for that.
So then not only did we get treated to one new song to kick thigns off, we were again treated to another brand spankin new song called "Walking in Circles"
Honestly Iwasn't entirely thrilled with it. It sounded kind of manufactured, nothing really unique about it. But we'll see how it grows on me in the future.
Then came the song I'm sure the majority of the crowd had been waiting for "Somewhere Out There" more crowd participation but still not up to Detorit levels but I wasn't really expecting that out of Columbus.
Finally (unfotunatley) Raine said his thank you's to Columbus and said basically stay tunned for 3 Doors Down as the opening riffs to Starseed began playing. I drew a few stares with my own "YEA YEA YEA YEEE YA!!!!!" scream but I couldn't had cared less. Another great OLP staple that purley rocks and kicks ass.
So was 10 songs worth a combined $80 some (2 tix) olus gas, time, pain, rain etc.? A most definite yes primarily because of Steve and Birdman
*Needs moment toregain composre*
So what would I change? Asdie from theabove compalints, 10 songs? That's it? And a good replacement for Do you like it would had been Naveed/Life. Duncan needs his moment to shine, the opening bass riff is incredibly addictive. Many of us want to learn guitar from all the great rock out there we've all been exposed to (Yes outside) but I want to learn to play the bass simply because of the opening Riff to Naveed.
But in the end, very worth it. "Wow you must truley like Birdman, and a true OLP fan, sounds like you were a touch dissapointed" Some of you may say.
Well my good friends feast your eyes on this:
at least they're doing shows.
