Spac Show Tonight

[Spoinny]

Anyone else not able to make this show due to the Thruway being closed? I am in Syracuse and cannot travel the Thruway to Albany. The only other route is 81 south to 88 east which is closed in multiple locations. It would take me 6-7 hours for a 2.5 hour trip. SPAC said they antiicipate a lot of people not being able to make the show due to flooding and will consider refunds after 12pm. :(

[SaraThePoet]

Whoa...what part of the thruway? I am coming from Mass..

[PastelGravel]

That's awful...there's really no way to get here?

[Macfanforever]

Which part is closed.I can look for a detour.

[eric51078]

To all going:
UPDATE CLOSED TO TRAFFIC I-90 EXIT 34A-EXIT 25A.

Remains closed to traffic, severe flooding I-90 - NYS Thruway from milepost 276.5 to 158.8 between exit 34A and exit 25A is closed EASTBOUND. Expect severe delays approaching the closure area. Motorists are advised to avoid this region and to seek alternate routes. Motorists are advised to exit at Exit 34A, take I-481 SOUTH to 81 SOUTH, to I-88 EAST (to go around the I-88 bridge closure) exit at I-88 EXIT 22 to 145, to Route 7E, to ROUTE 30A, to return to I-88 EAST at EXIT 23, and re-enter the Thruway at Exit 25A.

[Spoinny]

Closed from Exit 34 (dewitt, near syracuse, near me!) to Amsterdam. Past Amsterdam is open, so coming from Mass shouldn't be a problem.

Already looked at re-routes, between the delays (becuase of all the traffic) and the re-routes WITHIN the re-route, it would take me close to 8-9 hours. AND I have to come back tonight to work tomorrow AM.

So, guess I don't get to see the show, majorly bummed right now! (especially as the weather is beautiful out).

[Macfanforever]

I found this site.According to the map .Its on the west side of NY.And from the Mass side to the SPAC looks ok.

http://www.thruway.ny.gov/tinc/index.html


Here some notes.from the site.with detour notes.Please read.........


CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
-90 - NYS THRUWAY, Milepost 158.82
closed to traffic, flooding I-90 - NYS Thruway westbound between exit 25A and exit 30 .... Motorists are strongly advised to seek alternate routes, and to expect severe delays. Motorists are advised to exit the Thruway at Exit 25 A, take I-88 WEST to Route 20 West, then 28 North, and re-enter the Thruway at Exit 30.
Estimated End Time: Until further notice

Updated 8/30/2011 6:54 AM



CLOSED TO TRAFFIC
I-90 - NYS THRUWAY, Milepost 276.58
closed to traffic I-90 - NYS Thruway eastbound between exit 34A and exit 25A . Motorists are strongly encouraged to seek alternate routes. Motorists are advised to exit at Exit 34 A, take I-4 81 SOUTH to 81 SOUTH, to I-88 EAST, exit at I-88 EXIT 22 to 1 45, to Route 7E, to ROUTE 30 A, to return to I-88 EAST at EXIT 23, and re-enter the Thruway at Exit 25 A.
Estimated End Time: Until further notice

Updated 8/29/2011 8:40 PM

[Spoinny]

well, would anyone like to buy my ticket?

[Macfanforever]

Closed from Exit 34 (dewitt, near syracuse, near me!) to Amsterdam. Past Amsterdam is open, so coming from Mass shouldn't be a problem.

Already looked at re-routes, between the delays (becuase of all the traffic) and the re-routes WITHIN the re-route, it would take me close to 8-9 hours. AND I have to come back tonight to work tomorrow AM.

So, guess I don't get to see the show, majorly bummed right now! (especially as the weather is beautiful out).

Can you detour.

[Spoinny]

not enough time, esp as the show ends around 10 and It would take me 5 hours + to get home, and I have to work at 8am. If this was a weekend, I would make the trek, but it's a work night. Normally this trip takes 2.5 hours.

[PastelGravel]

not enough time, esp as the show ends around 10 and It would take me 5 hours + to get home, and I have to work at 8am. If this was a weekend, I would make the trek, but it's a work night. Normally this trip takes 2.5 hours.

No offense, but I'd say to hell with it and go anyway. I've come all the way from westcoast Canada. Nothing would keep me away from getting there tonight. Are you SURE you don't want to try? Im so so sorry this is happening. So close yet so far away :(

[Macfanforever]

not enough time, esp as the show ends around 10 and It would take me 5 hours + to get home, and I have to work at 8am. If this was a weekend, I would make the trek, but it's a work night. Normally this trip takes 2.5 hours.

Ok that sucks a$$.I understand.

[Spoinny]

No offense, but I'd say to hell with it and go anyway. I've come all the way from westcoast Canada. Nothing would keep me away from getting there tonight. Are you SURE you don't want to try? Im so so sorry this is happening. So close yet so far away :(

I would If I could, but can't take the chance, I need my job :) and my friend also has school tomorrow morning which he really can't miss. Luckily I believe Live Nation is going to be doing refunds.

[PastelGravel]

I would If I could, but can't take the chance, I need my job :) and my friend also has school tomorrow morning which he really can't miss. Luckily I believe Live Nation is going to be doing refunds.

I just feel awful for you. I'm so sorry.

[Nixroks]

I would If I could, but can't take the chance, I need my job :) and my friend also has school tomorrow morning which he really can't miss. Luckily I believe Live Nation is going to be doing refunds.

PLEASE keep me posted about refunds, so far nothing, so I have 2 tix for sale $180 what i paid, i cant go, my house was flooded and i have nothing

[Eugene]

There are PIT tickets on LiveNation.com now, if anyone is interested.

[Spoinny]

PLEASE keep me posted about refunds, so far nothing, so I have 2 tix for sale $180 what i paid, i cant go, my house was flooded and i have nothing

You have it MUCH worse than I do. I called Live Nation and they said they had to talk to the promoter. I told them the situation (just keep mentioning Hurricane Irene) and they said they'd get back to me in a day or 2. I just have a feeling I am going to get screwed, but they really should be fair about this, we cannot prevent a natural disaster after all. Make sure you call Live Nation today! The more people who call the better your chances are of getting a refun.

[PastelGravel]

Sitting in the Gideon Putnam having a drink. Could hear soundcheck earlier. Really neat venue. Just beautiful. So happy.

[Troddew]

I'm on my way up now

[SNicksed]

I'm here!! :] Much quieter than the other two shows we saw here. I don't know why they didn't sell lawn tickets! :shrug:

Will be in the front row shortly and really won't care then! :thumbsup:

[Spoinny]

PLEASE keep me posted about refunds, so far nothing, so I have 2 tix for sale $180 what i paid, i cant go, my house was flooded and i have nothing

I was able to get a full refund. Of course I am very happy but I am also sad I didn't get to see the show :( . Make sure you call ticketmaster and get your refund!

[Troddew]

Just got back from the Saratoga show. Stevie was amazing tonight. I've been seeing her live solo and with Fleetwood Mac since Rock a Little and tonight was def the best she ever performed. She didn't put all of her energy into twirling or doing cart wheels she put it all in her voice. The place was full, I know a few of the ushers there and they told me the ticket count was just over 4000.

We (the whole audience) stayed on our feet for pretty much the entire show. She told a great story about the making of the FWIW video about it supposing to be a lake that turned out to be a mirage. She was hysterical and in a very good and gracious mood.

I wasn't in the mood for Landslide again but when she started singing it and the entire audience sang with her it was perfect. "Love Is" was flawless and the new stuff got some decent responses.

I hope some other ledgies felt she did as well as I think she did.

[Troddew]

I apologize if this thread appears twice but I can't seem to find it -

I posted that I had just gotten back from the SPAC show and thought that Stevie rocked our socks off. I've been going to see her live, both solo and with the Mac since "Rock A Little" and tonight was def the best I've seen her. (Woodstock 98 was amazing but tonight her voice was prime) True she didn't put all of her energy into twirling and cart wheels but she sounded like an incredibly well produced record tonight - she was spot on for EVERY song and EVERY note.

The venue was full. I know several of the ushers and they told me that sales were just over 4000. The crowd stayed on its feet for pretty much most of the concert. They responded well to the known stuff with a fervor but also responded with standing ovations to the new songs as well.


After "Stand Back" she had a wardrobe malfunction where she couldn't get the Red Shawl off LOL - I thought is was funny that Stevie's malfunctions mean she can't get the clothes off instead of vice versa.

Anyway she came out strong and only improved after that. Loved Loved the story about the making of the FWIW video about driving for ever to find a lake that turns out to be a mirage and she started laughing and saying people have died thinking they were in this lake and they were like drinking sand you know LOL - She did a very good job with the story.

Our section did seem to have this drunken redneck/ghetto/drunk chick that was out of control. She started off sitting behind us and talking to everyone telling us how she wasn't ghetto but when the F*** was Sh** happenen up in here - Chick was a mess on wheels - she and her brother disappear and when the come back they have seats 3 rows up in front of us. I shi* you people not that when we realized that she wasn't going to be sitting with us - our entire row and 2 rows behind us all applauded and joked with other and thanked God LOL - it was awesome.

So - I mention the drunken ghetto redneck chick because - Stevie is telling the story of her Walter Reed visit with the medi vac and she's getting all into it and intense and gets to the part where she is receiting the poem she wrote and handed out and the drunken chick Screams out in the silence - "But you're the legend BABY!! - our row cringes and Stevie just stops and gets this look on her face as she turns towards us (think "Stop Draggin my heart around glare at Tom Petty, I mean we stepped back) and she said Thank you and continued the story and blew us away with her performance - she handled that like a true pro.

I wasn't looking forward to Landslide at all but when she started singing it (beautifully BTW) and the entire audience sang it with her, I'm glad that I heard it - we all stood up again.

I screamed, hooted, hollered, danced and air tamboed all the way through Ghosts are gone - She ROCKED it

Like I said she was spot on with every song, GDW and Edge were amazing - I didn't miss the wail in Edge because she put so much energy into the end of it AMAZING

Love Is - was flawless and the place went quiet so we could just listen - It was the first time that Stevie made me cry at one of her concerts.

I hope some other Ledgie's got to catch it. SO sorry for those of you that got flooded out and couldn't make it. I hope you get another show - there is ALWAYS hope after all I never thought that I would see Stevie perform this good again and she blew me away

[STEVEHEDRICK]

this tour was amazing!

[SNicksed]

Stevie Nicks @ SPAC, 8/30/11August 31, 2011 at 1:38 am by Michael Eck
by Michael Eck
Special to The Times Union
SARATOGA SPRINGS – Singer Stevie Nicks is at the far side of 63, so it’s more than a little amusing to her hear her croon about “The Edge of Seventeen.” The song, though, is a rumination not on youth, but on death, and in that regard it takes on a different meaning as Nicks and her audience press on through the years.
Nicks returned to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center on Tuesday night, closing her two hour show with “Seventeen,” which found a drum solo preceding not only guitarist Waddy Wachtel’s distinctive sixteenth note intro figure, but also a final costume change for Nicks.
Truth be told, her costume changes are not as ambitious as they once were, and Nicks wore the same pair of black pants beneath each outfit. Her singing is not as ambitious either. Some songs have found their keys lowered, others have had their phrasing softened.
But in place of that edge (pun intended), Nicks has found an easy comfort.
She seems less pretentious now. And she’s goofy in a way she might have once worked hard to hide. In short, she seems more at home in her skin. When she would take a gossamer spin — slower and thicker in the middle than in her glory days — it seemed to have a touch of humor in it.
In fact, the only misstep at SPAC on Tuesday was her tribute to the military, “Soldier’s Angel.” Her introduction to the song, and the accompanying video, seemed self-serving — more about Nicks than about the wounded soldiers themselves.
The latter comes from Nicks’ latest effort, “In Your Dreams.” It’s her first album in ten years and she took the opportunity in Saratoga to sing selections from the disc.
“Annabel Lee,” with lyrics borrowed from Edgar Allan Poe, sounded like classic Nicks, perhaps because the melody seems to borrow from “Dreams.” But the slide-driven “Ghosts Are Gone” rocked and “For What It’s Worth” received strong applause.
Her tight band — led by the legendary Wachtel — made the new material spark just as much as the old. But it was clear from the crowd’s reaction — sit for the new stuff, jump up for the classics — that most had come to hear the nostalgic Nicks.
She did not disappoint in that realm.
Few performers can cough up a Number One single like “Dreams” as the third song in a set and then top it and top it again. But Nicks also revisited “Rhiannon,” “Gold Dust Woman” and “Landslide” from her Fleetwood Mac days.
That soft phrasing made parts of “Rhiannon” sound almost unfamiliar, but “Dreams” was fresh and exhilarating. And “Gold Dust Woman” was given a long rock workout at the end.
Nicks also has plenty of solo hits to show off, and “Stand Back,” “Leather and Lace” and “Seventeen” found their way onto the set list as well.
“America’s Got Talent” star Michael Grimm opened the show with a set that was impressive in a solid bar band way. He capped it with the one-two punch of his own “Stay With Me” followed by Faces’ classic raver of the same name.

STEVIE NICKS
with Michael Grimm
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday
Where: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs
Length: Grimm, 40 minutes; Nicks, 2 hours.
Highlights: “Dreams” was a lovely step back in time.
The Crowd: Nicks’ date was an amphitheater only show, but the space was filled with devoted fans.

[PastelGravel]

Was an awesome show! I will post a play by play when I can get to a real computer (on iPod). Was SO nice to meet Ed, Lori, Sarah, Anna and to see Marlene again! Fun times. Made me proud to be a Ledgie. (One thought was that we should have t-shirts that say Ledgie so we can see each other easier. I was asking strangers iif they were members, haha). When you sat down Sarah, I knew it was you. Big thank you to Lori and Sarah for the Edge help. On our way to NY soon. :angel:

[Troddew]

Was an awesome show! I will post a play by play when I can get to a real computer (on iPod). Was SO nice to meet Ed, Lori, Sarah, Anna and to see Marlene again! Fun times. Made me proud to be a Ledgie. (One thought was that we should have t-shirts that say Ledgie so we can see each other easier. I was asking strangers iif they were members, haha). When you sat down Sarah, I knew it was you. Big thank you to Lori and Sarah for the Edge help. On our way to NY soon. :angel:

LOL - I was asking everyone the same thing - I agree we need shirts

[gldstwmn]

In fact, the only misstep at SPAC on Tuesday was her tribute to the military, “Soldier’s Angel.” Her introduction to the song, and the accompanying video, seemed self-serving — more about Nicks than about the wounded soldiers themselves.


:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

[PastelGravel]

I should put down some things before I forget them. Like I said above thanks to Lori and Sarah for the Edge walk help. Even tho I notified security about it before the show started (they had no idea) the guy near us was a total jerk and tried to ruin it. Sarah moved a chair in the frontrow so Tod and her and I could sneak in to beside Lori. It was a good plan until a drunk doofus outed us to security. Oh well, we still got our handshakes!!!!!!

She was really cute all night, very chatty. As it's been mentioned before, she got the red cape stuck and Kellianne had to come and untangle her. Her crescent moon necklace was hanging off her neck stuckto her bodice for all of Dreams. We tried to yell at her to let her know but she figured it out when she bent down. It reminded me of the video of her backstage in Tusk days where she talked about her Merlin scrimshaw necklace Don Henley gave her falling off and hanging off her waist. Haha.

My fave moments were Annable Lee and Moonlight by far. Was so cool to see them live and sing along with her to show our support. WAY too many people sitting. It was a bit of a disgrace. I mean it's the PIT people, what the hall were they doing there??? Unbelieveble. But I digress.

We all tried to get backstage at the end but got escorted away by security. Haha. Too funny, at least we tried. There was a police car involved but I'll let Ed tell that story :)

Nice to sit in the bar at that lovy hot with fellow Ledgies and discuss after. Enjoye it throughly! Off to NY now before heading back to Vancouver!

[PastelGravel]

^^ that's supposed to say "lovely hotel" in the last sentence there. I can't get the edit function to work on my iPod. :)

[SaraThePoet]

Was an awesome show! I will post a play by play when I can get to a real computer (on iPod). Was SO nice to meet Ed, Lori, Sarah, Anna and to see Marlene again! Fun times. Made me proud to be a Ledgie. (One thought was that we should have t-shirts that say Ledgie so we can see each other easier. I was asking strangers iif they were members, haha). When you sat down Sarah, I knew it was you. Big thank you to Lori and Sarah for the Edge help. On our way to NY soon. :angel:



That was the most amazing thing when you were like "Sarah"? and i was like whoa...how does this girl know my name???? Talk about crystal visions haha... It was SO great to meet you guys and share the show with you...you totally made up for the butthead next to me,and i am glad my chair trick worked and we were all set for Edge.. not much to add to what others have said...the crowd was half dead compared to Boston..but we rocked out nonetheless! I will never ever tire of shaking that woman's hand :)

[Macfanforever]

The show was awesome.Stevie was on fire last night.No firefighter could put her out.My seat was crappy becuase I screwed up picking them or I did not see the info about pit seats on Livenation.I did not like the front set there.In front of me the was a hearing impaired person
and two girls doing sign to him.Looks like they had a great time too.I should of brough my best friend.He's also hearing impaired.he would enjoy too.I had this lady a few rows behind me yelling out to Stevie and Stevie did hear her.That Troddew mentioned earlier.No class.Photo op was limited due to security right next to me.Did get some any way.now I'm so back logged with them now.I did get to the front.but I was limited to the inside pit sec on my side.Stevie couldn't get over far enough and her security man {Not Marty}was watching her footing with the wires.She gave us a big wave.I did bump into Ed and chat with him.Thanks again Ed.As I was leaving I've was looking down the stairs to the back stage area.I did notice people wearing orange and green bracelets were streaming up the stairs.I wonder how they got them.The travels were ok to and back home.Anyway 1994 canceled show at the SPAC .Now it was great to see her there.

[Macfanforever]

I should put down some things before I forget them. Like I said above thanks to Lori and Sarah for the Edge walk help. Even tho I notified security about it before the show started (they had no idea) the guy near us was a total jerk and tried to ruin it. Sarah moved a chair in the frontrow so Tod and her and I could sneak in to beside Lori. It was a good plan until a drunk doofus outed us to security. Oh well, we still got our handshakes!!!!!!

She was really cute all night, very chatty. As it's been mentioned before, she got the red cape stuck and Kellianne had to come and untangle her. Her crescent moon necklace was hanging off her neck stuckto her bodice for all of Dreams. We tried to yell at her to let her know but she figured it out when she bent down. It reminded me of the video of her backstage in Tusk days where she talked about her Merlin scrimshaw necklace Don Henley gave her falling off and hanging off her waist. Haha.

My fave moments were Annable Lee and Moonlight by far. Was so cool to see them live and sing along with her to show our support. WAY too many people sitting. It was a bit of a disgrace. I mean it's the PIT people, what the hall were they doing there??? Unbelieveble. But I digress.

We all tried to get backstage at the end but got escorted away by security. Haha. Too funny, at least we tried. There was a police car involved but I'll let Ed tell that story :)

Nice to sit in the bar at that lovy hot with fellow Ledgies and discuss after. Enjoye it throughly! Off to NY now before heading back to Vancouver!

I'm glad you all got the magic handshakes.

[HejiraNYC]

I figured I should post about my 3.5-show mini-tour in this thread since Saratoga was the most recent show and I didn't want to start a new thread (you're welcome, Moderators :p). In a word: EPIC. I know it's only been about five days on the road, but it feels like I've been on this odyssey... literally- Anna's Honda Odyssey (bah-dum-bum-bum)- covering seven states, a hurricane, floods, mountains, valleys, cities and everything in between. Despite all of the pitfalls and perils thrown in our path, it was as if some higher power was making sure that everything worked out in the end. What a fantastic trip!

Day 1: Good Morning America, Central Park, New York City - I guess this is technically the beginning and end of the journey. It was the calm before the big storm. And for some reason I felt like we were on the Titanic and Stevie was leading the band as it sank. Who cared about tomorrow when we had Stevie to ourselves on this glorious late August morning in the greatest city park anywhere? It really was as if we were at a picnic and Stevie was just up there doing her pre-show rituals. It was surprisingly intimate.

Days 2-3: Bethel Woods, NY (by way of Scranton, PA) - aka, D-day. Mayor Bloomberg had pre-emptively ordered the shuttering of the city's entire transportation network, including subways, buses and commuter rail in anticipation of the hurricane. Holy f***. I feared the worst- like the mad scramble of people rushing the bridges and tunnels on foot like in the movies. But the streets and avenues were surprisingly deserted. With a heavy heart, I realized that I would not be returning to the city after the Bethel show. Not only would the bridge/tunnel crossings be shuttered, I did not want to run the risk of being stranded due to flooding or falling trees. So I made the decision to ride out the storm in PA. Coincidentally, Anna was evacuated and ended up taking her parents and dogs to PA as well. In a sh** motel, no less, which was the only place available that was even remotely close to Bethel, which was still an hour's drive away. As Stevie herself called it, it really was the hurricane party show. Hurricane? What hurricane? Bring it on! It turned out to be a wonderful show vocally, if not a smidge subdued. Although the venue and setting were lovely, the crowd sucked donkey b@lls. :mad: The mostly silver-haired crowd couldn't be bothered to stand, even for the older songs. Accordingly, it was all too easy to beeline to the lip of the stage during the edge walk, despite the fact that the front row was cordonned off by a brass railing. Hand holding ensued. There were no words.

My only regret was not finding the time to go to the Scranton Mall and visit the Dunder Mifflin company store!

Day 4: Bank of America Pavilion, Boston There were many variables at play. Did I need to show up for work? Would the roads be flooded out? Would Anna have to take her parents and dogs on the tour? Would airports be shuttered? As it turned out, the roads leading to work were basically flooded out and power outtages were numerous; nobody was getting to work. In that spirit, I decided to bow out as well. Onwards to Boston!

What an amazing show! I would have to say it is up there in the Wiltern league. Seriously. For one thing, the Boston crowd is the rowdiest, most festive crowd anywhere, and Stevie was clearly loving it. It didn't hurt that the front row was allowed to stand at the stage for the duration of the show. I certainly did not have a front row ticket, nor did Anna, but we employed our loitering skills to great effect. The guards were checking tickets in the front row, but we wordlessly ran interference and dodged getting busted. It was almost as if we were in one of those cartoons in which the character puts a lampshade on his head to blend in with the scenery. We blended in (despite the fact that I stick out like a sore thumb in general) and were never hassled by the fuzz. Stevie was on fire and displayed a kind of manic intense energy that I had never seen from her - a complete 180-turn from Bethel. Hands were grasped; there were no words.


Day 5: SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY - After the dizzying high of the previous night, it was back to the business of getting from Point A to Point B. After some last-minute tweaking, we mapped out a route from Boston to Saratoga Springs that took the scenic back country roads through New Hampshire and Vermont. What a way to spend the day! Or so we thought.

Things were going swimmingingly as we drove up from Massachusetts, through New Hampshire and into Vermont. In Brattleboro we stopped to take a short break and wandered into a cool little bookstore. The shopkeeper there then broke the bad news to us- many routes throughout the state were flooded out by the hurricane-related rains and were closed to traffic. Ugh. He suggested that we take an indirect route a bit north of our original trajectory. No biggie, I thought. As we headed up the recommended route, we encountered a roadblock and a state trooper that told us that we would have to take an even more northerly route. Really up north, like up near Rutland :eek:. Don't get me wrong; I love Vermont and it is gorgeous, but we didn't have all day to wander about the verdant mountain vistas. So we had to haul a$$ up and down hill and dale to finally reach the NY state line. Soon thereafter, yet another roadblock due to flooding. All told, it was a six-hour journey through the wildnerness of New England. But in the end we arrived at SPAC just as Michael Grimm was starting. Thank Buddah for Michael Grimm. I can't believe I just said that. :eek:

The SPAC is a terrible place. The pit is cordonned off very strictly. And there was literally 18 inches between the front row and the stage. Basically, if you weren't in the front row, you weren't gonna get up there for the edge walk. And similar to the Bethel crowd, the SPAC crowd was largely on the geriatric end of the age spectrum and lame, lame, lame. Most of the front row refused to stand at any point of the show, even for the Edge walk! Again, by some kind of divine guidance, I espied a couple of empty front row seats just diagonally down from my second row seat. Score! So for the third night in a row (fourth, if you count GMA), I was front row. I had to sit for the most of the show since I was apparently sitting in the land of the Lilliputians. At 5'7" I towered head and shoulders above everyone in my immediate vicinity. WTF??? I would say that this was a "stock" Stevie show. I didn't think she would pull out the stops again like she did in Boston. That being said, it was great in its own low-key way. One thing I must admit is that she really sounds consistently strong from night to night; however, for some reason she always has difficulty singing the first verse of "Moonlight."

Yes, we were booted out of SPAC due to "loitering." But the clueless security guard booted us out on the wrong side away from the parking lots. After some ambling around in the dark, a kind park policeman drove me to the parking lot. I told him jokingly that this was not the first time I'd ever been in the back of a squad car. Unfortunately, it was no joke! :lol:

Anyway, what would an odyssey be without all of the people you encounter along the way. It was great to see all the NY/NJ "regulars" again- Grace, Jason, Curtis, Mimi, etc., as well as new faces (to me) like Amlyn, Marissa, Vivfox, Skip, PastelGravel (I forgot your name! :distress:), Eric51035681343 (whatever those numbers are), etc. Thank you for helping to make this journey an epic one not to be forgotten.

[PastelGravel]

Great re-cap Ed. It's Melody BTW (and Tod) :)

What a journey you guys have been on. Love it!

[SaraThePoet]

I am so glad someone else can echo the awesomeness of boston as opposed spac:) i sorry.we were both a those two shows and didnt get to meet though:(

[MacMan]

I figured I should post about my 3.5-show mini-tour in this thread since Saratoga was the most recent show and I didn't want to start a new thread (you're welcome, Moderators :p). In a word: EPIC.

Fun read! Thanks

[SNicksed]

By BETSY DEMARS
[email protected]


SARATOGA SPRINGS — Oh, to have a voice like that.

Raspy and edgy. Smooth but strong. So original.

Stevie Nicks has captured attention with the special tone of her voice for decades, and even now, at 63, that voice still rules the stage when Nicks is on it.

On tour showcasing her new album “In Your Dreams,” Nicks performed Tuesday night at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, nearly filling the amphitheater with devoted fans. (No lawn tickets available for this one.)

I took my 9-year-old daughter to the show, her first-ever concert. She was nearly the youngest there, although we did see a few other children tagging along with their parents, who were (my age) mid-30s or older. However, even I was among the younger members of the audience.

After sitting through most of the bluesy, soulful opening act Michael Grimm — last year’s America’s Got Talent winner — the anticipation of Nicks’ arrival on stage had us on our feet.

She started with the familiar “Stand Back,” garnering cheers as she sent her red, sparkly cape spinning around her. Those mystical movements continued to get reaction throughout the show, as she floated about the stage during instrumentals.

Nicks told us we were going on an “amazing journey together” through her new and old material. She said she felt her new stuff deserved to be heard. No one cheered for that, as most of us likely were looking forward to the nostalgic. But the mix worked.

Here’s why: that voice. “Soldier’s Angel,” born of a visit to Walter Reed Medical Center, “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream)” and the Edgar Allan Poe-inspired “Annabel Lee” captivated us despite their lack of familiarity.

Yes, we were diggin’ the new stuff, too. Still, we sat through those and got back on our feet for the classics: “Dreams,” Fleetwood Mac’s only No. 1 hit; “Gold Dust Woman,” complete with a partial wardrobe change into a gold shawl; and “Rhiannon.”

Other highlights included “Leather and Lace,” performed as a duet with her longtime voice coach, and “Landslide,” which Nicks said was her dad’s favorite song and featured tear-jerking photos of she and her father through the years on the screen behind her.

Her sense of humor, shown through at several points, first with a wardrobe malfunction (that sparkly red cape just wouldn’t detach), and later after pulling out the tambourine for “Ghosts are Gone” when she admitted it was hard to play and sing simultaneously, so she could only do it for one song.

She credited her band for keeping her on the beat and being so reliable, especially her longtime guitarist Waddy Wachtel, who ramped up the excitement for Nicks’ second-to-last number “Edge of Seventeen.” Altering her outfit for the last time and reappearing in a white dress, Nicks’ rendition of that song, the only one my daughter actually knew throughout the night, brought my sleepy girl back to her feet.

After the show, I asked my daughter what she thought of Nicks’ voice. “I thought it was Hannah Montana at first,” she said innocently. I guess Miley Cyrus, whose alter-ego on the Disney show is a famous pop star, does have that raspy quality to her voice, too.

Although I’m not sure we would have ever seen the Lady in Lace on a Disney show.

[michelej1]

I had to sit for the most of the show since I was apparently sitting in the land of the Lilliputians. At 5'7" I towered head and shoulders above everyone in my immediate vicinity. WTF???

Stevie attracts mainly fans of her own height in that region.

Great adventure. Oh my goodness, your six hour drive, in moutainous, unfamiliar territory . . . I could not do it. Aside from fears about weather, my car, getting lost, and an accident I would also expect to be kidnapped and victimized in one of those Hills Have Eyes scenarios. Hmmm.

Michele

[J.Miller]

I figured I should post about my 3.5-show mini-tour in this thread since Saratoga was the most recent show and I didn't want to start a new thread (you're welcome, Moderators :p). In a word: EPIC. I know it's only been about five days on the road, but it feels like I've been on this odyssey... literally- Anna's Honda Odyssey (bah-dum-bum-bum)- covering seven states, a hurricane, floods, mountains, valleys, cities and everything in between. Despite all of the pitfalls and perils thrown in our path, it was as if some higher power was making sure that everything worked out in the end. What a fantastic trip!

Day 1: Good Morning America, Central Park, New York City - I guess this is technically the beginning and end of the journey. It was the calm before the big storm. And for some reason I felt like we were on the Titanic and Stevie was leading the band as it sank. Who cared about tomorrow when we had Stevie to ourselves on this glorious late August morning in the greatest city park anywhere? It really was as if we were at a picnic and Stevie was just up there doing her pre-show rituals. It was surprisingly intimate.

Days 2-3: Bethel Woods, NY (by way of Scranton, PA) - aka, D-day. Mayor Bloomberg had pre-emptively ordered the shuttering of the city's entire transportation network, including subways, buses and commuter rail in anticipation of the hurricane. Holy f***. I feared the worst- like the mad scramble of people rushing the bridges and tunnels on foot like in the movies. But the streets and avenues were surprisingly deserted. With a heavy heart, I realized that I would not be returning to the city after the Bethel show. Not only would the bridge/tunnel crossings be shuttered, I did not want to run the risk of being stranded due to flooding or falling trees. So I made the decision to ride out the storm in PA. Coincidentally, Anna was evacuated and ended up taking her parents and dogs to PA as well. In a sh** motel, no less, which was the only place available that was even remotely close to Bethel, which was still an hour's drive away. As Stevie herself called it, it really was the hurricane party show. Hurricane? What hurricane? Bring it on! It turned out to be a wonderful show vocally, if not a smidge subdued. Although the venue and setting were lovely, the crowd sucked donkey b@lls. :mad: The mostly silver-haired crowd couldn't be bothered to stand, even for the older songs. Accordingly, it was all too easy to beeline to the lip of the stage during the edge walk, despite the fact that the front row was cordonned off by a brass railing. Hand holding ensued. There were no words.

My only regret was not finding the time to go to the Scranton Mall and visit the Dunder Mifflin company store!

Day 4: Bank of America Pavilion, Boston There were many variables at play. Did I need to show up for work? Would the roads be flooded out? Would Anna have to take her parents and dogs on the tour? Would airports be shuttered? As it turned out, the roads leading to work were basically flooded out and power outtages were numerous; nobody was getting to work. In that spirit, I decided to bow out as well. Onwards to Boston!

What an amazing show! I would have to say it is up there in the Wiltern league. Seriously. For one thing, the Boston crowd is the rowdiest, most festive crowd anywhere, and Stevie was clearly loving it. It didn't hurt that the front row was allowed to stand at the stage for the duration of the show. I certainly did not have a front row ticket, nor did Anna, but we employed our loitering skills to great effect. The guards were checking tickets in the front row, but we wordlessly ran interference and dodged getting busted. It was almost as if we were in one of those cartoons in which the character puts a lampshade on his head to blend in with the scenery. We blended in (despite the fact that I stick out like a sore thumb in general) and were never hassled by the fuzz. Stevie was on fire and displayed a kind of manic intense energy that I had never seen from her - a complete 180-turn from Bethel. Hands were grasped; there were no words.


Day 5: SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY - After the dizzying high of the previous night, it was back to the business of getting from Point A to Point B. After some last-minute tweaking, we mapped out a route from Boston to Saratoga Springs that took the scenic back country roads through New Hampshire and Vermont. What a way to spend the day! Or so we thought.

Things were going swimmingingly as we drove up from Massachusetts, through New Hampshire and into Vermont. In Brattleboro we stopped to take a short break and wandered into a cool little bookstore. The shopkeeper there then broke the bad news to us- many routes throughout the state were flooded out by the hurricane-related rains and were closed to traffic. Ugh. He suggested that we take an indirect route a bit north of our original trajectory. No biggie, I thought. As we headed up the recommended route, we encountered a roadblock and a state trooper that told us that we would have to take an even more northerly route. Really up north, like up near Rutland :eek:. Don't get me wrong; I love Vermont and it is gorgeous, but we didn't have all day to wander about the verdant mountain vistas. So we had to haul a$$ up and down hill and dale to finally reach the NY state line. Soon thereafter, yet another roadblock due to flooding. All told, it was a six-hour journey through the wildnerness of New England. But in the end we arrived at SPAC just as Michael Grimm was starting. Thank Buddah for Michael Grimm. I can't believe I just said that. :eek:

The SPAC is a terrible place. The pit is cordonned off very strictly. And there was literally 18 inches between the front row and the stage. Basically, if you weren't in the front row, you weren't gonna get up there for the edge walk. And similar to the Bethel crowd, the SPAC crowd was largely on the geriatric end of the age spectrum and lame, lame, lame. Most of the front row refused to stand at any point of the show, even for the Edge walk! Again, by some kind of divine guidance, I espied a couple of empty front row seats just diagonally down from my second row seat. Score! So for the third night in a row (fourth, if you count GMA), I was front row. I had to sit for the most of the show since I was apparently sitting in the land of the Lilliputians. At 5'7" I towered head and shoulders above everyone in my immediate vicinity. WTF??? I would say that this was a "stock" Stevie show. I didn't think she would pull out the stops again like she did in Boston. That being said, it was great in its own low-key way. One thing I must admit is that she really sounds consistently strong from night to night; however, for some reason she always has difficulty singing the first verse of "Moonlight."

Yes, we were booted out of SPAC due to "loitering." But the clueless security guard booted us out on the wrong side away from the parking lots. After some ambling around in the dark, a kind park policeman drove me to the parking lot. I told him jokingly that this was not the first time I'd ever been in the back of a squad car. Unfortunately, it was no joke! :lol:

Anyway, what would an odyssey be without all of the people you encounter along the way. It was great to see all the NY/NJ "regulars" again- Grace, Jason, Curtis, Mimi, etc., as well as new faces (to me) like Amlyn, Marissa, Vivfox, Skip, PastelGravel (I forgot your name! :distress:), Eric51035681343 (whatever those numbers are), etc. Thank you for helping to make this journey an epic one not to be forgotten.
You are living my dreams, thanks for posting.

[jannieC]

Ed, I loved reading your recap- thank you for taking the time to write it all out. :thumbsup:

[kitten]

stevie slayed me with soldier's angel last nite.. my 2nd favorite part was when she said that as a singer she had nothing to do so she started playing tambourine so she wouldn't "just stand up here like an idiot".. LMAO as if..

here are a couple of pics.. i wasn't having much luck in that department..

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/310257_10150268482966126_562506125_8078260_7834278_n.jpg

maybe some of you are in here?


https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/293165_10150268829351126_562506125_8081965_4639871_n.jpg

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/312913_10150268829896126_562506125_8081978_7879428_n.jpg


-
photo of myself while stevie was squeezing my hands :D [IMG]
-



[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/296399_10150268830566126_562506125_8081983_551695_n.jpg



sounds like i was really near a few of you.. i was one of the lucky ones with a row A pit seat. i was standing all nite.. about 5 feet tall with long hair, a black tanktop and a grin from ear to ear..

[gldstwmn]

Day 5: SPAC, Saratoga Springs, NY -

Things were going swimmingingly as we drove up from Massachusetts, through New Hampshire and into Vermont. In Brattleboro we stopped to take a short break and wandered into a cool little bookstore. The shopkeeper there then broke the bad news to us- many routes throughout the state were flooded out by the hurricane-related rains and were closed to traffic.

OMG you guys went to SPAC via Brattleboro? I'm surprised you didn't switch to a boat for that part of the trip. That's dedication.

[SNicksed]

Thank you, kitten! :] I am the one in the brown t-shirt. Is it okay if I repost one of the pics to my facebook page? :xoxo:

[greendaze5]

The SPAC show was pretty much like the others, except for Stevie’s red cape getting stuck to the back of her dress after ‘Stand Back’; her wardrobe lady had to come out to help Stevie unhook it. :laugh:

Cool to hear ‘Leather and Lace’ finally! The audience really cheered for that one. I think Stevie’s memory’s a little selective though. She mentioned that because she can’t get Don Henley to always come sing it with her onstage, she never really did the song live. Hello?! ‘L and L’ was done on the ‘Bella Donna’, ‘WH’, and ‘RAL’ tours! :rolleyes:

Loved ‘Moonlight’ – my fave from ‘IYD’.:thumbsup:

Don’t know if this was mentioned before - but you can get a signed copy of ‘IYD’ at the merch booth for a measly $30.

[HejiraNYC]

Great re-cap Ed. It's Melody BTW (and Tod) :)

What a journey you guys have been on. Love it!

Thanks, Melody. I have such a horrible memory when it comes to names, but all I kept thinking to myself was how Pastel Gravel was such a weird concept. :lol: Nice to meet both you and Tod. Hope you are enjoying New York City (and spending your loonies wisely).

I am so glad someone else can echo the awesomeness of boston as opposed spac:) i sorry.we were both a those two shows and didnt get to meet though:(

Yes, it was like night and day, wasn't it? But a stock Stevie show is still better than anyone else.

Stevie attracts mainly fans of her own height in that region.

Great adventure. Oh my goodness, your six hour drive, in moutainous, unfamiliar territory . . . I could not do it. Aside from fears about weather, my car, getting lost, and an accident I would also expect to be kidnapped and victimized in one of those Hills Have Eyes scenarios. Hmmm.

Michele

The hills do have eyes... of mostly the bovine and equine variety. But there really was no time to ponder the potential for misfortune when you are on an abbreviated timetable. Priorities are priorities! Yes, the interstate would have been much faster and convenient, but I still wouldn't have changed a thing- I enjoyed watching the countryside flash by in a blur.

Oh, and even Michael Grimm is a munchkin. Al, Waddy, Carlos- her entire front line- are probably 5'7" or under; I suspect Lenny and Jimmy are also in the same league. Next thing we know, Stevie will be moving her base of operations to Cornwall, England.

You are living my dreams, thanks for posting.

Aw... Well, hopefully you'll be able to try it some time. And FWIW is a surprisingly apt road song!


OMG you guys went to SPAC via Brattleboro? I'm surprised you didn't switch to a boat for that part of the trip. That's dedication.

At one point, while passing a farm, we seriously considered ditching the van and going the rest of the way to Saratoga Springs on horseback.


Don’t know if this was mentioned before - but you can get a signed copy of ‘IYD’ at the merch booth for a measly $30.

I didn't know this! Very interesting. Imagine how many more CDs she would sell if she actually came out to the merchandise booth and signed them in person like Michael Grimm.

[jkmaletic]

Wow- the stage is really low there! You could give Stevie a shoe shine!

It seems Stevies energy feeds off the crowds and vice versa, which explains the difference between this show and Boston.

Jamie

[Macfanforever]

Wow- the stage is really low there! You could give Stevie a shoe shine!

It seems Stevies energy feeds off the crowds and vice versa, which explains the difference between this show and Boston.

Jamie

hahaha shoe shine.but the setup sucked.very limited.The pit section was barred in.As I remeber I did not see the option on livenation for pit only.

[kitten]

Thank you, kitten! :] I am the one in the brown t-shirt. Is it okay if I repost one of the pics to my facebook page? :xoxo:


that's so awesome that i got you! sorry i didn't wait for your handshake moment, but she was getting really close to me then.. :D

pm me your facebook page and i'll tag you in those pics :thumbsup:

are you going tonight? we are in sec 104, rows C&D

[SNicksed]

that's so awesome that i got you! sorry i didn't wait for your handshake moment, but she was getting really close to me then.. :D

pm me your facebook page and i'll tag you in those pics :thumbsup:

are you going tonight? we are in sec 104, rows C&D

The three or four people to my left are all Ledgies as well. :nod:

[kitten]

that's so awesome! sorry i didn't know to say hi :)

[SaraThePoet]

Yup,i was right next to Snicksed for the Edge walk..(after i folded up the folding chair in front of me and moved it so Melody,Tod and I could scoot up haha) and Lori(StevieRox81? pretty sure i forgot what her username is on here lol) was right next to me:)

[Troddew]

Did anyone get any video or recording?

[michelej1]

Nippertown
http://www.nippertown.com/2011/09/08/live-stevie-nicks-spac-83011/

http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn2/michelej1/Stevie%20nicks/Steviespac.jpg

Decades-old Stevie Nicks songs have been given new life on club dance floors in recent years, with remixes of her songs by New York City DJ Eli Escobar, Australia’s Young Edits and many others serving as staples in sets by disco-oriented DJs.

She’s an icon, whether on the dance floor or in the pantheon of rock lore, one with a singular raspy voice and the rare gift of being able to set a crowd aflame with her wardrobe-based stage moves alone: one twirl of a cape or swirl of a shawl, and everybody loses it.

When Nicks came onstage at SPAC with her nine-piece band last Tuesday (after the PA pumped out the nearly-lost but still awesome new wave song “Destination Unknown” by Missing Persons), she launched right into the dance floor-burner “Stand Back,” which got the crowd out of their seats and moving.

“I’m so glad the weather’s beautiful, and you’re safe,” Nicks said in reference to the hurricane two days prior, after a brief wardrobe mishap required an assistant to join her onstage and un-snag a red glittery cloak from around her neck.

The crowd stayed standing during “Secret Love,” an ethereal tune from Nicks’ latest album, ‘In Your Dreams,” produced by former-Eurythmic Dave Stewart. Released in May to positive reviews, the album provided nearly half of the tunes for Nicks’ SPAC set, interspersed in well-sequenced fashion among the hits.

“C’mon we’re not kids, sit down!” yelled one crank behind me as the fans in the amphitheater were slow to return to their seats during the lesser-known number. (And there were primarily only fans in the amphitheater, as Nicks or her people refused to allow lawn tickets to be sold for this show.)

She followed with the melancholy and disillusioned “Dreams,” shimmying her arms in a fairytale-princess dance. The song was the only hit by Nicks’ longtime band, Fleetwood Mac, to ever reach number-one on U.S. charts, somewhat unbelievably given the extent of the band’s catalogue.

“I have the hit record on my wall; it’s only on mine,” Nicks said, embracing the embitterment. (She wrote the song alone, as she and Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsay Buckingham were ending their eight-year romantic relationship).

Her new material had plenty to offer, from the stormy ballad “Moonlight (A Vampire’s Dream)” to the album single “For What It’s Worth,” which Nicks accompanied with an amusing tale about filming the video for the song at a desert lake in Nevada, which turned out to be a mirage, against her better judgment but at Stewart’s urging.

You got the sense that not many people could get Nicks to do something she didn’t want to do. The singer’s forceful personality infused hits like “Gold Dust Woman,” “Rhiannon” and “Landslide” with a dramatic power. On the former, she waved her golden shawl like a pair of bat wings as she twirled around her longtime guitarist and musical director Carlos Rios, egging on his solo, her clothing serving as both conductor’s wand and stand-in for an unseen dance partner.

Review by Kirsten Ferguson
Photographs by Andrzej Pilarczyk

[kitten]

Did anyone get any video or recording?

audio :cool:
needs editing like the other 4. someone will with more skill than i will be working on it eventually... stay tuned

kitten

[kitten]

Yup,i was right next to Snicksed for the Edge walk..(after i folded up the folding chair in front of me and moved it so Melody,Tod and I could scoot up haha) and Lori(StevieRox81? pretty sure i forgot what her username is on here lol) was right next to me:)

i saw you guys fold up the chair! i thought immediately 'resourceful ppl'. :D too many obstacles to stevie these days...

kitten

[Troddew]

audio :cool:
needs editing like the other 4. someone will with more skill than i will be working on it eventually... stay tuned

kitten

Thanks Kitten!