Taj 8/27/10

[Stephanie]

well, in a nutshell, stevie was great but...
security was terrible! Front row in only one section allowed to stage. Section 101 front row was so far off to the side it was partial view. Security hasselled is throughout the show, for standing toward the center rather than directly in front of our seats. The sound system was terrible, and we could hear the security people talking the entire time.

Not sure what everyone else thought, of course I love stevie no matter what, but the Taj sucks as a venue.

[Amlyn]

Originally Posted by Stephanie

well, in a nutshell, stevie was great but...
security was terrible! Front row in only one section allowed to stage. Section 101 front row was so far off to the side it was partial view. Security hasselled is throughout the show, for standing toward the center rather than directly in front of our seats. The sound system was terrible, and we could hear the security people talking the entire time.

Not sure what everyone else thought, of course I love stevie no matter what, but the Taj sucks as a venue.

I also was in 101, 8 rows back. I somehow managed to cut across section 102 during the Edge intro and i made it up to the 3rd row between 102 and 103 and then the security bastards went ballastic and practically mowed people down and dragged them back to their seats. I managed to sneak in about 10 rows back for the duration of the song, but I was so distracted with how awful security was being, constantly walking up and down the aisle ramming people to get them to move that i lost out on enjoying most of the song. I was screaming mad when Stevie walked the stage because she seemed in such a good mood putting on a ribbon tiara thingy and what ever else she was handed. Ugh..i could have punched those people. Although, unlike the show in NY the other night, I didn't see one person being told to put their cameras away. So I guess with these shows you pick your poison.

Oh, was anyone in the front of 104 or 105? What or who was Stevie talking to just as she was about to do the walk? Seemed like she was pleading with someone. Wonder if it was security or a fan.

I still had a blast and I think Stevie was having a great time. She seemed extra chatty, especially during the band intros. She mentioned how she was a speech major for 5 years yet she still sucked at talking in front of people and when she got to Waddy she was talking about knowing him since the BN days and then how the only people who really know you are those who you knew before you were famous. And at the end of Love Is, which was beautiful by the way, she mentioned the 3 ballads thing, but she also started talking about coming here to AC (maybe this same venue?) after 9/11 and then she started talking about how we need to support the music industry and buy records cause it's really important. She even said something along the lines of "Listen up cause this is Mama talking to you" so it was cute.

Other random tidbits:

I spent $40 on this brick red shirt that says Stevie Nicks Belladonna on it. It's ridiculously small on me but i love it. Going to use it as my inspiration to lose weight so i can wear it when she tours next year.

My camera crapped out on me so I don't have many pictures, possibly a piece of a video. I'll have to check tomorrow. I'm sure many people got great pics cause like I said i didn't see security having an issue with that. At least not where i was standing.

She dedicated Landslide to Vanessa Carlton who was somewhere out there.

I loved Stand Back so much more this time around then when she did it with the Mac last year.

I also really thought she was trying to hit some of those higher notes she sometimes lowers for. So i was happy about that too.


Overall, I had a great time and the friend that i brought with me had very little knowledge of Stevie and I filled her in the whole car ride so now I"ve officially converted her to a fan! Now i really want to go tomorrow night to CT!

[HejiraNYC]

Wow, I knew that security was bad, but I didn't realize it was that bad! I too was way over on the side in 105, but by some fluke I slinked past a few checkpoints and ended up in the mass of humanity trying to get to the edge walk. It occurred to me that security could hold back one or two of us but not 25 of us. I will admit that I started pushing people to the point where a number of us got through and to the stage. And that wasn't the end of it. The Gestapo was continuing to kick people out of the front right under Stevie while she was singing. By some grace I remained at the stage for the duration and shook her ungloved hand again. Geez! I feel like I just penetrated Fort Knox!

Otherwise, I think she topped her Turning Stone show. She ran onstage punching the air for "Fall from Grace " and she kept up the intensity by, as mentioned above, going for some notes, as well as kicking the air and almost jogging in place. Perhaps we have those fugly shoes to thank for all of this enhanced mobility! Whatever the case may be, Mama was rocking. And let the record reflect that she herself called herself "Mama."

[DavidMn]

I just think it's really unfortunate that these rent a cops have to be such dicks. Ed, remember in London last fall how easy it was to get to the stage?

[BlueDenimLamp]

Sounds like Stevie was full of it last night... Quite a difference from what I saw in Verona... Stevie and the band kicked ass but at times it seemed like she was just doing a routine... I don't blame Stevie she seemed happy to be up there... I guess being in AC with a wild crowd makes all the difference...The verona fans should i call them that? Were pretty lame...Stevie's kicking the crap out of Petty's"Wreck Me" and you sit down...I could hear people whinning because i didn't "Sit down"..You should have stayed home...I heard she was wearing a "Flower Crown" did anyone see this(Pictures please)...

[Stephanie]

I have pics of the flower crown, will post in a couple days when I get home.

[SandyMac]

I got lots of video including the crown. Yes Loved it when she called herself Mama! Priceless! Will post as soon as get home. Stevie really did rock out and gave a fierce performance.

[Sorceress]

Originally Posted by Amlyn

What or who was Stevie talking to just as she was about to do the walk? Seemed like she was pleading with someone. Wonder if it was security or a fan.

She was pleading with the fans to stop pushing and trampling each other in their fight to the stage. It had gotten particularly ugly over there, with people using various measures to get through, such as trying to crawl through the legs of the guards and launching themselves into the air on top of people. The scary thing was that the fans ignored her pleas and at least one person was hurt.
I wouldn't be suprised if Stevie stops doing the Edge Walk one of these days because of those fans who don't know how to treat each other.

[gldstwmn]

****. And I only got to spend the evening with Condoleeza Rice and Madeline Albright. So jealous of you all.

[Amlyn]

Originally Posted by Sorceress

She was pleading with the fans to stop pushing and trampling each other in their fight to the stage. It had gotten particularly ugly over there, with people using various measures to get through, such as trying to crawl through the legs of the guards and launching themselves into the air on top of people. The scary thing was that the fans ignored her pleas and at least one person was hurt.
I wouldn't be suprised if Stevie stops doing the Edge Walk one of these days because of those fans who don't know how to treat each other.

Wow that's terrible. After a few mins I said oh well and retreated but I guess some people just were too determined. But it still all roots back to security being total schmos. They were totally unprepared for the stage rush and then freaked.

[Aussie W/Heart]

I really dont understand why Stevie or security only allow fans rush to the stage at a certain time eg: edge walk, isn't that asking for trouble why not let the first 3 0r 4 rows make there way to the stage at the start of the show?? then perhaps the crowd might be more reluctant to jump over so many people that are already there..

[HejiraNYC]

Originally Posted by Amlyn

Wow that's terrible. After a few mins I said oh well and retreated but I guess some people just were too determined. But it still all roots back to security being total schmos. They were totally unprepared for the stage rush and then freaked.

Agreed. I think an orderly stage rush is definitely possible if they would just allow people through one at a time through the security checkpoint. Instead they poured gasoline on the fire by enraging concertgoers, insisting that only the front row of 103 was allowed to go up; it was kind of like class warfare. By the way, when I said I was pushing, it wasn't a sudden, explosive kind of pushing; it was more like a slow, steady build up of pressure. Those who got through on my side were fine and very, very happy.

[Farrah]

The Taj house security was okay, but the outside company they contracted, Strike Force (the guys in the yellow shirts) were frightening. What I found disturbing was that in our section, 101, the security guy several times stopped young women who were dancing in place in the aisles, inflated his belly at them, raised his shoulders and looked down at them with an excessively menacing glare.

Their attitude was completely inappropriate for a Stevie Nicks concert. If you feel the same way, I believe the most effective approach would be to write to the Taj and ask for your money back. We didn't pay $100 to encounter such a scary and situationally inappropriate attitude.

[michelej1]

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

She ran onstage punching the air for "Fall from Grace " and she kept up the intensity by, as mentioned above, going for some notes, as well as kicking the air and almost jogging in place. Perhaps we have those fugly shoes to thank for all of this enhanced mobility! Whatever the case may be, Mama was rocking. And let the record reflect that she herself called herself "Mama."

Wow, that FFG sounds particularly energetic. So, in what context did she use "Mama."

Michele

[michelej1]

I really like people to stay in their seats, so I think I would have been happy with security, from what you guys are saying.

I just get upset when they let some people use their cameras and not others.

Michele