Brisbane -11/10

[DoubtfulMiracle]

A few late night/early morning thoughts as I wind down from an incredible concert (let's call it "Isn't it Midnight").

- I was going to go through in somewhat of a logical order, but first things first. Something went very awry in Tusk. I hope someone has video and someone that knows something about music can tell us exactly what went wrong, but as the drums kicked in, it sounded like one of them was... missing. Or something. Seriously, this is why I don't play instruments. But in any case, it sounded instantly off to me. Lindsey looked worried, gestured to Mick, everyone stopped and Lindsey said "Look, we're just going to admit that we're not perfect and start that one again." He called it something to the effect of "the earn and learn version of Fleetwood Mac". Second time was a charm.

- There should be an FM Live drinking game -- one drink every time Stevie plays with her ear monitor or mic pack and you'd be on the floor after Second Hand News.

- Sara was very nice, and I think even better than last time around. Stevie held some great notes towards the end, but from where I was sitting, there was no epic S&L canoodling

- Landslide was dedicated to Dr Bill. (Well, I think it was Bill. I'm second guessing myself now.) Anyway, Stevie said over the years he has shown them all these things to keep them healthy and doing what they're doing at this age, which Stevie referred to as "9000 vampire years". After laughter, she said, "You laugh, but it's true." Really Stevie, I'm not sure that's how vampire years work.

- I think the slowed down NGBA is officially out of control -- some people were actually laughing, and I can see why they thought it was a parody. Overall though, I love the Big Love/Landslide/NGBA set -- a great showcase of Lindsey and Stevie. They were also very cute with each other at the end of Landslide.

- When Christine introduced Mick and his cocktail kit, someone laughed. Christine asked "Are you laughing?" Well yes, because cocktail kit always sounds like a made-up name.

- Stevie's Gypsy intro was the less cute version of the Melbourne one. She did helpfully point out though that when she met Lindsey she "was a senior, in 1966. He was a junior in... 1966"

- I loved the homage to the Gypsy video with the rain effect overlaid on the live video.

- During the encore, John and Stevie fist bumped. It was so amazingly white.

- I hope I don't have to hand back my Stevie Fangirl badge, but it was *amazing* to see Christine. Maybe it's the part of me that has this vague memory of being not much more than five years old, sitting atop Red Hill in Canberra and hearing Say You Love Me coming from I don't even know where, but gosh, hearing Christine live was just so special. She looks wonderful, she looks like she's having a great time, and the others look so pleased to have her back too. I do think Stevie is a less dominant force with Christine around, which the Stevie fan in me is still coming to terms with, but the band is obviously so much more complete with Christine in it, and I'm thrilled to have been able to see it. I mean, hearing Little Lies and remembering this is the first tour ever where these five have done it? Incredible! (FWIW, my mum remains firmly in Stevie's corner.)

- Only the first row was allowed up to the stage. Did this happen at other concerts? I was row 2, and dutifully remained in my place until the first encore. I thought I deserved a reward after behaving myself so well for 19 songs!

I so wish I was going again on Thursday, but Europe is calling me next year and apparently it's true that money doesn't grow on trees. In the mean time, I will remain eternally optimistic that this isn't the last time I'll see them. They're too good to stop just yet.