Irving Plaza, New York, NY...... Although Gin Blossoms would go on to having four top 40 hits in the U.S. including one top 10 placement while Del Amitri would only have three top 40 hits (including one in the top 10), when this concert took place Del Amitri was the bigger band and thus the Scottish group was the headliner. Del Amitri released their brilliant debut album in 1985 but it came and went with little notice in the U.S. outside of some college radio stations (including my WICB, at Ithaca College). I loved that release but when no follow-up album came out for years, I figured sadly that they were a one-and-done band. But then, they had a new album in 1989 on a new record label and lo and behold--the band scored their first top 40 hit in "Kiss This Thing Goodbye." It took the label two tries to make it a hit, releasing the song as the album's first single without success but then re-releasing it in the summer of 1990 and taking it to the lower depths of the top 40...
PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA .... While I had never seen ELO before and was interested in catching them live, I really went to see Dhani Harrison. As it turned out, Dhani and his band were OK but ELO was extremely enjoyable. Dhani Harrison ELO setlist : Standin' in the Rain Evil Woman All Over the World Showdown Do Ya When I Was a Boy Livin' Thing Handle With Care (with Dhani Harrison) Rockaria! Last Train to London Eldorado Overture Can't Get It Out of My Head 10538 Overture Shine a Little Love Wild West Hero Sweet Talkin' Woman Telephone Line Don't Bring Me Down Turn to Stone Mr. Blue Sky encore break Roll Over Beethoven
Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA.... Seth and Scott Avett had visited WYEP that afternoon for an interview and I did the stage announcements at the concert, so it was fun being backstage being treated like a VIP. The Avetts introduced me to their father Jim (who joined the band on "Salvation Song"), and I chatted with my old NJ friend Nicole Atkins (who was a friend of the Avetts during her brief time in NC). It was a great show, of course. The Avett Brothers Nicole Atkins me with Seth & Scott Avett me introducing the Avetts on stage Avett Brothers setlist: Go to Sleep Tin Man I Killed Sally's Lover Shame The Fall Will You Return? Laundry Room Paranoia in B-Flat Major Never Been Alive The Prettiest Thing Distraction #74 January Wedding Hard Worker Kick Drum Heart Colorshow The Once and Future Carpenter Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise I and Love and You And It Spread encore break Magazines Salvation Song Talk on Indolence
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