| SueC
and I inched thru traffic in our desperate attempt to see the Moody Blues
at the Performing Arts Center in Escondido. Though we allowed 3 hours
for the trip from LA, we breathlessly arrived at the PAC at exactly 8pm!
For once we were HOPING that The Band stuck to their informal policy of
starting after 8. Our Moody luck held, and we sprinted into the theatre
with time to spare, greeting the other traveling fans and slipping thankfully
into our fabulous front row seats.
The Venue: The PAC is a LOVELY 1700 seat concert hall, suited first and foremost to a symphony orchestra. Acoustics were perfect, and were very effective for TMB. Both grounds and building, exterior and interior are quite pretty and appear to be relatively new. The floor is small, and a horseshoe of four tiers surround it. Our tickets were ripped, but no one asked to see purses or asked for cameras. Security was present at the door and seemed to be visually scanning people. Although the tickets did not address photography, each worker wore a large button prominently, which featured a camera with a line thru it. The one time I noticed someone in the center section, second row taking pictures, an usher IMMEDIATELY went to that person and spoke with them. I did have my camera with me, and asked a security person at the break about whether non-flash photography was allowed and she said flatly no photography at all. I respected the wishes of management and simply enjoyed the show. All personnel were pleasant, and appeared to be "watchful" during the concert. The stage was at a comfortable level, perhaps four feet, and front row seats were very close and curved in such a way that the two end seats where we sat were less than 2 feet from the stage. The concert was again, SOLD-OUT! The Fashion Report: Bernie has a NEW outfit! The quick glance I had showed it to be a metallic shiny halter top (a modest one) and leather looking patterned pants. Very nice! RT - Black on black, first half, white shirt second half GE - Jimi Hendrix shirt first half, Car shirt second half JH - Black shirt, black jeans first half, thin, white long-slvd shirt second half. STUDDED BOOTS!!! Perhaps the policemen shoes have been sent out for reglazing. JL - White, white embroidered shirt, leathers, first half, short-slvd black shirt that appears to be almost pleated, second half The Concert: If a concert was ever close to perfection, it was this one! TMB should always play symphony concert halls. The sound was crisp, clean, well-balanced and free of distortion. Yes, it was loud, as r 'n r should be, but perfectly clear. I would have liked to have had the opportunity to hear it tonight from the first balcony, or halfway back on the floor to compare the sound from the front. I'm sure it was superb. Lighting was adequate and not distracting. All singers were in good voice, with little to none crack or strain. Everyone looked rested and "pleased"! There were no errors or "flubs" that Sue or I noticed. Gemini Dream and YWD went through without a hitch, and GE remembered the title of HIS song tonight, though he gave a pregnant pause and looked over at Sue (she mouthed Nothing Changes), possibly to terrorize us. LOL The sellout crowd was like Bakersfield, primarily a hometown group. I noticed around 20 traveling fans present. The audience was appreciative and enthusiastic, but strangely respectful, possibly the influence of the concert hall setting. Or perhaps it was the lack of BEER! LOL It was a HUGE disappointment to both SueC and me not to get to stand for Singer, however, we wished to be considerate of the audience behind us. Nonetheless, it was an almost painful experience! Several people chose to dance at the sides of the floor seats, and security indulged them - a nice touch. The audience eventually stood for Question and continued standing for SeeSaw and ended the performance with appreciative applause. Gordon came out to the front and threw sticks, asking SueC considerately if she would like one (and oh, yes, she DID - she now has her set of two). I didn't see whether Ray gave a tambourine, but will inquire of my flute/tambourine expert. ; ) I didn't see either of the Jays give out picks, but oddly enough, as My Favorite Drummer walked off stage, he threw something at me with a sideways motion. A JOHN pick!!! LOL I don't know whether Graeme is picking John's pockets, or noticed it on the floor but it was greatly appreciated by a fan of BOTH men. I was interested to see the mike placement amidst the security concerns of late, and it was within 8 feet of the front of the stage. Hard to judge, but that's what it looked like. I found that interesting because it appeared to be a deep stage, and the Band could have been moved back several more feet from the edge. I'll take it as a positive sign of faith! LOL Both Justin and John came out from their mikes (Justin less frequently than John, as is usual) to within two feet of the edge. Both seemed relaxed and it was "business as usual". All in all, venue, performance and performers, it was as close to perfect as I've ever seen. The only thing a bit lacking was the audience. As John said to me outside the RAH in 2000, they get energy from the audience. This was a good audience, imo, but not an audience that makes a difference. Those special evenings are surely ones to remember! MaggieMay |
