Ewans 2009 concerts
Counting Crows - 24th July 2009 - Red Rock Casino Las Vegas
Counting crows video Red Rock
We got married on 23rd in Las Vegas and the now Mrs T had used her keen eye to spot that Counting Crows were playing in Vegas the night after, so after a dinner show with the family (40 of them had come to the wedding). He jumped in a cab out into the desert to the Red Rock casino resort. When we arrived we were told that the band were setting up by the pool, different to gig I'd been to but hey ho. Turns out the hotel is in a horseshoe shape and the pool was in the middle. The band were literally setting up by the pool and were going to play there, with people still in the pool and any hotel guests able to watch from their room balcony.
I didn't know that much about the group but was allowing my self to led here (we'll come back to why later). We found seats at the outdoor bar next to the poolside blackjack table and watched from there. The show was really impressive and the rolling nature of the group of musicians ensured that there was plenty of 'downtime' for the band to be enjoying the party as well.
The gig was great, the setting was magical and the behaviour of some the hotel guests on both the sun loungers and their hotel balconies left little to the imagination!!!!
This night was unforgettable for a number of reasons. We even bumped into our maid of honour who had the same idea and jumped a cab into the desert out to the red rock of debauchery.
Aerosmith - 25th July 2009 - MGM Grand Las Vegas
Slash and Aerosmith Mama Kin video
This was the night after the Red Rock adventure and was a much more sedate affair. Aerosmith was listed at the headliner for this concert, but not to me. They played a solid set of well known tunes, our seats allowed us to see the side stage area, which meant we could see the military style operation just to keep the then 61 Steven Tyler in one piece on stage. The remainder of the tour was cancelled shortly afterwards citing back problems of Tyler. This showed the performance was flat and uninterested, but the songs are great.
The undoubted highlight was a birthday appearance from Slash to play Mama Kin and have happy birthday sung to him, This made the new Mrs T very happy. I wouldn't be paying to watch Aerosmith again though
ZZ top - 25th July 2009 - MGM Grand Las Vegas
ZZ top @ MGM
When I said earlier on that I allowed myself to led to the Red Rock the previous night, it was fully in the knowledge that possibly my favourite band, and certainly my favourite guitarist, was 'opening' for Aerosmith the following night across the road from our hotel.
My dad being a guitarist meant that we had some interesting music playing in our house and in the car when I was a child. ZZ top was one of groups that was forever playing on our tape deck, the rule was if dads driving he picks the music. Some people don't see past the beards and think of 'that little ol' band from Texas' as some sort of gimmick, far from it. Over the past 40 years they have been known as one of the tightest and most accomplished bands ever.
Seeing them live didn't disappoint. Reverend William F Gibbons is a genius with a guitar and I was lost for 2 hours in his blues and tricks. I think it surprised Mrs T how many of the songs she knew, and secretly she is a fan I'm sure, or maybe I've worn her down with my incessant playing of listening to them. Simple show, great songs, amazing musicians, blown away. I think you can tell I enjoyed it!!
Every girls crazy for a sharped dressed man!!!!
