Wilkes Barre Pa concert!!!!!!!! WOW

by **harleydyke20** on Fri Jun 27, 2008 9:38 pm

Just left the Kirby Center in Wilkes Barre Pa, and Melissa was rocking tonight!!!!! My wife got us tickets as a surprise and she couldn't make it because of a business trip so I had to bring my 14 yr old son and let me tell you she rocked the place so good he even loved it.
She had some strong messages in her show and it was moving. She is an inspiration!
We fans stood outside the back door and of course she came out the other side, but she did wave to us. I went over to touch her bus (because I am a geek), and when I was walking in the street she and two of her peeps walked out of the bus right in front of me, we didn't communicate but I got a chance to say hello. I did leave a present for her in her door handle (it was a hand-beaded belt buckle)but one of her guys came and took it. I did go over to him to see what he was going to do with it and he did say he would try to give it to her, he wouldn't promise but he would try. I sat there in my car thinking of what an idiot I was but what the hey......we'll see. I have to only hope she gets it.
All in all the concert was absolutely fantastic. She thrills me everytime I see her.

by **NJ Firedancers** on Fri Jun 27, 2008 10:30 pm

We had 3 or 4 "Holy Crap" moments, including LTWID, Breakdown and Ain't it Heavy which opened the show (Didn't keep a setlist sorry) The band sounded great, Melissa is amazing, new stuff plays great live (The Universe Listened was stunning)

The show itself was AWESOME, can't wait for more.....but

We had really good seats 4th row in front of Fritz and were constantly berated and asked to "sit down" until we finally moved over to the aisle and were able to dance and stand freely. I can't imagine why anybody would want to spend good money on a rock & roll show and insist on sitting there for 3 hours. I was extremely dissapointed in the crowd. The section in front of Philip were into it, I wished we were over there, but I'll say that 80% of the people there sat on their asses for 80% of the show. :cry:

That is one depressing place to see Melissa and I'll never go back. It seemed most of the people where I was were only slightly familiar with Melissa's music..pity

And how about this, you stand in line for 20 minutes to get a drink, and rush to your seats, then they tell you "No open drinks in the theatre" ?????? WTF????? :shocked:

Here's an idea.... They make these things called signs, and they can say stuff.....oh anything......like perhaps "No open drinks in the theatre". Maybe one of those would be good WHERE YOU ARE SELLING THE DRINKS. It was surreal, a dozen people at each enterance guzzling their drinks just before 8:00

Next stop (for us) Hyannis

by **NJ Firedancers** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:30 am

Some more thoughts....

Love the addition of the keyboard player, but don't know his name or where he came from. Adds a different sound than the last few tours.

Woke up this morning with "Open Your Mind" on a constant loop in my head....

The sound mix was good all the way to the right of the stage were we STOOD. We could not understand what Melissa was saying during the interludes however.

Note to Kirby Center Security Personel: No need to get all rough and intimidating with one person taking taking pictures when 20 people within 10 feet are doing the same thing. Why the random "stop doing that's"??

by **adam_eve** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:33 am

Does anyone have the setlist?

by **jenhrdir** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 8:45 am

About 3 hrs before last night's concert my partner and I finally decided to see if we could still get tickets. We sure did. 11th row thank you very much. We had great seats for a fantastic show, but what the heck - almost everyone was sitting down! I didn't get fan club tickets this time because we didn't know if we could go until the last minute. Sitting with the "regular" people is down right depressing. Luckily no one said anything to us about standing because I wasn't about to sit down. I've been to plenty of Melissa concerts and have NEVER seen anything like this. The concert itself was fantastic and we had a great time regardless.

Just a note - people this is a ROCK CONCERT you don't sit quietly - especially at Melissa - you PARTICIPATE! I know I'm preaching to the choir, but it made us CRAZY last night.

Fantastic show - can't wait for the Borgata on the 4th of July! I'll be standing that's for sure!

by **MicheleW** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:32 am

I'm sorry about the sitting people!! We don't sit either. Melissa has said before that she loves the energy from the crowd. I'm sorry your experience overall was not a good one. Melissa does rock though!! Her and her band are awesome this year!!

Can't wait for St. Louis!! Hope everyone is on their feet!!

by **nybabe58** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 10:50 am

In Lieu of the set list here is an article that Rhondda posted in yahoo.

Awesome that she did LTWID and I think this was the first time this tour...true Tigger??

http://www.theweekender.com/newmusic06281.html

REVIEW: Etheridge's show is full-blown rock

by Nikki M. Mascali

"My job is to tell you my story," Melissa Etheridge said to the crowd of 1,400 at the Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre Friday night. And tell her story she did. It was a story full of wistful Midwestern dreams, heartache, love, cancer and hope for the future that was punctuated by her music.

A casually dressed Etheridge and her band – bassist Mark Browne, drummer Mauricio "Fritz" Lewak, guitarist Philip Sayce and keyboardist Paul Trudeau – took the stage at 8:05 p.m. She immediately greeted Wilkes-Barre in her unmistakable voice and proceeded to bring the house down for the next two hours and 44 minutes, opening with her first Grammy-winning song, "Ain't It Heavy" from her 1992 release "Never Enough."

She acknowledged a fan that held up a poster documenting Etheridge's 1989 visit to the Kirby stage and laughingly showed her bandmates how she looked before displaying it in front of the drums for the rest of the show.

Her nonstop set, with some jammy pitstops and more than a few playful moments, included "Bring Me Some Water," off her self-titled 1988 debut; "Meet Me In The Back," also from "Never Enough," which prompted an Etheridge/audience sing-along; "Breakdown," the title track of her 1999 release, as well as her Oscar winning song, "I Need To Wake Up" from Al Gore's film "An Inconvenient Truth."

Songs from her latest release, last year's "The Awakening," also got some show time, including "California," "An Unexpected Rain," "Message To Myself" and "The Kingdom of Heaven."

One of the evening's many treats the bluesy Thorogood-esque beginning to "I'm the Only One." The song's impressive guitar solo showcased an almost sensual interaction between Sayce's and Etheridge's guitars. Another highlight was the powerful and heartfelt rendition of "This Is Not Goodbye."

Etheridge kept a conversational tone to the evening, philosophizing her struggles over the course of her 20-year career and serving as an inspiration to many that they had the power to survive anything – and to make change.

The infamous advocate saved her more political songs for the end, including "Imagine That" and "What Happens Tomorrow." The latter, which closed the set, had a slight lyrics change from a female becoming president to "a black man," to reflect Barack Obama's Democratic nomination.

After a standing ovation and a brief stage departure, Etheridge and the band returned for "Not Tonight" and an absolutely kick-ass version of "Like The Way I Do," from her 20-year old debut.

By the time the show ended at 10:49 p.m., Etheridge looked exhausted – and rightly so. She gave everything she had to her audience. It's a testament that a musician would give so much of themselves while on stage after 20 years in the business – never mind one who has been through so much – but it's safe to say that she doesn't know how to do it any different.

Melissa Etheridge and company's show wasn't chick music. It wasn't a singer/songwriter with a backing band. While she is the focus because, frankly, you can't take your eyes off her, this was a bona fide rock show.

Nikki M. Mascali is the Weekender staff writer. Nikki can be reached at 570.831.7322. Read Nikki's bio here nmascali@theweekender.com

by **TSO** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:28 pm

The concert in Wikes Barre was fantastic. Melissa rocked! All the songs were excellent. I was on the Philip side which was terrific. I had the same reaction/experience as other posters about people sitting down. I was standing up for the beginning part of the concert. About a third of the way through the concert I was asked to sit down by people behind me. Sigh.... I am tall so I do understand about people behind me being able to see. I sat down but so wanted to stand up.

I took about ten pictures. I didn't want to get crazy taking pictures because they did tell someone to stop taking pictures. I hope that you can see this picture. I've never posted a picture before. If it works, I'll try posting a couple more.

by **nybabe58** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:41 pm

TSO

Yep it worked.....we can see it. Show us more

Does anyone have a set list yet? Mein doesnt have it up yet but from the review she did LTWID.....

by **TSO** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:45 pm

I think the picture posted so here are four more.

by **nybabe58** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:10 pm

NIce shots..show some more...any video??

by **Kypride86** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:34 pm

Anybody know the setlist yet?

by **tiggerATD** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:47 pm

nybabe58 wrote:Awesome that she did LTWID and I think this was the first time this tour...true Tigger??

Yup...first appearance for that song this tour....previous lists showed the possibility of Not Tonight/Piece of My Heart OR Like the Way I Do....according to the article this was Not Tonight paired with Like The Way I Do....I would have loved to have been there for that!

by **nybabe58** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:56 pm

tiggerATD wrote:
nybabe58 wrote:Awesome that she did LTWID and I think this was the first time this tour...true Tigger??

Yup...first appearance for that song this tour....previous lists showed the possibility of Not Tonight/Piece of My Heart OR Like the Way I Do....according to the article this was Not Tonight paired with Like The Way I Do....I would have loved to have been there for that!

Tigger

I figured as much and as I dont thoroughly read every review I just happen to read that one and see what the ending songs were plus some of the others as the set list hasnt appeared yet by concert goers or MEIN....were keeping you on your toes with your song analysis

by **tiggerATD** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:13 pm

THIS IS JUST A GUESS as to what the setlist was...pieced together from posts, news articles, and previous concert history LOL....If someone who was there could fill i the blanks or let us know if the order seems wrong then maybe we can get close to what was played?

Wilkes-Barre, PA
Friday June 27, 2008

All There Is
Ain't It Heavy
?unsure if or what song would be in this spot?
California
Meet Me In The Back
Breakdown
An Unexpected Rain
Bring Me Some Water
I Want To Come Over
?unsure if or what song would be in this spot?
I'm The Only One
If I Wanted To
Lucky
This Is Not Goodbye
I Run For Life
2001
I Need To Wake Up
Message To Myself
Come To My Window
All We Can Really Do
The Kingdom Of Heaven
Open Your Mind
The Universe Listened
Imagine That
What Happens Tomorrow
Encores:
Not Tonight / Like The Way I Do

by **TSO** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 3:23 pm

I didn't take any video. I just switched from a 35mm camera to my first digital camera. I am just learning how to use it. Right now I have it on auto settings. The remaining few pictures that I took came out blurry. I must have moved my hand while taking them.

As indicated Melissa closed with Not Tonight into LTWID. It was crazy fantastic. The security personnel could not keep people from surging the first row area for the encore. They kept people back up until that point. It was amazing being about three or four feet away from Melissa when she came on the side of the stage that I was at. She was just awesome playing her guitar and singing with every ounce of everything within her.

I didn't write down the songs to make up the set list. The posted list by TiggerATD looks very close to it. I am sorry that I can't fill in the missing songs.

by **Kel** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 5:16 pm

Thank you for sharing! Melissa's guitar strap looks super cozy and so totally awesome ... love love love it. 8-)

by **cool** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:32 pm

Super concert last nite...loved it from start to finish...she is an unbelievable woman as well as an artist...can't wait to see her in Reading on the 15th

by **tuttie910** on Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:00 pm

concert last night was just FABULOUS!!! we were in the first row... yes I said FIRST row.. almost peed my pants when we went to the window to pick up our tickets. OMG..never been so close. she actually touched each of us and held my partner's hand. as far as the set list.. we have the actual set list that was taped on the stage. one of the security guys got it for us.. ready ??

ALL THERE IS
AIN"T IT HEAVY
RUINS
CALIFORNIA
MEET ME IN THE BACK
UNEXPECTED RAIN
BRING ME SOME WATER
I WANT TO COME OVER
BREAKDOWN
I'M THE ONLY ONE
IF I WANTED TO
LUCKY
THIS IS NOT GOODBYE/THIS MOMENT
I RUN FOR LIFE
2001/WAKE UP
MESSAGE/WINDOW
ALL WE CAN REALLY DO
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
OPEN YOUR MIND
THE AWAKENING

NOT TONIGHT / LIKE THE WAY I DO

by **dogrescuergirl** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:00 am

Audience rejoices in Etheridge’s ‘revival’
BY ALEXANDER CHOMAN
CITIZENS’ VOICE MUSIC CRITIC
06/28/2008

WILKES-BARRE — Melissa Etheridge put on an old-fashioned “revival” show Friday night at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts. Not only was it a catchy name for the tour, but it was significant both for her and her audience. Or at least that’s what she was aiming for.

Etheridge’s attempt with the “Revival Tour” was to tell her life’s journey through music and song and it worked superbly. Her 1,650 fans in attendance seemed to relate on so many different levels, just as she had hoped for.

Etheridge provided the road map of her life to this point through her music and storytelling. In many ways, it was a celebration of sorts. She also promises that there’s much more to come.

In her art, her health, her well-publicized eco-march and so many other things, Etheridge wanted to visit towns on this tour and get back in touch with things that mean so much to her and her audience base. Her performance Friday night at the Kirby Center proved that to be a rousing success.

As beads of sweat poured from her in the two-and-a-half-hour performance she really gave her audience all that she had. Her sterling backing band and eclectic stage décor kept the emphasis on the music, even though there were other messages afoot.

The raspy-voiced, preachy country girl from Kansas belted out her anthemic songs with passion and energy seen all too infrequently these days. Etheridge is an intense storyteller, whether through song or prose. If we have a female Springsteen, Melissa Etheridge is it.

Her generous playlist took the audience on a musical journey from her early days in the Midwest to the place that she says “changed me forever,” California. From her more recent work, like her universal incarnation “All There Is” from 2007’s “The Awakening,” back though such staples as “Bring Me Some Water,” “Unexpected Rain,” “Like The Way I Do,” “I Run For Life” or Tom Petty’s “Breakdown,” Etheridge never left up for a moment.

Etheridge also wears her legitimacy on her sleeve. With her, what you see is what you get. Her Academy and Grammy Award-winning song from Al Gore’s film “An Inconvenient Truth” isn’t just a song by an artist that saw an opportunity. It is sung by an environmentally responsible person that converted her tour buses to run on eco-friendly bio-diesel fuel.

Melissa Etheridge’s attempt to turn each theater she plays into a down-home, old-fashioned revival celebration worked to perfection at the Kirby Center. The audience swayed and sang along with their chorus master to nearly ever tune. The dozens of multi-colored swatches of material that blew in the air overhead the stage kept things both symbolic and simple. The emphasis of the evening was right where it belonged — on the artist and her music.

I have always thought Melissa Etheridge’s first trip to the F.M. Kirby Center almost two decades ago was one of the finest shows ever presented at the venue. That was until Friday evening. She just continues to get better every time out.

by **nybabe58** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 6:12 am

tiggerATD wrote:THIS IS JUST A GUESS as to what the setlist was...pieced together from posts, news articles, and previous concert history LOL....If someone who was there could fill i the blanks or let us know if the order seems wrong then maybe we can get close to what was played?

Wilkes-Barre, PA
Friday June 27, 2008

All There Is
Ain't It Heavy
?unsure if or what song would be in this spot?
California
Meet Me In The Back
Breakdown
An Unexpected Rain
Bring Me Some Water
I Want To Come Over
?unsure if or what song would be in this spot?
I'm The Only One
If I Wanted To
Lucky
This Is Not Goodbye
I Run For Life
2001
I Need To Wake Up
Message To Myself
Come To My Window
All We Can Really Do
The Kingdom Of Heaven
Open Your Mind
The Universe Listened
Imagine That
What Happens Tomorrow
Encores:
Not Tonight / Like The Way I Do

Wow tigger you are something else!!

To compare your supposed list to the real thing is amazing how you put things together...its not exactly right but come so very close. It was basically correct just a few out of order but those spots you said you missed were filled in below.

Here is the list and yours above to show others how well you did

Bravo!! I guess if anyone misses one we can go to you to figure that out!

ALL THERE IS
AIN"T IT HEAVY
RUINS
CALIFORNIA
MEET ME IN THE BACK
UNEXPECTED RAIN
BRING ME SOME WATER
I WANT TO COME OVER
BREAKDOWN
I'M THE ONLY ONE
IF I WANTED TO
LUCKY
THIS IS NOT GOODBYE/THIS MOMENT
I RUN FOR LIFE
2001/WAKE UP
MESSAGE/WINDOW
ALL WE CAN REALLY DO
KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
OPEN YOUR MIND
THE AWAKENING

NOT TONIGHT / LIKE THE WAY I DO

by **tiggerATD** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:13 am

hard to predict tour premiers....and there were 5 at this one show :shocked:

I like when someone who was at the show posts the lists :mrgreen:

maybe its a bit telling how obssesive I can be when I woke up this morning and was all excited that Camille had posted last nights set already! :ugeek:

LOL

by **Kypride86** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:48 am

OMG she did Ruins!!!! Please do it in Columbus, Please do it in Columbus!!!!

by **SandyL** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 4:05 pm

Just returned home from my daughter's or I would have posted sooner! What wonderful reviews Melissa received, she has said she never reads them, understandably, but wish she could see the ones posted here! I ws also totally blown away when I picked up the tickets and discovered I was also in the front row! Not only that, I was in dead center, along with my daughtert! Unbelievable! We travelled to Wilkes Barre in time to get to the stage door, hopefully to see Melissa get off the bus, and we did!!!! She shook our hands, I was able to say very briefly, awesome, amazing CD, incredible voice, and she replied, thank you very much! And here it comes, the end of the show, before the encore, and a smiling Melissa is walking towards me with her guitar pick! Will never forgot that smile or receiving the pic! I will be high on Melissa until I see her again in Colombus!

by **bulldog536** on Sun Jun 29, 2008 5:36 pm

My husband & I were lucky enough to attend the concert in Wilkes Barre - Melissa was fantastic!! What an incredible voice as well as a gifted storyteller. I also could not believe the number of people sitting during the show....I found it nearly impossible to take my seat with such a high energy show. This is the best concert we have been to in years!

by **lambuck** on Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:01 am

I have lived in this area practically all my life and I have attended many concerts at other arenas but I have never experienced a 'sit down' concert before??? I have seem Melissa in NY and Baltimore and the crowds were just fantastic. I can't explain what happened at the Kirby Center, perhaps it was the theater and all that crazy security that kept me a little on edge. We had balcony center seats. Not the best but I could see fine and the sound was great. I began by standing and clapping and singing and dancing and that came to a quick hault. I sat near a group that thought they were at church. They were the most well behaved boring bunch of 'fans' I have ever seen at any show. They could not have been Melissa fans or fans of themselves. I watch people all the time, it is my favorite thing to do in a crowd, some of the fans never even mouthed a word or clapped. What a bunch of dweebs.....

I thought Melissa was fantastic, I was captivated by her storytelling and just electrified by her performance. She looked and sounded strong and the band is second to none. I cant wait to see her in Reading and I wish I was going to AC, CT, NY and all the rest. I could never tire of her, she is all that....Thanks Melissa!

by **stlouisfan** on Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:57 pm

MicheleW - You bet I'll be standing in St. Louis...I can't imagine doing anything else! I'm going to be very disappointed if I have to sit down! Way too hard to dance sitting in your seat!! Ooooooh, can't wait for Aug 11.

by **MicheleW** on Tue Jul 01, 2008 4:16 pm

stlouisfan wrote:MicheleW - You bet I'll be standing in St. Louis...I can't imagine doing anything else! I'm going to be very disappointed if I have to sit down! Way too hard to dance sitting in your seat!! Ooooooh, can't wait for Aug 11.

by **wildwoofie** on Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:27 pm

Hiya People
I just wanted to say I was at the wilkes barre concert with my beautiful lady and it was one of the best nights of my life! Melissa absolutely ROCKS!!! It was my partner's first Melissa concert and I am very glad I got to take her to it!
But I have to say something here on this forum.....
Sometimes, even at the best concert (which this was for me) people sit down....
Its not an insult, its not to be a comment on the show....
I happen to have a bad back, My lady an artificial hip.....Ya we sat down some...Mostly, we stood but....
But we loved the concert... wouldn't have missed it for the world!! (and personally... I'm sure the people behind me appreciated seeing more than just my big butt!).....Don't get mean about the "little stuff" Enjoy the good!! It was a great night!
Also... I got some great still shots... check out "wildwoofie" on photobucket.com

Have a good one...
Melissa, YOU ROCK!!

by **harleydyke20** on Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:31 am

TO TSO........ THANKS FOR THE PICS! The security guard stopped me from taking a picture and I was back in row u. Oh well you gave me the pics i needed for my scrapbook....thanks

by **TSO** on Thu Jul 03, 2008 12:27 pm

Your very welcome Harleydyke20! I wasn't sure about posting the pictures (if it was against MEIN's policies) as I noticed that no other pictures are posted - only links to pictures on other concert threads. I sent you a PM. I am glad that you were able to use the pictures for your scrapbook.

by **wildwoofie** on Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:03 pm

Harley and TSO,
You are very welcome for the pictures. Enjoy!
And TSO.. I'm very sorry, I think i might have stolen a few of your pic's...I had put them in the same folder as mine before I posted mine. If theres a problem with that, let me know, and I'll take yours down. Sorry
c ya

by **TSO** on Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:14 pm

Wildwoofie...No worries. I don't stress over things like that. Once posted, it becomes part of public access. I am grateful to others when they share their experiences and pictures so I'm glad to be able to give back even if it is only a few pictures.

by **NJ Firedancers** on Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:03 pm

No reflection on the good people of Wilkes Barre PA.

My post wasn't menat to be mean, I understand.... you and everybody else have the right to act and live the way you choose. My question is is this....Were do my rights begin and yours end? It's my right to stand up and move, sway and dance real close with my honey and experience the joy of one of these shows the only way we know how. It's your right, to sit, relax and mellow out and just listen, and take it all in. I have no beef with that. I SERIOUSLY have a problem with people and INSULTING us,THREATINING us then ultimatly FORCING us from our 4th row seats. My honey has waited her whole life to hear "Ain't It Heavy" it's her ringtone for petes sake! So instead of enjoying it and what it meant, we were arguing with these jerks behind us. I have no right forcing you to stand, you have no right forcing me to sit. I can stand, you can sit, but all you will see is our butts attempting to dance I will say this, when you see Melissa in a place like Hyannis, with the whole crowd on their feet and carrying on, you will see how she and the band feed off of that. It really makes for a better show. It must have been depressing for her to look out and see the whole place sitting down in Wilkes Barre. As an entertainer, I am sure she wanst the place jumping.

I'll stand by my statement...Wilkes Barre was a FANTASTIC show, loaded with firsts for us, and from a setlist standpoint, one of the best. We still had a great time. From a venue and crowd standpoint it was horrible.

PS, the people that turned us in to security left before the encore.

by **gracenotes** on Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:32 am

As usual Melissa was wonderful. I loved some of the old songs as well. It was also nice to meet some nice people in the front row. I met a woman, Sandy, who was with her daugter. We sat next to each other in the front row which was a wonderful experience. I am off to see her tonight in Atlantic City and again on Sunday in Providence. Can't wait.

by **TSO** on Fri Jul 04, 2008 6:37 am

"Where do my rights begin and yours end?" (NJFiredancers)

That is a good question. I wish I knew the answer. Melissa's concert was fantastic but the audience part is perplexing when one considers that we were at a rock concert and not the Philharmonic. I do believe that if you want to sit - fine and if you want to stand - fine but the two at the same time always causes someone to be compromised. I wanted to stand and did so but was asked to sit down by the people behind me. I did sit down because I understood that they wanted to see the concert and I also didn't want to ruin a good time by getting into it with people behind me when I wanted to watch the concert in front of me. I felt uncomfortable sitting down though because I was itching to stand and I know that Melissa feeds off of the energy from the audience. Anyway...

NJFiredancers - There was a similar situation on the left side of the audience. There were several people who wanted to dance which is fine. They encountered problems with security when they kept trying to move several people back and forth between the fourth and fifth rows to two seats in the second row throughout the concert. One security guard was passive about it but his partner kept intervening trying to keep them from constantly moving back and forth and also from dancing in the aisle. It caused quite a bit of distraction. Even Melissa glanced over a few times to see what was going on.

I am heading to AC tonight. We'll see how the audience situation plays out there.

by **NJ Firedancers** on Fri Jul 04, 2008 7:18 am

A heading to AC too, (4TH SHOW IN A WEEK) will expect a great deal of High Roller comps and Radio Station ticket winners, They usually leave halfway through, opening up the floor for hard us core fans. I will expect a good deal of "Sit Down's".

I wish Melissa would intervene and say "Hey Lets se ya out there" and encourage rowdy conduct!

by **wildwoofie** on Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:06 am

Hey there!

I just want to tell ya....no way on earth I would have let someone ruin that concert for me and mine! I totally agree with you!. Had someone started a problem with me there... they would have regreted it.
My lady and I both agree on this, we are actually envious of those that could stand and jump and dance. (sorry, can't dance worth a darn but tried too that night! lol ) I would have loved to join you and completely defend your right to do so.... I Love a wild and rowdy crowd too, and don't think for a minute that we just sat the whole concert, we were up on our feet most of the time!
I only posted because there seemed to be too much bitching on this subject particually for this forum!.. You preaching to the choir here. We are ALL hard core Melissa fans here!!! Of course we want to rock the stadium down with her!!
We want to stand up, jump up and dance in the isles! I was just trying to tone down some of the meaness towards those that sat down some. Like myself, sometimes there are reasons, but i would never expect someone else to sit down at a concert just to appease me!
Lets get the radio station winners outta the front middle rows!! Reserve it strictly for us die hard fans!!! Put them off to the sides! Its not fair to the die hard fans to have someone in front of them who barely wants to be there. I waited a long time to be at a Melissa concert with someone I truely love and I would let no one ruin it for me.
I really believe thats the trash you were dealing with... no fan would have left that concert before the encore. I would not even leave the isle in front of the stage till they turned on all the lights!
I am actually sorry for you and am very glad that you are getting to see another show... Again I'm envious....Enjoy what you got!!! Post some more pictures for the rest of us poor saps

by **TSO** on Fri Jul 04, 2008 11:04 am

Wildwoofie,

Your heart and spirit are in the right place. I wish you could have stood and danced (no matter the skills

) the whole night long. The friend who I was with also has a bad back and needed to sit for most of the concert but she stood up for her most favorite Melissa songs.

All is good in the end. We all had a fabulous time.

Looking forward to tonight. I'll be taking my mom. It will be her first Melissa concert. After listening to Melissa in my car, she probably knows most of the songs as well as any fan that will be there. If I have decent seats to take some pictures, I'll try to do so.

by **dtbethie** on Sat Jul 05, 2008 4:44 am

TSO Love the pics! I got a few great shots myself. That was my first Melissa concert and it was an "AWAKENING!"
We were lucky to have people around us who understood our desire to stand and dance. Thank you to them! Had I been asked to sit I would have. I want to mention that I was one of the people who was involved in the little scuffle shuffle and things aren't always what they appear to be. We were told by the girls behind us that we could go up to the second row with them. They supposedly had connections. After we did so we were asked to go back to our seats which we did, but the girls who invited us to the second row had taken them. It was a simple matter of showing our ticket stubs - didn't realize it caused such a distraction. My apologies. :oops:

by **TSO** on Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:45 am

dtbethie

No apologies needed. This was a concert. I think the distraction was only because of security trying to enforce their rules. Had they let you stay up in the second row and did not keep chasing you around it would have went smoother.

Glad you liked the pictures and got some pictures of your own. If you are able to post them I am sure that many people here would enjoy seeing them.