A Concert Review From A Guy's Point Of View (HOB Las Vegas)

Posted by Chris A

Ok, Ok, after accompanying wifey to a fifth CI concert in five months I've decided to try to give you all a look at things from a guy's viewpoint.

Now, wifey and her equally enamored girlfriend fans will tell you they love the lyrics, the music, yadda, yadda, yadda, and in the next instant their eyes glaze over and expressions ooze forth like "those dreamy blue eyes"..., "doesn't he look divine in that suit"..., and on an on. So, putting my slightly bruised ego aside I agreed to accompany her to our first concert in Las Vegas back in October to check out the music (and maybe to check out my new found competition). I guess at this point, four concerts later, it would be useless to deny that I have become a fan myself and for my own reasons. Let's cut right to the chase and do some serious male bonding - guys, if you don't get lucky after an evening with Mr. Isaak and Silvertone you're just not trying. Let's face it, whatever he has triggers a response in the female system that is at least the equivalent of Viagra for women.

The first thing you'll notice while standing in line (and that'll be about 12 hours before the concert if "she" wants to be up front) is that there are approximately 9 women in that line for every man you'll detect. If you're unprepared for this you may be at risk of being overwhelmed by the estrogen level that builds all around you as show time approaches. You may not notice it at first, but as they (those females who way outnumber you) begin to show each other pictures of other concerts and trade CI information bulletins while waiting for the doors to open - IT will happen. You'll begin to notice an oooh here, an ahhhhhh there, and then grown adult women all around you are giggling like school girls.

Soon, you'll start getting looks from these estrogen crazed people like you haven't received in a while. I think their logic is "if he's here to see CI, and for some reason I don't end up going home with CI tonight, he may have to suffice as my surrogate CI later this evening". So, be prepared, the backlash from the concert and all those enamored, slightly frustrated women can be a bit disconcerting (at first). Trust me, you'll learn to handle it if you give yourself time to adjust. I kid you not, back at the hotel after Thursday's HOB show in Las Vegas I ended up with 9 women back in the room - yes, wifey was one of them - now you tell me where else you're going to find a deal like that. It's a good thing I wasn't wearing any sequins or reflective material or it could have gotten out of control. As it turned out, I did manage to survive the night with my honor still intact. Oh well, maybe next time.

Oh yeah, there was music, too. See, for the women CI is a distraction from the music, but for me - I think you've got the idea. Well, all that time in line did get us a spot right up at the stage. That's a good start. The guys came out rockin' with new tunes from "Speak of The Devil" and got the crowd into the show from the first song. About three songs in they did what I refer to as "Every Guys Anthem to the paradox women refer to as a Relationship", or as it's called on the album, "Please". That's where it comes in handy to have the women gazing on CI himself so they don't notice us guys pumping our fists and yelling "right on, dude" - "tell it". Getting caught enjoying that song too much might just get you buried under an avalanche of Mars/Venus books and booed out of the HOB. Of course, it's not likely that any females will tear their gaze away from Mr. Isaak long enough to notice anyone else anyway.

They continue to rock on other tunes and later they get to "Wicked Game". Here the gentlemanly thing to do is to scoop women up off the floor and help them regain their composure. That would be lesson one from my book, "Concert Etiquitte for Guys", due out later this month. After WG they really start rockin again and my favorite songs from every concert are the longer live versions of "Diddly Daddy" and "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing". If you like cool, surfer music you'll really get into "Supermagic 2000" and the twangy guitar riffs. I also liked that they added "Dancin" to this show - one of my older favorites. Maybe it's just a guy thing, but I really get into the rockin' tunes; I really do wish they would release a live album to caputre some of the energy that they produce on stage. On the other hand, those ballads do seem to ignite a fire in the ladies,.....so keep those in the show too, Chris.

Being up close to the stage gave me an appreciation for CI's ability at pickin' when he takes the lead, and the way they all play to the crowd. It really is an amazing, fun show and the band genuinely seems to appreciate their fans. Now if you're a sports freak like me - it's kind of a nice switch to feel welcomed as a fan again. (Just don't tell me Silvertone is going on strike next month.) Hey, and if your wife (or you for that matter) wants an autograph she'll get one after the show 'cause Chris will be there to sign for as long as it takes to get to everyone. Yep, quite a switch from the normal celebrity/sports gig. One guy was moaning that he couldn't believe he was standing in line to buy some guy's boxers for his wife and then ask him to sign them for her. (I did notice that he stayed and got the job done, though, so he must have caught on.)

Anyway guys, if you've been resisting going to one of these concerts, just give it up and GO. Your date is going to enjoy herself, you are going to enjoy the music, and there's a pretty good chance that you're going to reap the residual value of having been in the same room with Chris Isaak later in the evening. And that CAN'T be a Bad, Bad Thing.

Back to Reviews