We want to thank Triple M for the tickets to the Farm Aid concert as a result of the writing contest about small WI farms.  We had great seats and enjoyed the entire event! We would like to share some of our experiences about the concert and the human interest stories we learned or observed…

One fellow seated near us was from Springfield, IL.  Like most people, he was moving with the music.  When we got to visiting he said he had “lost his wife and might be looking for a new one.” We both had the same reaction, that he meant that she had recently died, but he clarified his comment to mean that she was roaming around the stadium taking pictures and that he was getting lonely!

Another man sitting in our area mentioned that he lived a “stones-throw” from Miller Stadium!  We had a chance to visit quite extensively between performers and learned that he had brought his 80-year old parents who have been married 60 years this year!  They love Willy Nelson and frequently get to his performances throughout the Midwest.  His father was born on a farm in North Dakota and his family moved to Athens, WI where  they farmed as well.  There are pictures attached of his father in his Willy Nelson shirt and of the three of the members of the Duerr family together (mother is facing the other way).

We stayed over in Milwaukee Saturday night and visited The Mitchell Park Domes on Sunday morning.  While there we ran into a retired couple from Maryland that had flown into Milwaukee for the concert.  They had attended many Farm Aid concerts before and they really enjoy the music and the cause!  This being their first trip to Wisconsin, they mentioned how much they like the area (reminded them of Vermont) and the people.  “Everyone is so friendly,” they said.

The performers were all very enjoyable.  In addition to their individual acts, there were some wonderful duets and larger group performances that were fun.
-      It was a treat to see Norah Jones – what a classy singer!

-      It was neat the way Willy Nelson came out during each set to perform with others.

-      Dave Matthews was a big hit with the audience singing along to many of his tunes.

Some really emphasized the cause of the event better than others.  Jason Mraz, a wonderful singer, had a great message about voting in one month – he said that people should vote for candidates who are concerned with the environment and other ecological issues.  Neil Young made an impassioned speech against corporate farms and about how they are making ourselves and our children sick.  He repeatedly said, “Read the label” and “buy from local farmers’ markets.”

A few other observations that we made included the following:
-      We have attached a picture of Poncho and Lefty – they seemed to be having a great time – so much so, that they were escorted out by 6:00 p.m.

-      The marijuana proponent (picture attached) was harassed and that person was escorted out.  He was among the most lively dancers we saw all day!

-      There was a golden-robed Native American (picture attached)

-      One person had a CSNY jacket with an emblem about free speech that was cool – he was definitely tined-in to Neil Young!

– John and Bambi

Wow wow wow! That’s my review of Phish at Alpine valley on Saturday night.

This marked my 16^th year of going to Phish concerts and if I say this was one of  THE BEST I’m not exaggerating.

First step to enjoying Alpine was the VIP parking pass I purchased for $30, which is the only way to handle that parking lot hassle at the end. I was pretty excited to bring my friend Scott along with us for his first Phish concert.  I head to Will Call and we started walking down to our sets… and down… and down until we are on the freakin’ floor, maybe ten rows from the stage, way over on the side.

I’m stoked and ready to see “my boys”. The show started off with Tube ,which happens to be the very first song I ever saw Phish perform live back in 1994. It started strong and they never let up that first set. I don‘t think I have ever heard the band sound so tight. I guess growing up and getting sober is a good thing. 

A high point for me was Page taking center stage and singing his jazzy “Lawn Boy” and “Sparkle” which took us to heights of rock ecstasy.

Now, I’m not getting any younger and I’m not in the best physical shape and it was hot, but I danced and boogied more than I have in, well since the last Phish concert!

Second set included some of my favorite songs, “Down with Disease”,  “Weekapaug Groove” and their cool cover of “ Sneakin’ Sally Through the Alley”.

We were close enough to be bathed by the lights of the stage, which was cool and finally, I was in the middle of the glow stick “war”. I was lucky enough to catch this lovely necklace.

An encore while short and only one song, “Quinn the Eskimo”, was a prefect end to this totally rocking show.

Then, of course, we had to get out of the parking lot. VIP only took 30 minutes rather than 90, so all in all and perfect evening.

I can’t wait for next summer.

Big thanks to Triple M for the Ingrid Michaelson/Keane tickets, Riverside Theater, Milwaukee, 8/10/10. We were able to congregate with Keane for their sound check in the afternoon. Tom Chaplin was a great host, personable, kind, and very welcoming. Tim Rice-Oxley won my heart after the sound check chatting about the tour, enjoying their visit to the States, etc. Rice-Oxley won my heart even more at the show as the most physical keyboard player I have ever seen.

But, honestly, Ingrid Michaelson pretty much stole the show…as the opening act! She and her band truly seemed to love what they were doing. They had great energy and her use of the ukulele was absolutely endearing.

They closed by covering Britney Spears’ Toxic and I now cannot get that darn song out of my head!! The band does a charmingly choreographed routine to the song in the end. Here is a version that someone caught at their show in NJ.

Truly a great evening with two great bands connecting with their fans and not taking themselves too seriously!

And, I have to offer a shout-out to Mo’s Irish Pub on W. Wisconsin. Magen Snipas is, by far, the best bartender I have come across and I think we convinced her to move to Madison!!

Thanks again Triple M!

–Melissa Amos-Landgraf

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By: Michael Mahnke

Seeing Jack Johnson in concert is a joy, seeing him from reserved seats, as I was fortunate enough to do 2 years ago, is fantastic, but seeing him perform while standing on the stage is incredible.  Thanks to 105.5 Triple M, Live Nation and Jack Johnson I was able to experience this on Saturday July 24th at Alpine Valley as winner of the Jack Johnson- Best Seats in the House contest.
A Jack Johnson concert quickly turns into one big sing along and Saturday night was no exception.  The only thing missing was a big fire for everyone to sit around or hearing the waves hit the beach.  The Wisconsin humidty provided some of the heat and everyone singing along made up for the lack of the sound of the ocean.
After an opening set by ALO (Animal Libertation Orchestra) and an acoustic set by G-Love, and a quick glimpse of Jack himself backstage, we were led to the stage for an amazing view and an amazing time.  Seeing a great artist perform up close and seeing a concert from their vantage point, especially at a venue such as Alpine Valley, was tremendous.
Jack started off his part of the night with his current hit from his latest album To The Sea, “You and Your Heart.”  The joy of the crowd, the singing, the dancing were only getting started.

The evenings set list, 29 songs in total, included many of his hits and fan favorites.  The first half of the set list included many well loved songs from years and albums ago with songs from his newest effort mixed in.  Older songs included The Horizon Has Been Defeated, Inaudible Melodies, Upside Down (for the kids in the audience as Jack commented), the big hit from his last album If I Had Eyes and Breakdown.  As an introduction to his popular Bubble Toes, Jack gave a small glimpse into his catalogue when he said “The love songs are for my wife, the break-up songs are about my friends.”
There were also some great live versions of new songs like To The Sea, My Little Girl (for his new daughter) and Red Wine, Mistakes, Mythology.
The second half of the set list was heavier with past songs like Flake, Banana Pancakes and Sitting, Waiting, Wishing.  There were sit-ins from Dan Lebowitz of ALO, Paula Fuga and G-Love as well.  A real treat was Jack and his band covering the Steve Miller Band classic Joker.

The encore started with Jack alone doing acoustic versions of Do You Remember, Angel and Times Like These.  To finish the evening Jack was rejoined on stage by his band, G-Love, Paula Fuga and the members of ALO for a wonderful version of Better Together.
An amazing night, an amazing opportunity and and amazing view.  Jack’s feel good music, the talent of the musicians and the energy of the crowd made everyone go home happy.  It would have been a great concert either way but I was truly honored to have been selected to watch a concert in this way.
Again, I have to thank 105.5 Triple M, Live Nation for having the contest and Jack Johnson himself for allowing fans on the stage to experience a concert in a truly memorable way.