The Best of the Best - My Top 10 Shows

While there's no doubt that each show this summer was memorable and brought a different experience every show, there were some that stood out over the rest. I'm happy that my list turned out quite varied in terms of the type of shows and this only exemplifies the level of diversity of the performances this year. So here it is, my top 10!

#10: Pixar in Concert - the NSO
Of all the shows this summer, this one may have evoked the most emotion for me. Seeing the movies that I grew up with and hearing the music that resonates as much today as it did when these films were made really reminded me of a innocence that I have unfortunately lost. As always, the NSO sounded terrific and they really allowed me to appreciate the fantastic music that accompanied these Pixar films.

#9: Hall and Oates
Statistically the most crowded show we had, no act rolled off the hits better than this group. While many people, including me, labelled Hall and Oates as a semi-decent 80's act, I found myself liking the show from beginning to end and I definitely gained a great respect for this one of a kind duo. They sounded as good as ever and I don't think I sang more during any other show. Because I mean come one, who wouldn't belt "Rich Girl" along with John Oates?

#8: Counting Crows
As an act that I already liked but knew little about, Counting Crows certainly exceeded by expectations. Since the mid 90's, these guys have released tons of great music and their show reflected their ability to capture raw emotion, Adam Durtiz especially was fantastic and while leaving Mr. Jones off the setlist bumped them down one or two places, there's know doubt that they were one of the best bands that performed this summer.

#7: Yo Yo Ma
Perhaps the most well known musician that graced Wolf Trap this summer, there was little doubt in my mind that this wouldn't be a top 10 performance and the best classical concert this year. Seeing the worlds greater cellist play a 40 minute concerto was literally music to my ears and Yo Yo proved to me that classical music can hold its own against any other genre. A remarkable man and an unforgettable night.

#6: The Fray
While they not be the chart toppers they were a few years ago, the Fray sound like a band who are as strong as ever. While their records seem soft and soulful, the Fray can rock as hard as any group and Issac Slade hold his own as one of the great frontmen of today. The band commanded an audience with upmost confidence and I'll never forget when Issac left the stage and ran to the lawn to the delight of both me and the rest of the amazed crowd.

#5: Nickel Creek and Josh Ritter
With popular music seeming to be going in a more electronic direction, artists like Nickel Creek and Matt Nathanson sound as refreshing as ever. With their unbelievable musicianship, Nickel Creek take traditional bluegrass into a new era that keeps the old fashioned sound and infuses it with more contemporary themes. Josh Ritter's simplistic music relied on excellent songwriting and would make some of the great folk singers like Guthrie and Dylan proud. I couldn't picture a better way to be introduced to bluegrass and reintroduced to folk music.

#4: Lionel Ritchie and Cee Lo Green
"All the hits, all night long!" Mr. Ritchie lived up to his promise and delivered all the great songs that make up his storied career. From the funky Commodores to the more mellow sound of his 80's music, Lionel reminded everyone why he has sold more records than any other artist to come to Wolf Trap this summer. Cee Lo's unique sound speaks for itself and while his set was shortened due to Wolf Trap's curfew, he touched all the bases of his eclectic career and brought the house down with "Fuck You". Of course, who wouldn't get a great response from a song like that?

#3: Darius Rucker
From rock n' roll singer to country crooner, Darius Rucker had one of the great style changes in music history. What makes it even more unbelievable is how good he sounded singing songs from both sides of his career. While I only recognized the Hootie songs, his country output was irresistible and he sang with a voice of a man who has already seen it all. One of the great artists of today, I hope Darius continues to stay in his country direction and who knows, maybe he'll be the man I point to when I explain how I finally erased my distaste for the country genre this summer

#2: John Butler Trio
Probably the best live band I have ever seen, JBT gave me hope that there are still groups out there that focus on instrumentation rather than writing the next hit. Whether it was Butler's incredible guitar playing or the overall proficiency of the bands talent, JBT kept me enthralled the entire night and frankly for the next few weeks after the show. A true gem in the music world, this is a band that deserves to be one of the most famous acts in the world and is the best musical group to come out of Australia since, well ever.

#1: Sara Bareilles
My great find of the summer and probably the year, Sara will continue to be one of my favorite artists of all time and one of the few singers who sounds good in any element. A fantastic singer, songwriter, and performer, her show sounded worthy of a stadium but she was able to also sound like she was singing to one person, you. Her personal songs evoke a variety of emotions and while Sara quotes a fan as saying she only writes "depressing songs", try being depressed while listening to "I Choose You." In the end, Sara wasn't the loudest act or the most proficient, but remained the best because she combined everything that I believe describes great music. The best part is she's still in the beginning of what I think will be a magnificent career. Here's to many more years to come, Sara.

Honorable Mentions

Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson - This pair of pop stars put on a great show and complemented each other well with their piano and guitar based music, respectively.

80's Night - While not all performers were perfect, the Go Go's punk style was great to hear and their supporting cast of 80's stars showed that their music could still sound decent in today's world.

The United States Marine Band - Their performance of the 1812 Overture gave me chills and the fireworks display afterwords served as a worthy introduction to what was to be an unforgettable summer.

DC

Soulful Sunset - Boney James and Eric Benet

As shows have tended to do during my time at Wolf Trap, this one was better than I thought it would be. As with previous shows, I came in with expectations about the soft R&B/Soul style that both the artists last night were going to perform. I figured it would sound like a combination of elevator music and slow Lionel Ritchie. Once again however, Wolf Trap showed me that almost every artist is adaptable. Boney James got his start in the 1980's after graduating from UCLA (yikes). He performed in small clubs for a number of years before he released his first record in 1992. Since then, he has become one of the most well known contemporary jazz musicians in the world and was named the number 3 jazz artist of the decade by Billboard magazine. He has sold over 3 million records worldwide and has toured all over the world. His stage presence is remarkable and kept both me and the rest of the audience into the music. While I thought his music would be slow like Kenny G, a lot of his songs were upbeat and his band was rockin' pretty good. His skill is no doubt unquestionable and he may be the best sax player I've ever seen. Eric Benet is a soul singer who got his start in the late 90's as an R&B singer who combined 70's style should music with more contemporary themes. He has since made a name for himself in the R&B world and has done collaborations with a number of popular artist on his albums including Lil Wayne and Faith Evans. While I'm not a fan of his music per say, I can't deny that he has an incredible voice and it was pleasure to hear him sing in the first place. He seemed very on ease on the stage and engaged the audience well. While neither of these artists performed music I would listen to normally, I ended up liking the show a lot more than I thought I would simply for the talent of the musicians and singers.

On the job side, my last show was unremarkable. Other than there being a lot more chairs to deal with than normal, the relatively light crowd was easy to deal with and everything, including the lawn clearing, was pretty easy. It's funny how it took the whole summer to realize this but I believe now that one of the great parts of this job is seeing everyone else happy. I can't help but smile when people were dancing and singing along to the music and I truly thing that's what this job is all about. As my last show post, I'm so glad that I decided to do this blog because it had become a tangible memory of this incredible summer. Looking forward to going back to Wolf Trap sometime in the near future!

My favorite part of this show was when Boney James performed a cover of "Grazing in the Grass" as his encore. I think his version was better than the original and he really took the song to another level with his intense and energetic playing!

DC

Eric Benet

Boney James 

Simple Music Nickel Creek and Josh Ritter

Folk and Bluegrass music has the ability of conveying a message in simplistic terms. While todays music requires synthesizers, complex layering, and intense studio work, folk music only requires a voice and a guitar. It was this simplicity that made last night one of my favorites of the summer. Josh Ritter is a folk singer who got his start in the late 90's with the release of his first album. After its release, he moved to Ireland and began building a steady following in that country that eventually translated to success in America. While his records of late are a little more layered than traditional folk and have some electric guitar and drums, his performance last night was as simple as can be. Backed with his acoustic guitar and a an occasional soft electric guitar accompaniment, Josh gave a fantastic performances that highlights his strong songwriting. His voice is very unique and he seemed very comfortable on the stage, singing both old and new songs. Nickel Creek also relied on a straightforward stage presence but were still over to command an audience of over 6000. The trio of siblings Sarah and Sean Watkins and mandolinist Chris Thile are all expert musicians and singers and their blend of traditional bluegrass with more contemporary country and pop sounded refreshing. Since releasing their first record in 1999, they have become one of the most popular bluegrass groups and have successfully crossed over into a more mainstream audience. While I've always been a fan of the more upbeat bluegrass, their slow songs sounded just as good because it allowed them to solo on top each other. Chris Thile especially is incredibly talented and has released quite a few solo albums of his own. Overall, both artists sounded great and were truly unique among the acts we've had for their simplicity and direct approach to performing.

This show was busy and the lawn was almost sold out. In the end, over 1300 people walked on to the show due to the terrific weather and most of these people went to the lawn. Even then, the audience wasn't troublesome at all. While there was a security breach during the performance, it was dealt with and the rest of the show was uneventful. I honest can't believe that this is my second to last show but I'm glad it was one of the all season and I'll definitely include it in my final top 10 of the year. As always, looking forward to ONE MORE SHOW in the future!

My favorite part of the night was the songs performed by Nickel Creek during their encore. They all blended perfectly and featured everything that makes them such a unique group. I was having a great time and was reminded the variability of bluegrass as a genre. Great night!

DC

Josh Ritter 

Nickel Creek 

Hispanic Heritage - Noche Flamenco

As my time at Wolf Trap is winding down, I keep thinking about the diversity of the shows that have come and gone since the season started. While my favorite shows have been the more mainstream music artists, it would've have been a less fruitful experience if we hadn't received some of the more obscure performances. Last night was as example of a less well known but nonetheless enjoyable act. Noche Flamenca is a Madrid based dance/music group who aim to create authentic Spanish entertainment. Their performance revolved around singers, dancers, and two flamenco guitar players who all worked to establish what it would be like to see an actual dance group in Spain. One thing I think this group did the best out of any act we've had was their ability to take the audience to a different time and place. Since it was a light show, I had a lot of time to look up at the stars and imagine I was in Spain or Mexico 150 years ago when this music was the main form of entertainment. It was a very surreal moment and as someone who would like to be more connected with my hispanic heritage, it was a wonderful experience. While it probably won't be in my top 10 list at the end of the season, it shows like these that make Wolf Trap what it is: a place to experience a plethora of cultures.

This show was one of the quietest we've had this year. Less than 300 people graced the lawn last night and the audience remained quiet and unassuming the entire time. Rain was in the forecast but it never came and instead we were treated to a beautiful starry night with some meteors flying by once in a while. Its nights like last night that I'll miss the most when my time at Wolf Trap is over. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night wasn't one particular song or act, it was imagining myself back in time when flamenco music and dancing was at its height. This group created one of the most distinct moods of any show we've had and they still left 80% of the stage empty.

DC

the performers of Noche Flamenca 

Pop Tendencies - Gavin Degraw and Matt Nathanson

While Wolf Trap is often tailored to older crowds, we do have shows like last night that are tailored for younger crowds. Both Gavin DeGraw and Matt Nathanson have become popular pop performers and have developed a loyal following. Mat Nathanson's first album was released in 1993 but he didn't have a charting record until 2007. He has since had some good chart success and scored a hit with the song "Come On Get Higher". He has continued to increase his popularity and has recorded and toured with bands such as Sugarland and of course, Gavin DeGraw. His music is based mostly on his acoustic guitar playing but his last couple albums have featured more rock arrangements which are aided with his great vocal talent. Gavin DeGraw released his debut album 2003 and scored a hit with "I Don't Want To Be". Since then, he released four more albums to continued success and his soulful vocals have been a mainstay on the charts. Compared with Matt, Gavin's music revolves more around the piano and he has a little more of a rockier edge to his sound. Both of them were excellent performers and their music sounded a lot better on stage than on their CD's, where they would occasionally come off as bland. They both relied on different stage personas, with Matt taking a more comical approach while Gavin had a more rock star personality and didn't talk as much. I liked both of the performances almost equally and they complemented each other very well. Their opener, Andre McMahon was also great and his driving piano playing and vocal style served as a great way to warm up the crowd. I actually thought his stage act was more energetic than both the headliners at some points. Overall, it was a very good show and it exemplified how pop stars often show off their harder edge while on stage.

This show was pretty busy but overall their weren't that many problems. The show was quite long due to the number of acts but the good news was that people left the lawn pretty quickly and there wasn't much to clear up. The sky looked pretty stormy but in the end it cleared and we were treated to one of the most beautiful moon rises I've ever seen! Like I said, the crowd was younger than normal and it actually made me feel a little old.  As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Gavin DeGraw played his signature song, "I Don't Want To Be". It was definitely a show topper and one of the few songs of his that rocks both on the record and on the stage. One of my favorite songs which really showed off Gavin's talent!

DC

Andrew McMahon 

Matt Nathanson 

Gavin DeGraw

Humor Me - Jim Gaffigan

I don't have to say that comedic acts have to walk a thin line. I believe comedy is actually one of the toughest professions you can have. You never know how the crowd is going be, how they will react to the jokes, and how far you should take certain subjects. I've seen some pretty bad comedians and it really is painful to watch. Luckily, last night featured one of the best comedians around today! After taking a bet to do one night of stand-up right after college, Jim Gaffigan has since made a name for himself for his family friendly but still humorous jokes. He has performed on shows such as Late Night With David Letterman and Comedy Central and has toured all over the world. For me, it was refreshing to have a comedian who didn't rely on dirty humor or insulting stereotypes to be funny. Gaffigan instead talks about things such as food and daily life and often uses self deprecating humor. I thought he was really funny and it was a really enjoyable night. His opening act was also great which was a great relief. He also had a more family friendly approach and talked about his own life for the most part. All in all, I was glad I was able to finally experience a really great comedian who had a good stage presence and was able to engage the audience in a non-awkward way. I have great respect for good comedians and Jim Gaffigan is a great one!

This show was sold out but was also the shortest show we have ever had. Jim Gaffigan said his last joke at 9:25 and although the lawn clearing too a very long time, we were still done by 10:15. The parking lot was a different story and I didn't actually leave Wolf Trap until around 10:45. Nevertheless, it was a pretty easy night and the audience was too busy laughing to cause any problems. There was talk of rain but there was never a drop and the night was cool and dry. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was where Jim Gaffigan talked about Hot Pockets. Already a pretty humorous subjects, his jokes were easy to relate too and more importantly, were hilarious!

DC

Not afraid to poke fun at himself. I wish more people were like that 

The Happiest Days of Our Lives - Classic Albums: Dark Side of the Moon

One thing that I've noticed in today's live performances is that the music often becomes lost in the flurry of lights, props, and general visual effects. The best shows for me are the ones where the set is simple and the artist relies on their music to set the mood. Last night may have been the best example of that type of performance. Classic Albums is a group of musicians who tour around the world and play some of the greatest albums in history in their entirety. Albums such as Abbey Road, Nevermind, and Led Zeppelin II have all been played in the concert series. The artists are not a cover band in the sense that they don't try to act like the band their covering. They simply play the music and let their excellent musicianship speak for itself. I honestly thought it was the best "cover" performance I've ever seen. They're interoperation of Dark Side of the Moon was incredible and they performed it with the upmost attention to the way the music sounds on the record. The musicians are all highly talented and for me it felt like being at an actual Pink Floyd concert. After they finished the album, the band continued their performance by playing some of the well known songs of the band. Their versions of "Wish You Were Here" and "Comfortably Numb" were phenomenal and I think everyone in the audience was blown away by just how good these performers were. I wasn't expecting much from this show but it turned out to be one of the most enjoyable nights of the whole summer. They played just about as much Pink Floyd as I would like and they really gave it their all for every song. I will most definitely look for them if they ever come to LA so I can see them play some of my other favorite albums. A truly great evening.

The other great part about this night was that it was about as easy as can be. The crowd was pretty big on the lawn but overall they weren't any problems and there wasn't much for me to do. The hardest part of the night was getting people to leave the lawn after the short show. The beautiful night didn't help matters and it took longer than expected. Even that couldn't ruin my night and I was all smiles for most of the evening. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the night was when they closed their show with "Comfortably Numb" Already one of the greatest guitar songs of all time, the guitarists brought the house down and really epitomized how great the music of Pink Floyd can be.

DC

Waters, Wright, Mason, and Gilmour would've been proud

Eclectic Jazz - Pat Metheny Unity Group and Bruce Hornsby

"In Rock you play 3 chords and have 1000 people listening, but in Jazz you play 1000 chords and have 3 people listening." After getting a decent amount of exposure to Jazz this summer, I heartily agree with this quote by Frank Zappa. Last night was one of the strangest, but nonetheless a very enjoyable performance from two different musicians. Pat Metheny is a jazz guitarist and composer who has led his group since 1977. Over this time, he has racked up 20 grammy awards and is regarded as one of the best jazz guitarists ever. His music is combination of traditional jazz with jazz fusion and sometimes even branches into more rock melodies. I thought the musicality of his performance was incredible and his group is one of most proficient I've ever seen. Bruce Hornsby got his start in the 1980's with his group the The Range. They had a number one hit with "The Way it Is" and they continued recording until 1991. Since then, Bruce has experimented in a number of genres including rock, jazz, classical, and folk. HIs performance last night exemplified his wide tastes and his set varied from folk tunes to experimental jazz pieces. While  I was very impressed with his musical skill, he would often play his piano off key which seemed weird to me. Ultimately, I liked Pat Metheny's set better and it was a treat to see the musicians play off each other song after song. My only complaint was that the concert took a little while to get going and was quite long with no intermission. The performance got better as the night went on, however, and while it certainly wasn't one of the best concerts of the year, it has its own place for its spontaneity and the level of talent exhibited by the musicians. 

True to the quote, this show was much smaller than a lot of the rock concerts we've been getting. There were less than 800 people on the lawn and there were no problems with any patrons. The weather was beautiful which was a good thing since the show was so long. Today marked the return of Legan (Liz and Megan) and also the introduction of two members of the lawn staff! I assume Val and Natalie was needed to fill the void of returning college students including myself so hopefully it will be a smooth transition. It was a good night and as always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

The best part of the night was when the two drummers (Pat Metheny's and Bruce Hornsby's) each traded drum solos for a good minute. I was blown away by their technicality and their feeling for rhythm and it shows I still have a long way to go as a drummer. Regardless, it was quite a sight to see them having a drum battle and really ended the show on a great note!

DC

An explorer of musical genres 

A true virtuoso on the guitar 

A Taste of the Dead - The Dark Star Orchestra

Of all the classic rock bands of the 60's and 70's, very few have had the legacy and following of the Grateful Dead. While the Dead did not perform last night (Jerry Garcia died almost 20 years ago), the Dark Star Orchestra did their best at recreating what it would be like to attend a Grateful Dead concert. The DSO formed in Chicago in 1997 and has since toured the world and performed over 2000 shows. Every one of their shows is a recreation of a concert performed by the Grateful Dead, including the set list and overall length. This means that much of the night was simple jams and instrumental breaks that kept the audience enthralled. I have personally never really got why the Dead were so popular and even after last night, I'm still not completely sold on their sound. While I totally recognize their influence on countless jam bands, I feel like their sound was pretty constrained for the most part and they relied on creating a groove instead of letting each of the musicians prove themselves. To their credit, their jams do sound really good and definitely creates a mood that simply cannot be replicated by any band. The three hour set also contributes to this mood of a long trip and DSO did a great job of recreating what a Dead concert would feel like. I'm really glad that I was finally introduced to the music of the Grateful Dead and while they're still not a band I would listen to very often, it's nice to say that I tried.

This show had a little bit of everything. While the crowd was quite light (only 2500 people), they more than made up for it with their antics. Old and young hippies alike united and enjoyed their time eating, drinking, and smoking. While I was kept busy trying to find the smokers, I was still able to see  just how into the music Dead Heads get and it was quite an eyeopening experience. The downpour at the end of the show did wonders for clearing the lawn but it became next to impossible to enforce much of the rules during that time. Still, it was a good show and as always, looking forward to more performances in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when the DSO did a great cover of "Tangled Up In Blue" by Bob Dylan. In typical Grateful Dead fashion, the song was drawn out to over 10 minutes but in this case, it added something positive to the song and the sound of the band combined with the pouring rain provided another unique moment at Wolf Trap.

DC

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A Living Legend - Yo Yo Ma and the NSO

While I must say I was most looking forward to the rock shows this summer, I can't deny that one of my most anticipated shows was Yo Yo Ma and I was definitely not disappointed! Yo Yo Ma is one of the most renowned and celebrated cellists in history and his popularity extends beyond the classical music scene. After graduating from Harvard University in 1976, he began playing with some of the most famous orchestras in the world as well as playing for a plethora of dignitaries and celebrities. He received his first grammy award in 1986 and his 75 albums albums have racked up 14 more since then. He has received both the National Medal of the Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and is recognized around the world for his dedication to the arts and his promotion of classical music. I obviously knew about him beforehand but I have never heard him play and was eager to hear what he sounded like. I was blown away with his sound and his ability to both mesh with the orchestra and play a beautiful solo when needed. His tone is very expressive and while the cello usually has a mellow and deep sound, Yo Yo relies on a higher pitch and a more aggressive playing style. In the end, it's no wonder that he's so celebrated and I am so glad that I was able to see him play. The NSO also sounded as good as I've heard them play and their opening with Candide (which I played in high school) was beautiful. They also played "In the Hall of the Mountain King", a simple piece but one of my favorite and a song I've always wanted to play myself. Ultimately, it was probably the best classical concert I've ever heard and kept my attention the entire time. What an unforgettable night.

The night was sold out but like most classical shows, there was little to do during the actual concert. there were a lot of lawn chairs out on the lawn so I was kept busy before the show. The light rain before the show added to those chair problems but most people were understanding. After the rain stopped, it became a beautiful night and the cloud cover kept the temperature down. People seemed to be greatly enjoying the show and it allowed me to listen to the beautiful music without much interruption. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when Yo Yo Ma came out for a solo piece as an encore. I wasn't sure if he was going to actually do it so I was on the edge of my seat like everyone else in the venue. Luckily, he graciously came back out and played a wonderful piece that truly showed his remarkable abilities!

DC

a great player and a great man

A Night With a Native - Mary Chapin Carpenter and the NSO

Well I guess you can't like them all right? I figured that there would be some shows that just weren't suited to my taste, but usually what has happened is that I'll gain newfound respect for those particular artists and I might even start to like them a little bit. Unfortunately, that wasn't quite the case with Mary Carpenter. She began her career in Washington DC, playing at local clubs around the area. Her first record came out in 1987 and she soon established herself as one of the big country artists of the late 80's and early 90's. In the early 2000's, she rebranded herself and her music began to reflect more topical and societal issues of the day. She also mellowed out more and her music began to lack that country sound. The music she played last night showed almost no country influences and was more like easy-listening soft music. Not really my style. The orchestra I actually think stole the show and their accompaniments for always on point, sometimes even drowning out the singer. I just thought her show would be more upbeat and instead it was almost like lullaby music. Not a horrible concert, just not my type at all.

On the other hand, the show was one of the easiest we've ever had. Finally, the lawn was pretty empty and less that 1000 patrons were on the grass last night. Additionally, the crowd was very calm and some people even looked like they could fall asleep. There were no problems and the third bro-show was a success! As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

My favorite part of the show was when she finally sang a song from her older material. While "Down at the Twist and Shout" wasn't the best song I've ever heard, I was glad to her something that was a little more upbeat. The orchestra kept up great and I'm glad the NSO has graced the stage so many times this summer!

DC

From country star to easy listening? 

Guitar Heroes - Rodrigo y Gabriela

Discovering new artists seems to be the theme for this summer, and once again I found another gem. I had heard of Rodrigo y Gabriela before, but I had never listened to their music and wasn't really sure what to expect other than great guitar playing. I was definitely in for a surprise! The guitar duo of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Sanchez started their career in Ireland, playing in local pubs and bars. They released their first demo in 2002 and starred to gain popularity by playing festivals across Europe. They have since built up a decent following around the world and have played for David Letterman, Jay Leno, and even President Obama. The best part of the music is that even though it's all acoustic, it sounds nothing like typical soft acoustic music. I've never seen two musicians make so many different kinds of noises on one instrument, nor have I seen someone play a guitar quite like they did. Their sound borders between flamenco and straight up rock and their live performances are particularly exhilarating. Their fingerpicking is unbelievable and their barre chord strumming is just incredible. I listened to one of their albums before the show but I think they really shine during their live shows and got the crowd going more than probably any other artist we've had this year. It was a very memorable night and Rodrigo y Gabriela are no doubt a top act.

While this show was pretty busy, it wasn't a complete sell-out and I wasn't thinking it was going to be a hard night. Unfortunately, the crowd was more lively than I've ever seen and it was hard to kind of keep everyone in line. People were dancing all over the place and causing a general ruckus (sorry for sounding like an old person) but I honestly thought it was pretty awesome! No one got hurt or anything and it was really fun seeing everyone so into the music. As always, looking forward to more shows in the future!

The best part of the show for me was when the two players took turns doing their own solo performance. It really showcased their individual skills and I was once again in awe of their masterful work on the guitar. Great show!

DC

Would give Clapton and Page  a run for their money!