Fell in love with the girl at the rock show: My 2009 Concert Season

One of our all time favorite past times is going to concerts. We try to make it a habit to see our favorite bands when they go on tour each year, always catching a few shows at the Santa Barbara Bowl each summer. While summer being the most schedule heavy season, we've been able to space out the shows well, giving us a sort of "break" from all the wedding planning we were doing.

This concert season has been very generous to our ears. Through a few reunion tours, we have sort of nostalgically re-visited some of our favorite high school memories (ND, B182). And the mister got to see his favorite band, the Killers, up close :)

Although we've attended only 5 concerts, it definitely feels like more and gave us the perfect escape, if only for a few hours.


311. Santa Barbara Bowl. Since college, we've see 311 at the SBBowl every year w/out fail, it's like a birthday or holiday to us and our friends. We push our way around the pit, have a beer, watch the sunset, and always have theeee best time. 311 is our essential summer band :)

Nick Hexum, so close you can touch him!


No Doubt. Santa Barbara Bowl. When I heard No Doubt was reuniting, my heart was a flutter. We had originally purchased tickets to one of their Irvine shows, but once we heard they were playing SB, promptly sold those tickets to a friend (thanks Theresa) and scooped up SBBowl tickets. And boy was it worth it. ND played all their hits, interacted so nicely with the crowd, and genuinely loved being up there, performing together. My favorite part was when they performed "Simple Kind of Life" during the part when Gwen sung, "I always thought I'd be a mom," because right after the crowd let out one of the loudest cheers of the night and she smiled so much. Lots of love at that moment.

We were in the pit once again, surrounded by their so many true fans who are mostly girls so it was easy to get a good spot and see the band. This was also around the time of SB Fiesta, so a party atmosphere was in the air and confetti was everywhere. Oh I need to see ND again, soon.

Gwen interacted so well with the crowd, even looking like she'd jump right in.


The Killers. Santa Barbara Bowl. They put on the best light show of all the concerts I've been to this year. Love the perfection and professionalism of their performances. They are true to their sound and style, producing a very nice spectacle. The mister enjoyed them the most!


Weezer and Blink 182. Irvine Meadows. This middle of the week concert in Irvine was a long & tiring drive to and from SB, but definitely worth it. Our seats were ok and the amphitheater was full. Weezer rocked every classic song (I need to see them again!) with such stage presence and fun. Then we saw the band we'd been dying to see, Blink 182. They took the stage and were vulgar and crazy and harsh, but oh so polished, and melodic, and good! So happy to see them back together again.


Blink 182. Santa Barbara Bowl. This was Blink's last show of their US/Canadian tour, and the SB Bowl's last show of the season. The skies threatened rain and the pit was slighty rowdy (lots of tall guys made it hard for a short girl to see), but it was worth it. Truly a rock show, with so much love and melody and fun. Ugh, can not wait to hear their upcoming record and see them again. Love.


Of all the venues I've been to, this year and in the past, I cannot say how much I love the SB Bowl. If you have the opportunity to see a show at the SB Bowl, I highly suggest it! The outdoor venue is nestled in a canyon, surrounded by trees, and oh so intimate. We always get pit tickets, allowing for great views of the artist, but any seat is a good one :) The size is nice, seating a little over 4,500 people, which gives a cozy feeling, even when big bands perform.

We have two more shows coming up, the Bouncing Souls and Dashboard Confessional. Both in the LA scene. Two more great bands to close the year off nicely :) This year's concerts have been like our mini-mini-moons :)

Have you been to any fun concerts this year? Who has been your favorite to see live?

note: all photos taken by me with my Canon point and shoot or BlackBerry

Blog title is from lyrics by Blink 182