the police

Updated Top Concert Listing: 10-6

Jeromey Balderrama

After going to the Muse concert last weekend, it occurred to me that it has been over 5 years since I’ve posted a "Top Concert" listing.  Since 2005 I’ve been to 22 concerts, bringing the count above 40.  I’ve mapped out the dates and locations, went through pictures, listened to the music and invoked the memories to try to put together my list of top 10.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Dave Matthews Band, Folsem Field, Boulder, CO [2001] – Any concert that makes it’s way to a featured double CD is a good one.  I remember driving down to this concert, experiencing rain the whole time.  Wyclef Jean opened, and it rained pretty much throughout his show. Then he started playing “Perfect Gentleman” and the rain stopped. That was the first time I heard that song, but now whenever I hear that synth-string intro all I can think about is the sun breaking through over the Boulder mountains.
  • Queens of the Stone Age [2005] – This was a fun concert, but it was especially memorable for only one reason – it was the first date with my wife.
  • Five For Fighting Acoustic [2009] – Bethany and I experienced Fogo de Chao before the show – which is always a memorable experience.  The show was intimate, and a really memorable experience, but because this wasn’t my first acoustic Five For Fighting show, I can’t put it on this list.

    • And now, onto 10-6:

    #10: Spearhead & John Butler Trio, Red Rocks, CO [2007]

    SpearheadJBT
    You’ll notice that a lot of these shows on this list are at Red Rocks, arguably the best concert venue in the US.  Bethany and I took my mom and uncle, so that my uncle could experience Red Rocks for the first time.  Seeing two of my most favorite bands pair up for an amazing show at an awesome venue will always crack the top 10 list.

    #9: Muse, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO [2010]

    Muse

    The “live” introduction of a band that has quietly become my #2 favorite bands warrants a place on this list.  If you want to see why it ranks, check out my post.

    #8: The Police, Pepsi Center, Denver, CO [2008]

    I fell in love with the Police after high school and throughout the early 2000’s if I was asked “If you could go see any band, regardless of time period, who would it be?”, my answer would be the Police.  In 2008 Sting, Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland made me put my money where my mouth is. The raw energy these guys portrayed, over 25 years after they were touring, was unreal. I also was introduced to Sting’s son’s band, Fiction Plane.

    #7: Dave Matthews Band, Home Depot Center (LA), [2004]

    This was originally #5 of my 2005 list, but still relatively holds up over the years.  This was the first time I traveled to see a band, to the beautiful beaches – no less.  I’ve seen DMB 15 times, and this was probably one of the best set lists I’ve ever heard.

    #6: Michael Franti & Spearhead, Fillmore Auditorium (Denver), [2003]

    Originally #4 of my list, this still remains one of my favorite shows.  A big group of my friends went down to this show, many hearing their music for the first time.  This was my first time seeing them live, but left me hungry for more. I also fell in love with the Fillmore, making this my favorite indoor place to see live music in Denver.

    That does it for #’s 10-6.  Stop back tomorrow for #’s 5-1!  I’d also love to hear which shows are on your top 10 list, or even top 5?