First Concert: Alice Cooper - Billion Dollar Babies 1974 in Rio de Janeiro Last Concert: Say She She - Hidden Hall KEXP Donor Benefit Best Concert: (ohh that's a toughie) Talking Heads - Remain In Light 1980 Austin, TX, close 2nds: Jean Michel Jarre, Paris, FR (1997) and Houston, TX (Rendezvous Houston 1986) Worst Concert: More of a disappointment really - New Order - 1st US Tour - Austin, TX (their gear had been stolen so they were using rentals and things weren't working so they gave up mid-set and stomped off stage), close 2nd - The Flaming Lips last year at Psychic Salamander (Wayne wouldn't stop it with the 'c'mon! c'mon! Keep it going' shouts to the crowd.) Loudest Concert: Gary Clark Jr at Chateau St. Michel (it was 120db up the hill at the wine bar! My pro-level earplugs could not protect me!) Best Sounding: First Aid Kit - Paramount Theater, Seattle, WA Seen the Most: Neko Case/New Pornographers Most Unusual: Philip Glass Ensemble playing the score to Koyaanisqaatsi Live. Craziest: Every single Butthole Surfers show 1981-1988. Killing Joke - Austin, TX 1983 (the crowd was too 'enthusiastic' for the club owner's taste and he killed the power to the PA and cut the show short). Next Concert: Neko Case/Destroyer - Edmonds Center for the Arts 2/27. Wish I had Seen: Pink Floyd - Animals (I had tickets but was grounded - high school in Dallas, TX).

@Jim Storie I lived in SF in the '90's and was a volunteer usher for Bill Graham Presents so I saw dozens of shows at the Warfield, Shoreline, and the Greek Theater. Didn't see that Beck show. Ah well. Can't see them all!

What a fun exercise to go through my calendar and list the 29 shows I saw in 2025. Here are my top 10: 1. Classical Recital in a church Venice, IT 4/1/25 2. Zola Jesus Solo Piano Woodlawn Hall 6/17/25 3. LCD/TVOR Remlinger Farms 8/8/25 4. SeaGaze Fest Edmunds, WA 9/5/25 5. W.I.T.C.H. Tractor Tavern 9/8/25 6. Haim WAMU 9/18/25 7. The Who Climate Pledge 9/25/25 8. Miki Birenyi Trio Neptune 10/23/25 9. Neko Case Roseland, PDX 11/15/25 10. Warren Dunes KEXP 12/8/25

@Robert Erbes A friend of mine used to be the publisher of the Boise Weekly, so I got to visit and see shows with her. Neko Case, Phantogram at the Knitting Factory - Blondie/Garbage/John Doe & Exene at some rodeo stadim outside of town (in the scorching summer heat!)

Is anyone rocking a bluetooth enabled turntable? One that can transmit audio to your stereo so you don't have to run wires? I know the vinyl heads are rolling their eyes at the thought of entrusting their 'vinyl is superior to digital' frequencies to a wireless protocol, but I'm searching for something for my GF who wants that capability. Thanks in advance!

@Amy Weaver Thanks, that's a receiver and not a transmitter. Her stereo can receive Bluetooth.

@Shane McNeil He's on my list of artists I wish I had seen. Rock In Power Mr. King!

@Shane McNeil You just missed them in Seattle, so if you can catch them somewhere else, GO! They are a perfect blend of 'Eras, Styles, and Genres' 😻

Don't forget "Buy the ticket, pay the service fees!" 🤨

@Howie Cohen Yeah, me too, when I can.