Three dollars and 63 cents

Last summer I took two one-week trips by myself to go to shows. I met up with some friends and made some new ones along the way, but I spent a lot of time on my own, too. I think it was one of the best experiences of my life. You get a lot out of traveling by yourself that you don't get out of traveling with others, and I think the same is true of going to shows, too. I used to miss out on things because I was too shy or afraid to go alone, but after my adventures last summer, I'm a lot less hesitant.

Yeah, the performance sounded great, too.

I was downtown today and saw that the better of our two independent record stores is going out of business

I've been using Amazon a lot more than iTunes, in large part because of their sales. I get a lot of stuff I probably wouldn't want to pay full price for, like that Ben Kweller album. It's good, but I'm glad I only paid $2 for it. Almost finished with:

Today's Amazon Daily Mp3 album deal. It's a big change from what I know of his work, but I'm enjoying it so far. It's got a twangy Dylan feel to it.

I started going to a lot of concerts in the late 90s, so I was a victim of a lot of those late 90s bands and package tours. I saw the Wallflowers open for Counting Crows, and they were pretty terrible. The Foo Fighters opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and they spent more time goofing off than they did playing. Some friends dragged me to see the Dave Matthews Band, and that was one of the worst concert experiences I've ever had. Before they even went on, somebody threw up right next to me, and the girl standing in front of me dropped her shorts and peed right next to my foot. I can't remem

I had a ticket for the final show of U2's last tour, in Hawaii, but couldn't afford the trip. I missed seeing Bruce Springsteen last year because I had a mono relapse. In December I missed Neil Young and Wilco because of a snowstorm. I had to skip Glenn's show with Bang On A Can All-Stars a few weeks ago because I was swamped at work. Like Mrs. Peel, I don't get a lot of shows in my area, so I usually have to drive 4+ hours. That makes me not even consider some shows I know I'd check out if I lived closer to Northampton or Philadelphia.

Maybe once or twice a year I rediscover this album and remember how awesome it is.

Why do you come to VC regularly? To talk about Wilco, other music, beer, books, and all of the other random things we end up talking about here What do you get out of coming here? I get great recommendations for books, music, and beer (my three favorite things). Most of my friends think I'm nuts for traveling so much to see Wilco and Nels, so it's good to come here and talk about going to shows and new projects and things like that. I also like to keep in touch with my friends here. How did you get into VC? I joined in the summer of '06 because I was looking for a recording of the first s

So far today: Pronto--All Is Golden Beck--Modern Guilt The Geraldine Fibbers--Lost Somewhere Between the Earth and My Home

Elvis Costello is one of the few artists I love who I haven't gotten to see live yet. In fact, I think Lou Reed is the only other one.

The Nels Cline Singers Wilco Sonic Youth U2 Evangelista

I heard rumblings about that possibility a day or two ago, but at that point it just sounded like all the other rumors, which is why I didn't mention it here. The band signed autographs and talked to fans for a long time in L.A. last night. I'm tempted to drive out there, though that's a long haul for me.

I'd rather talk about the over and underrated songs on your list. I think you put more thought into yours than our pal at Magnet did.

Vibes. That's especially lousy that you had to hear it through the grapevine and not from your boss.

I like things that make me rock out late at night, things like Sonic Youth and Deerhoof. I absolutely can't listen to instrumental music at night--it makes me space out too much.

Deerhoof--Offend Maggie

Maybe this is an album we'd all enjoy?

So far today: AGIB Summerteeth U2--No Line On the Horizon Sonic Youth--Sonic Nurse

And if you're a person who struggles with anxiety, you can feel really helpless about the things that are beyond your immediate control, even if you're fine with the things going on in your everyday life.

well said

I'm sure Live Nation "encouraged" them to pick up corporate sponsorship, and I have no doubt that the whole U2 camp has in the backs of their minds what a financial disaster Popmart was. A band embarking on a stadium tour in this economy is either bold or stupid (I'm giving them credit for being bold...I hope we can say that a year from now). I can see why longtime fans would feel uneasy about this decision. I just am a lot less bothered by it than I am many of the other business decisions U2 has made in the last few years.

But maybe Blackberry's sponsorship is part of what's making those $30 and $55 possible. If it's less money out of fans' pockets, maybe it's not a bad thing.