Orpheum Theatre, Boston, MA Oct.15, 2011

[dreidenbrock]

Hey just bumping this up!

Who is ready for tomm?!

[NH Weird Al Fan]

Ready!

I predict Al will mention the snotty barista at Starbucks on Winter St. during Craigslist.
Dunkin Donuts is actually closer to the venue (and has MUCH better coffee, in my opinion) but we NEVER refer to the employees at DD as baristas! Besides, Al seems to always mention coffee shops, not donut shops.

EDIT: I was half right; it was the Starbucks on Tremont St.

[Elvis]

Spent all day in a VFW hall somewhere in MA. Then Jackie drove up to Boston. We were making great time, until we got stuck for 20 minutes at some random toll booth on the highway. Yeah, only open 3 cash lanes heading into Boston on a Saturday night. Brilliant. Then we got stuck under some tunnel for another 20 minutes, then we drove around for 20 minutes looking for parking Finally met Melissa and her crew at the bar and still had time for a light dinner and drinks. Headed over to the venue and gotta say, it was one of the cooler looking venues I've been too, tucked away in some alley somewhere. Inside was really nice too, though seats were a bit uncomfy. But we directly in front of Steve, second row and still practically on stage so that was cool. If we were any closer, they would have given us instruments to play. Jackie got stopped on the way in because of her camera but after a while they realized it wasn't pro and apologized to her. There was a little kid and also an empty seat in front of us so I'm sure she got a lot of great pics. Also Al did a lot of posing in front of us too. He was hitting the keyboard so hard for YMM he practically tipped it over. Either I screwed up the lyrics (doubtful but possible) or Al waited an extra line after he forgot the verse in SLN. He also forgot to grab the microphone after so I'm thinking brain freeze or something. Got splashed with the SLN water, and Melissa caught the cup. He went down the center aisle and was extra flirty with the ladies. Didnt use the steps, sat on the stage to get up and down. Kind of surprisingly, AP got the loudest cheers of the night. And the whole place was reciting the Wheel of Fish sketch. It was a really loud energetic crowd, which was cool. Steve dropped his pens and ruler during WW&N and put his glasses on upside down when dancing with Al and Jim. The audience stood the entire encore. First time I remember seeing that this tour. Was nice to dance and sway along to the songs instead of doing it in my seat. There were 2 biker scouts, 2 stormtroopers and DV. The audience was cheering so loud once AL started singing, Al paused for a few seconds. He held the microphone out to the audience to sing along, He singled out a girl in the front row to sing Yoda. At the end, he ran along and slapped hands in the front row. Took a little while to get out of the theater as I didn't want to cut in front of DV because I was afraid he would force choke me. Then we met up with Melissa by the bus then she left. Bermuda came off the bus to say a quick hello to us then went back on. We weren't gonna wait. Then security took out the rest of the guys one by one. There was a ton of people waiting just to catch a glimpse of them get on the bus. It was cool and everyone was cheering and yelling nice things at them. Al came out and was slapping hands and stuff as he walked by to get on the bus. As soon as Al got on the bus pulled away. So we headed out too and took forever to find the entrance to the parking garage and forever to find the car once we did. Fortunately traffic wasn't bad heading out of the city so we make good time to our lodging for the evening.

Dave

[matt0009]

Yes, attended the show as well and had a fantastic time. Seats were in the far right section of the Orchestra. The only bad thing I can say about the show actually had to do with this one incredibly annoying concert goer and friends. He had a white shirt and glasses and just would not sit down. I would have been perfectly happy standing at the Orpheum (especially considering how I am tall and this theater was built for short people in the 1850's), but not when people around me are sitting. Even more annoying we would consistently scream during the Al TV segments and consistently try to get his friends to stand. It unfortunately reached its peak during the medley section where all his drunk friends were up and dancing (badly). Security didn't intervene until Amish Paradise which was really unfortunate.The back and forth between security and the group pretty much ruined the entire song. Not much of a fan of Orpheum security, but more on that later. At least the group were better after that, and the amount of dirty looks they were getting after the show was a nice consolation.

Of course I was waiting for Al outside of the bus, though was shocked at the amount of people who decided to stay. Never in my concert going life have I seen even remotely that many people stick around. Security was really condescending during the whole process. One guy even tried to trick the crowd to leave, saying that Al already left through a different door, so it's pointless to wait. Yeah... right. Even though it was a bit of a bummer to not meet Al, I can't complain based on the crowd turnout. It was great just to glimpse Al again while making his way to the bus. In addition, I don't think I've ever seen a bus pack up and go more quickly than this one. They were up and out no later than 40 minutes after leaving the stage. Pretty crazy.

[NH Weird Al Fan]

My family and I had a FANTASTIC time at this show. Dave's description pretty much sums it up. I also noticed that Al was late with the forgotten SLN lyrics. I really enjoyed seeing YMM live for the first time, and yes, AL did almost tip over the keyboard during that song. I wasn't sure if I would like this theatre from reading the reviews online, but it wasn't bad. It is probably the oldest theatre in Boston, so it is a bit run-down, the floors weren't clean, and the seating is very cramped. However, the acoustics were great and the view was awesome! We were in the 5th row, and the distance from the stage was the equivalent of the 1st row at Meadowbrook in Gilford, NH. The people in the 1st row at this theatre literally had their knees against the stage! Al walked by me during WBUL and sang to the gal behind me. He gave a lot of attention to an orange-haired gal in the 1st row. I got wet with Nirvana water.

We were able to meet the guys after show.... got to chat for a short time with Jim, Steve, Bermuda, Ruben, and Al before security escorted them each to the bus. Bermuda looked exhausted. He and Jim seemed to like the theatre; they commented on how they had never played there, or even in Boston, before.

Here's a link to my photo album on Facebook.

[dreidenbrock]

Awesome show! Glad to see the Polkaface animated video was not used for the show! Everything was great- Al really needs to get rid of Party in the CIA, he cant do that high note when concerts are like, a day apart. Anyway, my girlfriend would never say it, but I THINK she had an awesome time, haha. I was really disappointed to not get the chance to see AL but in the end he put on an amazing show for everyone!

[DrSteggy]

So, I pretty much never want to drive around Boston on a Saturday night again, but we got the Cruiser parked and found Melissa and had some food and then off to the theater!

Where everyone gets in, and for the first time on this run, security wants to look in my bag, and the big dude who made the request rumbles about the camera, do I have a media pass?

Crap. No.

You can't bring that in here.

CRAP. I negotiate, offering my batteries, saying I have no more (a lie) No, I don't have a car to take it back to. Don't you guys have a place I can check it in?

He calls someone else since I seem to have presented him with a novel problem.

Second guy shows up. First guy explains I have a professional camera.

What? That's the issue? "This isn't pro."

As I pull the camera out, guy asks if the lens comes off. As he finishes the question, he can see it doesn't. He gets pale and says "Oh, I am so sorry! I'm sorry, go in. sorry"

Apology accepted!

So, we had second row, which was almost on stage and I had an empty seat in front of me. When I zoomed all the way in, it was too close!

Enjoy!

http://t.co/znWStqba

[DrSteggy]

Sorry for the double, but I could not scroll through my post to add what is possibly my favorite shot from Yoda ever

[Orthography Enthusiast]

That is such an excellent picture that "excellent" isn't a sufficiently excellent word for it. When a 50+ year old man can levitate like that, anything is possible.

[Kevbo1987]

Helen summed it up perfectly.