07/14/07 - Garland, TX Special Events Center

toenailbob · Post by **toenailbob** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 7:47 am

Just got back from the concert. Pretty doggone good.

I guess there were some hiccups to be expected due to the venue change, so it was not terribly surprising that the doors to the arena opened an hour late. The concert itself started about 56 minutes late, but it sure did not disappoint.

No big surprises in the show, but I have a feeling they may have cut some songs because it ran about 2:10 instead of the 2:30 I was expecting. I think Pancreas and DDTS may have been among the casualties.

The setlist:

Polkarama
Canadian Idiot
"drum solo"
Close but no Cigar
Bob
(video)
All About the Pentiums
(video)
Pitiful
(video)
Wanna B Ur Lovr
(video)
Medley - Couch Potato, Do I Creep You Out, In Love with the Skipper, Headline News, Confessions, Complicated Song, eBay, Bedrock Anthem, Spiderman, Pretty Fly for a Rabbi, Trapped in the Drive Thru, Gump, Eat It
(video)
I'll Sue Ya
(video)
The Saga Begins
Yoda
(video)
Smells like Nirvana
(video)
Amish Paradise
(video)
White & Nerdy
(video)
Fat

The End --- or is it?!?

Encore - Cellphones, Albuquerque

There were a lot of people around me (mostly moms) who seemed to be hearing Al for the first time based on their reactions to the songs. Their reactions were amusing. Also a lot of people who apparently don't read message boards or attend many concerts, because several people left after Fat.

Despite the hardship caused by the venue change (all seats general admission), I can't imagine anyone leaving the show disappointed. There really wasn't a bad seat in the house. I believe everyone holding a premium ticket from the prior venue was given a floor seat. I'm sure the guys were worn out from playing the night before in Tulsa, but it didn't show.

I was expecting Skipper and the Paris Hilton lyrics to Headline News, but the tricked-up version of Yoda was a pleasant surprise. The costume change breaks between songs were a mild irritant, but the videos were entertaining so it wasn't as much of a bother as it could have been. Overall, it would have been a bargain at twice the price. Bring a friend when he comes to your town.

Post by **Kristine** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 8:08 am

Thanks for the review, TNB!

And, samsgirl,

to WOWAY! I guess he must really have been tired/desperate if he came in to buy just the pillow, haha. Awww. Good for you for being laid back about the meeting- celebrities are human, too! I'm sure he probably appreciated the low-key environment.

Post by **fred27** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 10:32 am

thats the set list, so nothing was cut out

Bowling4soup · Post by **Bowling4soup** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:33 am

It was great It was funny was in the 4th row. I liked the new song Skipper song does anyone know were I can get it?

Post by **Kristine** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 5:47 am

Unfortunately, that song is not on any of his CDs.

Post by **kaffy©** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:17 pm

Thanks for the reviews everyone!

And that is his normal set list, they didn't cut anything out of it.. so thats cool that they did a complete show!

Post by **algonacchick** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 3:22 pm

samsgirl, thanks for sharing your story about seeing Al at Sam's Club. It's a good thing he bought that pillow. Sounds like he needed it. Awww. Thanks for maintaining some decorum, and not bothering him.

Thanks for the reviews, everyone. Glad you all had a good time!

jerAL · Post by **jerAL** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 7:16 pm

Classy, samsgirl! Thanks to all for the reviews!

Post by **CPFofAl** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 9:47 pm

The show did have its troubles but was still great. Among the things I saw:

As stated above, the show started late due to technical problems.
There was some sort of video trouble during one of the interviews. (Eminem? I don't remember.) They had to stop the video (the crowd let out an "AWWWWWW") and they restarted it... they only had center video for some parts that should have been triple video.
The bubble machine only worked on the viewing right side of the stage. (Not many bubbles were produced)
Not many Al Bucks made it to the audience because the "Al Buck" blowing machine was not at full strength, and was only spitting out a few bills.
The streamer shooter worked great! I saw the cap hit a lady in the 6th row of the tiered seating behind the floor seats.
Al lost audio in his mike during a short period of one song...(I don't remember which one- does anyone else who was there remember?)
There were several feedback chirps and squeeks in various songs, but nothing that stopped the show.

All in all the guys rocked as usual.

About the venue change:
I had reserved floor seats for this concert but was seated above the floor in the first tier because of the venue change. I was worried before the show but actually turned out pleased when I got seated because I think my seat's view was better than my floor position would have been in McKinney.

And since it was an indoor venue I was happier than I would have been in McKinney or at the "Third Monday Trade Days" flea market.

In fact, whoever made the decision to go to Garland should be thanked. The Garland Event Center is a BEAUTIFUL, comfortable new facility that Garland should be proud of. Literally every seat is a good seat.

ALSO, I agree with samsgirl... I was at the Meet & Greet and Al was ver cordial but looked very tired. True, I saw him AFTER the show, but still... I hope he gets a couple days of rest.

One more thing, just in case Jon reads this post. I'd like to thank him publicly for the personal attention he gave me and the time taken out for me at the Lubbock show AND at the Garland show. He's a great guy, and a gentleman, and deserves much more credit than he gets... and he gets a LOT around this forum! He truly made this fan feel like a friend, and I just want to say I appreciate it.

Sat Sep 08, 2007 8:38 pm

Hmmm... this concert seems to have been one of the things that tipped the promoter (Sidebar Entertainment) into insolvency. A lot of their concerts got rained out, and apparently they're now not paying anybody for anything. Kinda lets you know why bands require full cash payment before going out on stage.