Big names, small venues
Tom Jones @ 930
So, last night I went with a couple of friends to see Tom Jones at the 9:30 club. Yes, knickers were thrown (but not by us). It was an eclectic crowd, with everyone from 18-year-olds to retirees in the mix! Tom had a great band, and sounded pretty darn good for someone who’s 68 years old. He’s perfectly aware of his abilities and his limitations and works to stay within them to give the audience the best possible sound. (Aretha Franklin, I’m looking at you.)
He’s out supporting his new album.
The show put me in mind of a couple of other big-name, small-venue shows I’ve seen in the fifteen years I’ve lived in the DC metro:
- Tony Bennett at the old 9:30 Club (which was way, way, way smaller than the existing venue); he was playing an impromptu charity show and admission was the price of a can of food
- David Bowie at Nation (about the same size as the existing 9:30 Club)
How about you, DC? What great surprise acts have you seen around town, and where was the show?
All at the 9:30 Club (separate shows, of course): Bob Dylan, Smashing Pumpkins, Loretta Lynn, Pink, Justin Timberlake,
9:30 Club: Smashing Pumpkins, Black Crowes
Blact Cat: Daniel Johnston- diagnosed with manic-depressive psychosis, Johnston rarely tours anymore- but that night at the Blact Cat was absolutley amazing; the intimacy of the venue, the "spotty but brilliance" of Johnston himself, and the crowd that was solely there to see this musical hero- made for an incredible surprise/special night!
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