I forgot to cover the reason for the ringing in my ears from two posts ago. It was attendance at a local Green Day show that gave me temporary hearing damage. For those who have not seen a performance by Billie Joe & Co. since the release of American Idiot, you have no idea what you're missing. I last saw them back on the Insomniac tour (I was in Grade 11!) before seeing them late last year on their first visit to Vancouver on the Idiot tour. The band has developed their live show to be probably the best rock show I've ever seen. They keep every person in the arena engaged for the entire spectacle and there is rarely a moment when at least one member isn't playing music. The constant barrage of entertainment is overwhelming and Billie Joe's presence and methods demand even the most jaded concert goer (me) to be compelled to participate in the antics. In contrast, when 50 Cent kept stopping his gig to demand that people put their hands up in the air, I was only bemused and certainly felt no need to comply with his request. If he had simply played a good show, people would take it upon themselves to show their zealousness by raising hands without instruction. Eminem, on the other hand, didn't pull any of that shit even once and put on an amazing show. So here's my quick grading of the 2004 and 2005 Vancouver Green Day concerts; 2004-> Show = Fucking Amazing, Crowd = The Shit. 2005-> Show = Fucking Amazing, Crowd = Average, there were tons of Newbies and Young 'uns (who didn't even know Operation Ivy's Knowledge!). Overall, three thumbs up...and the band is now listed on my top live shows of all time.
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