I Went To A Concert Last Night

Who wants to hear about it?  Everyone?  Okay!

So, my mom, Gretchen, and I went to see Kelly Clarkson with opener Matt Nathanson last night at Turning Stone.  It was a Christmas gift from me to Mom and Sis.  The seats were pretty good, about 20 feet from the stage, at approximately a 45 degree angle from the right corner of the stage.  I like to be exact (It's including details like this that make all my blog posts so freaking long.)

First up: Matt Nathanson.  I have lots of friends who are die-hard Matt Nathanson fans, but I have never really felt all that much about him either way.  But I heard that he has great mid-concert banter, and I loves me some banter.  And you know what?  It's all true.  Great banter.  Also great singing and songs and general awesomeness.  Loved it.  Everything about it.

And then it was Kelly Clarkson time.  And you know what's great?  When you seem someone in concert, and they are just as great as they sound on the radio, or on TV, etc.  Better, actually.  Because you can't deny that Kelly Clarkson has an awesome voice.  And she was just as great live.  Sang the shit out of all sorts of songs.  Also, her banter was ALSO great.  She makes you feel like she is your best friend, and you're just hanging out while she sings you some songs.  She's bubbly, and talks really fast and excitedly.  She also bounces up and down and spins around in circles while she's performing, which is exactly how I feel I would perform if I were any kind of performer.  I was also reminded of how much I love her for not giving a shit what people think.  The press tears her apart for various reasons, but she sticks to her guns and does what she wants.  Good for her.

Oh, yeah, and then there was the part where she came into the audience and sang RIGHT IN FRONT OF US.

Pictured: Kelly Clarkson and ME!  Also, my family.

I don't know why.  They set up a little platform right in front of us, and she came over and sang a Florence and the Machine song that I didn't know.  The downside?  She faced away from us THE ENTIRE TIME.  Never once did she turn around to the enthusiastic fans behind her (us.)  Don't be fooled by the fact that we are the only ones sitting down, security came over right beforehand and told us we couldn't stand up (apparently our reputation precedes us...)

Nothing is better than a good solid concert.  One that you leave, feeling pumped up, and then listen to the artists' music non-stop for the next week (as I have done.)  My mother and I both woke up with Kelly Clarkson songs in our heads.

I'm ready for my next concert!  Bring it on!  Anyone have any ideas?

Pictured: "Pssst...Mom, do you realize we're in the background of everyone's pictures?  Should we wave?"

P.S. It's helpful when you're Facebook friends with the person across the aisle from you, who actually had a front view of KC.