You know you're at a Taylor Hicks concert when...

- the back half of the concert hall is empty, leaving lots of prime choices for comfortable aisle seating.

- the first five rows are full of tipsy soccer moms swinging to the music and waving their arms in the air (when they're not busy throwing panties on stage).

- the 85-year-old volunteer ushers gather in the back of the theater and actually listen to the concert as if the symphony was performing.

- the line to the men's room is longer than the line to the ladies' room.

- your husband is the youngest guy there (besides Taylor) and he's 53.

We actually had a good time but I think it had more to do with the fact that we were out of the house after dark with bellies full of sushi, mojitos (in my case) and gin and tonics (in Roger's case) than our concert experience. We had the most fun sitting on a bench in the very back of the theater talking, joking  and people judging watching. I was a bit disappointed in the overall experience from a concert standpoint. Taylor sang well, but the ads I'd seen for the concert made it look more like an intimate, almost acoustic, evening with "your buddy Taylor." In reality, he was much more removed than that and seemed to be going for a big-time-star kind of show. He didn't talk to the audience much and he was backed up by a capable, seven-piece band (with an awesome bass player) with a sound much larger than I expected. Maybe that's how the American Idols roll, but I think Taylor would have benefited from a more intimate concert setting (which I think could have been accomplished even in a 2300-seat theater) and more time connecting with the audience. His familiar and friendly qualities were, I think, what led to his win. He should have capitalized more on them. The next day we read a review that said only 1200 tickets were sold. Maybe Simon (and CityMama!) were right after all.

Comments

[A loyal observer]

You know you're at a Taylor Hicks concert when...

Corporate concert sponsorship is provided by BioMet, leaders of knee replacement products.

RedNesia is the most popular drink served at the bar (Red Bull and Milk of Magnesia)

The panties thrown at the stage were very large cotton granny panties (nothing like Tom Jones sees)

The artist's music is available at the music/T-Shirt booth on cassette

Loyal observer

[MoxieMomma]

this made me sad because i actually like taylor, which means what, exactly....?

xomox

[sandiegosoul]

Apparently, you have no idea. Taylor has sold out every show up until the Texas shows, and has more sold out shows coming up. You won't see a better live performer than Taylor - it's too bad you can't appreciate it. Go back to your Britney concerts and let the real music lovers have their piece.

[anne]

How very condesending of you. Go back to the sandbox and leave the real music to the adults. Your opinions are that of a child and a very shallow one at that. How dare you sit and judge other people out for an enjoyable evening? You seem to have very little to comment on the concert only the attendees. Really not at all COOL

[hickschicks2010]

*laughs*

Stupid, stupid, stupid. Ever heard of Chris Baldwin? Google him. You'll find out what the SP did...and the way I see it, that's the way you're headed.

Look, if it makes you feel good to down on Taylor, then fine. Whatever. But at least get your facts straight.

- Almost every concert has been sold out, there's no denying there.

- Tipsy soccer moms? You must have fit right in!

- So what? That's what ushers do, you idiot.

- And that is relevent because...

- There are lots of young people at his concerts, I know because I was one of them.

[MoxieMomma]

omg! hello? these peeps have no idea who colleen is. i love taylor too, but hello crazy peeps! shoo!

[Mrs. Taylor Hicks]

That's so rude, obviously you havent been to one. I'm not going to get all carried away like usual, lucky for you, justr don't be talkin bad about tay. EVER! SOUL PATROL! :D!!!-MTH

[Nicole]

holy shit. who sold the crazies tickets to this blog?

rock on Colleen. call 'em as you see 'em.

[amber]

I'm LOL that something as silly as an opinion about your concert experience has so many people's feathers ruffled.

[jason]

This review is ridiculous, im 15 and ive been to many taylor shows.