My Review of the Monkees in Glen Allen, VA- June 8, 2011
My mom and I were coming from east Tennessee-about a 6 hour drive, so we left early just in case we hit any traffic...which we didn't, so we were there at 3!
We were the first people to show up and so we hung out under a tree near the gates and got to hear the guys sound check which was very cool!
We were the first in line to pick up our VIP passes and got seats center-stage, 2nd row...not that we stayed in them very long! The screen came to life with images of the guys while the band played a nice medley of Monkee tunes, I was so excited I probably could have conquered the world at the moment the guys ran on stage! We were treated to all the great hits we love to sing along to! Micky talked about meeting the Beatles and writing Randy Scouse Git which he couldn't seem to quit playing! ("The colors! The colors!!!") Peter made me smile all the way through Auntie Grizelda with his great dance moves and unrivaled noise-making skills! And we got to hear all our favorite ballads from Davy...I'm pretty sure I got the stars in my eyes!
The guys sang the "We'll Be Back in a Minute" jingle as they headed out for a brief intermission. During intermission Mom and I relocated to a nice standing spot front and center about 5 feet from the stage- just right for dancing and singing! We made some new friends and talked Monkees collectibles until the screen came to life again with images from Head.
As the guys on screen got in place for Circle Sky, the band kicked in and we were off again! Much dancing and singing along ensued to more wonderful songs like Porpoise Song and As We Go Along. Peter was fantastic on Do I Have to do This All Over Again and For Pete's Sake and greeted us with "Thanks to everyone who came tonight!!...You know who you are....And to those of you who didn't come- go eat dirt!" Davy got his dance moves on in a big way for Daddy's Song coming out in the unforgettable white and black tux! Micky grooved to Goin' Down (how he gets all those words out so fast without messing them up I'll never know!) and then we all got our Davy dance moves on to She Hangs Out and Daydream Believer! After a bit of encouraging screaming and clapping, the guys came back out for an encore of Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm a Believer. Then they took a bow and joined up to Monkee-Walk off stage!
But they couldn't leave without a little more Monkee mischief...as they headed off Davy ran back and threw his arms out for one more round of applause and screams. The guys sighed and came back to drag him off and as they headed off again, Peter broke free and ran back flinging his arms wide with that huge grin for more applause and screaming! The other two came back and pulled him off but of course Micky couldn't resist running back himself for more a little more applause and screaming! He knew better than to get caught though and took off across stage running around all the instruments to escape his pursuers! Davy did that great move from the show where he'd change directions with a few little one-legged hops and they chased each other off stage!
And then as if I wasn't already in heaven, we got to go get in line for the meet and greet!! It was 10:30 already, the guys had played 2 1/2 hours in the sweltering heat, and we were near the back of the line but when we got to the front for our photo, the guys seemed like they had all the time in the world for us! They each shook my hand and asked how I liked the show, then got around me for a great photo and one more handshake from each and a "glad you enjoyed the show!"
I couldn't have been happier!! This was a real dream come true! The show was amazing, so much energy and joy coming for Micky, Davy, and Peter- they really gave each song their all! The music was absolutely perfect- I even hit the "Oh" with Micky in Last Train to Clarksville! I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect show! And the guys were all so wonderfully nice to meet I just don't know how you could ask for more!
So if you're thinking about going to a show this summer- stop thinking and get your tickets!! You won't regret it!!
We were the first people to show up and so we hung out under a tree near the gates and got to hear the guys sound check which was very cool!
We were the first in line to pick up our VIP passes and got seats center-stage, 2nd row...not that we stayed in them very long! The screen came to life with images of the guys while the band played a nice medley of Monkee tunes, I was so excited I probably could have conquered the world at the moment the guys ran on stage! We were treated to all the great hits we love to sing along to! Micky talked about meeting the Beatles and writing Randy Scouse Git which he couldn't seem to quit playing! ("The colors! The colors!!!") Peter made me smile all the way through Auntie Grizelda with his great dance moves and unrivaled noise-making skills! And we got to hear all our favorite ballads from Davy...I'm pretty sure I got the stars in my eyes!
The guys sang the "We'll Be Back in a Minute" jingle as they headed out for a brief intermission. During intermission Mom and I relocated to a nice standing spot front and center about 5 feet from the stage- just right for dancing and singing! We made some new friends and talked Monkees collectibles until the screen came to life again with images from Head.
As the guys on screen got in place for Circle Sky, the band kicked in and we were off again! Much dancing and singing along ensued to more wonderful songs like Porpoise Song and As We Go Along. Peter was fantastic on Do I Have to do This All Over Again and For Pete's Sake and greeted us with "Thanks to everyone who came tonight!!...You know who you are....And to those of you who didn't come- go eat dirt!" Davy got his dance moves on in a big way for Daddy's Song coming out in the unforgettable white and black tux! Micky grooved to Goin' Down (how he gets all those words out so fast without messing them up I'll never know!) and then we all got our Davy dance moves on to She Hangs Out and Daydream Believer! After a bit of encouraging screaming and clapping, the guys came back out for an encore of Pleasant Valley Sunday and I'm a Believer. Then they took a bow and joined up to Monkee-Walk off stage!
But they couldn't leave without a little more Monkee mischief...as they headed off Davy ran back and threw his arms out for one more round of applause and screams. The guys sighed and came back to drag him off and as they headed off again, Peter broke free and ran back flinging his arms wide with that huge grin for more applause and screaming! The other two came back and pulled him off but of course Micky couldn't resist running back himself for more a little more applause and screaming! He knew better than to get caught though and took off across stage running around all the instruments to escape his pursuers! Davy did that great move from the show where he'd change directions with a few little one-legged hops and they chased each other off stage!
And then as if I wasn't already in heaven, we got to go get in line for the meet and greet!! It was 10:30 already, the guys had played 2 1/2 hours in the sweltering heat, and we were near the back of the line but when we got to the front for our photo, the guys seemed like they had all the time in the world for us! They each shook my hand and asked how I liked the show, then got around me for a great photo and one more handshake from each and a "glad you enjoyed the show!"
I couldn't have been happier!! This was a real dream come true! The show was amazing, so much energy and joy coming for Micky, Davy, and Peter- they really gave each song their all! The music was absolutely perfect- I even hit the "Oh" with Micky in Last Train to Clarksville! I couldn't have dreamed up a more perfect show! And the guys were all so wonderfully nice to meet I just don't know how you could ask for more!
So if you're thinking about going to a show this summer- stop thinking and get your tickets!! You won't regret it!!
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