NEW ORDER!!!

I had a list of singers/bands that I "must see" before I die.  I was down to one, New Order, and I never thought I would be able to cross them off of my list.  For one, they weren't together anymore, and second, even when they did tour, they didn't come to the United States.

But... obviously (or I wouldn't have this post), they reunited for a tour AND came to the United States.  So I joined one of my friends who also had them on his "must see" list and we saw them at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles!  So I had a great 3-day weekend trip all by myself!

First stop... Andrew and Meghan's home in California.  

You could tell it was Andrew's house right from the start.... the bikes:

and the DM posters!

My room (it was so comfortable and SO quiet!  I actually slept in until almost 10:00 am!!):

Andrew and Meghan:

And their cute kitty:

Next, onto Los Angeles!  

I stayed at the Loews Hotel, right in the heart of Hollywood.

 

My hotel room:

The view from my hotel room: 

Just a few steps from my hotel and I took a tour of Hollywood: 

Then some pool time!

Pre-concert partying.  I got to meet their friend, Benny, who came down from Northern California for the concert. 

THE CONCERT!

Andrew, Meghan and Benny: 

Meghan and I:

NEW ORDER!!!

The show was definitely worth the wait!!

Good Taste in Music!

When Caleb hears any music, he HAS to dance! Even if he's sitting down, he'll move his leg in time to the music!

When I put on New Order today, both Caleb and Gage had to dance! They definitely got their mom's taste in music. And fortunately, they have better dance style than their mom.

Now 2 boys in nothing but diapers and socks dancing on the couch! What could be cuter? Naked boys dancing! But then I couldn't post it here for everybody to enjoy!!

Erasure!

After more than 5 years, Erasure returned to Utah! I went to the show with my sisters. I also saw a lot of friends there - it was a great night and a super show!!

Me, Courtney & Chelsea

Frankmusik opened for Erasure and did a great job. I really enjoyed it!

Andrew Bell

Vince Clarke

Andrew and Vince

Depeche Mode!

So it was THE best Depeche Mode concert ever last night. They played so many great songs (are any of their songs not great? - NO). And they really put on a fantastic show - they really seemed to be into it and enjoying it; there was a great energy.

Martin and Dave

One of Martin's many guitars. I think he used at least 10 during the show.

A NICE view of Martin.

Dave - he puts on quite the performance! LOVE IT!

Mmm. Love him, too.

Mom, Brady & I

Chelsea, Courtney & I

Brady and I

A video of the last 2 minutes of "Enjoy the Silence". A great guitar performance by Martin and fun footage of Dave.

Great News!

Both Pet Shop Boys and Depeche Mode have new music coming out shortly. Depeche Mode has also announced their "Tour of the Universe 2009" (no US dates yet). For more info visit: http://www.depechemode.com/

From the PSB website (http://www.petshopboys.co.uk/):

2009 will see the release of Pet Shop Boys' new studio album, "Yes".

We can now confirm the complete track-listing:
1. Love etc.

2. All over the world

3. Beautiful people

4. Did you see me coming?

5. Vulnerable

6. More than a dream

7. Building a wall

8. King of Rome

9. Pandemonium

10. The way it used to be

11. Legacy
The album has a running time of approximately 48 minutes. Tracks 1, 6 and 10 are Pet Shop Boys/Xenomania co-writes. All other songs are written by Pet Shop Boys (track 2 with a little help from Tchaikovsky). As we have previously reported, the album was produced by Brian Higgins/Xenomania and has a provisional release date of March 23rd.

Thanks to a friend for keeping me up-to-date on these things, as I just don't have as much time as I used to to devote to these issues! (although, NO less interest).

New Killers, Elton John, Neil Tennant song/video

Go to this website (red)wire: http://red.msn.com/
and watch the new video, "Joseph, Better Him Than Me" by The Killers, Elton John and Neil Tennant. It's a great song - 3 wonderful voices together!

Vegas, baby!

Our trip to Vegas was so much fun! Besides Brady and I having a great time together, the purpose of my visit, the George Michael concert, was INCREDIBLE! His tour was to celebrate his 25 years in the business. I started counting and, although I wasn't a big WHAM! fan, I have been a huge George Michael fan for 21 years! (It was 20 years ago this summer that I listened to "Monkey" over and over and over on my tape player - I can't believe I didn't break the tape). I've been waiting that long to see him live. And it was SO worth the wait. One of the reasons I'm such a big fan is that I believe he is the best male vocalist, hands down. And he didn't disappoint. His voice was so absolutely incredible. I am so grateful that I finally got to see him live and experience his voice in person. I just wish I could follow his tour around the US this summer! :)

Christen inside the MGM Grand Arena before the George Michael concert! Cameras weren't allowed in :( so Brady took this picture as proof that I was there!!!! Bobbie went in another entrance, so we couldn't get a pic together.
We found this little oasis at the Flamingo hotel. It was almost like a mini-rainforest. It had a lot of waterfalls and ponds and lots of fun animals (flamingos, swans, turtles, HUGE koi). It was a nice reprieve from the heat (for Brady - you know I don't mind 115 degree temps!).
A view of the strip at night.
At the pool!
The water show at the Bellagio Hotel.