Red Hot Chili Peppers concert in Denver in Pepsi Arena, August 18, 2006

 So yeah, they will play in New York [sort of] in October. Even twice. Two days in a row. But I searched for tickets as soon as they hit the paid fan club presale and ended up purchasing two seats in Pepsi Arena in Denver, Colorado and one seat on Jet Blue jet.

In theory this was about doing something only slightly out of character and connecting it with hearing “Don’t Forget Me” live. And I’ve never been to Denver before.

In practice I got more than I bargained for. The concert was rewarding in more ways than one, The suspense before them coming out. The noise that Mars Volta “performed” made me doubt the acoustics of the arena. Thank smart people for noise isolating earbuds! And then clean set up for the Chilis. Marshalls on the right and left. Pedestal for drummer Chad a.k.a. Will Farrell look-a-like. Mikes for Anthony and his “support” and pedals for John.

They started with “Can’t Stop” and didn’t till jammin’ encore when Anthony and Chad left John and Flea to their own devices – their best devices: Fender Strat and Jazz Bass respectively. The setlist was diversified, long and good. “Don’t Forget Me” alone was one of the prettiest renditions I ever heard. The outro especially. Chad had the same “suit” as in the famous Slane Castle concert in 2003 and John had what seemed to be the same pants too, minus the blue cowboy shirt. Hmm, maybe I’m making too much of this. The crowd was neat, at least in my section. An older, but not old, bleach blonde woman who came with a partner, supposedly flashed the crowd while I was in the bathroom, where I found a cellphone of overly excited airhead. Some older guy, he could have grandchildren, who came with a wife, I’m guessing, was smoking pot so much throughout the concert that I’m not sure if I was not high; I was very happy and smiling. Or maybe it was the music. Well, the concert was an experience.

Denver was great too. I did get caught in the rain in the open streets and walked into a souvenir store which was closed for lunch or something, yet not locked from the street side and open for anyone to come in, like me, and empty it out. I almost missed my flight because of a bag left with an Asian guy who ran a bag check store and who I convinced also to keep an eye for my rose plant [!] which was explicitly against the rules, as pointed out by him on a hanging sign, and who I made wait for me for over and hour after his work hours at the airport. And I dropped too much cash in Virgin Megastore, but aw well. At least I walked out with a new copy of “By the Way”, which cost me zero dollars. Deals in Denver? Priceless.

The city is pretty, colorful, and regardless of the unreal amount of homeless on the streets it was clean and I felt safe. It doesn’t feel rushed like New York but doesn’t compensate with a small town feel. Maybe a perfect combination. Maybe I was there too briefly and wanted to spend there every minute with reception of everything in as much positive manner as possible.

However it is, the view of the Rocky Mountains at sunset made all come to pieces. The view beats any fun at the beach. I wish I had there the time to go hiking in the mountains. The prairie dogs said good bye and I was on the plane to New York.

These pics are from the concert. There’s so much one can do with a crappy camera.

~ by mycockaigne on August 23, 2006.