Mohegan Sun

[wendyc122]

So now after a decent night's sleep, with images of Marty in my head, here's my Mohegan Sun report:

I saw LH at Avery Fisher on Monday, and CBGB's on Tuesday. Mohegan Sun dwarfs both places; it's a very modern sports arena, along the lines of Madison Square Garden although about half the size. I'd say it was 1/3 full when Marty hit the stage, but at least the fans could stand and so the ones up front on the floor could show him some love. But the vast majority of people there were INXS fans, and while I KNOW this will sound SNARKY, they were there to see a band that they were into in their youth. All I will say about the INXS portion of the show is that it wasn't fresh and new, unlike Our Boy Marty and LH.

Anyway, LH started with Ultrasound, and did most of the other songs we love (actually, we love all of them, but they did the blockbusters). Marty looked spectacular as usual. On top of being gorgeous, his uncanny sense of style never ceases to amaze me. This time he was wearing white pants, black shirt, grey and black vest, leather jacket, long skinny grey sparkly scarf, aviator shades, and of course the bracelets. He ran around, climbed over the seats, and unlike Avery Fisher, the spotlight was able to follow him around the room. That man has more energy than six other people put together. The show ended with a shirtless (sigh) Marty doing This Town. It was fantastic.

As usual it was all over too fast. I have a few pictures, but in a room like that you can't see them really well. I'm worried that the days of seeing them in small venues and being able to hang with them, even if just for a minute or two, after the show are over. All of us obviously wish them the best and want them to go as far as they want to, but we will lose something really wonderful in the process. The meet & greet (finally!) sums up what I mean:

The hotel had set up a table right by where the merchandise was being sold, and Marty announced that there would be a meet & greet at 9:30, once INXS left the stage. All us Hammerheads (Hi guys! Great to see you again last night!) mad a mad dash to get on line outside the arena. You could hear INXS doing their encore in the background. Suddenly the doors of the elevator about ten feet from the table opened and ... THERE HE WAS. Since he's taller than everyone else, you could see that beautiful blonde hair as soon as the doors opened. He had put all of his clothes on (grrrrr) including the aviator shades. He was stunning. I wish I had gotten a shot of it, but the security was everywhere, blocking our view as they sat down. They were not allowing any pictures, not only with the band, but even of the table where they were sitting.

And then the signing assembly line started. I was near the front of the line and was whisked through so fast I don't remember anything other than babbling incoherently while they signed. Marty kept the shades on, which was very frustrating, since it is the eye contact with him that has so much power. He took them off a few minutes later and started smiling a little more. But to be honest, I really, really hope he and the rest of the band aren't getting burned out by all this handling. The more recent pictures of him with his fans don't show the full-tilt boogie, happy Marty from the beginning of the tour. I really hope he enjoys what has been happening to him.

And I don't know if I am speaking for other fans, but I harbor a fantasy of telling all of them how much they have rekindled my interest in music and more importantly, in going to live shows. Of course, it's pretty obvious I won't be able to do that in person, so I am going to do it here. Maybe this message will reach them somehow.

I'm not a kid. I've been going to live rock concerts since 1965, when I saw the Beatles at Shea Stadium. I then discovered the Yardbirds (who also recorded on Epic, btw) who showed me what energy, power and inventiveness rock music could have. Considering their lead guitarists were Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page, that isn't suprising. Anyway, I was very lucky to grow up in an era of so much incredible music and of artists who set the standards for what live performing is all about. That tradition has stayed intact for over 40 years.

Every once in a while someone comes along who pushes things in a new direction, who creates something totally unique, or who simply raises the bar of how great a live performance can be and sets a new standard for everyone who follows. Often they wind up being distilled into one name: Mick. Hendrix. Janis. Prince. Bowie. Bruce. Bono. For all of them, seeing them live is more than just a regurgitation of the recorded music. They bring something to the stage that can make going to a concert a transcendant experience.

Marty is The Next One. He has IT, whatever IT is.

I am so grateful that I got a chance to see them at CBGB's, even though the club was "smaller, dirtier, darker, and smellier" than Marty expected! (Actually, I've been in worse ones ... and for those of you who were there, can you imagine what it would have been like if the city hadn't banned indoor smoking?) But I think it's going to be a really short time before LH are filling arenas like Mohegan Sun by themselves. And while something wonderful will be gained, something equally wonderful will be lost. I just hope they enjoy the ride, because it's going to be long, and it's going to be wild.

[FlyIntoOblivion]

Thanks for that amazing review! I completely agree with you about Marty. He is quite the performer.

[franny2]

wendyc122 said:

Every once in a while someone comes along who pushes things in a new direction, who creates something totally unique, or who simply raises the bar of how great a live performance can be and sets a new standard for everyone who follows. . . .

. . . . . They bring something to the stage that can make going to a concert a transcendant experience.

Marty is The Next One. He has IT, whatever IT is.

. . . . I think it's going to be a really short time before LH are filling arenas like Mohegan Sun by themselves. And while something wonderful will be gained, something equally wonderful will be lost. I just hope they enjoy the ride, because it's going to be long, and it's going to be wild.

I just wanted to see this part again Wendy . . . beautifully said . . . and everything said.

He does have IT . . . that something that reaches people, that something fresh and new that needs to happen for things to go to the next level. Together the Lovehammers bring with them some of the past that we can't forget and are still connected to, while at the same time reaching forward with their energy to focus on the future. Watching them makes us gather our energies and turn to look in the same direction in our own lives . . . IT catches.

And as much as we all want and will work for them to get where they need to be . . . it's bittersweet . . . because in wanting this for them we are pushing them towards everyone else, but farther away from ourselves.

[yakketyyak]

WOW WOW WOW WOW....Wendy (my new and wonderful friend)...that was truly a moving review. You had me in tears by the end...so eloquently put, amazing and deep, heartfelt emotion...thank you from the bottom of my 50-something highly emotional heart. I could not have said what you wrote in a million years but, girl, you hit my mutual feeling target right dead center!!! Thank you for that amazing (it is SOOO beyond my usual "awesome" compliment) writeup....I'll call you later and we'll talk more about this..

And franny2: "And as much as we all want and will work for them to get where they need to be . . . it's bittersweet . . . because in wanting this for them we are pushing them towards everyone else, but farther away from ourselves."
....the same goes for your comments, you had me in tears at this last sentence...Thank you to both of you for taking my untamed wild feelings for this band and putting them in to words for me.....

ok, I am going to go into the livingroom and blast the Lovehammers cds at vol 30 and cry some more, tears of joy mostly....

[Sharon (sdbrins)]

franny2 said:

wendyc122 said:

Every once in a while someone comes along who pushes things in a new direction, who creates something totally unique, or who simply raises the bar of how great a live performance can be and sets a new standard for everyone who follows. . . .

. . . . . They bring something to the stage that can make going to a concert a transcendant experience.

Marty is The Next One. He has IT, whatever IT is.

. . . . I think it's going to be a really short time before LH are filling arenas like Mohegan Sun by themselves. And while something wonderful will be gained, something equally wonderful will be lost. I just hope they enjoy the ride, because it's going to be long, and it's going to be wild.

I just wanted to see this part again Wendy . . . beautifully said . . . and everything said.

He does have IT . . . that something that reaches people, that something fresh and new that needs to happen for things to go to the next level. Together the Lovehammers bring with them some of the past, that we can't forget and are still connected to, while at the same time reaching forward with their energy to focus on the future. Watching them makes us gather our energies and turn to look in the same direction in our own lives . . . IT catches.

And as much as we all want and will work for them to get where they need to be . . . it's bittersweet . . . because in wanting this for them we are pushing them towards everyone else, but farther away from ourselves.

very eloquently put and I agree...absolutely, Marty has 'IT' and this process is 'bittersweet'

I have said from the beginning, the ability to get close to him grows harder and harder everyday. It is the reason it becomes more painful for me everyday I don't get that chance to see them up close and personal.

I long for that one moment. I want to look Marty in the eyes and have him look back at me and know, I believe in him, in his destiny, that I know he is Extraordinary, not only as a musician but as a person.

And although my heart breaks a little more each day, I will not give up on my quest for that moment. And I will not stop doing all that I can to help push his star all the way to the top even if it pushes him and the guys further away from us.

Sharon

[Sharon (sdbrins)]

hey yakketyyak

apparently wendyc122 and franny2 had us both in tears this morning

Marty Casey and Lovehammers the ties that bind ;D

Sharon

[franny2]

sdbrins said:

I long for that one moment. I want to look Marty in the eyes and have him look back at me and know, I believe in him, in his destiny, that I know he is Extraordinary, not only as a musician but as a person . . .

God d*mn!!!!! All of you. Just keep it up and I'm going to be a total wreck today.

Sharon, don't give up. If you stay focused on it you WILL get your chance. And when you do, can you tell him those exact words from me too? I had the chance and didn't say it the way I thought I would . . . I said it for everyone else . . . but not just for me. When you actually get to that moment, it's too personal . . . because you've only just met.

But it's still important that he knows . . . so hold on for your moment.

[Treed]

wendyc122 said:

So now after a decent night's sleep, with images of Marty in my head, here's my Mohegan Sun report:

IEvery once in a while someone comes along who pushes things in a new direction, who creates something totally unique, or who simply raises the bar of how great a live performance can be and sets a new standard for everyone who follows. Often they wind up being distilled into one name: Mick. Hendrix. Janis. Prince. Bowie. Bruce. Bono. For all of them, seeing them live is more than just a regurgitation of the recorded music. They bring something to the stage that can make going to a concert a transcendant experience.

Marty is The Next One. He has IT, whatever IT is.
I

Marty has IT - and it is just electrifying. I have been through the same amazing music era as you wendyc122 and that maybe allows us a bit longer perspective of the impact Marty and the LH are having and how they will fit into the big music picture.

Marty's depth, intelligence and sensitivity off stage coupled with his raw performance power (and awesome bandmates) on stage bring so much to the table that they will be around for a long time to come.

We were able to meet them all on a one on one basis after their set in Highland (and they are ALL truly wonderful, happy guys who interact easily with and impact all of their fans.) But while we were there with them I had a real sense of "this may be the last time" (a Stones' reference) that they might be able to do this on such an up close and personal level. (Which did not keep us from immersing ourselves in the moment, of course. )

Excellent review and insight, wendyc122 - don't they just rock our world?! ...They leave us wanting so much more...can't wait to see them again.

[4reeds]

Treedom,

I so agree with you. I think moments like ours in Highland may soon be a thing of the past. It's good and bad all in one.

Good - because the band is going to make it big

Bad - because some fans won't have the same chance we had for Marty up close and personal.

I look at our pics constantly to remind me that it really happened. Sometimes I think it was just a (terrific) dream.

[yakketyyak]

sdbrins said:

I long for that one moment. I want to look Marty in the eyes and have him look back at me and know, I believe in him, in his destiny, that I know he is Extraordinary, not only as a musician but as a person.

And although my heart breaks a little more each day, I will not give up on my quest for that moment. And I will not stop doing all that I can to help push his star all the way to the top even if it pushes him and the guys further away from us.

Sharon

[/quote]

hang in there sharon...you will get your chance. I had no meet and greet at the CBGB club but I chased Marty down and here is the description of my brief encounter from my review on the CBGB thread:

"...My 5 seconds with Marty was almost over...so I looked up at him, lifted my hand to his soft, pale face, and did a slow, gentle stroke from the top of his beautiful cheekbone to the tip of his chin with the back side of my fingers (I did not want to accidently scratch him with my fingernails) and said, "No, thank YOU, Marty, for giving with all your heart and soul"......."

It was my way of showing him that I was not just a squeeling groupie fan (even tho I am...LOL) but that it was out of respect and honoring his destiny. And I did mean it to come from ALL us fans...Marty's eyes were staring down at me in a very innocent, and sweetly appreciative way. I think he realized what I was trying to convey. You will get your chance, I truly believe that!!!!

[Rusalka]

Ok, you guys are all killing me here. I'm having a bad enough day without having to dwell on this too !!!
You are all right-Marty has it, whatever it is. I wish I could bottle it & drink it. He is an inspiration-they all are.
And I've been worried for a while now, as the tour progressed, that the up close & personal stuff would be lost. It almost has to be if they get where we all want them to be-which they will, I have no doubt.
But I'm just like all of you, I want my "Marty moment" too. Hell, I want ten "Marty moments" !! And I haven't gotten one. I was so disappointed that there was no meet & greet Monday night at Avery Fisher. I feel like it will be a very long time before I have another chance to see them again, and the longer it takes, the less chance I'll have to stare in to those beautiful eyes & blubber like an idiot.
I lost sleep for months, laying in bed every night trying to think of the perfect thing to say to him. I wanted something that he would always remember. Silly, huh? You'd think I was 13 and not 37!! (Oh, what that boy can do with just a look).
Of course I never came up with anything good enough to say so maybe it was for the best that I didn't get my Marty moment because he'd remember me as the mental patient who couldn't string three words together.

[Sharon (sdbrins)]

Thank you franny2 and yakketyyak for your so sweet and encouraging words. It is the beautiful spirited fans of mc.org like yourselves who help me every single day to keep believing in what almost seem the impossible. As Marty would say, 'Hold On'

I sure hope the day comes when I can see a Lovehammer Show with Hammerheads like yourselves. So many here at mc.org make being a Hammerhead the coolest thing, a very special thing to be part of.

to you.

Wow! do I have sappy going on today or what?

Sharon

[velvet]

copied from my post at lh.com

Mohegan Sun Arena 2-16

Our second show this week

When we took our seats I noticed that the place was barely 1/2 full. Talked to several people in our section who had watched RS and said Marty should have won, etc. I told them that they probably won't think that way after they see the him with his band. I passed out some flyers for the new CD and people seemed surprised that there was an album out. I told them that they were selling them in the merch area, and they should try to get one. One woman said she heard Trees on 105.9 the other day. I was glad to hear that.

Ok so the lights are down and the siren starts roaring (Blackhawks staduim siren? anyone?) Bobby is beating the drums, and I'm screaming each of their names as they take the stage, knowing that they cannot hear me, I was sooo far away, but wanting to show everyone around me how much I love this band.

Marty - wearing his white pants, chucks, black button down, gray vest, scarf , looking very rockstar starts off with "we control the ...." and segues into SAAA. Kicking myself for not writing the set list but similar to the other shows. Jeremy was introduced and joined them on This Town.

During The Tunnel I see Marty crouched down and I said to my husband, he's looking for a spot to jump...and sure enough he does, but he doesn't stop, he runs down the aisle to the center section of the floor, the whole time the spotlight is on him. Then he climbs onto some of the chairs and does his thing! He moved around quite a bit and climbed seats in 3 different sections before hitting the stage again.

When he introduced the sing a long for ring of fire, he politely asked people to get up it they wanted to. Here is when I get competely pissed off! Damn geritol crowd did not get off their asses! Well some did, but would it have killed people to stand up for 2 blessed songs? UGH

Ring of Fire was wicked. Then he comments that people might know this one and starts Trees. Now we were pretty far away, but Marty was crouched down at the edge of the stage and it looked like he was holding hands with a little girl and singing to her. Marvelous Marty! People did sing a long to Trees but still lots of people sitting on their butts.

He did annouce a m&g after INXS set. Which said to me, get out there at intermission and street team your ass off. So sadly after only 45 minutes of Lovehammers, they left the stage but to a very loud roar of applause. More people arrived during their set. There also was a small group of Hammerheads at the front of the stage, one guy got to sing into the mic. Very cool, show these CT bozos (wait I live in CT ) that people KNOW LH's!

Spent the intermission street teaming the merch area, and the ladies room. So many people were impressed with them. You would've thought I was giving away money, they were only paper flyers. But I kept hearing "can I have one of those?" and "They were great". I told as many people as I could that they could get the cd at merch area or to check them out on LH.com (forgot about my husband who wondered what the hell happened to me while I was in the bathroom for so long!)

Fast forward to M&G where I street teamed the line. There were a lot of new LH fans made that night and lots of questions asked about the band. Most people know Marty from RS but were confused about the band,didn't know he had one! I had printed up some color and b&w photos. Everyone wanted one. If they hadn't gotten the cd yet, I told them buy the CD and show me and I'll give you a picture to get signed(Ted seemed to think that was cool). I think sharing the love for this band was probably the best part of the night. Met some fellow hammerheads here also. Hammerheads are the best!

I was looking for Tisha, I had some extra flyers printed that I was gonna give you for Philly, but I see from your post that you skipped this one. Family duties overrule, i understand

Well those extra flyers came in handy. INXS was doing their own M&G out in the arena lobby (line stretched on forever). I just didn't feel like carrying all those flyers around in the casino, so who better to give them to? Many were disappointed that the LH's m&g was over, but so many people were grabbing the flyers from me and seemed very impressed with their set.

Must admit I only popped in for 2 INXS songs and felt the need to spread the LH love, so we left.

My 2 experiences this week were so different. CBGB's, everyone knew and loved LH's and Mohegan Sun was about spreading the love.

May Lovehammers (or MCLH ) have a phenominal future

[velvet]

wendyc122 said:

whisked through so fast I don't remember anything other than babbling incoherently while they signed.

ok, thought that was just me. Trying to remember what I said all day today, and hoping it wasn't so stupid that they are talking about it on the bus

[luxie]

Go velvet! Good job spreading the LH love Sounds like you had an awesome time too!

I'm glad people are finally starting to realize how awesome they are! I still have yet to get even my friends interested in Marty OR LH!

[myohmy]

OMG Wendy...I can only repeat what others have said...your write-up was so moving & insightful...and mirrors my thoughts and feelings eerily.....you had the others crying this morning...now it is my turn.

I know my experiences at CBGB's and the Boston show...may never be repeated...and the next time I see them I will need binoculars...and there will be massive security around them...at all times...to "protect" them ...there will be no Meet & Greets...maybe select fans might win the chance to go backstage....

But I will be there.....I look forward to the chance to see them perform live again....with all their newfound fans....and remembering when....

[myohmy]

Great review velvet! said so on LH boards as well....

And kudos to all your street teaming efforts ...

[velvet]

myohmy said:

Great review velvet! said so on LH boards as well....

And kudos to all your street teaming efforts ...

thanks, but my withdrawl has begun

[Hoot]

wendyc122 said:

Suddenly the doors of the elevator about ten feet from the table opened and ... THERE HE WAS. Since he's taller than everyone else, you could see that beautiful blonde hair as soon as the doors opened. He had put all of his clothes on (grrrrr) including the aviator shades. He was stunning. I wish I had gotten a shot of it, but the security was everywhere, blocking our view as they sat down.


...And then the signing assembly line started. I was near the front of the line and was whisked through so fast I don't remember anything other than babbling incoherently while they signed. Marty kept the shades on, which was very frustrating, since it is the eye contact with him that has so much power. He took them off a few minutes later and started smiling a little more.

I haven't had time to edit all my pics from last night yet, but I thought I'd share these. We must have been slightly behind you in line.

Kim

[luxie]

Awesome pics sambren! Martys looking good as always! Love those aviators.