Green Day concert at Dreamforce conference

[desertrose]

featherweightclothingco

3 days ago

The sound went out but Green Day kept playing. Now that's showmanship.

http://distilleryimage10.s3.amazonaws.com/206f1b8251ba11e3becb129ac153a6d5_101.mp4

American Idiot

[PanicAttack!]

I'm sorry, but I'm glad the sound system crashed. Those sing alongs are great.

Almost 2 minutes of Before The Lobotomy

Wow, that sound when the PA snaps must've been horrific for the people there!

[Heather.]

Still no Peacemaker or Wild One?

[laurelw]

Wow, that sound when the PA snaps must've been horrific for the people there!

We were standing at center barricade smack in front of the speakers, and yes, it was quite painful when then system blew

[Mar]

Wow, that sound when the PA snaps must've been horrific for the people there!

ikr? I probably would have had a ... your username because I would have been the lucky one to be struck by lightning or have the stage collapse on me or something!

[fyc]

Sorry it's taken longer to give a full report, as I was recovering from the amazing show and conference itself as I'll explain later.

Catching up on this entire thread, it's amusing to compare the confusion online versus even in the front row. Perhaps only the crew knew what was going on, and nobody knew how it would all play out. You on the forum were able to piece together from multiple sources what had happened just as well as those of us in front.

Awesome, I updated GDA with all your info

Liam, thanks for getting the word out. I was trying to hastily say in my post after the show that "Going To Pasalacqua" was only that clearly identifiable introductory guitar feedback part Billie does live. For whatever reason, he decided not to do that song, so it didn't even get to the "Here we go again" part. So I don't know if it matters much, but we really shouldn't count it as a song played.

This thread and your recap summarized the attendee sentiment well, that the band persevered and made a very memorable experience out of what could've easily ended with a walk-off and whimper.

That guy was right next to me, and when he asked security for the gum on the ground and security went to get it for him, I was absolutely shocked--like WTF???

laurelw, hello again, and sorry if I grossed anyone out. We are all fans in our own way. I guess I was so struck at how they rescued the show that I had to take something tangible home with me. Thank you for your videos, and I wish I had backed off the vocal a little more.

I too was torn about recording. I usually don't in front for a standard show but felt compelled given something really special was happening. I similarly had technical difficulties and didn't get my Vines with song titles published on Twitter, perhaps for the better given Vines don't seem popular here. I definitely had this forum in mind, and that's why I scribbled down the songs on a soggy piece of paper when the show started really going off the rails. Here are three unspectacular stills and a Vine, only because Peacemaker was requested:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/geekstinkbreath/sets/72157637994651245/
https://vine.co/v/hFqBtJxAPbW

So with everything that happened and because it's a while until Australia 2014 anyway, here are some additional reflections on top of what's already been said.

Blondie was great to see, and I enjoyed. In between Blondie and GD, they said they had to dump rain water off the stage tent. The focal point of the dumping that you see in lindsaylee13's Instagram video was about 6-8 rows back of center. The reaction was just like when the usual circle pit opens up and people push forward. I thought it had a nice effect of bonding the crowd.

You could sense they were running a little behind because of the replayed intro music. For example, they cycled back to a second playing of "Bohemian Rhapsody." I didn't expect them to start right on the 9pm dot, but it was a tip that perhaps they were already running into issues.

All six came on, include Jason White, Jeff Matika, and Jason Freese. We were wondering if it was just going to be the trio like the Live 105 Not So Silent Night replacement appearance.

To comments that Billie wasn't running around as much, I thought he was about as animated as usual as you can see in laurelw's "99 Revolutions." Maybe given the wet floor and that they hadn't played in months, aside from last month's FBHT, they looked like a band feeling their way through a show -- nothing bad but just like the first night of a tour. I contrast it with the 2013-04-16 Greek Theater show where they looked either in peak form or so well rehearsed, depending on how you look at it.

Then the audio blew during "Lobotomy." It was a little funny to see Billie keep on singing and playing BTL to the end as if nothing was wrong. I have no idea if he's just a pro or if the show still sounded fine to his in-ear monitors.

With all the whispering in Billie and Mike's ears and sideways headshakes from the crew, I had such a sinking feeling they were going to bag the show. I would've been heartbroken if it was "Good Riddance" as a parting gift and out. I hoped maybe they'll come down at least into the trench and at least shake a few hands or pose for pics to make up for it all.

It's when BJA started "Good Riddance" a second time that I knew they wouldn't let us down. With "Basket Case" that followed, he was going to do anything he could, emptying out the hits if necessary, to keep the show going. One thing I appreciated about laurelw's "Basket Case" and "Holiday" is they show how much Billie was demonstratively overmouthing the vocals to get everyone involved.

When Tre kicks in on "Basket Case", his softer touch fits in perfectly with Billie and Mike's levels without stadium amplification. We shouldn't be surprised, but they know exactly what to do as a band. I wouldn't want to see Billie running around at this point because it wouldn't have fit this campfire mood.

Another reflection I have upon seeing the intended setlist from jampme's Instagram is that the actual setlist ended up being reasonably on form. It's just about as long, 21 actual if I don't count Pasalacqua vs. 22 intended. Sure, they swapped about half a dozen and reordered some that worked better solo or acoustic, but it wasn't completely thrown out. I agree with others that it's a good preview of Australia, rolling some Trilogy songs off and others on. As Jon Benjamin said, I'm also glad "21st Century Breakdown" (the song) isn't retired, and that's the one I wouldn't have minded hearing again. It's wild to think of it anywhere else than the beginning of an album show -- bummer.

Full disclosure: I was a Dreamforce conference attendee. Our non-profit organization uses the free software licenses the Salesforce Foundation gives out to such orgs to track membership dues, donations, gifts. We still need to pay to attend the conference, but it's discounted.

I was a little surprised that Billie didn't make any reference to Salesforce, Dreamforce, or the charity circumstances of this show, at least that I recall. He seemed to approach it like a typical San Francisco arena show with the obligatory SF vs. Oakland or SF vs. LA banter. He did joke, "No one's allowed to leave. It was a long drive from Oakland."

Just for comparison, at Metallica's 2011 show, James Hetfield playfully teased the Dreamforce audience and had more show-specific banter. The first few rows were Metallica fan club attendees. I'll let you all decide how that compares with Green Day presumably influencing proceeds to be directed to the Children's Hospital Oakland.

There's an internal Dreamforce conference social network,like a Facebook for attendees. Yes, there were some of the expected demanding complaints about the sound and how prepared the gala could've been for the weather. In SF, we've hardly had any rain lately, so I give the crew a pass on that.

There were also some gushing and, dare I say, genuine appreciation for what our band did. In response one person's comment saying it was "a complete disaster," many rushed to GD's defense about the band didn't quit, how memorable it was to sing along unplugged, and how the crowd had great energy considering the elements -- similar to what was said here.

Now if you can set aside any instinctively negative reaction you have to the corporate framing of these two comments, I think they'll give you unique insight into the degree with which a very different audience was impressed and pleasantly surprised:

1. Success shouldn't be judged by whether something goes off exactly as planned... But rather did it fulfill [its] purpose. I for one, was extremely impressed and enjoyed my time soaked to the bone. I hope that I can run my company with the same class and dedication [Green Day] showed us.

2. The show could serve as a metaphor for us all. We each face times when technology systems fail and/or issues beyond our control create the potential for bad customer experiences. But [billie Joe] and his band took the initiative to creatively engage with the audience. The hundreds of people around me by the stage and thousands in the stands were treated to a unique and memorable experience. Lesson learned!

Having seen 20 GD shows over 20 years, I can completely understand the sentiment of the "Why I am Apparently Less of a Fan..." post. I had my own hesitation with their appearance even though I knew I was attending the conference. We don't know if it was always the plan, but it was a company show first and only more recently was rebranded as also a charity benefit. It wasn't like I wasn't going pass it up, but I was bracing for even more "hey-oh"s.

It's one thing to pay $250 for Prince when he played the DNA Lounge, a small San Francisco club with 800 capacity, earlier in the year. It's another thing to pay that for a stadium show with a business crowd. I think that's why I'm so happy that those that bought a benefit ticket were rewarded for taking a chance.

After iHeart Radio, I just wanted to see Billie well again and the band resume. I didn't mind that the Greek Theater show was so safe. I didn't go into this one with high expectations, but it ended up being remarkable enough to want else's discarded gum. The show was true to the band, and it was real. My favorite band is even more so.

I know this is very long, but thanks for reading. For anyone else down in front, I'd appreciate hearing if you felt differently.

Frank

[laurelw]

Great post Frank!

[Tubbie Head]

Sorry it's taken longer to give a full report, as I was recovering from the amazing show and conference itself as I'll explain later.

[...]

I know this is very long, but thanks for reading. For anyone else down in front, I'd appreciate hearing if you felt differently.

Frank

I absolutely loved your review! Thank you for taking the time to type all that and share it with us. I'm glad you had such a fabulous time at the show!

[desertrose]

[desertrose]

Angel Blue

Good Riddance

[Oxymore]

Thank you for posting !!!

[JOE THE X-KID]

Still no Wild One?

[stich]

Still no Wild One?

& Peacemaker too

[desertrose]