Back when I got up early to make sure I was one of the first people in line on the first day tickets to see Train in concert at the New York State Fair Grandstand went on sale, I must admit I did a bit of second-guessing when I was quick to the window and did not go with the popular choice of “Front Row!”
Tuesday night, when my dear wife Karen ended our four-months-plus of of waiting for the big day to finally get here, I knew I had made the right choice.
Pat Monahan and mates, at our eye level.
From the two decades of reviewing concerts for the big daily and sitting all over the 17,000-seat grandstand — closest seats, second row for to see Rascal Flatts, furthest-away seats second-to-last row to see Kid Rock — I had elected for the second row of what’s called elevated track. The 20 or so rows of folding chairs that make up the floor seats are ahead of you, with a walking aisle. Then there’s one raised row of chairs.
Karen, waiting for the Wallflowers to open the show.
I asked for second row, center, and we got the two seats next to the sound board. And yes, that meant our ears heard the same sound as the folks turning the knobs at the mixing boards.
George and Elisabeth, in the same row.
My wonderful daughter Elisabeth and her terrific boyfriend George were in the same row. Elisabeth did not realize who it was when Train covered the Led Zeppelin. Ah, youth.
Everybody knew the long string of Train hits, and Monahan delivered them straight out and straight on with that distinctive and remarkable voice of his.
The band started with “Calling All Angels.” I smiled. It was very good. Soon enough, Monahan had the whole crowd following his lead, with arms in the air.
Fans see, fans do.
Even with all the folks on the floor standing, Karen and I could sit and enjoy the whole show. And we did not have to keep our necks craned at a crazy high angle to see the stage, either.
The stage setup was not elaborate, just the players and their instruments. I didn’t feel like I was missing out because I’d come to hear the songs.
Let there be lights.
OK, sometimes the lights did catch my eyes, too.
You can’t help be dazzled by some displays even when it’s old stuff like “Drops of Jupiter” and new stuff like “Bulletproof Picasso” that’s really the star of the show.
Before night fell, Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers warmed everybody up with a sturdy set that of course included “6th Avenue Heartache” and “One Headlight.”
Jakob, son of Bob Dylan.
Nice hat, I thought, trying to ignore the bags under Jakob’s eyes.
Better voice than his father, was my daughter’s decision.
I agreed at first, before thinking more that it’s a matter of era and taste.
Front row for you every time? Do like to stand up for an entire concert? Bob Dylan or Jakob Dylan?
Mark Bialczak 
Absolutely LOVE Train!!!! I saw them with Matchbox 20 for my 40th birthday with one of my oldest and dearest friends (and our husbands). Though they were the back-up band at that time, they rocked!!! (ALMOST out-shined Matchbox 20 . . .) One of my best memories ❤ Enjoyed the post, Mark!
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So excited for your experience and great seating, Mark! I actually thought about you but have been having a great time here with Mom and family! Off to get my Mom’s and my breakfast. . . Enjoy your Labor Day and so happy to have read about this magical night with your fam and Karen, too!
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I hope your breakfast with your Mom and family was as special as it should be on Labor Day, Robin! ❤
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I’m thinking of different venues here: 1) The nosebleed section at the Carrier Dome – still a great place to see a last second half-court (or better) shot from Dwayne “The Pearl” Washington. 2) The front row in a movie theater to see Robert Redford in “The Sting.” Got to see EVERY line in his beautiful face. Far too close and my neck hurt from craning up to look at the screen.
Your experience served you and Karen well. I’m glad you got great seats to see a show you really enjoyed. 😉
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Your choices bring to mind, Judy:
I was sitting on press row next to David Elfin covering that Pearl Washington rainbow shot-winner vs. Boston College at the dome, and we were run over by students mobbing the court immediately thereafter. Front row was great and then not.
Front row in any movie theater, never. Have you noticed how in the new stadium-style seating theaters, nobody goes down to the old-style floor level seats until the upper level is full?
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I like third row… Front row is too close to get good photos as you have to look up their nose. 😉
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Nose hair shots get old fast. You are correct, Rachel. 🙂
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Hahaha! 😀
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A place called Kitty Hoynes on Diners Drive-Ins and Dives tonight. Ever hear of it?
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I had a drink there after work Thursday night with my friends, Mark. Great Irish pub.
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Remind me to have you book the next concert I go to! You know where it’s at. Looks like a blast and I am glad neither you or Mrs. B had to injure your necks to enjoy the show. At our tender age, we can get hurt doing just about anything. LOL.
You will be happy to know that Mr. B and I are headed back to the Cape for the long weekend. My brother-in-law’s place is available and we thought we would celebrate my bday there! Guess what I want to eat on my bday! YUP! Have a great weekend! 🙂
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Happy birthday, dear Mrs. B. Enjoy the holiday weekend studentless with Mr. B on the Cape. Eat, relax, savor. Happy Happy Happy, Maria.
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My favourite concert? 10th row on the floor. Santana. On my feet, dancing! 😀
Diana xo
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Some concerts were worth that on-the-feet thing, Diana, and your Santana 10th row sounds like it was the real deal. For me, though, the operative word is WERE.
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Awesome seat Mark. I haven’t been to a concert in years and I very much like Train’s music. I’d definitely sit where you were – eye-level witg the band and high enoughoot see over the standing crew. I prefer to remain seated.
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I’m with you, Paul. I think it’s from the 20 years of concerts I did on the job. Standing and taking notes was a drag, but I did it because I had to see. So I logged so many hours of concerts on my feet that I ache thinking of it. Have a great weekend up north, my friend.
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Ohhhhh my God, I got to see Train and I’m excited my seats were three miles away – said no one ever. Front row always, anything else is unacceptable. I would have hissed, spit on the usher, and bit if anyone tried to drag me to the seat boonies. I’m almost talking in tongues looking at your seats. Dude.
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Well I knew right off the bat that you were going to diss me on this one, Apple Pie, but you did it rather politely, I think. I take your wrath and know where you are coming from, but although I so admire the music, my passion for the band falls a tad below your level, I guess. Thank you for being nice.
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No front row. Definitely stadium seating, not flat on the floor. Seats, not standing. Standing is for the youth. Jakob, not Bob. I guess you have to be over 50 to appreciate his voice. He really does sound like he needs a speech therapist. Jakob is 44; old enough to have bags. Your middle pic looks like worship at church! 🙂
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Your answers are all fab, CBXB. Dig you as always. Yes, you nail what the moment was like with hands in the air for Pat Monahan! Train and fans were rolling to something higher.
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I will have to listen to Jakob Dylan – once went to a Bob Dylan concert – he played obscure songs that my friends, who were very big fans didn’t recognise!
Perfect seats Mark. So good to able to see and sit down.
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It was great to sit and enjoy, Rachel, and I think if you hunt down some Wallflowers music on your laptop, you might enjoy it better than that Bob Dylan concert. That concert you attended with your avid-fan friend, by the way, what Bob does is take his classic songs and sing them in a different musical arrangement completely. Stumps everybody. Unique and odd, right?
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I will have a look for some Wallflowers. as for Bob’s unique (I hope) concert style – i know it’s his music but when people have paid to hear songs played – well I thought it was somewhat mean to play them in an unrecognisable way! so – unique, odd and mean too!
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I hope he sees this comment and thinks, “I never thought of it that way!” Rachel, you are on to something here.
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For Train? Any seat, Chum. Sounds like a great night!
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It was a great Tuesday. Hell, any day, Aud!
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I’m from an older era but I found the show very refreshing. Just the fact that there were amps and drums and keyboard on stage with no other frills was great. The music said it all with no need for bells and whistles That says a lot for a band. It was a great show!
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I’m glad to hear your opinion on the subject. I agree. They let the music speak. Thanks, Larry. I hope your band is doing well!
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it sounds like you had a strategy, based on experience and concert wisdom and you obviously made the perfect choice. what a great show this must have been, and your post makes us feel a little bit like we were there. (great pictures of karen and ‘the kids’ by the way, they must have been taken by someone who loves them)
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I’m glad to have shared a tiny bit of the aura, Beth. I’m very glad you caught the vibe from my side of the iPhone for Karen and the kids. ))
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