Today my watercolor illustration is for #SeptemberAdventure I am playing along with Charlie at doodlewash for the theme of this month which is “Travel Memories”. This post put together several of the inspiring prompts and ideas that Charlie listed for the 30 days of painting. This beautiful September is a month dear to me because my Birthday is coming up sometime soon.
My watercolor today is about travels. In my past years I have been travelling around Europe visiting beautiful places and creating great memories in my life. Today my illustration doesn’t just bring back my travelling memories but is especially in memory of the day I traveled from the other side of the ocean where is my country Italy to USA. I already mentioned in another post that last August 22nd has been 14 years that I live here in California. My illustration is a way to remember that long day I traveled from Naples my City, via London to Los Angeles, it took approximately 20 hour it was an adventure for sure! 😉
Today post is about my thrilling experience attending the concert of one of the greatest band of all time UK iconic and legendary “The Cure”. Their music amazed millions of fans worldwide during last forty years and I am one of them. This concert is one of the most beautiful experience I had.
On Monday May 23, 2016 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles best known as a historical venue where great music names of all time has performed. I was lucky to be able to have a ticket on the second day of the three “Sold Out” shows. The Cure also performed on Sunday 22 and Tuesday 24 as part of their North America Tour 2016 the first US full-fledged tour in eight years with 33 Shows in US and in Autumn they will be touring in Europe with 26 Shows.
“The Cure Tour 2016” will present Robert Smith (voice/guitar), Simon Gallup (bass), Jason Cooper (drums), Roger O’Donnell (keys) and Reeves Gabrels (guitar).
This amazing tour also features another of my favorite band that I discovered quite a while back that I follow and love. Their music is unique and intense with great sounds and dark atmospheres, it is a magical combination with the beautiful voice of charismatic and intense singer James Graham, front man of Scottish post-punk band “The Twilight Sad”. They are the “Special Guests” supporting The Cure on almost all the dates of this 2016 Tour. The Cure couldn’t make a better choice on bringing The Twilight Sad out in the light for an exposure very well deserved, they are an awesome band rising up in our contemporary music.
The Twilight Sad
The Twilight Sad band is based in Glasgow Scotland and was formed in 2003. Since then they released four studio albums, the latest is “Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave“. The band members are James Graham (vocals), Andy MacFarlane (guitar), and Mark Devine (drums). Touring members include Johnny Docherty (bass guitar) and Brendan Smith (keyboards).
The Twilight Sad – James GrahamHeadline
The Twilight Sad will also be performing some headline shows during the tour, one was scheduled in Los Angeles at the “Teragram Ballroom” on Wednesday May 25. Sadly, I couldn’t attend this one. I really wanted to go to see them perform in their own element in the darkness of an intimate place where you can feel their music shock you deep inside your soul. I won’t miss them next time they come back to L.A. that for sure!
I couldn’t be more happy to attend this lifetime wish come true concert and to be able to see two of my loved bands live in one day! This is truly amazing!
When I discovered The Cure I was in Italy, my native country. A friend went to a summer vacation in London and came back with several vinyl albums from a band that at that time we didn’t know so well yet…The Cure! I have to say that after I listened their albums, I was hooked to their music. “Seventeen Seconds” was the one for me iconic and epic album that signed my love life for The Cure. The beautiful dark timeless sound that distinguish the uniqueness of this band is contained in all the songs of this album and in more to come. Included is “A Forest” one of my all time favorite songs that give me goosebumps each time I listen to it.
Finally time has arrived…
On May 23, after months of waiting, my day started pretty early getting ready to go to the Hollywood Bowl a 50 minutes drive from where I live. Exciting feelings were anticipating the concert that I have been waiting for all my life. This day was a very special day for me, it was filled with intense emotions and a “Surreal Surprise”. I am so happy that I was able to attend, I never wanted to miss this. The weather was sunny most of the day and later on turned a little gloomy with an appealing breeze.
When we arrived to the Hollywood Bowl was great to see the big sign saying “The Cure – The Twilight Sad – Tonight 7:pm – Sold Out” another great concert was about to be written in the history album of this venue. Things were getting real now!
We decided to pass the Hollywood Bowl to find an alternative parking area since the Bowl parking is known to be very crowded. So we drove down the main street at a decent walking distance from the Bowl.
There is a church with parking that I knew would let people park for events at the Bowl. We drove in looking for someone to ask if was possible to park early since the time was around 3.30pm and the gates of the Hollywood Bowl didn’t open til 5pm. Right at that exact moment when I turned my face toward the street I was stunned! I couldn’t believe what I was seeing! Walking passed us in the street I see The Twilight Sad singer “James Graham” and the band manager John-Paul Mason, just at that precise moment! They appeared to me out of the blue! Oh Wow!!! That moment was so surreal! How could this be possible??? Instinctively I said, “That’s James!!!” He heard his name because he turned his face looking around trying to figure out who was calling him lol…I couldn’t believe what was happening, everything happened so fast like magic! That was one in a million chances. I kept calling James name and quickly got out to the car so that he could see me. They stopped, turned around and approached me by the fence. James came close smiling and surprised. I told him that I am a fan. Then they kindly came around the fence into the parking lot where I was. We started to talk and laugh, we hugged surprised from this amazing moment, it was fantastic like meeting old friends that you haven’t seen in a long time. James was super cool and very friendly, and so was John Paul. While talking we took some photos that I will cherish forever. Here is James! The impressive and intense soul of The Twilight Sad! I love this photo!
It was definitely one of the most surreal moments I’ve ever had! I couldn’t believe what just happened, this “encounter” alone made my day before it even started. I felt so great and happy!
One of The Twilight Sad beautiful songs that I love is “There’s a Girl in the Corner,” track from 2014 latest album “Nobody Wants to Be Here and Nobody Wants to Leave” awesome album! This song is also offered as Exclusive Free Tour Download you can get it here.
I guess today “I was the girl in the corner” 😉 I can only say that it was a fantastic experience to meet James and John Paul, the best things happen when you don’t expect them. Thank you for stopping your walk and taking your time with me. Going to the concert, of course, I was hoping to be able to catch James and the band after the gig at the merchandise booth, but I knew that in L.A. wouldn’t be any easy in a sold out venue like this concert.
So my wish got fully granted with an amazing unexpected surprise that I will never forget. Thank You for your kindness James!
After of all this we had a little time before the Bowl opened the gates. There were so many people everything was well-organized and went smooth. While waiting I could hear The Twilight Sad doing their sound check and James voice resonate in between the Hollywood hills very beautiful. It was getting really exciting!
Outside The Hollywood Bowl
Around 5.30pm we were able to get inside the arena of the Bowl and had some time to kill after we got our seats. We went around the venue and to the merchandise booths to buy my The Cure Tour T-Shirt lots of people and I haven’t seen The Twilight Sad T-shirt that I wanted too!
Around 7pm was still natural sunlight, the arena wasn’t full yet but people were coming in. The concert started with The Twilight Sad opening with the beautiful notes of “There’s a Girl in the Corner” another great surprise for me! This song did bring together The Cure with The Twilight Sad for their collaboration. Robert Smith, recently recorded a beautiful cover for this song.
The Twilight Sad
The Twilight Sad delivered a great performance with 7 songs on their Setlist, James Graham always deliver exceptional intensity and passion while singing becoming one with the music and dominating the stage with a distinctive, impressive presence. The 7 songs performed were: 1) There is a Girl in the Corner – 2) Last January – 3) That Summer at Home I Had Become the Invisible Boy – 4) It Never Was The Same – 5) Seven Years of Letters – 6) Reflection of The Television – 7) And She Would Darken the Memory.
The Cure Concert Begin
The sun was almost down by 8pm. The arena of the Hollywood Bowl was full and exciting. Clouds were invading the sky creating the perfect shade of darkness and gray atmosphere for The Cure to take the stage. The show opened with the beautiful and distinct sound of the guitars and Robert voice singing “Open” the first song of a long beautiful and insane Setlist featuring 33 amazing songs, 4 encores and two new songs performed “Step into the Light“ and “It can never be the same“ . The Cure gifted us with 3 hours of an amazing and spectacular show.
After playing 19 uninterrupted songs, the band left the stage for the first time. Watching The Cure live is stunning!
They are better than ever. Robert Smith has amazing stamina, he can sing and play his guitar forever. In between songs Robert gave us few kind and cheerful words. Roberts voice is as fresh and powerful like time hasn’t passed, the same for his unique look, the only difference is that he is letting his hair color natural. Besides that, his black eye-lined eyes, lipstick, black dressed and heavy boots all still there. He is “The Cure” the founder and heart of this amazing band and it’s so great to see that unity as band that make them amazing like their music.
After 23 songs and at the end of the encore 2 my favorite song “A Forest” blown away the Hollywood Bowl! There are not enough words to describe how this song effected me and everyone else there. This song has been with me almost all my life. No matter what has changed growing up, or going through life experiences and I think when this happens that’s what great music is all about, you become one with it, and will never leave you. Was an incredible experience to hear it live!
After this great moment, we had encore 3 and encore 4 more beautiful songs were played. The Cure wanted to give us everything they could in 3 hours time and still a lot more of amazing music from their discography were left un played. Robert & Co. enjoyed play their music with us very much it was like they never wanted to stop until the grand final with the song “Boys Don’t Cry”. This concert was outstanding and fantastic for so many reasons. I have seen two amazing loved bands and I would love to see them again and again and again…
A special thanks to The Cure and to The Twilight Sad for this unforgettable concert and for their timeless great music!
Late in October 2016 I have created a watercolor ink painting dedicated to The Twilight Sad
1st Release Collectors Limited Edition Fine Art Print are available on pre-order Here
The Cure is one of my favorite bands from the past years following them a lifetime long. I love their dark sounds the best. My all time favorite Albums are “Seventy Seconds” and “Faith” today I am sharing with you my Digital Art – Oaks created from one of my Photos and I think it is a good match with The Cure song “A Forest” I found two great videos as two different and beautiful versions of this loved song I am going to share it with you. In hope that you like them. I suggest you to listen both because the sound is different and both are great! If you like this genre of music!
The Cure would be in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl for 3 days May 22, 23 and 24 it would be the first US full-fledged tour in eight years. I am going to attend this awesome event Tickets are Sold Out for all the 3 days! Today is the DAY for me to finally see them live!
I will also see another loved and great band The Twilight Sadthey will open the concert for The Cure (I wrote about them in the past check the link). So I am very lucky today to be able to see two loved band in one occasion!
Wish me luck I will make a post in the next days and tell you all about this event!
a beautiful 1930 Art Deco’ architecture considered one of the finest examples in United States, salvaged and restored from neglect and decay it is a symbol of history and Art preservation for the City of Los Angeles. The theatre is located inside the green-turquoise Pellissier Building you can read more about the interesting historyhere.
My photo shows details of the stunning and dramatic element featured on the ceiling overlooking the box-office at the entrance. I love the angle I was able to capture and the lighting in contrast with the dark shade creating a beautiful effect of “chiaroscuro” it seems almost a monochrome. I love this photo and I hope you do to!
In June 2015 I had the privilege to attend a great concert in this beautiful venue, you can read my post “A Magical Evening of Guitars”. It was a wonderful experience for me as an artist to see the beauty of this historical theatre. The more I was looking around the more I felt I was back in time. As soon I walked inside the magnificent decorated oval-shaped lobby, I was imagining how many shows have been hosted in such great place during the 1930s and 40s until our days, all the amazing artists that have performed there. I could visualize all the people walking around the lobby wearing their fancy hats and fashionable outfits of that era. The ceilings inside are amazing and all decorated with beautiful elements, over the walls there are shapes of beautiful flowers artistically painted. One of the most striking element of the interior design is a huge sunburst placed on the ceiling of the auditorium, each ray is created as its own Art Deco skyscraper. I was there attending a modern Rock Concert having the feeling to be in an old-fashioned historical venue, where I was back in time and into the modern era at the same time, it was amazing! I felt a great vibe. My native country is Italy, I grow up surrounded by the most amazing Art and architecture hundred and hundred of years of Art history are still alive throughout the magnificent buildings, sculptures, paintings on almost every city in Italy because it is very important to preserve and salvage our Art. I am glad that The Wiltern Theatre is an example of preservation here in US and for sure it is a place to visit in Los Angeles if you interested in Art and Architecture and nonetheless a great vibe-filled and intimate venue for great concerts.
I hope that you enjoyed my photography and this post!
There is any special Art-preserved place in your city?
Feel free to talk about it in the comments!
The Cure is one of my favorite bands from the past years. I love their dark sounds the best. My all time favorite Albums are “Seventy Seconds” and “Faith” today I am sharing with you my Digital Art – Oaks created from one of my Photos and I think it is a good match with The Cure song “A Forest” I found two great videos as two different and beautiful versions of this loved song I am going to share it with you In hope that you like them. I suggest you to listen both because the sound is different and both are great!
The Cure would be in Los Angeles at the Hollywood Bowl for 3 days in May it would be the first US full-fledged tour in eight years and I truly would love to go to see them. Tickets are almost already sold out…but maybe I would be lucky if Robert Smith read this post and send me one… 😉 just kidding…lol I am really looking to find some available and is not easy! ❤
This post is my testimony for a one of a kind event. Yesterday, I had the privilege to attend one of the best concerts featuring legendary Joe Satriani and Steve Vai. Also performing was Tosin Abasi from Animals as Leaders!
It was a magical evening where some of the best guitarrist in the world were playing their amazing music and gave us the gift to see them performing together. This concert also had a great cause. It was a benefit concert in support of Cliff Cultreri their good friend and music-industry veteran. Cultreri is the A&R executive who “discovered” Satriani, Vai and other great artists while working at Relativity Records and Koch Entertainment. Cultreri is suffering from a host of auto-immune and connective-tissue disorders simultaneously attacking his immune system, it is a 1 in 100 million occurrence causing severe pain and debilitating. Joe Satriani and Steve Vai got together to host benefit shows for Cultreri in the years 2006 and 2011, this concert in 2015 is the third one for the cause. This show, “A Benefit for Cliff III” took place at 8 p.m. on June 12 at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles … And now I can say I was there!!! Ohhh…I am so glad I was! 🙂
I witnessed three and half hours of an exciting and amazing concert!
Something unique that I know it would be one of a kind in my concerts book!!!
I love music and I have been lucky to have seen many of my favorite bands and artists during my life!
Not all of them, but still many that I would love to see. I went to concerts whenever I could and I have unforgettable memories.
Our day started yesterday at 3.30pm, we headed over to the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) going to Los Angeles. The weather was just perfect a little overcast on the coastline. We had a wonderful ocean view while travelling.
I took some photos with my phone 🙂
On the road…. PCH – Pacific Coast Highway
Almost there!
We arrived in Los Angeles! Getting closer to the Wiltern Theatre , getting very exciting!
This is the Pellissier Building and adjoining Wiltern Theatre a beautiful 1930 Art Deco architecture considered one of the finest examples in United States.
It was a wonderful experience for me as Artist to see the beauty of this historical theatre. This Concert was not just a concert, it was also an amazing place. The more I looked around the more I felt I was back in time. I was imagining how many shows have been hosted in such great place. The ceiling is amazing and decorated with dramatic Art Deco elements. The walls inside the Theatre featured shapes of flowers artistically painted! Outside the entrance… This stunning Art Deco element is on the ceiling outside the entrance.
Time is getting close. We are in line to check-in…the line was pretty long, all the way to the other side to the Wiltern Theatre.
And finally inside! The stage is great, the atmosphere is exciting. I love concerts hosted in theatres. I like because it is less dispersive than the Stadiums. There are different atmospheres and way to perceive the music and the artists.
Joe Satriani and Steve Vai along with the other artists have donated items to be auctioned during the event including autographed guitars. The Concert starting at 8pm…
The first to perform and open the evening are the Animals as Leaders. I discovered them just recently. They play Instrumental Abstract Jazz Metal (this is my definition for their music) the official definition is “Instrumental Progressive Metal” they are able to change their sounds in different directions.
Animals as Leaders Joe Satriani and Steve Vai Note: I am not the owner of those two photos I don’t know the photographers names (Copyright Photo Credits goes to their original owners)
The show started on time and the Animals as Leaders performed for almost an hour. The second performance was legendary guitarrist Steve Vai. He has a great stage presence along with his music. He let his finger flying on his guitar as he always did, one word… amazing!
Then Joe Satrianiwalked on stage. That’s when the planet turned to hear the pure sound from his guitar. His music is just stunning! I have a preference for him because I love the sound of his amazing guitar, it is different and unique that’s why I describe it as “Pure”. He is not only a guitarist but a multi-instrumentalist. Satriani is considered to be a highly technical guitarist in the world and referred to as a top guitar virtuoso.
He also has Italian descends which makes me very happy! 🙂
Joe Satriani played for long time his wonderful pieces. After two-hour and a half concert, Joe brought back on stage Steve Vai and Tosin Abasi lead guitar from the Animals as Leaders to have a jam session. That was super great to see them play all together! Very unique occasion performing a Frank Zappa song. Also a wonderful Tribute to the greatest B.B. King. This concert has been 3 hours and half of unforgettable music. I am very happy and pleased to be able to say “I was there!!!”
For this photo (Photo Credits Chris Huber)
My phone couldn’t record the sound as I would’ve loved to. But I found some videos recorded from this concert. Thanks to Cal Vid you can enjoy and have a part of this unforgettable event with me! ❤
re great music names of all time has performed. I was lucky to be able to have a ticket on the second day of the three “Sold Out” shows. The Cure also performed on Sunday 22 and Tuesday 24 as part of their North America Tour 2016 the first US full-fledged tour in eight years with 33 Shows in US and in Autumn they will be touring in Europe with 26 Shows.
One of The Twilight Sad beautiful songs that I love is “There’s a Girl in the Corner,” track from 2014 latest album “
Carolina Russo Art 
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