Summerfest in Milwaukee (7/3/11)
Seeing Don Felder perform his show for the third time in 3 years was a blast! He performed on a free stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee at 10pm on July 3rd, 2011.
Felder was in top form tonight - he really got into the music! Since he was playing so late, I expected a shorter setlist, but that was not the case, he played for a solid hour and a half! And to my surprise, he returned his cover of "Superstititon" to the setlist!
I took a bunch of great photos, and I shot some nice video of "Heavy Metal" (I was 2nd row), but UNFORTUNATELY, the audio is awful because I was so close to the stage. Good visual, bad audio. Listen to it with the speakers turned down. I figured this would happen, so I didn't record anything else.
Willy Porter, a local group, opened for him and they packed it in! When the finished, the place cleared out and the benches were nearly empty (maybe 100 people?) when Felder came out. I felt so embarrassed for him... until he started playing, and the crowds that walked past the stage heard the music and filled the place to near capacity. Certainly this speaks to a lack of name recognition for Felder.
When I see some bands at free stages at Summerfest, I worry that they might phone it in a bit because, well, it's a free show. But this was not the case for Felder - he gave it his all and he looked like he was having a lot of fun. Much improved since last year!
A few notes -- he dedicated "Witchy Woman" to Tiger Woods. He mentioned that South Park had "just recently" used "Heavy Metal" for an episode (that aired in 2006, ha.) Also, his guitarist, I swear, looks A LOT like a young Joe Walsh. Same mannerisms and everything. Weird, but actually kind of cool. Very reminiscent of that old "Hotel California" video.
What was really cool was that during the first half of his show, you could see the 3rd of July fireworks being shot off behind him. Seeing that to the guitar solo of "Already Gone" was awesome!
My only "complaint" is that frankly, the setlist is a little stale. But then again, I've seen him three times. And stale setlists aren't exactly unheard of for current or ex-Eagles.
I always though he should start with the Eagles hits he's comfortable with, but then slowly, transition some out for songs that belong to him - "All of You", "Over You", maybe something from "Airbourne"? He doesn't even change up the covers that he did -- he's being doing "Pride and Joy" and "Superstition" since he started touring! But then again, he probably realizes that promoting himself as "an Eagles act" is a better business venture.
I guess we'll see what happens if he ever releases that new album of his.
Updated set list: (07.03.11)
Hotel California
Already Gone
One of These Nights
Pride and Joy (Stevie Ray Vaughn cover)
Victim of Love
Peaceful, Easy Feeling,
Tequila Sunrise
Seven Bridges Road
-Band Intros-
Those Shoes
Heavy Metal (Takin' a Ride)
The Long Run
Witchy Woman
Superstition
Heartache Tonight
Life in the Fast Lane
Take It Easy (encore)
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I always love seeing Don's beautiful Sunburst Les Paul and his cool Strat!
