Concerts...

Last week, I ran across some promo CD's at the station for Ben Jelen. Then I saw the incredible video for Where Do You Go. And then coincidentally, he was in town this past weekend. So me and one of my friends (Kathy) went downtown to the concert.

What an incredible performance! This was easily one of the best concerts I've ever been to (rivaling even Depeche Mode). Not only can Ben hit all the notes of his songs (that in itself is rare at any concert), but he's also amazing on keyboards, guitars & violin and had an equally talented backup band. Kathy had never heard of him before this, but she's definitely now a fan and plans to see him again the next time he's in Buffalo.

Check out Ben Jelen's recent CD "Ex-Sensitive". My favorites on it are Pulse, Where Do We Go, Just A Little and Wreckage.

You'll especially love it if you were a fan of the 90's band 4 Non Blondes. Linda Perry, the former lead singer of that group, produced this album and you can definitely hear her influence throughout it.

There's another incredible concert making it's way across the US soon and I really want to see it. It's the retro 80's Regeneration Tour featuring The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, ABC, Dead Or Alive, A Flock Of Seagulls, and Naked Eyes!

As of now, the closest and easiest tour venue to get to would be in Trenton, NJ on August 21st (Trenton's about seven hours from Buffalo). Hopefully, something closer will be announced soon.

I would love to see Human League and Belinda Carlisle - those two alone are worth the price of admission!

As for some of the other groups, Naked Eyes and A Flock Of Seagulls will only have the original lead singer at the concert, so it's kind of like two new groups in a way. (With Naked Eyes, keyboardist Rob Fisher passed away about nine years ago following complications from a stomach surgery. With A Flock Of Seagulls, all the other members have retired from music.)

Overall, it sounds like a good concert. Keep checking the official website for additional dates. I know I will be!

Finally, Bryan Adams is coming to the Town Ballroom downtown May 7th. Keep listening to Star 102.5 all week for your chance to win tickets. Or just click on the picture to buy tickets.