I’ve been saving ticket stubs since I was 15. Although I don’t have one from every single concert I’ve attended, I did let out an audible gasp when I emptied the glass container that holds them for the first time ever a few days ago and saw the massive pile spread out before me.
I spent the next hour sighing over distinct, indelible memories. Then I went to work on our nod to the ’90s and put together this list of the best New England shows the decade had to offer to this live music freak.
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Sinead O’Connor, Orpheum Theatre, Boston, May 4, 1990
It was my first time seeing Sinead, and I had been a humongous fan from the second I heard the “Lion and the Cobra.” This was the “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got” tour, and there I sat, in the front row of the balcony, spellbound to the extent that I was almost unable to applaud for the entire show. She was that good.
David Bowie, Sullivan Stadium, Foxboro, Mass., July 21, 1990
Bowie is my favorite musician of all time, hands down. This was just the second time I saw him live. I had awesome “floor” seats at the old Sullivan Stadium, and Bowie was on his “Sound and Vision” tour. He played a setlist to die for that included “Panic in Detroit,” “Starman,” “Heroes” and “Rock and Roll Suicide.” Enough said.
Indigo Girls, Great Woods Performing Arts Center, Mansfield, Mass., June 7, 1992
I’ve seen Indigo Girls at least 15 times through the years, and they always put on a memorable show. This one stands out because they were touring for “Rites of Passage,” one of my favorite albums. The stand-out moment was when Amy Ray did oh so right by Dire Straits’ “Romeo and Juliet.” (Editor’s Note: For your own Indigo Girls experience, check them out Tuesday and/or Wednesday at Jonathan’s Restaurant in Ogunquit.)
10,000 Maniacs at Paramount Performing Arts Center, Springfield, Mass., Sept. 9, 1992
I’m a 10,000 Maniacs fanatic, and this was one heck of a great show. They were touring for “Our Time in Eden,” which is home to some of my favorite Maniacs songs such as “Noah’s Dove,” “These Are Days” and especially “How You’ve Grown.”
Tori Amos, State Theatre, Portland, June 25, 1994
No lie, I had the best seat in the entire theater — front row, with a direct line of sight to Tori at her piano. It was the “Under the Pink” tour and, no lie, a guy sitting near me had tears running down his face when the show started. There are few performers more mesmerizing and riveting than Tori Amos, and this show rates in my Top 10 list of all-time shows, never mind just the ’90s.
Sarah McLachlan, State Theatre, Portland, March 20, 1995
It was Sarah’s second time in two years playing the State, and she was still riding the gorgeous, enthralling wave of the “Fumbling Towards Ecstacy” album. Heck yeah, her show was an enchanting, breathtaking experience. But what made it even better was the opening act: Paula Cole. Before the cowboys had come and gone, she put out a record called “Harbinger,” and on this very special night in Portland, she sang the heck out of those songs.
Ani DiFranco, Bowdoin College, Brunswick, April 6, 1995
I’ll admit it: I wasn’t a true DiFranco believer until I saw her perform live. Sure, I liked her music well enough, but after this show at Bowdoin (a stop on Ms. DiFranco’s “Not a Pretty Girl” tour), I was smitten, dazzled and blown away.
Lilith Fair, Great Woods Performing Arts Center, Mansfield, Mass., July 22, 1997
Sarah McLachlan’s brainchild festival Lilith Fair was on its first of three consecutive summer runs (not to mention the 2010 revival). The show I saw at Great Wood featured a lineup of Paula Cole, Fiona Apple, The Cardigans, Tracy Chapman and, of course, McLachlan. To say I had a good time would be the understatement of the ’90s.
k.d. lang, Symphony Hall, Boston, Oct. 15, 1997
k.d. lang. Symphony Hall. Boston. Does this really need an explanation? I didn’t think so.
Garbage, Avalon, Boston, May 16, 1998
Four words: Shirley Manson is awesome. Garbage was touring for its “Version 2.0” album, and it was a full, happy house at Avalon.
Staff Writer Aimsel Ponti can be contacted at 791-6455 or at: aponti@pressherald.com
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