Wednesday, June 25, 2008 | by nathan

Right After She Grabbed My Hand

I *somehow* managed to forget to charge my little Panasonic point-and-shoot all day Monday. That little camera has become known as "concert cam," as I always try to remember to pack it along for concerts, as it’s got a great digital zoom and never gets confiscated. Still, somehow, my stupid ass forgot to plug it in, and of course when I went to get it to take along to the True Colors show on Monday night, it was dead.

So, when Cyndi Lauper ran right past the V.I.P. section at the zoo to the metal fence where we were standing and dancing, grabbed my hand and smiled, all I had was my iPhone to snap the moment.

Also, can I say? That was one of the most freaking amazing concerts I think I’ve ever been to. Right from the get-go, things were rocking. I’d never heard Girl in a Coma before but they rocked it out on the opening, followed immediately by Andy Bell from Erasure, who had people dancing from his first note. The Grape Ranch winery people were there, selling their fantastic Frozen Rose concoction, which is basically a red wine smoothie. These kept us cool and lubricated throughout.

Margaret Cho was especially hysterical and fantastic (on Larry Craig: "I just think he must come from Slytherin.")

Then, oh my God, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts hit the stage. The woman is turning 50 years old in September, and she looked 20. She rocked it out in a string bikini top, first of all, and handles that ax like few people I’ve seen before. I think I officially lost my mind when she did "Love Is All Around."

By this time I was dancing wildly, so when the B-52’s, who I’ve been wanting to see live for probably 20 years, came on, I was out of my mind with excitement. Of course they kicked ass, and by the way, if you haven’t picked up their new album, you really, really should, because it’s effing incredible. World’s greatest party band? Yeah, check.

And then Cyndi Lauper - dear sweet Jesus, Cyndi Lauper. Forgetting for a moment that she grabbed my hand - wow. It amazes me how much every single artist that performed that night seemed to have hit a new level not only of creativity but of sheer developed, measured talent. Cyndi’s voice sounded amazing and her stage moves were unmatched. She whipped the audience into a frenzy and held us in the palm of her hand until the very end. She, too, just released a new album that you should own. Every second of it makes me want to dance.

Ugh. God. It’s been a really long time since I had *that* much fun at a concert. I will say for the record that I think having a "V.I.P." section at a rock and roll show is complete bollocks, because the idea that the rich and connected should be able to lord it over us simple, middle-class plebians is sorta the antithesis of rock and roll. STILL AND ALL, I had a complete blast and if you get a chance to see True Colors in your city, absolutely you must take it.