One of the great things about living in the US is that everywhere you turn, you see an iconic name. Driving through Silicon Valley to my monthly Backgammon I pass names like Apple, Adobe, and if I really get lost; Google.
Which brings me to the Greek. I thought I was going to the Neil Diamond one ( live concert album, etc) and even wore my spangly hommage jacket with removable tassles. Famous
Nope, this is the Berkeley one. Built by William Randolph (Citizen Kane) Hearst as an adjunct to the University it looks the same but no fame. But what the hell, it was still fun.
It's an open air theatre which means it can be lousy when the weather's cold (which is pretty much all the time in Berkekly/SF). Like any good Greek, the best way in is through the back entrance. And then you enter the arena. In keeping with the US penchant for expensive tickets, and hard, uncomfortable steep seating, the arena did not disappoint. Unlike the horrifically expensive booze ($7-10 a small plastic cup.) Goldman Sachs would be ashamed of this over charging. And then the bands started.
It was the Counting Crows augmented by Augustana( a group I'd just started hearing about on my XM). Having said that, I didn't know much about the Crows either, apart from their 3 big hits. And they rocked.
They mixed and matched their sets, helping each other out on songs, trying new ones and giving and getting a great night. They played most of what we knew of theirs except for the SHREK song (Accidentally in love. ) I guess they can't bear to play that anymore in case people chuck green underwear at the stage.....
I'd definiely go back but as the tickets say, no refunds for inclement weather. You've been warned.
