Parking is limited in Montalvo, and I parked my car at the west valley college and took a shuttle to the venue. As the shuttle took us to the venue up the winding mountainous roads, I could see some very nice multi-million dollar mansions. An inner glimpse of the real saratoga mountain living :)
The venue itself was very very cool. It had a very personal, private and elegant touch to the place. I was expecting big stalls selling t-shirts, beer and food. But it was a very small set up. the place could probably hold no more than 500 people I think.
The ushers, the staff were all extremely friendly. Security check? whats that? there was none.
"The Pictures", a band from New York opened it for the Wallflowers. Very "tom Petty" kinda music. Very soothing. I was seated about 25 feet from the stage. Row D, Seat 3.
After about 45 mins or so of good warm up and a intermission, the Wallflowers kicked in at 8pm. The next 2 hours felt like forever! With a very scenic setting of trees behind us, sprawling lawns to our sides, I thoroughly enjoyed Jakob's husky melancholic voice accompanied by Stuart Mathis' exceptional guitar playing. Of course, I had someone else keep me company all the while - IPA Indian Pale Ale.
Here is the playlist
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They were very very calm and composed while playing. The crowd wasnt the exhuberant kinds either. Both the artists and the crowd adapted to each other's tempo over the course of the performance.
Here is how i saw the concert.
All in all, an excellent wednesday evening out! Peru, Amit, I think you guys would have really enjoyed it.
If you like a band in the line up at Montalvo, DONT MISS IT. Its as close to a personal performance you're gonna get!
For you Blues fans out there, Buddy Guys is lined up to play August 15th! Get your tickets! Unfortunately for me, as luck would have it, I'll be camping under the stars and some redwoods in Sequioa national park that weekend. But you should feel free to rock the house with Buddy!
