A Perfect Circle - The Greek Theater. Berkeley, CA.

If Maynard James Keenan ever spends time on the internet, I hope he finds this blog and reads through it as I laugh in his face.

Why?

Because A Perfect Circle likes to make it almost impossibly difficult to take decent photos of them.

I'm serious. It was ridiculous. The stage was taller than I am, so I brought a stool. We only got 2 songs to shoot (instead of 3), one of which was like a two-minute intro. The lighting was all dim blue and purple. And last, but certainly most complaint-worthy: Maynard (the singer) is still in his phase of sticking to the back of the stage on a platform... with NO DIRECT LIGHTS hitting him.

So... Maynard James Keenan, Billy Howerdel, James Iha, Matt McJunkins, and Josh Freese... if you're reading this, I got some pretty decent shots despite your best efforts. You rocked for sure, but I was more impressed with myself tonight.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

A Perfect Circle at the Greek Theater in Berkeley. Photo by Clay Lancaster.

Peter Gabriel - The Greek Theater - Berkeley, CA

Tonight was an experience. I have been a big Peter Gabriel fan for quite a while, but had never seen him perform live before. He doesn't tour much, and doesn't do long stints in the US.

So when I heard he was coming to the Greek Theater in Berkeley, I immediately looked up tickets.

$100 minimum, for the lawn... and up from there.

I couldn't afford that right now, so I had the idea to try to get a photo pass instead. Watching Gabriel perform 3 songs would be better than none, right? Three different sources (four, if you count myself) all pulling their contacts like crazy, just to get four "no"'s earlier this week.

I made my peace with it, and just as my disappointment level dropped back down to normal, I get an email from JC (of theFIVE10 Radio) confirming a photo pass and a ticket for the duration of the show!

Needless to say, I freaked out a bit.

The show was incredible, and I'm sorry but I nailed those photos. Here are a few of my favorites from tonight:

Peter Gabriel performs at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA

Peter Gabriel performs at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA

Melanie Gabriel performs at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA

Peter Gabriel performs at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA

Peter Gabriel performs at the Greek Theater in Berkeley, CA