12/09/07 Aerosmith – Jonas Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York

12/09/07   Aerosmith – Jonas Beach Theatre, Wantagh, New York

Aerosmith are probably now the biggest band I have ever seen and by far the furthest I have travelled for a gig (even though it was just jammy as they were playing when we had already booked for three nights in New York). 

We had been up since 5 o’clock in the morning due to an early morning flight arriving in New York itself about half 1 their time. After a couple of ours in Hard Rock Café, getting some grub we headed to Wantagh from Penn Station, via the ‘Long Island Rail Road’. 

We got there about 6.10 which was good because we had to pick up the tickets about half 6 from Will Call beside the venue. I had printed out the location of the Jonas Beach Theatre via Google maps.  Looking at the map it seemed straight forward as it was literally go out of the station, 15 minute walk up Wantagh Road then take a right down Stratton Road and we were there!  So we walked up Wantagh Road for a couple of miles but couldn’t see Stratton Road.  At which point we came across Jerusalem Street which wasn’t marked on the map so we popped into a gas station.  So we asked the guy where Stratton Road was and yes we had gone past it. On our way back we found Stratton road, to find that going from the other direction the street sign was obscured by bushes and trees. No wonder we went straight past it! Anyway with renewed optimism, we walked up Stratton Road to find that it was full of very nice suburban homes.  I even looked over backyards to if the theatre was behind the houses but no joy. 

By this point, we were all getting a bit frustrated because it was strangely quiet around these parts considering there was a gig on and started to wonder if Aerosmith were actually big anymore! So we started asking people were it was.  The first person we came across was a jogger who replied “I’ve never heard of it”. Another guy just drove off as soon as he saw us.  Finally we got an answer along the lines of, “Awe man, its like 10 minutes drive down the freeway, you need to go back to Wantagh Station and get a cab” So at this point to say the least I was really PISSED OFF with Google maps!

Anyway after a gentle jog we managed to get a taxi straight away and when we got there.  I have never been so happy to be stuck in a traffic jam with cars blurting out Aerosmith songs. The Theatre seemed like it was in the middle of nowhere as its got its own turnoff on the freeway and not a sign of any other sort of shops, buildings or houses. The place was heaving and it was great to be in the knowledge that we were in the right place.  We got to the venue about 8 which is the equivalent to 1am UK time. Although we should have been tired we were totally wired. Got these free lit up, multi-coloured band things which amused us for a while, putting it on our heads etc…  We caught the last few songs of the support, who I later found out was Joan Jett.  But it was a female led rock/alternative band that seemed like very appropriate, finishing with a good cover of Rolling Stones ‘I love Rock and Roll’.

After they left the stage it gave us time to appreciate the Jonas Beach Theatre.  The stage is actually on the water, surrounded at both sides. It’s an open air venue with some floor seating then 2 tiers of stands which reminded me a bit of a corner of the Nou Camp. Even when you’re going for a drink outside, they have huge TV screens up, so you don’t miss a bit of the action.  It’s easily the best venue I have ever been to.

Aerosmith came on at 9pm and it’s just as well Jonas Beach Theatre doesn’t have a roof because they would have blown it right off.  They stormed through a careers worth of hits including ‘Livin’ on the edge’, ‘Cryin’ and ‘Love in the Elevator’.  Such is the ridiculous amount of songs they have, there was quite a few I did not recognise but even they were good.  Unlike the Meatloaf gig I was at earlier in the year where it was clear his voice is not what it use to be, Steve Tyler’s voice is still unbelievable.  Other classics played include ‘Sweet Emotion’, ‘Dream on’ and finishing off with ‘Walk this Way’.  Even though by the time we got back to the hotel it was 2am (7am UK time) and we could hardly keep our eyes open, it was all totally worth it.  An awesome live band, one which I would definitely travel to see again……… maybe Europe next time though!

Set list

Love in an Elevator
Same Old Song
Cryin
Rats
Pink
What It Takes
Last Child
Baby Please
Movin' Out
Walkin' The Dog
Dream On
SOS Too Bad
Livin’ on the Edge
Stop Messin
Sweet Emotion
Draw The Line

Encore
Walk This Way