BigBlueTarp.US: Bethel Woods Center for the Arts Fansite

Big Blue Tarp’s Top 10 shows of 2011 at Bethel Woods

10. Neil Sedaka and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (8/21/11) --- This was a very intimate show that included music from every aspect of Neil’s long and enduring career. He sung everything from his major hits of the late 50’s and 60’s to songs written for other artists such as Captain & Tennille and his own writings for the orchestra.

9. Kid Rock (8/17/11) --- Kid Rock included by far the most crude language of the 2011 Bethel shows, but it also included some of the things that make concerts fun… pole dancers, pyrotechnics, a stage set up that looked like an old time saloon and a surprise appearance by MTV’s Bevis and Butthead. Kid rock performed songs from throughout his career and many covers that inspired him throughout the years.

8. Selena Gomez & The Scene (8/5/11) --- Selena Gomez & The Scene surprisingly impressed me, enough so that they made this list. The girl has showmanship; she was dressed presentably and put on a show that the next generation of music lovers went crazy over. Selena also paid tribute to her idol Britney Spears with a compilation of songs (which may have lasted longer than Brittney’s performance in the late 90’s on Yasgur’s Farm).

7. Stevie Nicks (8/26/11) --- The Stevie Nicks concert took place, even though many of Bethel Wood’s fans were asking for it to be cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. We are glad this show was not cancelled as the Fleetwood Mac songstress sang many hits and didn’t sound anywhere near as bad as others have said she sounds in recent years. Now Bethel should bring MAC here next year.

6. Furthur (7/16/11)--- This would be the second concert at Bethel Woods for Furthur members Joe Russo, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, and the closest thing to the Grateful Dead performing on the site they historically played in 1969. It was a slower set, but a great one at that with lots of emotion including Dead song “Eyes of the World”.

5. PHISH Night 3 (5/28/11)--- Phish capped off the opening weekend at Bethel, the same way it started with Tweezer(reprise). The band played with heart and emotion and included fun covers throughout the show.

4. Tim Mcgraw (7/10/11)--- The only full country concert of 2011 at Bethel was a big one. Tim Mcgraw performed many of his most famous songs, and included a Lionel Ritchie cover that he says inspired him. Unfortunately, Tim was injured prior to the show and was not able to move and dance as much as he normally does.

3. Janet Jackson (8/4/11)--- The first major R&B act to perform at Bethel Woods, Janet put on a show that included music videos, singing along with Michael(he was on screen), and all the hits throughout her extensive career. Even in her 40’s Janet can still dance and sing like the Jackson’s are known for.

2. PHISH Night 2 (5/27/11)--- This is possibly the highest energy show I have ever seen in person. The show was non-stop from start to finish with “glowstick wars” and the sold out crowd bouncing up-and-down the whole entire time.

1.Sir. Elton John (9/3/11) --- When you bring one of the biggest names in music to a smaller venue with no hint of a full tour, tickets are going to be in demand. For Sir Elton John they were, selling out in about 50 minutes. The concert is one of the best if not the best show to ever take place at the venue. Sir Elton put on three hours of non-stop hits. The show also included an appearance by Woodstock Alum Rose Stone.

From the first show this year all the way through to the end, the acts at Bethel Woods were top of the line, and included some of the biggest names in the business from all major genres. After the sixth season, Bethel stepped up to where they belong, as a top-notch amphitheater and let’s hope they will keep building on these major acts and bringing them back.



Big Blue Tarp’s Top 10 shows of 2011 at Bethel Woods 10. Neil Sedaka and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (8/21/11) --- This was a very intimate show that included music from every aspect of Neil’s long and enduring career. He sung everything from his major hits of the late 50’s and 60’s to songs written for other artists such as Captain & Tennille and his own writings for the orchestra. 9. Kid Rock (8/17/11) --- Kid Rock included by far the most crude language of the 2011 Bethel shows, but it also included some of the things that make concerts fun… pole dancers, pyrotechnics, a stage set up that looked like an old time saloon and a surprise appearance by MTV’s Bevis and Butthead. Kid rock performed songs from throughout his career and many covers that inspired him throughout the years. 8. Selena Gomez & The Scene (8/5/11) --- Selena Gomez & The Scene surprisingly impressed me, enough so that they made this list. The girl has showmanship; she was dressed presentably and put on a show that the next generation of music lovers went crazy over. Selena also paid tribute to her idol Britney Spears with a compilation of songs (which may have lasted longer than Brittney’s performance in the late 90’s on Yasgur’s Farm). 7. Stevie Nicks (8/26/11) --- The Stevie Nicks concert took place, even though many of Bethel Wood’s fans were asking for it to be cancelled due to Hurricane Irene. We are glad this show was not cancelled as the Fleetwood Mac songstress sang many hits and didn’t sound anywhere near as bad as others have said she sounds in recent years. Now Bethel should bring MAC here next year. 6. Furthur (7/16/11)--- This would be the second concert at Bethel Woods for Furthur members Joe Russo, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh, and the closest thing to the Grateful Dead performing on the site they historically played in 1969. It was a slower set, but a great one at that with lots of emotion including Dead song “Eyes of the World”. 5. PHISH Night 3 (5/28/11)--- Phish capped off the opening weekend at Bethel, the same way it started with Tweezer(reprise). The band played with heart and emotion and included fun covers throughout the show. 4. Tim Mcgraw (7/10/11)--- The only full country concert of 2011 at Bethel was a big one. Tim Mcgraw performed many of his most famous songs, and included a Lionel Ritchie cover that he says inspired him. Unfortunately, Tim was injured prior to the show and was not able to move and dance as much as he normally does. 3. Janet Jackson (8/4/11)--- The first major R&B act to perform at Bethel Woods, Janet put on a show that included music videos, singing along with Michael(he was on screen), and all the hits throughout her extensive career. Even in her 40’s Janet can still dance and sing like the Jackson’s are known for. 2. PHISH Night 2 (5/27/11)--- This is possibly the highest energy show I have ever seen in person. The show was non-stop from start to finish with “glowstick wars” and the sold out crowd bouncing up-and-down the whole entire time. 1.Sir. Elton John (9/3/11) --- When you bring one of the biggest names in music to a smaller venue with no hint of a full tour, tickets are going to be in demand. For Sir Elton John they were, selling out in about 50 minutes. The concert is one of the best if not the best show to ever take place at the venue. Sir Elton put on three hours of non-stop hits. The show also included an appearance by Woodstock Alum Rose Stone. From the first show this year all the way through to the end, the acts at Bethel Woods were top of the line, and included some of the biggest names in the business from all major genres. After the sixth season, Bethel stepped up to where they belong, as a top-notch amphitheater and let’s hope they will keep building on these major acts and bringing them back.