Green Day awesome in first show, Billie Joe kisses male fan on lips

Happy 4th of July, it's Albert Rodriguez from Seattle Gay News slightly recovered from a booming performance by Green Day at Key Arena last night.

It was the start of the rock trio's world tour, and it was a blast - literally! You can't imagine the amount of pyrotechnics in this show - one bang after another, flames everywhere, and a really colorful display of lights mixed with indoor fireworks.

I can't give away too much because a full review of Green Day's concert will be in Friday's issue of Seattle Gay News, and I don't want to spoil any surprises for fans awaiting the punk threesome in their own hometowns - BUT, what I can say is that Billie Joe Armstrong kissed a male fan on the lips. It was hot, entertaining, and lent itself to the spontaneity of a Green Day performance. The fan was pulled onstage to sing along with the group, and immediately went for Billie Joe's mouth - and Seattleites being the very open-minded, laid back folks that they are just cheered, laughed, and hooted.

I can also share with you that the Bay Area unit is playing music representing their entire catalog - so you'll not only hear songs from the new album, 21st Century Breakdown, but also selections from American Idiot, Dookie, and Nimrod.

My favorite part of the show was when Green Day did "21 Guns", which I think is the best cut from the newest CD - in concert, the piano at the end was brilliant and Billie Joe's vocals were absolutely stunning on it.

The crowd was restless, especially on some of the band's well-known hits. The main floor was jam-packed, and they just kept bouncing up and down throughout. I've been in a Green Day pit twice during the American Idiot tour, even suffered bruised ribs on both occasions, so I was pretty stoked to have an actual seat this time around in the section just to the left of the stage.

I have no rants about last night's concert whatsoever, but I was hoping for an image switcheroo from Green Day - maybe a mohawk, a change of attire, something. But, it was as if they walked from the American Idiot tour to this one without even looking in a mirror - they not only look the same, they pretty much wear the identical clothes from their previous road outing. I really was hoping to see Billie Joe in a pair of super skinny purple Levi's instead of his usual choice, the somewhat roomy black ones.

Anyway, overall it was a killer show and if they're coming to your city I suggest definitely checking them out. They play for a solid two hours, and then some, and it's high energy all the way, plus a really good set list. Also, bring a pair of ear plugs if you don't like the sound of loud bangs because there are plenty of them during the whole performance.

Bottom line: I was very entertained last night, and glad to see that Green Day brought their A game to the start of their new tour in Seattle!

Green Day launching world tour in Seattle tonight, Seattle Gay News is there

Hey, it's Albert from Seattle Gay News on a very hot afternoon in Seattle. Watching an intense battle o' the Andy's (Roddick vs. Murray, Wimbledon). I'm cheering for both, as one is American and the other is tall, sexy, and has a British accent (and, thank you Andy Murray for wearing tight shorts).

More importantly, today is GREEN DAY. I'm impatiently awaiting my ticket to be delivered via UPS from the record label - as soon as it's here, I'm jetting to Seattle Center to take advantage of the clear blue skies and Seattle International Beer Festival.

I know nothing about tonight's show, as the label and tour promoter have kept mum on details - all I've been told is that Green Day chose to rehearse for it in California leading up to the moment they headed to Seattle. But, tonight's performance marks the world tour launch of Green Day's newest live production. I'm hoping and expecting to be wowed, especially after seeing the dazzling American Idiot concert twice at two separate venues.

Scattered tickets remain for the concert this evening, and it appears you can still purchase them online at Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com). Though, at a certain point very soon all remaining tickets will be transferred and available only at the venue.

If you're heading to Seattle Center, the massive complex housing Key Arena, Space Needle, Experience Music Project, as well as several other performance halls, take note that the popular Beer Festival is also taking place on the grounds right now. Add to this: the many tourists zipping up the Space Needle or sundrenched locals cooling off at the International Fountain.

So, my best recommendation is to take Metro or a combination of Metro/Monorail to the show. From downtown, take the #1, #2, #4 or #13 to Seattle Center, or from Capitol Hill take the #8 (on John Street). The monorail is a quicker trip to/from downtown, and you board it at the top level of Westlake Center (3rd and Pine) - it will drop you off inside Seattle Center. If you must drive, parking is limited. If you arrive early and don't wanna get your drink on right away, then make a pit stop at Easy Street Records (on Mercer).

I'll have a brief wrap-up of the concert here tomorrow morning, and a full review of the band's performance in next week's issue (July 10) in the Seattle Gay News.

Besides the gorgeous holiday weekend in Seattle, let's also celebrate the return of GREEN DAY!

Seattle Gay News attending Green Day's tour launch on Friday

Grammy-winning rock trio Green Day chose Seattle as the starting point for its newest tour, set to perform Friday night at Key Arena.

Seattle Gay News will be among those in the audience, listening to live versions of the band's fresh material from 2009's highly-praised 21st Century Breakdown, as well as songs from previous releases. The album, certified gold (500,000 copies sold) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), has sprouted two hit singles already, "Know Your Enemy" and "21 Guns" (SGN's Top Ten Recordings, 2009 1/2).

We'll be at Key Arena on Friday to catch Billie Joe, Mike and Tre in action as they launch their big tour, circling North America and possibly extending overseas in the months ahead. Look for a mini review of the concert at this blog site on Saturday morning, with a full review in the July 10 issue of Seattle Gay News. Also, we'll update you on the traffic situation getting to Seattle Center on Friday afternoon, as the grounds will be packed to host both the Green Day concert and Seattle International Beerfest.

Green Day + Seattle = It's on!

Tori Amos speaks with Seattle Gay News, June 26

Seattle Gay News is very pleased to include a special interview with Tori Amos in our Pride weekend issue, out tomorrow afternoon (June 26).

The Grammy-nominated diva, who launches her 2009 tour schedule at Seattle's WaMu Theater on July 10, speaks out against Proposition 8 and reiterates her support for Gay marriage. She also discusses her new album, Abnormally Attracted to Sin, and the close connection she's had over the years with her non-hetero fans.

Grab a copy of tomorrow's Seattle Gay News, and celebrate Pride with us - and with Tori! For concert tickets, visit www.wamutheater.com.

Judge weighs gay employees privacy issue

Seattle City Light employee Philip Irvin wants the names of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) city employees who are members of a city-sponsored club working on issues of concern to their community.

The City of Seattle concedes that they may have to release the names. Members of the LGBT club have sued to keep their names from being disclosed. They claim there is no legitimate public interest to granting Irvin's request and will infringe on people's privacy.

Irvin claims to have been discriminated against because of his conservative anti-LGBT views. He once attempted to form a city-sponsored group for "ex-Gays."

A city light veteran, who is heterosexual and spoke on the condition of anonymity, told this writer that it is not a matter of discrimination but honoring a city ordinance and internal employee policy that prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation among other protected groups. Irvin's actions are contrary to this ordinance and policy which puts him at odds with his co-workers.

King County Superior Court Judge John Erlick could decide the case on Thursday.

Snow Patrol headed to Seattle in October

Snow Patrol, fresh from opening a series of dates on Coldplay's massive "Viva la Vida" tour, announced yesterday their North American fall itinerary, which includes an October 14 performance at the Paramount Theatre.

Seattle Gay News has an upcoming review of Snow Patrol's concert at Vancouver's GM Place from last weekend, and we look forward to welcoming and covering the band again in October. Tickets go on sale tomorrow for the Paramount show, 10am, at all Ticketmaster locations or try www.snowpatrol.com.

Stay glued for all things Snow Patrol at Seattle Gay News!

SGN on the floor at tonight's Coldplay/Snow Patrol concert

It's Albert from Seattle Gay News, in Vancouver BC for tonight's Coldplay concert with opening act Snow Patrol at GM Place.

The first of back-to-back performances took place last night, and I'm told by a father and teenage son - who are staying at my hotel (L'Hermitage Hotel, fab place to stay in Vancouver!) and went to the gig - that it's an early show - supposedly, Snow Patrol goes onstage around 7:30 or 7:45, then Coldplay jumps on at 8:15 or 8:30. Last night's concert was also being taped, as part of an upcoming Coldplay DVD special or release - not sure if tonight's show will be taped as well.

I'm told there are two excellent places to pre-funk before any concert in Vancouver, the Granville Room (957 Granville Street) and Chambar (562 Beatty Street) - so I'm hitting both on my way to the concert.

Coldplay is one of the world's most popular bands, and photos of the show were available on the Vancouver Sun's website just minutes after their performance last night. The Grammy-winning rock band is currently still touring their top-selling album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. Meanwhile, Snow Patrol has kept low-key since its third US release, A Thousand Million Suns, and has ignored the West Coast almost entirely on their 2008 and 2009 tour itineraries.

I've got a floor seat for tonight's big show at GM Place - so I'm very excited. Look for a review of Coldplay and Snow Patrol's performances in the June 26 issue of Seattle Gay News!