So summertime — lots of concerts being announced, and people get really excited about bands that maybe don't have all the original members. Maybe they do, like a U2 or something like that, or Beck, who travels with different players all the time, and those are going to be amazing shows.

One show that I am so looking forward to is tomorrow night at the Fine Line: Barns Courtney. And I've made no secret of my absolute excitement about this guy. He's young, he's the real deal. I can't want to see what's happened in the last year since he was in our studio, so that's tomorrow night at the Fine Line.

Of course, Spoon is playing two shows at the Palace Theatre in September, and for me, going to a Spoon show is like going to church. It's a ritual; I've never missed a show. I would feel terrible if I ever did. And it's a group love-fest of people that are super dorked-out and some people who've never heard Spoon, never seen them live. They're unassuming onstage. They're not like a flash-pot, leather pants, high-kick band, but their authenticity is so palpable, and it is so wonderful to hear a new record for the first time. So Hot Thoughts will be played. I cannot wait for that.

I was just thinking about Benjamin Booker, who's going to be at Rock the Garden, and how the new Benjamin Booker record, Witness, it's not like a party-time record. It's got some very serious stories, commentary about what's going on in the life of Benjamin Booker as a black man in America. I think the songs are weighty, and it'll be very interesting to see how it translates. I just can't see somebody kicking a beachball in his face while he's singing "Witness" or something —nI mean, they may, but it might not be the right thing. But it's going to be very, very cool, so Benjamin Booker, Rock the Garden, definitely.

Then I was thinking about some of the shows that I saw years ago where you can't help but see whatever formation is left of a band. Like the New York Dolls. They played at the Fine Line, and there was only David Johansen and Syl Sylvain left in the band. You know what? To hear Johansen's voice, which you've heard on record, and sure, maybe there's a few keys that have been transposed, there's maybe not the same notes hit. It's still hearing the songs that you've heard on record, and that to me is amazing.

And therefore, if somebody says to me, "Do you want to go see Bob Dylan? Do you want to go see Willie Nelson? Do you want to see Paul McCartney?" Yes, yes and yes, because I just want to see them. I want to say that I've seen these people. It doesn't matter, I mean, I'd maybe prefer if it wasn't an arena, that doesn't really matter to me now.

I just think back to taking a road trip when I was in high school when Keith Richards put out his solo release with the X-Pensive Winos, and I took a road trip to Chicago and saw him at the Aragon Ballroom, and I think it was better than any time I've ever seen the Stones, and I think I've seen the Stones about 10 times in my life.

So I hope you guys are excited about some shows that are coming to town, and you know, I'd like to know what ones you are more excited about to see, and also how you do feel about maybe seeing a band that you loved in its prime, but only heard on record. And you never got to see them with the actual members. Is it still worth coughing up the money to see them with session players and traveling players?

And finally, on my bucket list — and I know I'm going to have to get my butt to a casino to make this happen — but I've never seen Tom Jones. And my life is not complete.

Stay hungry.