Greetings everyone! Welcome back to this edition of “The Outsiders Guide to the Inside of Hollywood”. This blog is dedicated to one of my all time favorite blondes band. Like many of you I was late and didn’t experience No Doubt’s music, until their third album, 1995’s Tragic Kingdom. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see them on that historic tour. My first time seeing the band would not be for another 6 years.

U2 with Special Guest No Doubt Staples Center, Los Angeles – 11-12 – 2001

When I first heard that No Doubt, would be playing in support of U2, on the Elevation Tour, it was a dream double bill for me. I’d been waiting to see No Doubt for years, and now they were playing in an arena with one of my favorite bands. By the time of the show date the city I was born in was attacked. As the nation tried to pull together leaders encouraged us to go back to our normal everyday lives. However the fear of a large amount of people in a public area caused many musical acts put off tours while U2 was adding shows to sold out cities.

Horrifically on the day of the show the people of New York faced another tragedy. American airlines Flight 587 flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City to Santo Domingo Las Américas International Airport crashed in Queens. At first the fear was it was another terrorist attack on the city, which thankfully was not true.

The music and the show went on. After a long wait I got to see Gwen and the boys at their best playing live. The band was on high energy and played all the crowds favorites including the latest single / anthem “Hella Good”. Gwen would return during U2’s set, for a emotional and memorable duet with Bono of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On? My first No Doubt show was one of those special nights and concerts. It was more than just a concert in was an experience. The bands made everyone sing and cheer and feel good again. I couldn’t wait to see No Doubt again playing a full set. What I didn’t know that it would be the last tour the band would do till a reunion tour in 2009.

No Doubt Reunion Tour Gibson Amphitheatre – at Universal City 7- 22- 2009

When No Doubt announced their summer 2009 Reunion Tour, I knew if there was only one summer concert I was going to attend, it had to be that one. To make matters even sweater the show was going to take place down the street from where I lived. I decided I wanted to go to night 1 of the 6 shows. I waited to the day off the show and literally stood at the box office for hours hoping they would release more tickets. Finally about 3 hours before the opening act was to take the stage I got a ticket for the pit of all places. Oping acts The Sounds and Paramore played crowd pleasing sets. By the time No Doubt, hit the stage the crowd went crazy. The bands energy energized the crowd as they played all their hits and even some great album cuts. Gwen and the band seemed to be so happy to play together again. It was clear to see how much the band loves their fans. After taking a number of pictures, I wanted to get a video clip of one of my favorite songs to remember the experience and share with fans who couldn’t be there. What I wasn’t expecting was Gwen, walking into the pit in the middle of the last song “Sunday Morning”. Then I had an extreme too close up with Gwen. I then saw a hand and microphone coming for me as she kept banging and shaking her head. I kept moving back as she moved forward so I didn’t whack her with the camera ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP-eysbeZBM). Another amazing show and another memorable experience.

No Doubt Gibson Amphitheatre Residency at Universal Studios – 12- 4- 2012

No Doubt played their 6th, sold out show of their current seven night residency Tuesday night at the Gibson Amphitheatre, at Universal Studios. After impressive sets from female lead singer bands Kitten and Best Coast, Gwen and the boys hot the stage at a little after 9. The band took to the stage taking a long look at the ecstatic audience, then laughing into the title track of the bands brand new album “Push and Shove”. The band would go on to only a few more tracks off the current album. This was a night for the bands fans to celebrate and share. The second song of the night, was their hit cover of 80’s band Talk Talk “It’s My Life”. Next up was the dance anthem Hella Good, followed by Underneath It All, Ex – Girlfriend, Hey Baby and New. The crowded danced and sang along with every song. You could see how much the band loves there fans. The ages ranged from 5 – 55. Girls dressed up like Gwen and her different styles from 1995-2000. Some of those lucky fans were invited on stage to show home made signs they had made and got photos with her.

Half way through the set the band did something I’ve never seen them do. A five song acoustic set that included unplugged versions of Hey You, Sparkle, Simple kind of Life,  One More Summer and End It On This. Gwen spoke to the crowd telling them how much it meant to her when the crowd knows and sings the lyrics to the new material. You could see Gwen’s and the bands emotions were real. You could feel the love and support between the band and the audience. My highlight of the evening was Sunday Morning with A Capella Intro. I must admit every part of the show was enjoyable. For an encore the band played Total Hate, a fan choice winner chosen on their web site before closing with Spiderwebs. Gwen continued to shake and sign autograph for the crowd in the pit after the last note was played. The show proved the there is no doubt, that the band is currently as strong or stronger than ever! No Doubt will play their 7th and final show at the Gibson Theatre Thursday at 7:15. A limited number of tickets are available here: http://concerts.livenation.com/event/0900491B0DBF86AC?crosssite=TM_US:749997:73787

It was an amazing treat to see the band in a small and intimate theatre setting. Here is a link to the complete set list from the evening: http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/no-doubt/2012/gibson-amphitheatre-universal-city-ca-53da277d.html

Thank you for joining me for this latest trip inside some of Hollywoods coolest events. Next week I’ll be kicking off Award Season, with a look back on two film festivals I attended this fall. I will also give you my thought on next weeks Golden Globe Nominations.