8/8 - Dawes
8/11 - Mumford and Sons - Gentlemen of the Road Stopover
8/15 - Almost Famous at the Paramount
8/19 - Oold Crowe Medicine Show w/the Lumineers
8/29, 8/30 - Michael Franti & Spearhead!
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Dave Matthews Band, everywhere, all the time
I started this blog on 7.29.12 at the urging of someone who thinks one day I'll want to remember these stories. He hitch hiked to Woodstock and has some stories himself so he should know.. :)
My idea was to go back and chronicle the shows and events that had meant something to me as a music fan. I could title each one the band name, the city, and the date.
But I'm a little confused as to what to do with Dave Matthews Band, who I have been a huge fan of over the years. Hometown boys, gotta love 'em. But according to antsmarching.org, I have been to 65 of their shows. Really? When did that happen? Good Lord. Sounds excessive but remember it's over the course of 15 years! So barring an individual post for each show, which I don't know will happen, here is a lovely map of every where I've seen those boys in the United States.
And Ireland. :)
My idea was to go back and chronicle the shows and events that had meant something to me as a music fan. I could title each one the band name, the city, and the date.
But I'm a little confused as to what to do with Dave Matthews Band, who I have been a huge fan of over the years. Hometown boys, gotta love 'em. But according to antsmarching.org, I have been to 65 of their shows. Really? When did that happen? Good Lord. Sounds excessive but remember it's over the course of 15 years! So barring an individual post for each show, which I don't know will happen, here is a lovely map of every where I've seen those boys in the United States.
Friday, July 27, 2012
Michael Franti and Spearhead, Wilmington, NC 7.27.12
Before the Richmond show, as we were talking about Spearhead on facebook, a friend had mentioned that I should come see them at her hometown venue in Wilmington, NC this weekend. The show was sold out, but she had a couple extra tickets. It seemed crazy, but as soon as Richmond was done I knew I wanted more, and would do whatever it took to get it.
So I rather impromptu-ly decided to just do it. Got the afternoon off work, rented a car, grabbed a hotel reservation. On July 27th, I set out on the 5.5 hour road trip to Wilmington. Now, I love road trips. I love them even more when I am by myself. Time to think, time to listen to music, sing at the top of your lungs, buy gas station junk food to keep you company, stop at random places, see places you've never seen before. It is just what life is about.
I arrived in good time and met up with this friend and her husband. We actually didn't know each other well, had only met a handful of times. But I quickly realize they make me laugh.. and that's all I want and need in a friend.
We went into the venue and I was so surprised that it was SO tiny. A very small, in the woods, 900 seat amphitheatre. You are basically eye level with the band, although there is a barricade between you. We were essentially second row and made it to the front row by mid-set.
This was probably the best show I have ever seen. The setlist was a great mix of old favorites and new sing-alongs. Michael Franti was very talkative and told stories about where and why and how some songs were written. He played the one that is "my" song that he wrote for his kid going away. They were rocking it out as always but the proximity of the view made it very special. About mid-set, Michael Franti pointed to my friend and told her to come over the barricade. (It's quite the haul over it, so I'm very proud of her for going despite her hestitance). He had brought her up for the set break where he has people pretend to play the guitar while he runs to the back for the next song. She just ran with it and rocked out on stage, jamming it out with Jay Boogie.
They closed the set with a new song - Long Ride Home - that just spoke to me because I had done this crazy road trip just to get there. Loved how they all came to the front of the stage and engaged us all in a sing along. It was just a very special night, and I was so happy I went.
Here's one of MF's videos from the night - upside down but you can see me clearly - if you knew what to look for! :)
http://yfrog.us/jchspwcsptozkuqhxhszbjqfz
So I rather impromptu-ly decided to just do it. Got the afternoon off work, rented a car, grabbed a hotel reservation. On July 27th, I set out on the 5.5 hour road trip to Wilmington. Now, I love road trips. I love them even more when I am by myself. Time to think, time to listen to music, sing at the top of your lungs, buy gas station junk food to keep you company, stop at random places, see places you've never seen before. It is just what life is about.
I arrived in good time and met up with this friend and her husband. We actually didn't know each other well, had only met a handful of times. But I quickly realize they make me laugh.. and that's all I want and need in a friend.
We went into the venue and I was so surprised that it was SO tiny. A very small, in the woods, 900 seat amphitheatre. You are basically eye level with the band, although there is a barricade between you. We were essentially second row and made it to the front row by mid-set.
This was probably the best show I have ever seen. The setlist was a great mix of old favorites and new sing-alongs. Michael Franti was very talkative and told stories about where and why and how some songs were written. He played the one that is "my" song that he wrote for his kid going away. They were rocking it out as always but the proximity of the view made it very special. About mid-set, Michael Franti pointed to my friend and told her to come over the barricade. (It's quite the haul over it, so I'm very proud of her for going despite her hestitance). He had brought her up for the set break where he has people pretend to play the guitar while he runs to the back for the next song. She just ran with it and rocked out on stage, jamming it out with Jay Boogie.
They closed the set with a new song - Long Ride Home - that just spoke to me because I had done this crazy road trip just to get there. Loved how they all came to the front of the stage and engaged us all in a sing along. It was just a very special night, and I was so happy I went.
Here's one of MF's videos from the night - upside down but you can see me clearly - if you knew what to look for! :)
http://yfrog.us/
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Michael Franti and Spearheard, Richmond, VA 7.25.2012
On Wednesday, July 25, 2012 I went out to the National in Richmond by myself to see my old favorites Michael Franti and Spearhead. I had debated buying tickets and unreasonably long time, because it was a Wednesday night and I had to work and I am unbelievably boring like that nowadays, but at some point the old me took a stand and said "screw you, you're going".
So I went. I grabbed a good drink as I walked in, and made my way to the front side stage. Small crowd due to the weeknight, but already could tell it would be a fun crowd. I made friends with a woman next to me who had won the poster contest for the night and had been back stage before the show. I was on my iphone and had posted on facebook joking that I would be getting on stage tonight. The show started with that energy that Spearhead shows are classic for. Everyone Deserves Music - one of my favorites.
A few songs in I left to get another drink. Contest lady saved my spot. Those drinks are very strong, funny how that happens when you drink doubles.
So about 4-5 songs in, they start playing "All I Need Is You" which is a great song, very sexy, but it's a slow song, which allows the ADD part of me a little window of "hey, I wonder what fascinating things are happening in my iphone" so I look down and start reading responses to my post on facebook. The post I'd made about getting on stage. And then it came to my attention that something was happening. I can't remember if someone tapped me on the shoulder or I just naturally looked up, but when I did, I saw Michael Franti on the end of the stage pointing to me and crooking his finger - come up here. I didn't hesitate, and that must have been the liquor. I knew I was busted.
In retrospect, it all happened in slow motion. I walked up the steps to the stage, he held out his hand and pulled me up. I just stood there, didn't know what to do. He walked up to the mic - I couldn't hear everything he said but I knew he was calling me out for "texting" during the show, and that we weren't going to text we were going to dance. Then he pulled me off to the side, and we danced. Together. All I remember is that smile. That gorgeous smile. I said "we've met before my friend". He probably couldn't hear me. He then walked back to the mic and continued singing "All I Need Is You" - get it - all he needs is me, to get off my damn phone and pay attention. He turned and motioned to me to come to him, so I did, and we put our arms around each other. He was sweaty and gross and glorious. It was about in that moment that I realized in my vodka induced haze that I was on stage. With Michael Franti. With a whole hell of a lot of people staring at me. He then said something else into the mic, and asked what my name was - I sad KC and he said "give it up for KC". I then quickly got off stage.
The rest of the night was a blur. A high from the moment, people coming up to me and saying things about me being on stage. Vodka. It really was a bit too much for a drunk introvert to take in. I'm now convinced I looked like a fool, and just stood there like a dumbass. But man, what a story..
So I went. I grabbed a good drink as I walked in, and made my way to the front side stage. Small crowd due to the weeknight, but already could tell it would be a fun crowd. I made friends with a woman next to me who had won the poster contest for the night and had been back stage before the show. I was on my iphone and had posted on facebook joking that I would be getting on stage tonight. The show started with that energy that Spearhead shows are classic for. Everyone Deserves Music - one of my favorites.
A few songs in I left to get another drink. Contest lady saved my spot. Those drinks are very strong, funny how that happens when you drink doubles.
So about 4-5 songs in, they start playing "All I Need Is You" which is a great song, very sexy, but it's a slow song, which allows the ADD part of me a little window of "hey, I wonder what fascinating things are happening in my iphone" so I look down and start reading responses to my post on facebook. The post I'd made about getting on stage. And then it came to my attention that something was happening. I can't remember if someone tapped me on the shoulder or I just naturally looked up, but when I did, I saw Michael Franti on the end of the stage pointing to me and crooking his finger - come up here. I didn't hesitate, and that must have been the liquor. I knew I was busted.
In retrospect, it all happened in slow motion. I walked up the steps to the stage, he held out his hand and pulled me up. I just stood there, didn't know what to do. He walked up to the mic - I couldn't hear everything he said but I knew he was calling me out for "texting" during the show, and that we weren't going to text we were going to dance. Then he pulled me off to the side, and we danced. Together. All I remember is that smile. That gorgeous smile. I said "we've met before my friend". He probably couldn't hear me. He then walked back to the mic and continued singing "All I Need Is You" - get it - all he needs is me, to get off my damn phone and pay attention. He turned and motioned to me to come to him, so I did, and we put our arms around each other. He was sweaty and gross and glorious. It was about in that moment that I realized in my vodka induced haze that I was on stage. With Michael Franti. With a whole hell of a lot of people staring at me. He then said something else into the mic, and asked what my name was - I sad KC and he said "give it up for KC". I then quickly got off stage.
The rest of the night was a blur. A high from the moment, people coming up to me and saying things about me being on stage. Vodka. It really was a bit too much for a drunk introvert to take in. I'm now convinced I looked like a fool, and just stood there like a dumbass. But man, what a story..
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Monday, July 9, 2012
Trevor Hall, Charlottesville, VA 7.9.12
I didn't know much about Trevor Hall but had been hearing good things about him, with one particular facebook friend raving about him. I looked up some videos on youtube but they didn't do much for me, so I was ambivalent about buying tickets.
But it was one of those nights, where I got home from work, laid down on my bed, and within 4 minutes was bored. So I looked at the time, saw I could safely make it downtown for the main act, and went. And I have to say, I was quite impressed.
Within the first song I was interested. A different sound, good mix between jamming and lyrics. Not too long with the jams. Small crowd, so you could move around a lot. For some reason Brandie Carlisle was there and came out at the encore. Really good show.
But it was one of those nights, where I got home from work, laid down on my bed, and within 4 minutes was bored. So I looked at the time, saw I could safely make it downtown for the main act, and went. And I have to say, I was quite impressed.
Within the first song I was interested. A different sound, good mix between jamming and lyrics. Not too long with the jams. Small crowd, so you could move around a lot. For some reason Brandie Carlisle was there and came out at the encore. Really good show.
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