So for a couple weeks, I knew of an upcoming show at a local club for a musician that I've wanted to see - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. They've played free shows in Rochester and Buffalo the last two summers but I missed seeing them every time. Up until last week, I had planned to go to the show because even though I need to carefully watch every dollar I spend,
- tickets were only $15 (compared to the $55 for Elvis Costello & Bob Dylan last night too)
- I actually don't work on Tuesday nights,
- it's at a venue I don't mind going to alone if I can't get someone to go with.
So I decided to splurge on myself and go.
Then after paying bills & planning for paying bills with this week's paychecks, I realized that money will be much tighter the next few weeks than I expected. And I'm also late for an oil/filter change and I really can't put it off any longer. So driving into work I decided that I couldn't go to the concert. I really need to spend the $15 on an oil change, not the concert. Life sucks. Blah blah blah. But this is the price I pay for the financial situation I got myself into.
So the radio station I listen to in the morning announced they were giving away tickets. And I've rarely called into a radio station for anything but decided that, Hey, if I can WIN tickets and go for free, I'll go. As you can guess by now, I won tickets! I got through the phone line, and then had to answer a couple questions, and so I won! Yeah! So now I will have $$ for an oil change AND go to the concert.
I'm afraid to jinx myself and say how lucky I am that good things like this keep happening to me, but they do. Now it's not winning the lottery, but it sure did lift my spirits for the day.
The other fortunate thing is that the first person I asked to go with me actually said Yes. I have a complex about planning social gatherings. In the last year or so, whenever I send out an email invite to folks saying "Hey this great thing is going on.... if you want to go, let me know" and I get zero response. I mean zero. Deafening silence. I gave up after a while because I figured (a) no one gets the emails, (2) no one is interested in the same things as I am, and I thought they were, or (C) no one likes me. In any case, I say F 'em and I'll do whatever I want. I've tried enough times to spread the word about concerts, events, festivals, etc. So I was pretty psyched that my friend Mary wanted to go with me last night, and could go on a few hours notice.
In a word, the show was awesome. I know I use that word a lot, but it really was. I wasn't impressed by the opening act, so nothing to report there. But with GP&TN, they really were fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect with GP&TN; I knew they would put on a good show, which is all I can ask for. Even if you don't like the music itself, a good show is a good show. I feared they'd be too much of a jam band, since they play with the likes of Gov't Mule, Bonnaroo festivals, etc. That didn't happen last night.
Right after Mary & I get our drinks, I turn around and see an old friend. I should have known he'd be at the show, since we have such similar music tastes: Lyle, Lucinda, and now Grace.
And that Grace is quite a performer. And storyteller. And BS-er between songs. For a Tuesday night crowd, it wasn't that bad. Maybe 100 to 150 people? I'm bad at estimating that. Anyhoo, the band was pretty psyched about their first tour bus (you couldn't miss it if you were anywhere near East & Scio St. last night). She asked for a Jack & Coke after the first few songs. This girl doesn't mess around. The band was even more fantastic. They can all seriously rock out. The highlight of the show for me was one particular jam where all four band members gathered round the drumset and all played parts of the drum. I think GP was on the floor playing the front of the bass drum. Cool.
Since I got the tickets for free, I brought $ to buy a CD at the show too. I've been listening to it all morning, and it doesn't disappoint. With such a strong live presence, I was afraid the CD would be bland. Not so much. It also came with a short DVD of about 5 live songs from a few years ago. Thumbs up.
So with all this raving about GP&TN, does she replace Susan as my top must-see? No. But pretty dang close. Better than Fiona? Not better, but different, for sure.
So here's my photo from my cell phone last night. Not a great shot. I forgot to bring my camera this time, so my cell phone pic will have to suffice.
They are playing tonight in Buffalo, opening for Government Mule, who they are touring with for several more dates. GP&TN seem to play that "free summer concert" series, so if they come to your hometown next summer, check them out and let me know what you think!