What's the last concert you went to?

Well... I'm not going to count any of the concerts that I've been a performer in. Nor will I count anything that I had had to work while I was in my student job.

So, that criteria being established... the last concert I went to was like, three years ago. I saw a Hip Hop group called Atmosphere (who had been listening to for about three/four years prior to going to the concert). They performed on a Monday night to a sold out house. My only regret from that night was that I didn't stay longer; I only left because I was afraid that my car might have run out the parking meter, only to get back and find out that parking was free after midnight... so I could have stayed, and possibly met someone from either one of the opening artists, or the main act.

I almost went to see them again back in November; I would have been going on a Friday night, so staying later would have been even more of a likelihood. But I had decided to pick up a 12 hour shift the following morning... starting at 6AM. Kinda went the opposite direction on that one.

 

If it counts, back in June I attended the Governor's Ball Music Festival in NYC for a day. Saw (and heard from afar), some great sets there. I recall being unexpectedly drawn to a band called Sir Sly about two hours after arriving. Watched Wolf Alice from a bit of a distance (I think I had been eating my dinner at the time, so I was at a picnic table near the stage they were on. Of course, the capstone of my day there was at 5:45PM: Tash Sultana ( <3 ). I started in the very front row for that set; ended up drifting back a bit to let a few other people in (a few people that I was probably blocking because I was taller than them, and one person that was tears of pure joy and longing, whom I felt needed to be up front more than I did).

 

November 16th, 2018. Tash Sultana at House of Blues - Boston.

Ocean Alley of Sydney, Australia opened the show and I was immediately into them.

As for Tash, there aren't enough words to describe just how much of a joy it is to see that human perform.

 

I've hit up a few concerts over the past few months.

September -
4th; Tash Sultana at SummerStage in Central Park. At the time of this post I've seen Tash six times in the past year and a half. Each time has been more of an experience than the last. I can honestly say that Tash is an artist that I've got a profound sense of caring for; care not just for the musician, but for the human behind the music. That being said, SummerStage was the most difficult concert to pull through, largely because Tash was in an uncommonly off sort of way. Between the heavy touring schedule as a true blue solo act, incorporating a custom designed live looping rig, and weathering the news of a friend's passing, Sultana was noticeably feeling the wear and tear. There were a few moments during the set at which it seemed she was ready to pass out on stage. But true to form, she powered through to create yet another memorable night.

Especially for the couple in the front row (friends of mine) who got engaged mid-show.

25th; Tash Sultana at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Words will never be able to properly describe what that night meant. The day as a whole felt like the destination of a pilgrimage. Where the prior concerts had seen a mostly local or regional audience, Red Rocks saw people from all parts of the world convene. The full scope of just how many people have come to appreciate Tash.

From my vantage point halfway up in the seating, I was treated to an amicable view that allowed me a clear enough of Tash herself and the stage as a whole; it really gave me a new appreciation for Tash's stage presence.

October
12th - Moonchild at Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA. A change of pace for me in a smaller venue with a different style of music. Moonchild blends elements of hip hop, funk, soul, the blues, and jazz. The night got off to a slow start with some technical issues, but ended up being a good time regardless.

25th - Ruby Waters, Berlin Under A, NYC. Met up with my best friend/sister from a different mister for this one. After a day in the city, we found our way to what could have been a speakeasy in the prohibition era. Ruby Waters is an indie artist, but with a bit more of a pop inspiration. The vibe was relaxed in a very intimate kind of way; it was the smallest venue I've hit up ever. Being a relatively young and unknown artist, Ruby retains the benefit of not having a formal security detail shadowing her. Following the show, my friend and I were able to speak quickly with her; she even took us both in a grateful embrace and thanked us for coming.

December
20th - Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Long Island, NY. Returned to see TSO for another year. A phenomenal show as usual, seeing a return to some old material, and bringing out some new as wel .