As I sit here typing at work, sipping tepid coffee, I think, “maybe mid-week concerts in out-of-town venues are not the best idea.” I will not allow my current temporary state of sluggishness, however, diminish the impact of how bitchin’ awesome last night was; seriously how cool was that?!
Ahem. So I was super nervous about getting there on time, scooting from work a bit early so that I could get gas and snacks for the road (ohh yes, there will be snacks). Swung by krissy’s place of work, where she was hurriedly trying to break loose – this being the busiest time of month for her job, she ran out to my car at 5:07ish instead of 5:01 at the dot. Well, no matter. Peeled away and took the slowest route possible to K-10 (it’s amazing how long it takes to get anywhere in this small town. Maybe if y’all didn’t drive 15 in a 30 we could be getting somewhere, peoples!) Drove into the sprawling Corporate Woods where my roommate Jamie was waiting – went so quickly that we actually passed him and had to double back. Oops! We made it out alive, with everyone in the car, and dove into the traffic nightmare that is I-70 leading out of Kansas City at 6 p.m.
Approximately one hundred porn-store, fireworks and Jesus billboards later, we rolled into Columbia at 8:00 on the dot. Giddy with excitement, krissy ran ahead of us to try and take a candid photo, I guess – causing the random guy walking ahead of us to freak out. Hey, if I did not know krissy, I would have assumed she was about to mug him too. After random guy determined we were not trying to jump him, we found the Blue Note and walked in just in the nick of time – St Vincent was kicking off her set with “Actor” – loud, jangly guitars. YES. We ran in and forgot about our seats, but it’s okay because I’ve determined the Blue Note is magically set up so that even short girls can see from pretty much everywhere you’re standing. Sloped floors for the win!
St Vincent and her backup band. I would describe her music as “a tea party in the middle of a Black Sabbath concert.”
St. Vincent’s set was smashing, as expected, but short – I bought the tickets before I realized she would be the opening act for Andrew Bird. Now don’t get me wrong, Andrew Bird is absolutely fantastic live, and put on a great show like he normally does. But I was a little disappointed that she didn’t play longer. I’ve seen Andrew Bird before and he comes by Lawrence quite a bit, but I don’t know if St. Vincent will come to Lawrence itself anytime soon. Maybe Kansas City, I hope. Anyway! Andrew Bird was also super, though I think I prefer watching him without his backing band. It takes the music to a new level of sublime, watching him play EVERYTHING and loop it all together masterfully with his cascade of pedals. No discredit to the musicians playing with him, though, as they are very talented and kept me dancing (and spilling gin and tonic) all night.
Andrew Bird is an impressive multitasker.
Summary review: I am going to start rating shows according to how intense the stench of unwashed butt and ashtray surrounding you becomes, before you are distracted enough to notice. According to this system I would give St Vincent four cigarette butts, and Andrew Bird three and a half.
St Vincent mentioned during her set that they would be outside signing things after the show. In my G&T addled brain, I thought this meant after the whole show, and she would be out there signing things after Andrew Bird finished. I ran out to the merch table to be one of the first ones there, and the girl behind the counter informed me that St Vincent had actually been there during the break. D’oh! While I was sulking about this, Krissy and James informed me that while I was saving their spots and texting them to hurry up because Andrew Bird was starting…they were out there chatting with “Miss St Vincent” (Annie Clark giggled at being called this, so says Krissy), getting her autograph for me, and hugging her. AHHH! I was ecstatic that they got her autograph for me, but really bummed that I had missed her, so James said “let’s go lurk outside her trailer and see if she’ll come out.”
“Augh, that’s creepy…okay sure let’s do it!” So we ran behind the Blue Note and waited in the alley for her to come out. Andrew Bird emerged, and Krissy waited patiently for a couple of blondies in four inch heels to get their autographs, before making her move.
Krissy and her boooooyfriend, in her ideal imaginary world at least.
After that we loitered / lurked for a little while longer, which would eventually prove fruitful when her bassist called over to Krissy : “psst! She’s here!”
Annie Clark, being nice to lil ole me! Ridiculously gorgeous and sweet as Marcon pie!
After rambling to her about Lawrence for some reason, she wished us a safe ride home. I walked about five feet from her before I started skipping, and then realized “oh shit she and her friends can still see me.” So I stopped and waited till we turned the corner to resume. YAAY! I wish I had the presence of mind to thank or otherwise acknowledge her bassist and other backing musicians, who put on a great show as well and tolerated our lurking, but I was a bit overwhelmed.
By the time we made it home, past sleepy truckers and torrential rain clouds, we were past ready for sleep. Not ready, though, to discover that our roommates had inexplicably started locking the bolt to the front door, and to also discover that neither of our keys to that bolt are effective. Eventually Eli heard the desperate ruckus we raised outside, and rescued us. A happy ending to a happy evening.
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[...] told the students about the time I’d gone to see Andrew Bird in concert, and along with my friend Krissy, met him (as well as the lovely St. Vincent) outside the venue [...]
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