FEELS LIKE SUMMER: Live music, live music, live music
- Caroline McConnico
- Jun 9, 2022
- 4 min read
Calling all live-music fans, welcome to an extravaganza of ultimate proportions.
I want to finally talk about the week I had not too long ago. More importantly, I want to discuss the energy and motivation this week so clearly gave me, for I feel alive and ambitious after seeing three of my favorite musicians in-person.
There's something about outdoor concerts that remind me of summer. The wonderfully warm breeze mixed with a sunny drizzle is what summer concerts are made of. Blowing off school and slipping on your sandals to see your favorite band perform in their shades is simply a summer dream. So you can only imagine the summer mindset I am in after going to two outdoor concerts in one week.
Let us begin with last Saturday, May 20th. A certain British knight and music legend came to Winston-Salem. That's correct. Sir Paul F-ing McCartney. I had these tickets for a month and had indeed been anticipating the event. I knew that McCartney would come to my city and perform at Wake, and I would be there. I knew all of this. It still didn't prepare me.
Instead, I was awe-struck by him walking out on stage and singing a quarter of the Beatles catalog. I was mind blown when he looked all of us in the face and sang "Something" on the ukulele. HE SANG "SOMETHING" ON THE UKULELE. Mind you; this man turns 80 next month. 80. 80. 80. And he only sat to play the piano. Now that is impressive. He sang "Live and Let Die" with some major pyro, to the point I thought they had lit Paul McCartney on fire.
My favorite was "I Gotta Feeling," which he sang with John. Peter Jackson, who put together "Get Back," the 9-hour documentary, isolated John's voice from the rooftop performance, allowing McCartney to sing with John, who was broadcasted singing on the big screen. Here, Paul got to look and sing with his best friend again, in front of my eyes. Help.
I swear I peaked this night. It still doesn't feel like it actually happened. There's no way that he actually came here like what the heck Paul. Even weeks later, my mind couldn't comprehend that he was here, in my little old hometown.
The other exciting occurrence was the following Tuesday, May 24th. The Caamp and Lumineers concert. You heard me correctly. Caamp and the Lumineers.
One thing you should know about me: I used to be obsessed with The Lumineers. I was gifted an old-school boom box and the first two Lumineers albums in elementary school. I would lay on the ground, playing the CDS, analyzing the liner notes, and trying to figure out what every song was about. Then I matured into a record collector when my dad bought me a turntable. I quickly accumulated all three Lumineers albums at the time on vinyl.
I sat through yet another dull day of school, fighting my way until the bell rang. Then, I ran home and changed into my best pair of cowboy boots. My father and I took off for Raleigh, where we had dinner and caught up. I was relaxed at this point. But not totally off edge.
Honestly, I was slightly more excited to see Caamp than the Lumineers. I knew it would all be amazing, but what can I say? I'm just a huge Caamp fan.
At the outdoor amphitheater, Caamp took the stage with all of the lights on and none of the seats filled. I was initially upset that no one was there to see how awesome Caamp was. How could these idiots miss Caamp's act? What type of dorks were they?
Although I still think this, I now see it as a private concert. I got to make direct eye contact with Caamp and sing and dance to my heart's desire right in the aisle in front of them. They were playing for us, the select few that they utterly enthralled, the true fans that forgot they were just the openers. "No Sleep," "By and By," "Hey Joe," "Just Wondering," "Vagabond," and "Peach Fuzz" made it hard to think about anything else. All there was left was sweet, sweet banjo.
At this point, there was a short break where I could see some friends and cop some merch. Forget I said 'cop some merch.' When I got back to my seat, I sat trying to remember all of the Lumineers songs I used to love.
Here's the thing: I was most excited to see Caamp. So naturally, I was tired after the opening act. It isn't that I wasn't pumped to see The Lumineers; I just didn't know what to expect from their set, especially with the size of the crowd around us.
Ultimately, THE LUMINEERS ROCKED. They rose below the stage and began singing some of their classics (Cleopatra, Ho Hey). The frontman, Wesley, got into the crowd, walked around the pit, and hugged fans. The other band members stood atop amps, pianos, etc.
They were really, really hype to be folk-pop singers. They rarely took breaks, sang nearly their entire catalog, and relentlessly thanked us for being their largest audience thus far into their tour.
THEN, they brought out Caamp. That's correct; they sang together. The two bands sang "Walls (No. 3)" by Tom Petty. It was indeed a folk lover's dream to see two of the best bands sing together. It felt surreal for someone like me, who has loved The Lumineers since elementary school and has developed such a connection with Caamp.
All in all, I had a pretty good run with live music that week. It definitely put a new kick in my step and lightened my load. As cheesy as it sounds, I felt like my soul altered after that week. It put things in perspective. Ya know, the typical 'there is way more to life than homework and school-related stresses.' Instead, there's live music to get you through.
Again, I apologize for the late post about events that took place weeks ago. Regardless, I thought it would be nice to contemplate them on here. Please let me know what you'd like to see me write about this summer. I'm always looking for new ideas. Just look on the "BRIGHTSIDE" of things, "Believe" in yourself, and put "Flowers in Your Hair." Love y'all.
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