Concert Diaries Chapter 20: Paramount 2013 (a Let's December It post)

Everything will change ...

After yesterday's adventure in the snow, I think Brenda and I were ready for anything.  We set off for Long Island around 11:00 but first had to make an all-important stop for me:  Best Buy.  Fangirl had to replace her camera before the evening.  iPhone pictures just don't cut it.

The roads were pretty good by the time we hit the highway.  Some slush on the road causing a filthy spray on the windshield was the worst we had to contend with.  We made good time and arrived in Huntington (central Long Island) around 1:30.  Plenty of time--"doors" wouldn't open until 7:00.  For this General Admission show, it was essential to be in the front of the line to assure that front row position.  We collected our tickets at the Will Call window and set off in search of food.

We found Portofino's, an Italian restaurant across the street from The Paramount that had been highly recommended and settled in for a leisurely lunch.  Just as we were enjoying dessert though, we saw a couple of people begin to line up.  It was only 3:00.  There was nothing else to do but get in line as well.  We met up with Courtney out on the street and together we joined the handful of people who comprised the front of the line. The long wait began.  It was below freezing but I was more prepared this year than last year even while still choosing a little black dress over jeans.

The time passed quickly with friends meeting us in line and chatting with other fans sharing the frigid yet friendly experience.  There's always a lot to talk about ... concerts we've been to, concerts lined up in the future, how we all became fans, favorite songs and more personal chat too.  Every meeting like this results in at least one person pointing out how many friendships have been formed because of this man and his music.

Someone from the venue came out to check ID's and give us wristbands.  I'm always amused at having my ID checked.   After all I've been legal to drink in NJ/NY since, well, forever.  The drinking age was 18 back then.  The guy really read it too.  I guess he could do the math since I got a bracelet.

Doors opened not long after that and the sprint for the front row began.  I lingered to make sure my new young friends knew how this venue worked:  stairs to the right and left, up and through the doors, run to the front.  They wound up stage left in front of the bass and drums.  Brenda, Courtney and I were smack in the center in front of the piano.  There was no railing between us and the stage this year. There often is--it makes an aisle for security, professional photographers and the artists should they choose to mingle a little.  This year we were pressed right up against the stage.  Pressed is the operative word--the room filled quickly and we couldn't have moved anywhere even if we'd wanted to.

The first opener was a pleasant young man named Jeff LeBlanc, rather young to be called a "former teacher" but he'd left teaching to pursue a music career.  He had a nice voice and was very appealing.  I'd like to hear him in a bar setting.  It was a little hard to hear him there as so many weren't paying attention to the opening acts.  I always feel sorry for the openers.  I know they understand they're paying their dues and probably even expect people to not pay complete attention but it must be hard when you have a lot riding on your performance.

The second opening act was Austin Lucas, a country singer who'd flown in in the wee hours of the morning from Chicago.  I found him somewhat hard to understand despite his standing right in front of me, literally.  I think he, also, would have benefitted from a smaller venue.

The crew stepped on stage to position the microphones, tune the guitars, place the piano in the exact right spot, sound check the drums.  When the band appears and the music swells, there is that reaction, a roaring that builds and exquisite anticipation that seems to go on for minutes when in reality, it's a matter of seconds.  We were in the perfect place.

This was my 15th Gavin DeGraw concert in 18 months.  I've seen him in bigger venues and smaller ones like The Paramount tonight.  Something felt different to me.  For one thing, there seemed to be a lot more clusters of really young fans--the kind who scream (picture a Justin Bieber concert).  Several of us caught Gavin exchanging looks with his guitar player.  The looks seemed to say "Wow.  This is insane." or "Whoa.  This is a little different."  There was really phenomenal energy in the room and he and the band seemed to take it in and turn it back out to us tenfold.

Since he didn't headline a tour this summer, this was the longest concert of the year for many of us.  Lots of older material and several from the new album, Make a Move, satisfied new and old fans.  I was a little surprised that the screaming group of girls (okay--I need to say it: they were by far the rudest people I've ever encountered at a concert) knew his older material as well as the new songs.  It was their only redeeming quality.  I was happy to hear Crush again--it's one of my favorites off the first album.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of hearing In Love With a Girl, also from the first album.  Radiation, Sweeter, Run Every Time from the last album are some of my all-time favorites.  He sang Soldier which seems to continue to mean a great deal to him--with good reason.  The lyrics are pretty powerful.  Make A Move and, particularly, Everything Will Change from the new album have my heart.  Especially Everything Will Change--it describes the last 20 months of my life to perfection.  The first time I heard it (at Mixfest in September) I felt as though he'd written it for me.  "Take those boots off the shelf, Wipe that dust off yourself, Even if you've been through hell, you're back." I didn't exactly go through hell after my divorce (thanks to my family) but there were some hellacious days and I definitely had been living on a shelf ... for a lot of years.

This being a December concert, we were given a Christmas song.  I think he does one each year.  Last year it was Oh Holy Night.  This year he's been doing White Christmas.  He sat on a stool within arm's reach (check out the video that Brenda caught) and gave us his special rendition.

After White Christmas, the night became truly magical.  Gavin walked to the edge of stage right and got down low.  He was talking to a child in the crowd and we could hear bits of muffled conversation between them.  He asked him how long he'd been playing the piano and we could hear him say since he was a baby.  Gavin invited him on stage and disappeared behind the scrim to meet him.  When he was led onto the stage, it became apparent that this young man, Anthony, was visually impaired.  I've since read some posts that say he's also autistic.  I can't confirm what his disabilities are and truly, that's unimportant as I can confirm that he's a gifted and talented young person who stole all our hearts that night.  Gavin got him seated at the piano and he immediately captivated us with a classical piece.  No one was expecting a little prodigy!  Then he mashed it into That's Amore!  The looks on the faces of Gavin and the band were priceless.  Anthony then blew Gavin away with the opening chords of his huge hit, Not Over You.  Within seconds the entire room was singing with him.  To say it was a special moment would be an understatement.  I think on Twitter I said "Some kind of wonderfulness is happening right now at the @GavinDeGraw show at @TheParamountNY."  And it was some kind of wonderfulness.  Anthony took a bow with Gavin and then rejoined his folks.  It felt like a Christmas present--a lovely surprise that no one was expecting that made the already awesome night extra special. Since that night, I've had some interactions with Anthony's parents on Twitter and it's clear that this is an amazing family with a treasure in their midst.

And this is one of the reasons why this man is firmly lodged in the hearts of so very many of us.

Back to the set list, Gavin did his pre-Follow Through banter with the characteristic acting.  I've seen this so many times that I'm amazed I still find it amusing.  But I do.  It's part of his charm.  His heartfelt, Who's Going to Save Us blew me away again.  When it came to his closing trademark song, I Don't Want to Be, followed by the encore, Not Over You, I wished, as always, that he'd not stop there.  There are so many songs I'd love to hear him do live.  Songs from Free like Mountains to Move and Glass and I'd give anything to be in the room if he ever brings back Let It Go. In other words, I didn't want the night to end.  But you know what they say about all good things ...

We lingered for as long as we could.  I think everyone was hoping Gavin would come out and say hello.  He did last year.  But that was not to be.  I'm okay with that--I never expect those things to happen so I'm always surprised and grateful when they do.  There was no Cinderella party for us this year either.  Last year, we were lucky to attend the after party where Gavin and the band were on hand to talk to folks.  I call it the Cinderella party because that's how I felt that night, hanging out until the wee hours of the morning with my friends and chatting with his band all night.  Tonight Brenda and Courtney and I walked just a couple of doors down and had a drink at a pub (where Billy Joel used to hang out when he lived--for 20 years--in Huntington) with a bartender who told us some fun stories.

Courtney, from Pennsylvania, was staying over but Brenda and I had an hour and a half drive ahead of us so all too soon we said goodbye and got back on the road.  Two days, three states; two shows, unlimited happiness.

We talked on the way home about how different that show had felt to us.  I selfishly worried aloud if everything had changed--if the resurgence of success that appears to be coming would change things for our little fandom.  Terrible thoughts--I'm excited for his success and wish for bigger and better things to come his way.  But I'll miss the respectful crowds and the more intimate settings.  Tonight's pushing and screaming bothered me.  I wondered if I can stand in line longer than 4 hours if it comes to that.  We'll see.  One thing hasn't changed ... will never change:  the joy and energy that flows through me for days following a live Gavin DeGraw performance.  It's like a drug that went straight to the vein.*

*Make A Move

~~~~~

Brenda's video of Gavin and Anthony.  In the last couple of days since the concert, we've talked about this moment quite a lot on social media.  What a joy and privilege it was to be a part of it.

I love this picture of Billy.

Concert Diaries Chapter Eight ~ Jones Beach

Yesterday, July 22, marked one year since seeing Gavin DeGraw in concert for the first time.  It was an odd little outdoor venue in a place called Big Flats.  I went alone on the 4-hour drive to the panhandle of New York State.  I don't mind doing things alone.  If I didn't, I'd never go anywhere; when you're single, you learn to go out alone.  It was also the first time I sat in the rain for this guy.

The following day I got up early drove home, picked up a friend and went to Gavin's concert at Rye Playland, just outside of New York City.  You know the place--it was the setting for some of the scenes in the Tom Hanks film, Big.  Remember the creepy fortune teller machine?  Yeah, there.  It's also the scene of the first time I met and spoke to Gavin.  It was the second time I sat in the rain.  A year ago today.

Since then I've been to 8 additional shows (one of those was in rain ...) and chatted with him on other occasions.

Tonight I'm in Jones Beach on Long Island (New York).  Rain is predicted and the sky was grey when I woke up.  I just know I'm getting wet tonight.  At least it's 86 degrees. I have a meet and greet tonight.  That's a paid-for (in this case) opportunity to meet the artist and say hello.  This time it also comes with "stuff" (t-shirt, poster, other miscellaneous things that I'm far too old to care about).  I just want to tell him thanks for changing my life and that the new music is amazing.  Because, as you know, he changed my life ... restoring health, hope and joy where there had been a sort of steadfast lethargy and general sense that this was all there was.

Jones Beach at low tide with Nikon Theater
under blue skies.  Gavin DeGraw under the stars and
not one drop of rain.

I'm always worried about driving in New York.  Even with my ever-present Loud Chick (GPS), I still make mistakes, the exits come up so quickly there and the construction and rearrangement of roads is continual.  So I left really early.  And made record time.  No traffic.  No driving snafus.  So I find myself in a near-empty parking lot three hours before the venue gates open.  Having thought this place was in a beach town (like New Jersey beaches) I'd thought I'd get lunch and hang out for a bit.  But Jones Beach is a public park with a concession stand.  And there's no where to go.  Diet coke on the beach it is then.  And The Script is sound checking over in the arena so it's not all bad.  And Gavin is making "vines" and generally entertaining people.  In other words, I found ways to fritter away that time.  And I got some sun.

At 5:00 I got into line for the meet and greet.  It was early but there were already folks there.  We had fun chatting together while we waited for "his people" to come collect us.  I met Hayley from the "message board."  She lives in Australia and this is her first trip to the U.S.  I knew from the board she was coming to the concert but didn't expect to run into her in the massive crowd.  There was another family waiting who had come from Israel.  There weren't all that many of us altogether.  A lovely young lady (I want her job) came for us around 6:00 and back to the buses we went.  Gavin's parents were standing backstage with a group of people who I presume were family or friends.  Since he's from upstate New York it's not surprising that they'd make the drive to Long Island.  His new tour manager was there to keep things moving along and someone else was taking pictures with each person's own camera.  (This is much nicer than waiting for a radio station to upload their pictures which is often how these things go when the meet and greet is being sponsored.)

I love Gavin--he's such a pro. I'm not sure he remembered me but he acted as if he did.  We talked about the tour and the new music.  He autographed my copy of Sweeter.  His "people" took several pictures of us chatting.  I didn't get to say all that I wanted because the "people" really kept an eye on the clock. Besides, I'd need a half hour in an empty Starbucks with him to really thank him for rescuing me.

My seats were only okay.  Despite getting on line the minute tickets became available, I don't have great seats at any of these shows.  That's a discussion--or a rant--for another time.  But my new camera is wonderful and the lens brings the far-away stage closer and in focus.  Of course, the user isn't steady or proficient so the pictures and video still leave a lot to be desired, as I found out afterwards.  Something to work on ...

Since Gavin is the opener, people are still arriving and it's still light out when he starts.  I want to stand up so badly but I'm there alone with no one to be my reinforcement and there are really old people behind me who asked if I was going to stand the entire time.  Why, of course, I wanted to say.  I'll be dancing too.  And singing ... but not loudly.  But I didn't.  I dutifully slunk into my seat where I could not contain my bouncing.  Finally about half way through when he sang Chariot, a song everyone recognized, people got to their feet.  Liberated from the chair, I felt much better.  And I'm sorry to say old people ... you're going to have to stand up too ... 'cause this is the way it's going to go all night.  He moved throughout the audience, winning over The Script and Train fans and left everyone wanting more.  I think we call that Mission Accomplished.

During the swap out of band equipment, I visited the concourse where I ran into Hayley who was elated at having had the meet and greet and wonderful performance.  We were excitedly comparing impressions and shoving not-completely-awful venue food into our mouths.  She suffers from the same thing many of us do:  an inability to eat on concert day.  We visited the "merch" table together but small sizes of everything were already sold out.  (Side note:  size small in tour t-shirts is now too big for me; I need XS.  Mind blowing to me still.)

The Script started while Hayley and I were hanging out but we didn't care.  We'd gotten what we came for.  Eventually though, we went back to our seats.  Danny of The Script is a really good singer and emotional but in a different way from Gavin. The crowd was thrilled.  It was clear there were a lot of Script fans in the stadium which was now packed (the show had sold out--no upgrades).  Actually, one of my Girl Scouts, a huge Script fan, was sitting in an upper deck with her mom--a birthday present from her parents and her first concert ever.  After their performance I texted them, "Is she okay or do I need to come up there and do a little CPR ..."  She's been beyond excited for weeks now.  The reply:  All she can say is "Oh my god.  Oh my god."

The change of equipment takes longer for Train so the second intermission is kind of long.  I'm anticipating that 6-minute animated introduction that you can now find on YouTube which I found so unnecessary in Virginia Beach but am happily surprised when the train whistle blows, the set chugs itself forward and the lights turn up on Pat Monahan.  All are on their feet again.  There is no "new" music since this album--California 37--has been out for well over a year.  They perform many songs from it and lots of prior hits, probably getting around to everyone's favorites.  The highlight of the Train set for me is Pat's duet with country singer Ashley Monroe:  Bruises.  Following that song she sings one of her own and tonight she keeps Pat onstage to sing Weed Instead of Roses--a really truthful song about a marriage in a rut.  Perhaps I like it so much because I recognize the subject matter and am acutely aware of how devastating ruts can be to a marriage.  But for the umpteenth time, I wonder how one so young, who is just engaged herself, can be so cognizant of old married pitfalls.  Songwriters have keen powers of observation.

At the third show on this tour, in Toronto, a special encore was added.  Pat invites Gavin, Ashley Monroe and Danny to come back out and they all perform The Weight by The Band.  It's clear from all the videos already online from performances in Toronto, Cleveland and Indianapolis that they love closing the show this way.  I cannot help but notice on these videos that the roar from the crowd when Gavin steps up for his solo verse is enormous in each venue.  Danny did not come back on stage as he was actually not well, although, you'd never have known it during their set.  The song was wonderful--the perfect way to close the night.

I met my Twitter/Facebook friend Matty after the show.  He introduced me to a couple of friends and we talked for a bit, took pictures and got excited for the next show we have together (September in Yonkers at the Casino).  My world has been so enriched with these meetings--virtual friendships that quickly become very real.

One odd thing that happened was that the high tide came in extra high last night due to the full moon (or nearly full).  The water actually rose to within the first few rows and those people were actually sort of sitting in the ocean for the latter part of the show.  It was the first time I can think of that I was happy to not be in the front row.

Driving back home I think Loud Chick made a mistake--I was following her instructions explicitly, not wanting to get lost in New York after midnight--and I found myself driving around side streets in The Bronx for a few minutes.  Eventually she figured it out and as I drifted back over the George Washington Bridge I was already getting ready for Saturday's show in Massachusetts.

A Sweeter day.