When I got to Ringler's next to the Crystal Ballroom, there were no decorations this time. There were a few other people waiting inside that looked like they had only gotten there a little bit before I did. Later on in the evening we all joined together into one group (four of us total including me). That's why I like going to concerts by myself; I get to meet new people and sometimes make new friends, or 'concert buds' as I call them, and see them at other shows.
Anyway, all of them were there for one of the opening acts, Albert Hammond Jr. who is actually they guitarist and keyboardist of The Strokes. He has his own band though (under his name) and they were awesome. They sounded just like the strokes basically. I honestly had no idea who he was until the group came together and they told me.
Since I was there so early, we saw the bands get there and unload all of their stuff. My group all ran out to meet Albert when he appeared later in the day, and I held down the fort inside. When Jake Bugg was going from the bus to the venue I was able to snag a quick picture and say hello. He's actually smiling in the picture (something he rarely does), but - of course - I look awful.
The show was late - doors at 8 show at 9 instead of the standard, doors at 7 show at 8. And with two opening bands I knew it would be pretty late.
One of the security guards I had befriended, John, was standing nearby when I got inside and was front and center. I asked him when it was over, and it didn't end until 12:20. I asked him how that worked since nearly all of the shows I've been to there ended before 11:30. He said it depended on the curfew that they are given, and most of the time it's midnight, but that particular night it was 1am. I should have asked him how that worked... Next time I guess.
It's very convenient to know a security guard by the way. Sometimes things get crazy and people are assholes, and to know someone's name can help get their attention to take care of the issue. That's about it though, other than knowing someone who knows the times of the shows. John did give me a bottle of water though which was awesome.
The first band were called The Skins, and they were out of New York. The had a very rock sound to them, but also a few softer songs. The lead singer had a voice that sounded to me like a combination of Adele and Amy Winehouse. Very powerful from such a small woman. The female guitarist could shred like crazy and that combined with the other guitarist playing the same lick intensified the sound and made it that much more tight.
Here's a song of theirs called Ocean:
Then Albert came out and played in a black jumpsuit. The sound was very much like the strokes and included the signature guitar's playing together and harmonizing. There were a bunch of people around me in the front who were just there for him and left afterwards.
Then Jake Bugg and two others came out. The only time I have seen the stage emptier was the night before when it was just Colin Meloy, a guitar, and a table. The drummer and bass player were only onstage about 50% of the time. Since I had only ever seen Jake play solo with an acoustic, it was really cool to finally hear those rock songs with the addition of the bass and drums. The classic trio of bass, guitar, and drums.
Jake Bugg has been compared to Bob Dylan, but says one of his biggest inspirations was actually Donovan. He has a great combination of rock songs and mellow, hauntingly beautiful acoustic songs with lyrics about getting out of his hometown and love. At only 19 he is a nice refresher from the other kids his age in music *coughJustinBiebercough*, and lets his talent and hard work shine through.
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