Great Big Sea: Live in Freeport, Maine
This is crossposted to the Great Big Sea message boards, so references to people are in their board names.
My day started at 5:45 AM, when I got up and frantically packed everything I thought I might need for the day: raincoat, umbrella, tarp, blanket, chair, books, knitting, a change of clothes in case it was cold in the morning, some food... everything but my nice big hat for shade.
I got to the concert site in Discovery Park at 7:15 Am, and coming over the small rise I saw at least three rows of chairs. Oh no! I'd hoped to secure front row blanket space for Lyndzchick and her family. But as a walked down the aisle I realized that there was a decent spot of empty grass by the ropes in the front row on the left side. Right next to the aisle. Perfect, and very nearly center of the stage. I set up my blanket and tarp and was intending to spend the day sitting out there, but was informed by the security guard that all area inside the caution tape was off limits until later in the day. As this hadn't happened at other concerts (although most of the locals just leave their stuff anyway) I asked about it. He stated it was something the band requested, although I'm not sure if that is truly the case.
I hadn't intended on going into L.L. Bean on my day off, but the store offered the best place to sit and read in the comfort of air conditioning, so I found myself at work when I wasn't working. It's a rather odd experience. I got a fair bit of reading done, then left to grab some lunch.
Returning from lunch, I noticed people inside the caution tape- people who looked to be sitting in their chairs. I hadn't intended to go back in until 3:00 (as the security guard recommended), but thought I could at least check on my blanket and if I was asked to leave I would. I found it had been moved a bit, possibly by the wind, and the people who had taken up residence next to me turned out to be Fran and her family (who were also setting out an extra blanket for Lyndzchick). I settled in for an afternoon of reading, chatting, and listening to Great Big Sea on my iPod.
Horatia and her friend found us, and moved into our corner of blankets, bribing us with glowsticks. Just as we were getting worried that Lyndzchick might not arrive and we'd have to give away some of our stuff, Fran's eagle-eyed husband spotted her pink hair. Everyone got settled and began chatting. Barbekresla also dropped by. We'd noticed that the cameras taping the show to broadcast it on a screen in a parking lot behind the concert venue (trees obscure the stage) were about person-height, which would be a problem when the crowd jumped up to dance. After finding the concert promoter to let him know, I returned to play with glowsticks and wait for 7:30. That last hour of waiting goes by slowly.
Finally, it was 7:30 and the rousing fiddling of "Donkey Riding" started off the show. I haven't been to a show before, so I can't compare it to anything. But, I think anyone there would agree it was wonderful. The place was packed and the guys played all the hits. And something new, a track from the forthcoming album called "Walk on the Moon" (no title on the album but due out sometime in the new year and described as brilliant). I spent most of my time dancing, singing, screaming, and enjoying the sheer energy of Great Big Sea music.
To go off on what may appear to be a tangent (but really isn't, I swear)... I love brightly colored, batiked clothing. I was wearing bright purple with turquoise suns and moons, a blue top, and a brilliant blue shawl with long tassels tied around my waist.
At one point between songs, Allan looked out at the audience and commented on how many lovely ladies there were in attendance. He then said something about "the prettiest girl in the audience" and pointed.
Right. At. Me.
Wow. I've been under theatrical lights. You can't see much of the audience at all. I'd realized my clothes were bright. I hadn't realized they could be seen from the stage.
Allan asked my name. "Robin!" "Robin?" "Robin!"
He then noticed Lyndzchick's daughter in her custom Great Big Sea T-shirt and wanted to know her name too. He asked her up on the stage, and laughed when he saw her shirt (and autographed it). She was wearing a shirt titled "King Allan" with a rather clever cartoon of Allan in a crown. The next song choice was obvious.
Later, I got to hear a couple of my personal favorites, "Sea of No Cares" (complete with a fog machine to simulate that foggy Wednesday morning), and "Consequence Free." I appreciate the allure of speaking one's mind, concerts that never end, and letting down one's hair. Though, once the hair is as long as mine you end up with a tangled mess very quickly. But I did it anyway, as yanking out those hairsticks is what I always want to do when I hear that lyric.
The encore was "River Driver," the traditional reel, and "Old Black Rum."
I got to shake Allan's hand after the show and thank him for the flattery, and Horatia insisted on a photo. Which I hadn't really been intending to get, but it will be a nice reminder of a great show. I wasn't aware of a bar in Freeport, and told Alan so, mentioning Ben And Jerry's as the spot I knew of that stayed open the latest. Come to find out later (after chatting with Murray) someone opened a Gritty McDuff's in Freeport during the years I was out of state and some members of the band may have ended up there later in the night. Even though I might have met band members in the local brew pub, I decided to end the night with ice cream as I've got work tomorrow afternoon.
Though I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep anytime soon- great music and so much dancing is an adrenaline rush.
My day started at 5:45 AM, when I got up and frantically packed everything I thought I might need for the day: raincoat, umbrella, tarp, blanket, chair, books, knitting, a change of clothes in case it was cold in the morning, some food... everything but my nice big hat for shade.
I got to the concert site in Discovery Park at 7:15 Am, and coming over the small rise I saw at least three rows of chairs. Oh no! I'd hoped to secure front row blanket space for Lyndzchick and her family. But as a walked down the aisle I realized that there was a decent spot of empty grass by the ropes in the front row on the left side. Right next to the aisle. Perfect, and very nearly center of the stage. I set up my blanket and tarp and was intending to spend the day sitting out there, but was informed by the security guard that all area inside the caution tape was off limits until later in the day. As this hadn't happened at other concerts (although most of the locals just leave their stuff anyway) I asked about it. He stated it was something the band requested, although I'm not sure if that is truly the case.
I hadn't intended on going into L.L. Bean on my day off, but the store offered the best place to sit and read in the comfort of air conditioning, so I found myself at work when I wasn't working. It's a rather odd experience. I got a fair bit of reading done, then left to grab some lunch.
Returning from lunch, I noticed people inside the caution tape- people who looked to be sitting in their chairs. I hadn't intended to go back in until 3:00 (as the security guard recommended), but thought I could at least check on my blanket and if I was asked to leave I would. I found it had been moved a bit, possibly by the wind, and the people who had taken up residence next to me turned out to be Fran and her family (who were also setting out an extra blanket for Lyndzchick). I settled in for an afternoon of reading, chatting, and listening to Great Big Sea on my iPod.
Horatia and her friend found us, and moved into our corner of blankets, bribing us with glowsticks. Just as we were getting worried that Lyndzchick might not arrive and we'd have to give away some of our stuff, Fran's eagle-eyed husband spotted her pink hair. Everyone got settled and began chatting. Barbekresla also dropped by. We'd noticed that the cameras taping the show to broadcast it on a screen in a parking lot behind the concert venue (trees obscure the stage) were about person-height, which would be a problem when the crowd jumped up to dance. After finding the concert promoter to let him know, I returned to play with glowsticks and wait for 7:30. That last hour of waiting goes by slowly.
Finally, it was 7:30 and the rousing fiddling of "Donkey Riding" started off the show. I haven't been to a show before, so I can't compare it to anything. But, I think anyone there would agree it was wonderful. The place was packed and the guys played all the hits. And something new, a track from the forthcoming album called "Walk on the Moon" (no title on the album but due out sometime in the new year and described as brilliant). I spent most of my time dancing, singing, screaming, and enjoying the sheer energy of Great Big Sea music.
To go off on what may appear to be a tangent (but really isn't, I swear)... I love brightly colored, batiked clothing. I was wearing bright purple with turquoise suns and moons, a blue top, and a brilliant blue shawl with long tassels tied around my waist.
At one point between songs, Allan looked out at the audience and commented on how many lovely ladies there were in attendance. He then said something about "the prettiest girl in the audience" and pointed.
Right. At. Me.
Wow. I've been under theatrical lights. You can't see much of the audience at all. I'd realized my clothes were bright. I hadn't realized they could be seen from the stage.
Allan asked my name. "Robin!" "Robin?" "Robin!"
He then noticed Lyndzchick's daughter in her custom Great Big Sea T-shirt and wanted to know her name too. He asked her up on the stage, and laughed when he saw her shirt (and autographed it). She was wearing a shirt titled "King Allan" with a rather clever cartoon of Allan in a crown. The next song choice was obvious.
Later, I got to hear a couple of my personal favorites, "Sea of No Cares" (complete with a fog machine to simulate that foggy Wednesday morning), and "Consequence Free." I appreciate the allure of speaking one's mind, concerts that never end, and letting down one's hair. Though, once the hair is as long as mine you end up with a tangled mess very quickly. But I did it anyway, as yanking out those hairsticks is what I always want to do when I hear that lyric.
The encore was "River Driver," the traditional reel, and "Old Black Rum."
I got to shake Allan's hand after the show and thank him for the flattery, and Horatia insisted on a photo. Which I hadn't really been intending to get, but it will be a nice reminder of a great show. I wasn't aware of a bar in Freeport, and told Alan so, mentioning Ben And Jerry's as the spot I knew of that stayed open the latest. Come to find out later (after chatting with Murray) someone opened a Gritty McDuff's in Freeport during the years I was out of state and some members of the band may have ended up there later in the night. Even though I might have met band members in the local brew pub, I decided to end the night with ice cream as I've got work tomorrow afternoon.
Though I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep anytime soon- great music and so much dancing is an adrenaline rush.