VNV Nation
I attended the VNV Nation concert tonight (August 23, 2017). Ashlie had originally agreed to join me, but due to lack of a babysitter and personal issues she cancelled at the last minute. What to do with this extra ticket then, I wondered? I didn't feel like I knew many people into VNV that weren't already going, but pondering the question soon produced the right answer. Erin!
So I asked Erin to join me and she agreed on the condition that I pick her up - turns out she had a bad headlight and didn't want to risk driving at night. No big deal. Better going to an event together anyway, right?
The concert took place at the Crescent Ballroom in downtown Phoenix. I had never been, but it turned out to be a great venue. I think there were some issues with their lighting crew, but the bathrooms were clean and the sound was on point. Ronin's voice was sonorous and uplifting. The quality of the performance surpassed the album recordings with ease. Something about hearing it in person, being a part of that energy exchange, added something that no record can convey.
The energy in the room was slow to warm at first, but came to be electric. No surprise there... this was VNV Nation, and that's what they do: elevate and inspire. Ronin, the consummate performer and frontman, actively engaged every part of the room, and if he saw a person distracted or uninterested, he found a creative way to pull them in. Incredible.
VNV performed every track from the albums Empires and Automatic (excluding the instrumental), and even included some from Burning Empires, including Savior (Vox) and Standing (Motion). Fortunately I had taken the time to listen to Automatic a few times beforehand. I had been an adoring fan of the Empires/Burning Empires albums since about 2001, but had not heard Automatic until I learned about the concert.
About half way through, Erin excused herself and disappeared. At nearly the end of the show, she bumped into me and it became clear she had been looking for me all along. I had not moved from my position specifically so she wouldn't have too much trouble finding me again, but unfortunately we had still become lost in the crowd. I could tell her mood had soured.
We left the venue and came to agree that I should wait before trying to start my car. Erin was upset and my presence wasn't helping, so I went back inside to buy a shirt and get signed posters. I accomplished this and also scored a selfie with Ronin. To my amusement, he looked less than thrilled to be party to the picture, even though he was kind enough to indulge.
Selfie with Ronin from VNV Nation
Since Erin told me she was going to take an Uber home, I had the rest of the evening to myself. My intention had been to get some dinner and so that's what I did. I walked to Hanny's on 1st street and ordered a pizza that I would describe as both epic and delicious.
Pizza at Hanny's in downtown Phoenix
After eating about half of the pizza I walked back to my car and pondered what to do. Cruising social media I saw posts about a goth/industrial club event called Lilith going on about 10 minutes north where my friend Tamara (DJ Plastic Disease) would be spinning. Did I want to check it out or just head on home? I wasn't sure at first, but there was no cover charge and I wasn't tired, so what did I have to lose?
I experienced a strange feeling upon arrival at the club, Stacy's on Melrose north of Indian School on 7th Avenue. It wasn't until entering that I realized: this was the same venue that used to host Sanctum, the weekly goth/industrial event I had regularly attended years before! I had now identified my feeling as nostalgia.
I walked through the club and out back, just looking around and taking things in. After learning that nothing had really changed, I headed to the dance floor. But only moments after I started to groove, I looked up and saw my aerial yoga friends Somlynn and JoAnn! What are the odds?? We chatted for a minute, but it was clear they were on their way out, so I bid them good evening.
At the VNV Nation concert, and now also at the club, I had noted the presence of a particular ex-girlfriend with whom I had no desire to speak. Now dancing, I couldn't help but glance at her every once in awhile, remembering that this club was where our first meaningful encounter had taken place back in June of 2011. Had she noticed me, I wondered? Would she even recognize me?
I also saw Tamara. I had noticed her shortly after arriving, but she had been occupied in conversation. Now felt like a good time, so I approached, testing the theory of how different I looked. Apparently not that different - she seemed to recognize me immediately and we chatted for awhile about local events and the present state of the goth community. I had been out of touch for a long time, not just with her but the scene in general.
I wasn't feeling inclined to draw out conversation with Tamara, so I went back to the dance floor. It was only an hour 'til close, so I spent the remainder of the time dancing. Several younger women were flirting and trying to dance with me, including one lady in particular who had repeatedly complimented my pants. I remained aloof; I wasn't looking to meet anyone or hook up. I just wanted to lose myself for awhile and live in the present moment.
When they began closing down the club, people began to gather outside and mingle. I walked by without a glance, got into my car, took off my boots, and drove into the night. I felt complete... it was time to go home.