I am still really on cloud nine after getting to spend the loveliest of evening with David Wimbish (lead vocalist, guitarist) for the Asheville, NC band The Collection. They are on a national tour celebrating their latest record called “Little Deaths” in venues that are as tight-knit and intimate as their relationships with each other and their fans. I got to the venue a bit early and made my way inside to meet up with David. We spent the next half hour chatting about the record, the music, the fans and mental health. When you first meet David there is no ego — and the warmth radiating from David at the first interaction would stay with me during the remainder of the night.
Once I had finished talking to David, interview down below. I headed upstairs to the lounge to divulge in some light bites before the show. Soon fans came inside, some stood by the bar, some by the tables, and then by the WXPN sign against the wall in the chairs. I was beyond happy to finally get to see Kate Yeager perform live — after hearing rave reviews from friends and seeing her next to Marielle Kraft. Who we absolutely adore here. So after I downed an entire plate of fries, a couple of drinks and tried the divine creation that was bread pudding bites. Freshly made too, I might add.
If you have never met Kate Yeager or heard of her music. You definitely need to give the Nashville, TN singer/songwriter a follow. She made her way to the stage with an acoustic guitar and brought all of the feelings to the surface. It was such a delight to spend the next half hour or so just basking in her presence. Her fans were lovely. And she was even lovelier. Even taking the time talk to fans post show at the mercy table. Seriously — see her live. The last couple of songs during her set had me tearing up.
I had been feeling emotionally charged all week and having spoken to David before the show. I knew I was in a safe space to just feel all of the emotions. They came out on stage with so much energy and as the night went on — the energy kept going as if to try to (figuratively) blow the roof off of the venue. Fans came from all over the tai-state with one fan showing up from England. As the show went on, the crowd got closer and closer to the stage and was dancing and singing along the entire night.
At one point during the set, I had to walk to the back of the lounge because in that moment I could feel my Dad’s spirit so strongly in the room. It was like he was there standing next to me, enjoying the band’s music. I had a slight momentary lapse of judgement in my ability as a creative and photographer. But in that moment, my Dad was there to tell me that I was in the right room at the right time. It was special.
The end of the night, post encore was special and as described was a favorite part of the night. David grabbed his acoustic guitar, made his way in to the center of the room and sang with the crowd. The other band members staying nearby hugging fans and singing along. They ended the show. And spent the next hour saying hello to anyone who wanted to say hi. And signing and taking photos. As one of the last people to leave the venue. It was nice to spend a few short moments getting to say goodbye and thanking them once again. And taking a few group photos by their van. I walked away watching them pull off into the night. Going home. I was elated.
After a year or so in their respective quiet corners of the United Kingdom, Bastille comes back with “&” (Ampersand) that was released on July 26, 2024. The collection of songs has a warmth of the sessions of One Eyed Jack’s with the thematic topics that Bastille are so well known for. Dan Smith says that these are like the introspective sibling of the Other People’s Heartaches records that were released ages ago. I have waited until I had a block of time uninterrupted to sit and listen and take it all in. Laying in bed thinking about what the future holds for me; I decided to watch Seasons & Narcissus and what a beautifully work of art and an homage to end of seasons. Dan picks up on the main character moments he mentions in the lead song “Intros & Narrators”. Every single release on part one is a literary audiophile painting as the characters in myths, legends of authors and historical figures in time are easily recognizable.
Every single person contributing to this collection are all so wonderfully talented and I can’t wait to see what the other parts have to offer listeners. The artwork is simple yet gives so much emotion and accompany the song lyrics and the visuals of the collection in such an ethereal way. You can see just how good time away from the spotlight and touring stages have been to the band because they just get so much better. Plus he talks about Emily Dickinson and I always think about Hailey Steinfield’s depiction of her. She plays such a robust and feisty version of Emily Dickinson. And Smith does a great job to pay his respects and put credit to where it’s due on her literary name. Giving her flowers along the way.
Smith also learned how to play guitar too; something that he teased in the WHATYOUWAITINGFOR video and performance giving that edgy lead singer rocker look a refreshed view. Oh and his dedication to the “&” project was impeccable as he saw an opportunity in the Sargasso Sea whilst there on a GreenPeace UK expedition to record “Intros & Narrators” in just 30 minutes. Seeing his dedication to the craft is mental yet made me glued to the screen until the very last second. Oh and seeing the drone pull back to an open seas is WIDELY mental. I do not know how Smith mustered up the courage to float in the sea in the Bermuda Triangle. Glad he came back to the boat.
If part one is any indication of how beautiful and emotionally charged the “&” (AMPERSAND) collection is. Then we are in for a real treat because this would sit pretty in the top three of my album of the year.
Fitz and The Tantrums did a fantastic job as the main support for O.A.Ron their Summer 2024 tour here at the TD Pavillion at The Mann Music Center on Sunday night (7/28). It was a humid but cool night at the TD Pavillion on Sunday when we walked onto the floor for the show. The crowd was already filling up the pavillion seats and lawn as the fans were out ranging from children to the young at heart. Some fans it was their 8th time seeing Fitz and The Tantrums, and others were there for the first time seeing them after being a fan for so long. Whatever the case may be, they were in for a damn good night.
On the bill for Sunday night’s show was DJ Logik who played a variety of hits from the slow jazzy tunes to the upbeat funky melodies. He was on stage for ~30 minutes but had the fans on their feet dancing and singing along to familiar tunes. I was in my seat grooving along as I sipped on icy cold water to stay hydrated. Alongside the fans in the seats, I was amped for Fitz to come out on stage and take me into a dancing fever.
Noelle Scaggs and Michael Fitzpatrick better known as the duo Fitz and The Tantrumscame out on stage to a roaring applause and countless woooos. They started their set with Sway and then kept the party going with songs like Heaven, Good Intentions and a cover of Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics to sweeten the deal. The standards were set as they performed backlit by bright colored lights and the backing vocals of a packed crowd. You can hear them from the front row to the back lawn nearby on top of the Skyline Stage. It was a hot performance from start to finish; and I had to refill my water bottle twice thanks to the venue for providing water refill stations around so that fans can stay hydrated throughout the night,
Through their set; they encouraged the crowd to let their bodies go free, and jump and dance and sing along. At one point, in the show Noelle dedicated I Just Wanna Shine to her sister Miyeka who had recently passed away just seven days prior to the show. With every single cell phone light up, it sent a beacon of light across the pavillion and lawn that just made the band feel so loved. It was a magical moment to see and it makes one look at the grieving process in a beautiful, yet meaningful and celebratory way. And of course the crowd cheered for her as she was holding back tears, whilst receiving hugs from Michael Fitzpatrick.
Everything about the production elevated the songs even more. The bright reds, orange and purples are reminiscent of a beach sunset. Which feels appropriate as fans danced along with summery drinks and cold beverages. Everytime you see Fitz and The Tantrums, you leave with a joyful heart and a sense of hope that you can keep going forward.
The night continued on as O.A.R took the stage for a good 22 song set that lasted nearly two hours as they played hit after hit. Although this was my first time seeing O.A.R – I can tell just how well these two powerhouse bands get on together. They put on a remarkable show and their fans are just as committed to their band as they are to one another. Children were stoked to see the band their parents have grown up with and who’s music touched their lives in such a remarkable way. One would do well to make it down to their show this summer.
