The Collection feat Kate Yeager - World Cafe Live Philly - 9/5/24
September 30, 2024I 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.