This concert was a major disappointment. It wasn’t a Givers-level gut punch, but it makes me sad whenever I think about it.
This was not the fault of Noah Kahan, the crowd, or Danny. It was mine. Danny and I spent weeks prepping it, literally flying across the country for it . . . and then she couldn’t see the stage. Given how hard tickets were to get for the show, I should have anticipated it being packed, and got there early to reserve a spot up front. Instead, her view was blocked no matter where we went. We could not connect emotionally with most of the songs.
Fortunately, there were still good moments, Kahan is a first-rate performer, I’ll be back on the horse in June, and the rest of the trip was awesome. After the live blog, I’ll include a list of some of the many things that made Minnesota special.
LIVE BLOG:
--- I can’t believe we made it to the show on time. During the walk across Minneapolis, my hands felt like they were about to fall off, and AXS made accessing the tickets as difficult as humanly possible.
--- “False Confidence”!! Can’t go wrong with that song.
--- “All My Love”: not my favorite, but the crowd’s got Beatles energy.
--- Awww at this being a big night for the guitarist since he’s all about Prince. (Prince is from Minneapolis and played many times at First Avenue!) HA at Noah’s bandmate dropping out of college to play for him and one not wanting them to know about his meeting Tom Hanks.
--- “You guys are already loud AF. I’m gonna need that.”
--- “Everything Everywhere”: hahaha at hearing “fingers decompose” as life finally comes back to my fingers.
--- Can’t enjoy “New Perspective,” “Glue Myself Shut,” “Growing Sideways” or “Halloween” as we wander in a fruitless search for a suitable spot.
--- “Maine” slays – maybe in part because it sounds like it’s part of This Is Us!!
--- “Come Over”: Noah’s falsetto!! “Su voz es muy claro…Tiene su propio estilo.”
--- “She Calls Me Back”: really enjoyed it on the album. Ok live.
--- “Passenger”: the crowd loves it.
--- “Carlo’s Song”!! The backstory and the way he comes back acapella at the end can power through anything.
--- “Homesick”!!! The discovery of the night. Fits Danny’s current feelings towards Oaxaca.
--- “Orange Juice”!!! Awesome banjo interlude / song.
--- Aww: “I’ve played this venue six times, and I think this is the first time I’ve sold it out.”
--- “Young Blood”!!! Love his spoken variations at the end. His ability to modulate his voice is unreal.
--- “The View Between Villages”: heh at the audio error. Killer ghost intro.
--- “Stick Season”!!!! The crowd energy and the song itself gives me hope. I will see him again, and it will measure up.
Grade: C
MINNESOTA MEMORIES:
--- At the BWI airport, mentioning to Danny the states on the big map – especially those that would have the biggest impact on the midterm election the following Tuesday.
--- Danny being shocked that mom’s beloved Dr. Oz was running and cracking up at the Hershel Walker police-badge lunacy.
--- The two glorious hours spent prepping food packets at Feed My Starving Children. The energy, efficiency, and positivity at that place was outstanding.
--- The two hours spent distributing toiletries at the homeless shelter afterward. Totally different vibe (more The Wire than The West Wing), just as meaningful.
--- Thin-crust delight, the Work Friend episode of Abbott Elementary, and the Fagan episode of The Crown to end the night.
--- Lifting with Aaron Thom 18 years after our last workout. I felt the nearly-all-bicep routine for days after, but it was worth it. Loved the discussions about Smashing Pumpkins, marriage, politics, William and Mary, “my favorite bar,” and the “Lose Yourself” plank-off at the end. Hope Aaron can return for a workout in Virginia less than 18 years from now!
--- Devouring a Juicy Lucy and more interesting conversation with Aaron and his girlfriend at Matt’s Bar and Grill.
--- Surveying the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden and the Mall of America theme park – which was 20 times bigger than when I visited in high school. Gail Schiefelbein was right to recommend them.
--- Laughing about an earbud miracle, a Cinnabon savior, and the rudest taco woman in the Midwest.
--- Last but not least, seeing 12 Angry Men for the first time in more than a decade. It held 100% held up and got better. Danny’s experience with the court system in Oaxaca added another layer.
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