Concert Review -- The Outlaw Roadshow

Half a tank of gas: $23.00. Concert ticket: $60. Spending the night with Outlaws: Priceless.

Friday, August 10th was the night of The Outlaw Roadshow in Sandpoint, Idaho. Four bands, one stage, it was one AMAZING night. My day began at around noon, I fueled up my car and headed out on the hour and a half drive from Spokane to Sandpoint. Sandpoint is a small town in northern Idaho, on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille. The venue was a baseball field, with a stage set up for the annual concert festival. It was small, as outdoor concert venues go, and that was awesome, it could easily be a more intimate show than your larger outdoor venues, such as the Gorge at George here in Washington (which is an awe inspiring concert venue, by the way. Love it there, but it's just so big.)

The stage from where I stood

 Shortly after I got in the line of chairs and people waiting for the show, the man with the numbers to hold your place in line came by to hand out numbers to those in my section of the line. My number was 339. I won't lie, this freaked me out a bit. Number 339. I'll be the 339th person to enter the venue. I began to fear that there was no way I'd get a good spot near the stage. From the line I could hear the Counting Crows beginning their sound check with Angels of the Silences (sans vocals) and I had to go check it out. To help clear my anxiety, I walked up to the chain-link fence encircling the field to watch/listen to sound check. They followed Angels of the Silences with Kid Things and then Insignificant. Adam came out to check his vocals, and honestly, I can't remember what he warmed up with, or if he even did, I was too caught up in my own excitement/anxiety to take a mental note. Wait, now that I think back on it, it may have been Start Again. Yup, that's it, I remember singing along. After the Crows sound check, Kasey Anderson & The Honkies came out to do theirs. The only song I remember them doing is For Anyone, there may have been another, but I can't remember. Sometime around the Honkies sound check, while standing at the chain-link fence, I saw a familiar face walking in my direction. Charlie Gillingham of the Counting Crows. As he walked by, I said "Hi" to him, he said "Hi" back and asked how I was, and said he was trying to find a way out of the fence. I hope he found one.

While I was waiting in line and watching the sound check, I was posting on Twitter about the things going on, how no one in line around me had heard of any of the supporting bands, about how I was so far back in line, and how anxious I was about the whole thing. Adam Duritz of Counting Crows saw this, and messaged me to make sure I had a ticket, more on that later. So I got back in line and they began letting us into the venue. Like I said before, I was worried about getting a good spot, but when I got in that worry faded away. Everyone was filling in the sides of the field, where they had chairs/space to put your own chair, but not the middle, right in front of the stage. So I went and got tshirts from the merch booth (Kasey Anderson & the Honkies and Field Report) and took up my spot for the night - front and center (well, a little to the left)

Me & Adam Duritz

After standing there for a few minutes, another familiar face walked out. Adam Duritz himself. He was going up to the stage to grab something. I took a chance and said at him, "Hi Adam!" he looked at me, said "Hi" back, and then after a second to think, he said to me, "Are you Jennifer?" My heart skipped a beat. From Twitter and from my blog, this world famous rock star recognized me. ME! Good gourd! I totally played it cool, I hope anyway (I hope I didn't come off as too big a dork.) He walked over and we chatted for a bit, he said (about the twitter message) that he just wanted to make sure I had a ticket for the show, that we didn't have a ticket emergency (seriously, how sweet is that?) I assured him that I had a ticket, and that I have had it in my possession for weeks, since the show was announced. We talked a bit about the set list, which he was getting ready to make, I suggested a few songs, Cowboys, Angels of the Silences, Sundays, but he didn't add them; I forgive him, they are hard-on-the-voice songs. Their set list was filled with songs I love anyway, songs that I was excited that they played, so it's all good. Of course after the fact I thought of other songs to suggest that he may have considered (Recovering the Satellites, Catapult, A Murder of One, Up All Night (Frankie Miller Goes to Hollywood), Margery Dreams of Horses, Sullivan Street) oh well, hindsight and all. I asked if I could get a picture with him, he said he'd be back in a bit. When he came back from working on the beginnings of the set list, I got my picture, thanked him for plugging my blog, that I really appreciated it. He stood next to me as he signed autographs and took pictures with other fans. I was on cloud nine by this point. I'd spoken to one of my favorite people in the world, and now he was just chilling right next to me. He seemed as nice as I'd imagined him to be, signing stuff and taking pictures with people, talking with people. He had great patience; It seemed like he wanted to get back to his set list, but he hung around as long as possible for the fans.

Kasey Anderson & The Honkies

Ok, enough about me. Now to the show. Kasey Anderson & The Honkies were up first. I love this band. This marked the third time I'd seen them (the first, September 2011 when they opened for the Crows, the second July 5 in Seattle.) They were great, as always. They played their first song, then Kasey welcomed the crowd, calling us "Idahomies" (haha, clever) then tore into the rest of their set. I seemed to be the only one singing along, that I could see anyway, no one in the crowd around me knew who the Honkies were, or any of the other bands either, which made me sad, coz they are all amazing. The Honkies played fantastically, Andrew McKeag is a brilliant guitarist, the whole band was tops.

Andrew McKeag

Will Moore

Kasey Anderson

The Honkies set list was: (A couple may be out of order, I forgot to write down Sirens & Thunder coz I was so excited they played it) --
For Anyone
Mercy
My Baby's a Wrecking Ball
Exit Ghost/Danger Zone (yes, THAT Danger Zone)
Like Teenage Gravity
Sirens & Thunder
Two More Bottles of Wine

Field Report

Next up was Field Report. I really like this band and am very excited for their album (due Sept. 2012.) They are more folk than rock, but still awesome. Again, I was the only one around me who knew them. I thoroughly enjoyed their whole set. I overheard people around me saying that they liked the band's sound, but it wasn't music you could dance to (the show was listed as a "dance concert" on the tickets, what ever that means.) Seriously people, just take in the music, that's why I'm there. Anyway, when this band explodes onto the "scene" you can say you saw them when they opened for Counting Crows. The band was wearing coordinating suits, and their drummer was the ultimate trooper, playing with a cast on his right arm, however it didn't seem to interfere with his drumming skills. Again, I think I was the only one singing along, though I only knew the words to two of the songs they played. During Fergus Falls, my favorite song of theirs, I was singing along, and it seemed to me anyway, that the lead singer, Chris Porterfield, looked down at me, saw me singing, and smiled, as if to say, "Yay! You know the song, right on!" So that was pretty cool. I also met Chris Porterfield of Field Report after the show, told him how I loved the songs I've got, especially Furgus Falls, and how I'm excited for the record, and got a picture with him too.

Me & Chris Porterfield

Fields Report's set list was (Direct from the band via Twitter) --
Captain Video
Taking Alcatraz
Incommunicado
I am Not Waiting Anymore
The Year of the Get You Alone
Fergus Falls

Tender Mercies

The third band up was Tender Mercies, who swooped in to save the day by filling the vacant spot left by We Are Augustines when they had to pull out due to injury. It only made sense that Tender Mercies would join up, as half the band was already there with Counting Crows (Dan Vickrey, Jim Bogios and Charlie Gillingham.) This is another band that I absolutely love, and was thrilled to be seeing live. When I was waiting outside before the show, I'm pretty sure that Patrick Winningham walked by me, I wasn't sure if it was him or not, so I didn't go up and say hi, but I smiled at him and he smiled back. Thinking back, I'm fairly certain it was him, so now I'm kicking myself for not going up to say hi. Tender Mercies' set was full of awesome; the band full of spirit. It was great to see Dan with a band outside the Crows, he's an amazing guitarist and his skills shine with Tender Mercies as much as they do with the Crows. They played all my favorite songs from their record, and again, pretty sure I was the only one singing along.
Tender Mercies' Set List (a couple songs may be out of order, I forgot to write one down and remembered it later, just like the Honkies set) --
Mercy (a different Mercy than Kasey Anderson's Mercy)
Ball & Chain
Safe & Sound
Riding Blind
Heaven Knows
Perfect Hour
Four White Stallions
Wise Blood

Me & Dan Vickrey

During the stage change over, Dan Vickrey came out to greet the audience. I got a picture with him, that's two Crows down, only five to go! (for pictures anyway, we met Jim at the show in Seattle, and I count the brief encounter with Charlie as "meeting" him.)

After the three (fantastic) opening bands, it was time for the Counting Crows to take the stage. By this point some of the crowd was getting antsy for them to come out, and would get excited anytime the background music would dim, or a tech/roadie would come out on stage. This not being my first rodeo I knew to wait until I heard the intro to Lean on Me before I started getting too excited. For those keeping track at home, this is my fourth Counting Crows show, my second this year. I love this band. They are my all time favorite, having recently surpassed The Beatles for the number one slot. I was now entering concert nirvana.

Their set was nothing less than spectacular. Though the band has been around for twenty years, they are still on top of their game, maybe even better than ever. Adam Duritz's delivery of the songs is pure heart, he pours so much of himself into the show. They opened with Round Here, and the set that followed just got better and better. The band's performance was top notch, Immer and Dan's guitar's singing all night, I love these guys as guitarists, like I've said before, they are in my top six favorite guitarists of all time. I think I'm slightly infatuated with Immer's guitar/mandolin playing, I just can't look away when he gets really into it. Jim's drumming was impeccable, I love the look on his face as he plays. Dave Bryson was great with his mandolin/guitar playing, and he's just so damn adorable! Millard, as always was spot on with his bass skills, and his turn on the piano for Colorblind. Charlie's keys were brilliant, as well as his accordion playing (I love the accordion!!) All around the band was in fine shape, the show was amazing. They played/sang their hearts out. They seemed like they were having a good time, having fun on stage. Adam sang some bits of some songs with his hands in his pockets (I love that.) They played a 17 song set, all the Outlaws joined them onstage for the last two, a big Outlaw sing-a-long. The songs were You Ain't Goin' Nowhere and Hanginaround, for which Andrew McKeag of the Honkies took over lead guitar, and did an amazing job. Although Hanginaround isn't one of my favorite Crows songs, it was still a lot of fun to have the whole of the Outlaw Roadshow up on stage singing it, and the crowd singing along. The show ended with the standard Crows closer of the Mamas & the Papas' California Dreamin' sing-a-long, led by Adam Duritz (that's when you know the show is really over)

Counting Crows Set List:
Round Here
Untitled (Love Song)
Another Horsedreamer's Blues
St. Robinson in His Cadillac Dream
Mr. Jones
Colorblind
Meet on the Ledge
Mrs. Potter's Lullaby
Start Again
Hard Candy
Rain King
Like Teenage Gravity (yup, same as Kasey Anderson, but they play it differently, so it's ok)
Look at Miss Ohio
A Long December
Washington Square
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere
Hanginaround

After the show I really wanted to say goodbye, goodnight and thank you to Adam Duritz, who was again standing near the side of the stage talking to some folks, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. In the two hours of the show, he once again became that unreachable, awe inspiring rock star. Some parts of me regret not saying goodbye, other parts are proud of what I did do that night, and look back on the memories with the utmost fondness; "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened"

The whole night was magical, almost surreal. The Rock & Roll Gods were smiling on me that night. I got to meet Adam Duritz, talk to him a bit. I got to meet Dan, and Charlie (sorta.) Next time I see them I'd love to meet the rest of the band, I'd really love a photo with Immer (there's just something about him that fascinates me.) The hour and a half drive home didn't seem so long, as I was floating on the high from the night. I keep reliving that night, listening to the songs from the sets (I made a playlist for the iPod,) looking at the pictures (I took like 200.) Sometimes I find myself just giggling to myself about the whole night. It was THAT amazing. Counting Crows shows on their own are magical, but adding in the three extra bands, and everything else that happened that night, this Jennifer is very happy. Thank you to Ryan Spaulding of Ryan's Smashing Life and Adam Duritz for putting together this tour and bringing it so close to me. They had better come back soon.

Actually, quite full of heart -- Heartless Bastards

As well as having one of the greatest band names ever, Heartless Bastards are extraordinary rock and rollers. After seeing them live, I know this to be true. Heartless Bastards are another band which I discovered though the Outlaw Roadshow from this year's South By Southwest's music showcase, and another band that I enjoy immensely.

Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, but now anchored in Austin, Texas, this quartet is destined for greatness. Bassist and steel pedal guitarist Jesse Ebaugh, guitarist Mark Nathan, drummer Dave Colvin and guitarist and lead singer Erika Wennerstrom are the Heartless Bastards. All of these guys are great, Dave Colvin is a brilliant drummer, during some bits of some songs during the show it seemed like he had a third arm, or magic sticks, he was really good. Mark Nathan and Jesse Ebaugh are both amazing at their craft as well, both very skilled guitarists and bassists. Erika Wennerstrom is a pint-sized power house of vocals. Her voice deeper than many female singers out there, but probably more fantastic. The first time I heard her singing, on their song Parted Ways, I thought she sounded like Geddy Lee from Rush, only if he were a lady, and little more country, and a little less rock and roll (which is a good thing. Though I'm not the worlds biggest Rush fan, one of my favorite songs just happens to be theirs: Spirit of Radio)

The Heartless Bastards' newest record Arrow was released February 14, 2012, and it's a hell of a record. Indie rock, country rock, blues rock, whatever you want to label it, it's rock goodness in all it's glory. Before I bought Arrow I was on the fence about getting it, and frankly I am very glad I did. It is another record that has been in constant rotation the last several months, and another one that I am always eager to share with friends and family. It's one of those records where all of the songs are stellar, and you just listen to it over and over without tiring of it. A few of my favorites off the 11-track album (if you get the bonus-track version from iTunes, otherwise it's only 10) are Parted Ways, a song that is a staple in my road trip playlists, and being the first song of theirs I heard, it's continued to be a favorite. My favorite lines from the song:
And the sun went down in this little ghost town / Near the valley of the rio grande / I need a little bit of whiskey and a little bit of time / To ease my troubled mind -- I just love it.

Another favorite is Got to Have Rock & Roll, coz it's oh so true: when ever you're feeling down / well you gotta have, gotta have, gotta have rock and roll / and oh, if you ever need a pick me up / you gotta have, gotta have, gotta have rock and roll.

Simple Feeling is a rocking number, Skin & Bone also fantastic; for a slower tune, check out Marathon or The Arrow Killed the Beast, I want to use dirge-like to describe these songs, but I know it's not the right word, but it'll do, and I mean it in the best way possible. If you get the bonus track version, you get Bye Bye Baby Blues, another song which I greatly enjoy.

I was so close, it was hard to get a good shot of the whole band

Like I said earlier, I got to see Heartless Bastards live last night (Aug 2.) It was a great night. They had two opening acts, the first was Jesi B and the All Rights. I very much enjoyed them, they were a southern soul/rock band with a great guitarist. The second band was called Little Hurricane. I wasn't at all impressed by them. There were people at the show that did like them, they just weren't a band that I would listen to on my own accord, that's all.

Before the show I got to meet the Heartless Bastards, they were very nice, not heartless at all. I took a photo with them and had them sign the LP I bought. They seemed excited to be there, to be playing in Spokane, they didn't know any better (just kidding Spokane, you're a swell town.) Their set was on fire. They put on an amazing show. It was pure rock and roll all night. They played a bunch of stuff from Arrow: Parted Ways, Got to Have Rock and Roll, Only For You, Skin & Bone, The Arrow Killed The Beast, Down in the Canyon, Simple Feeling, Late in the Night, and a few songs from previous albums, and a song they did for a film soundtrack called High Line (the song, not the film.) It was a super fun show, if you have the opportunity to see them, jump on it, you won't be disappointed.

Ok, so there is yet another band which I fully recommend. Go buy their records, see them on tour, help them "hit the big time" Go here:  http://www.theheartlessbastards.com/ and buy stuff, you know CDs, t-shirts, trucker hats and such.

Me & The Heartless Bastards

oh yeah, I grabbed the set list too.