Success!

It's all over, now

I am happy, elated, pleased, satisfied, spent, giddy, overjoyed. The show was just about everything I wanted. There are huge debts of gratitude owed here, from the artists who made the show rock, to the Space crew who made it possible, to our families and friends for supporting us, to the folks who just wanted to see a good show and came and rocked out. To Swoon for the ambiance.

The days leading up to The Event were largely boring, I'll excise them. But the day of the event was one that I hope to remember for a while, so I'm detailing it here. I worked that morning. I produce the morning news at a local TV station, so I had been awake since shortly after midnight and working until 9:00 in the AM or so. I got home, ate some food and cut off all my hair.

Then I had a nap.

I awoke, suited myself up and marched off to Space to try and help. Alternately, to avoid helping. I was getting nervous and excited in equal parts for the show. Excited because I think Nick and I set up a fine line-up. Nervous because I didn't know that other people would necessarily think that. I mean, one can always hope (and this one often does) but how can one really know, you know?

So I tried to ignore everything at times, hoping that would help ease the tension. Other times I tried to help, but there was very little I found I could actually do. So I chatted and watched as the show came together.

I found the process of setting up a show very interesting. From the "backline" - the final, largest act - to the frontline - the first and simplest set up performers - to the sound checks and arranging what acts would play when, what sets were going to look like etc. etc. Some of this had been set beforehand. We knew the order of the acts going in to the night, but we were still figuring out what Sam and Dana were going to do when they finally got to sitting in front of everyone.

Luckily, they're old pros at this sort of thing.

I went up to Otto's and grabbed a couple slices of the Mashed Potato pizza for Nick and I and then we just waited. Waited for the show to begin. Waited for the folks to line up at the door. Waiting for our families to arrive.

And arrive they did. Thanks, family! They made up our first sales of the night. Thankfully, not the last.

And the music kicked off. And it rocked. The night was delightful. I loved every set, I loved the audience. I loved the crews. I loved setting up. I loved everything.

Although I do wish the audience had been a little less chatty for the acoustic sets. I still loved them, though.

Anyway, I'm rambling on here. Thanks to everyone who played. Thanks to everyone who came. Thanks to everyone who helped set up.

Thanks, specifically, to the following (Sorry about some of the names, I didn't get all of them and I've forgotten some): Ian Paige, Eli, guy-who-did-sound-for-HillyTown (Mike?), Jen-at-the-door, Bartendress, Luke Kalloch (& Katy Pearson in absentia!), Samuel James, Dana Gross, Wesley Hartley, Chriss Sutherland, Jesse Pilgrim, Andy Barbo, Derek Gierhan, Jesse's bassist, Kris Rogers, Bryan Bruchman, Sydney Bourke, Matt, Marie Stella Drummer and Synth/vox, Aly Spaltro, Jacob Augustine, Jacob's band (I want to thank you all personally when I get the chance), Mum, Grammy, Ingmar, Aunt Lynn, Uncle Scott, Isabella (& Company), Dad, Lynn Ann, Liz, all of my friends who made it, all my friends who couldn't. Everyone we've filmed, Anyone I've forgotten.

Thank you. Thank you all.

Posted by Krister