one of those days (with Joshua Radin)

So my friend Margi and I saw Joshua Radin on Saturday night. I’ll just warn you that my photos didn’t turn out great. The lighting at the Handlebar is atrocious. And while we were fairly close, there was a group of girls who kept stepping in my way. Forget about getting any closer for better pictures.

Anyway. Months ago (like in November), I saw that Joshua Radin was playing in Greenville. I came across a link for tickets to attend the sound check and a meet and greet before the show, and I bought two tickets. Fast forward to January. My husband wasn’t very enthusiastic about going, but my friend Margi was. So I gave my husband an out, and she stepped in. We made plans for me to stay at her house that night (which was perfect, so I wouldn’t have to drive home at midnight.)

We got to the Handlebar just before 5. The kitchen wasn’t yet open, so we waited. (At one point, we ran over to a drug store for snacks.) We met a couple who was there for the meet and greet, and they happened to also be from Asheville. Small world.

Around 5:15, the tour manager told us that they were running late, but it would just be a few minutes. A few minutes turned into almost 45 more minutes. My friend and I were hoping this wasn’t a reflection of a certain musician’s personality.

Turns out, it wasn’t a reflection of him at all. The four of us were taken into sound check just before 6 I think. And then it felt like a private concert for the longest time. (I have video, I just need to upload it – and it might take forever.)

When he was done with sound check, he came down and talked to the four of us. He was SUPER nice, which was such a relief. (I’ve met plenty of musicians who have the rock star mentality that you owe them something.)

We then grabbed dinner with our two new Asheville friends. Once we were seated, the waitress told us that she could reserve seats for us – up front. Apparently, if you purchase dinner at this venue, they will reserve seats for you. Half of the venue was seated, the other half was standing room only. We could see everything, but we were unfortunately next to some pretty obnoxious girls who drank from the moment they walked in.

The first opener was Andrew Allen. I had my doubts about the opening acts, but I was pleasantly surprised by Andrew! He’s from Canada, and Margi and I met him after his set. We bought his CD and chatted for a few minutes. I agreed to follow him on Twitter, but only if he followed back. (He was following me before Joshua finished his set.)

What a show.

The music was wonderful. His story telling was fantastic.

I would gladly pay an obscene amount of money to hear him live again.

Oh, and this proves that guitarists don’t really know what to do with their hands when they aren’t playing the guitar (but have to sing.) Just thought this was funny for some reason.

It’s going to take a while for me to come down from that music high. I now have Joshua Radin and Andrew Allen on continuous play on my iPod. Just how it should be (for now, at least.)