Concert Review: Grace Potter
Saturday night my sister and I had a date night. For Christmas she got us tickets to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals at the 9:30 Club in DC so I had been looking forward to Saturday night for quite a while. Grace wasnโt to get on stage until 10:30 so I was able to put Emerson down for bed before we headed out.
We started with dinner at Benโs Next Door. Neither of us had been there before. Tempted to get shrimp and grits, but instead got a salad with filet mignon on top and was not disappointed. Had a great chat with my sister, so long that by time we walked over to 9:30 we had missed the opening performer. However we still had time to grab some drinks at the bar and wriggle ourselves into a really good spot to the right of the stage.
This was not my first time seeing Grace Potter and the Nocturnals; I think the first time I saw them was in 2007. I love a female singer who can really rock out, and Grace has an amazing voice. The band is really good too, and they complement her voice and can really jam out, being spontaneous, playing off each other. I always appreciate a band who can sound even better live than recorded, and isnโt afraid to go off the beaten path and show true talent and unplanned jamming ability.
Saturday night, this didnโt feel like the same band I have seen and loved so many times before. Yes, they sounded great, but it was too polished, too routine. Grace looked amazing, and sounded amazing, but I didnโt get the chills like I have in the past. At the one time when the Nocturnals did jam out, the crowd just didnโt feel it. It took me until then to realize that Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have a new fanbase โ the people who love Grace from VH1 Divas, their songs on the radio, Graceโs pretty face and fun dresses. Those who only know the band from โParis (Oooh La La)โ and looked utterly confused when they started the show out with โJoey.โ
Donโt get me wrong, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals are still a great, talented band. I am happy to see the success they are getting, that now they have an opening band instead of being the opening band. And I respect bands that know how to grow together. They still sounded great and still looked to be having a blast together on stage, however they have become a radio band who caters to their radio audience, and I donโt think I am part of that audience. I wonโt refuse a chance to see them play live again, I just wonโt be clamoring to be the first in line to purchase tickets.
Anyway, on to the important stuff โ the clothes. I wore a new gray and white striped tee I got from J. Crewโs Final sale, with my LOFT leather skirt, Ann Taylor military jacket, tights and my Cole Haan booties. My bag is a little tiny crossover from the Mulberry for target line โ perfect size for Smartphone, lip gloss, ID and some cash. I was in a rush to get Emerson down before I left so I didnโt get any pre-evening photos. After the show, after dancing and sweating and jumping, my sister tried to get some shots outside the club:
After the show, we wanted to go to a bar but every place on U Street was packed. We gave up and headed back to my house and watched SNL on the DVR. All in all it was a great night and I am even more jazzed for the upcoming shows on the schedule – next week I am seeing Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears with my girl friends, and on April 2nd my husband and I are going to see Warpaint (and meet up with blogger Miskabelle!).
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It isn’t easy at all. All about baby steps. I too have found reading as a way to get back to “me.” It’s a time when I am not thinking about another person, worrying about another’s needs, and just getting completely lost in a story. Reading is so good for the soul!
Allie, it’s so great that you are making time to go out and have a life without your daughter (and sometimes without hubby). I’m slowly starting to get a bit of “me” back after my second (who is now 2!) but it’s been a big struggle. Getting out and getting back into reading have been really key for me since having my kids. You go, girl!
I think often the appeal of young bands is the edginess and their real desire to impress, which gets a bit lost once they get success. It is a shame, but part of the course.
I love Ben’s Next Door. I love the little cornbread buns they put on the table. So yummy!
I think often the appeal of young bands is the edginess and their real desire to impress, which gets a bit lost once they get success. It is a shame, but part of the course.
Allie, you’re right. Ever since I’ve made a point of doing my reading in the evenings — and less watching TV — I feel so much better about me. It’s so easy to just flop down and veg-out in front of the TV once the kids are in bed, but somehow it doesn’t make be feel “re-fuelled”, rejuventated and relaxed the way I do when I spend an reading hour before bed.
It isn’t easy at all. All about baby steps. I too have found reading as a way to get back to “me.” It’s a time when I am not thinking about another person, worrying about another’s needs, and just getting completely lost in a story. Reading is so good for the soul!
Allie, it’s so great that you are making time to go out and have a life without your daughter (and sometimes without hubby). I’m slowly starting to get a bit of “me” back after my second (who is now 2!) but it’s been a big struggle. Getting out and getting back into reading have been really key for me since having my kids. You go, girl!
Exactly. And they will be at Bonnaroo, which is a haven for jam band fans – I hope they return to their roots when there!
its always a bummer when an indie band you really love hits mainstream success and loses some of the flare that made you love them. on the one hand, youre happy for their success, but on the other hand, youre just not as interested anymore. that has happened to me with several bands. i guess all you can do is hang onto the older CDs, listen to them, and revel in the memories, eh?
gorsh, i love the 930 club. ๐