10/19/10 - Boone NC

[Karen_J]

Last night I saw GPN for the first time since Raleigh. This was a very different show, maybe because it was on a college campus. There was much less standing around and delivering album tracks as recorded in the studio; more raw energy, more extended versions, more alternate versions, more new songs, more incredible jam sessions that can’t really be captured on a CD. More of those special moments when the whole band seems to be one person with ten hands.

Longer songs mean fewer songs, but a better overall show, in my opinion. The band seemed to be having more fun than they did in Raleigh. I don’t know if the younger crowd made a difference, or if the band is just simply coming together more after a summer of intensive touring. I noticed that Cat spent more time interacting with Scott and Bennie, and less time standing in front of her amp, doing her own thing.

Cat’s parents were in the audience. I sat behind them for a while at a table, having no idea who they were, but thinking it was cool that two old people would be there, getting so into the music. I hope I’m that way when I get to be their age. I guess it would help if I had a daughter who was in a famous rock band! LOL

Grace said that if she didn’t already live in Vermont, she might move to Boone. I had a feeling it just might be her kind of town, with a quaint Main Street loaded with hippie shops, and a pretty mountain setting with trees everywhere. She said that it was small enough that “I probably saw all you m*****f***ers downtown today.”

The opening act (Everest) was okay. Their last three numbers were good, thought the last one was not as effective live as it would be in your house on a big audio system, with the lights turned out late at night, after a couple of drinks. But seriously, who wants to be compared to GPN live? In my mind, the ONLY opening act for GPN is Blues and Lasers.

If you ever get a chance to catch a show (of any good band) at that venue (Legends), do it. It’s huge and in very good shape. They don’t sell anything because it’s owned by a state college, but they will keep your beer and mixers cold for you.

[Trish]

Great review, Karen. Thank you!



But seriously, who wants to be compared to GPN live? In my mind, the ONLY opening act for GPN is Blues and Lasers.


I've yet to see Blues and Lasers open for GPN. That will change in Northampton - can't wait. Best band I think I've seen hold their own opening for GPN so far was the Ugly Suit at the Bearsville Theater. They were totally up to the job. Grace commented something along the lines of they have as much hair as we do. And I'll add that they had comparable energy too.

[CatPopDad]

Cat’s parents were in the audience. I sat behind them for a while at a table, having no idea who they were, but thinking it was cool that two old people would be there, getting so into the music. I hope I’m that way when I get to be their age. I guess it would help if I had a daughter who was in a famous rock band! LOL
Who you calling old? Better watch it! ;)

[Karen_J]

Who you calling old? Better watch it! ;)

Actually, my definition of "old" changes every year. I'm not sure what it means anymore. I can still (barely) remember when I thought 25 was ANCIENT! :D

[kcortez]

Who you calling old? Better watch it! ;)

Boom!

[Wally C]

Who you calling old? Better watch it! ;)

Well if you really are Cat's Dad...welcome to group!! and if you aren't...welcome anyway!!!
I think I can safely speak for all fans that we all love Cat and the dynamics she brings to the band!! Plus she's a very funny person!! and very nice too!! You should be very proud!!

[Karen_J]

Well if you really are Cat's Dad...welcome to group!! and if you aren't...

There's one way we can know for sure if he is who he claims to be. If he can tell us what he asked the guy beside of him about his beer Tuesday night, I'll know that it's him because I heard what he said.

[CatPopDad]

:)
There's one way we can know for sure if he is who he claims to be. If he can tell us what he asked the guy beside of him about his beer Tuesday night, I'll know that it's him because I heard what he said.I asked him where he got the GPN thingie around the beer can and I thought he was going to jump down my throat. He had a NY Yankees jacket on with a lot of World Series patches on the sleeve.

I'm for real!

[eric]

haha great review Karen, and glad u had a blast. reviews of both the Boone and Charlotte shows have been raving as expected. i still stand by the Raleigh show u refer to below, one of the very best of the year that I have heard so far (among many others), as well as Asheville.

what u wrote is funny, i dont think CatPopDad will need to prove his identity here, but im sure he did get a huge laugh out of that. thanks for chimin in CPD! say hi again soon and tell us a funny story about Catherine, who is obviously a prankster

edit: wow i let the old guy beat my post by 9 minutes. and CPD-im sure Cat can set u up with a GPN beer cozy???

and thanks 4 the yankee shout out! it aint over yet red sox fans

[CatPopDad]

thanks for chimin in CPD! say hi again soon and tell us a funny story about Catherine, who is obviously a prankster

Well, I guess I could post one of her baby pictures. I'm sure she'd like that.

[Karen_J]

I'm for real!

Yup. You passed the test. I hate to be a skeptic, but you know how the internet can be. Anybody can claim anything.


Well, I guess I could post one of her baby pictures. I'm sure she'd like that.

Kitten pics?

Sorry, couldn't resist. LOL

[eric]

Well, I guess I could post one of her baby pictures. I'm sure she'd like that.

If u can succesfully post a picture of anything to this website u are light years ahead of me!

As 4 Catherine wow she is somethin special, u must be very proud. Both her and Grace in a class all their own-both individually and as a team. with the best still 2 come, we are all very excited!

[Karen_J]

Both her and Grace in a class all their own-both individually and as a team.

Not to take anything away from the ladies, but Scott was really in The Zone that night. The sound guy ran a mix that was a little heavy on lead guitar, so it was a little like he was delivering a master's class on electric guitar. Very nice. I noticed that he has changed most of his solos on the big hits, to give them a fresher sound. The solos are better than ever.

[Tedheadone]

Sounds like a great night. Can't go wrong with a mountain, college town!

[toofarnorth]

Welcome CatPopDad . . . my son is Cat's age - I'll tidy up the porch and make room for another rocking chair http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff228/AH-ls/Smilies/grin.gif

. . . or two . . a long time online friend in another fanbase was spending time in the area and went to this show with some of her family. She was somewhat familiar with GPN, but this was her first show.

This is the (de-personalized) message I received from her after the show . . .


. . . . this will be a quick recap. We had a great time!

The venue: Established on the campus of ASU so that students will have access to quality concerts without having to drive the mountain roads at night. Capacity 1000. Excellent sound system. They have had some top acts there including Dave Matthews Band, John Mayer, Outkast, Jimmy Fallon, Widespread Panic, Nickel Creek, Collective Soul and Edwin McCain.

The crowd: Not sold out but probably 80 - 90%, it is hard to tell with GA. Primarily students but a lot of 30 -40s as well. There were six people standing in front of us who were from Virginia but are "followers". They were going on to Charlotte for tonight's show before returning to Virginia. A sing-a-long to every song for them. Very enthusiastic and vocal audience who seemed really familiar with GPN. The show started at 10 with a local opening act at 9 (which we skipped).

The show: Like Taylor, GPN is best served up live. Grace is so charismatic and what a great voice. What talent in her band, they rocked it out!

The natives are getting restless to get on the road so I am out of here. One last thought, GPN certainly has evolved from the time GC introduced them to us. The skinny is that they are "blowing up" and are on their way to being huge. I hope that is true because they have put in the work and deserve it.


ETA: hope at least one of the 6 from Virginia check in here with a report on the Charlotte show.

[jenny]

I am from Virgina and was at the show with a group of 5 people. I agree that it was an incredible show. I love their new album, but I really enjoyed listening to their older songs. They definitely did not disappoint! Here is the set list:

Hot Summer Night
Joey
Oasis
Mastermind
Apologies
Only Love
Goodbye Kiss
One Short Night
Treat Me Right (acoustic - Grace, Scott, & Benny)
Fooling Myself
Here's to the Meantime
Hey Mary
Tiny Light
Encore:
Watching You
Paris
Stop the Bus

I was thrilled to hear Fooling Myself! I also got to go to the Charlotte show on Wednesday. I will post my thoughts on that thread. I am finishing out my week with seeing GPN open for the Avett Bros tonight in Roanoke. I might need a rocking chair too! I haven't been to three shows in a week since I was in college at UGA going to Widespread Panic shows!!

[eric]

I haven't been to three shows in a week since I was in college at UGA going to Widespread Panic shows!!

nice!

ok we might have to start a "Panic fans for Potter (opening Red Rocks 2011)" group on FB or something, whos with me?

[toofarnorth]

Hi jenny . . . sure seems like you were the ones near my friend . . I like these 'six degrees of separation' things that are happening as people from around the country start visiting the Forum :)

And thank you for posting the set list . . I've added the show and credited you on setlist.fm (http://www.setlist.fm/setlists/grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-53d77b6d.html) if you'd like to register and add that you were there

[jenny]

Thanks - TooFarNorth
Maybe we will meet a show some day!

[tipiboy]

Well, I guess I could post one of her baby pictures. I'm sure she'd like that. Do you have any with over the knee booties?!? JK . Welcome ... And Thanks! You "make great baby!"

[Karen_J]

My guess is that Cat gets her sense of humor mostly from her dad, based on my first impressions.