Summer Tour - 2006

[Snowbird]

Tour: Summer 2006
08/11/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Durham,NH Mill Pond Center For The Arts United States

08/09/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Nantucket,MA The Chicken Box United States

08/08/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Nantucket,MA The Chicken Box United States

08/07/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Edgartown,MA Outerland United States

08/06/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Newport,RI Newport Folk Festival United States

08/05/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Lowell,MA Lowell Summer Music Series United States

08/03/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Portland,ME Monument Square United States

08/01/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Norwood,NY Norwood Village Green United States

07/31/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Lake Placid,NY Lake Placid Center For The Arts United States

07/30/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Pittsburgh,PA Hartwood Amphitheatre United States

07/29/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Buffalo,NY Buffalo Place Rocks The Harbor United States

07/27/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Boston,MA WBOS Summer Concert Series United States

07/26/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Rochester,NY Liberty Pole Plaza United States

07/23/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Baltimore,MD Artscape United States

07/22/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Walkersville,MD Frederick Blues Festival United States

07/21/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Camden,NJ WXPN Music Festival United States

07/20/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in New York,NY Central Park Summerstage United States

07/16/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Clinton,NJ Black Potato Music Festival United States

07/15/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Masontown,WV All Good Music Festival United States

07/13/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Cincinnati,OH 20th Century Theatre United States

07/11/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Rock Island,IL Rock Island Brewing Co. United States

07/09/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Denver,CO Bluebird Theater United States

07/08/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Boulder,CO Fox Theatre United States

07/07/06 Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in Breckenridge,CO Sherpa & Yeti

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Re: Paradise.. 5/30 NEW TUNES #2 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(05/31/06 09:35:29)


A new B-3 and a new hairstyle. One planned, and one, umm, not so much!

Entering the Paradise and moving to the front of the stage, my eyes are drawn to the B-3 and the sticker on the lower right front that said "Custom made for Grace Potter". Looking closer, it has no dings, bruises, or bangs (Later, I'll see that the "bangs" had migrated to Grace's forehead....) and is clearly a new instrument case. During the set, Grace asked the crowd if everyone liked "her new B-3. It was made by a guy in Vermont, and I thought I'd have it in January, but I'm glad to get it now. It even has my name on the front!)

Taking the stage, Grace was definitely sportin' a different look.
(The Nocturnals still looked familiar...) She was wearing a long sleeved, 1 inch wide hoizontal striped orange and white top, kinda boat necked, or maybe it was square necked. I was really looking at the hair. Now, I have seen a few different styles. (My personal favorite on the style list was the upswept look worn at the Stone Church on Halloween, that near the end was set free to cascade to shoulder length. {We call that a two-fer;) } ) But this was a new one..

During the show at center mike, Grace asked "How do you like my new mullet? I'm really not a fashionista enough to get it cut this way. But in Philadelphia, I was sewing, believe it or not, it was 3:30 in the bathroom and I had to cut a thread, and I didn't have any scissors. So I used a lighter to cut it."

(The analytical types amongst us might wonder, how would I do that if I had to. Hmm, probably put one end in my mouth, stretch it out in front of me, and use the lighter right in front of my face. Justa hunch....)

She continued.."I had a little hairspray in my hair. I swear it's the first time I've used hairspray...and the next thing I know my head is on fire!! I was all singed up here" as she lifted her bangs..

Finally, to great laughter, "I then went down to the hotel lobby desk at 3:30 in the morning to do what I should have done in the first place...ask if they had a pair of scissors I could borrow"

An early comment was that as soon as they went out on this leg, they all got sick, and had been for the last 2 days but we wouldn't have known it by the show they put on. Noting that coming back to The Paradise is really something special for them, and that they love it there (think we could convince them to do a 2 night stand at the "Dise later this year?...) they really kicked it out. Opening with a new song to me- "Take it All Away"- they also added two new songs to the set. Whew! Scott had a rippin' solo on "Over Again" before they launched into "Ain't No Time" which was followed by "Bella Donna" which was originally titled "Drs. Orders". Take it All Away was the first time they had sung it, other then on a radio show today. Dammit, I missed them yesterday on WUMB in Boston....

Scott fronted "Ain't changin' " With two songs in the set list titled "Ain't...." Grace's English teacher back in Waitsfield must be rollin' her eyes and taking some heat from the Department Head!!

Matt and Bryan each had sweet solos, and each a different flavor and rythmn then heard recently.

The set closed with Delta and Scott had some trouble with his guitar at the end, and dropped it face down, and kicked it into Matt's stick case.. I think the plug ripping from the cord MIGHT have been the cause. And then when he turned around he caught the neck of Grace's guitar upside his head.
I asked the guy next to me what happened and he said "Man, he's got PASSION!"

Another great night at the Paradise....Pearl Street Saturday beckons...

The Band hits the road today for a show at Irving Plaza, NYC. They are traveling in a "Sunseeker" RV based on a Ford Econoline 150 Van. As Jen said, "it has beds!"

Set List

Take It All Away
Crazy Parade
Mystery Train
Stop Da Bus
Ragged
Treat Me Right
Over Again
Ain't No Time
Bella Donna
NBTW
Ain't Changin
Every Mile
Delta @#%$

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Re: pearl street #2 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(06/04/06 10:39:03)


I was there, right front and center, tall, blond, UVM shirt, goatee.

I think Purple Mountain line in Ain't no Time, Lorenina

I did a long write up before logging in, and must have mis-typed my password when I went to submit, so its ALL GONE (thanks ezboard, somehow the post should save. Hey, maybe it does and I didn't figure it out...:o in which case I apologize in advance, Nate) and I don't have time or inclination to do it again!

so I'll just leave it at..

I came, set lists on paper plates, they played, I had a good time, Grace had Matt pick up the tempo on "Take it All" to Bryans approval, I split to hear Boston roots-rocker Dennis Brennan at The Basement, I came back, crowd filing out after what appeared to be only a 45 minute headline set by Ramble dove, I drove home.

Readers Digest version, which some of you may prefer anyway...:rolleyes

Set List
every Mile
Delta @#%$
Mystery Train
Over Again
Ain't No Time
Take it All
Ragged
Treat
Joey/Joy

status offlineTedheadone Re: pearl street #3 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(06/04/06 10:41:27)


wow-
I typed Delta @#%$ which ryhmes with Duck and look how it came out..
Big Brother is not only watching, he censors....

status offlineTedheadone Dear Big Brother #4 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(06/04/06 10:50:00)


Big Brother-
I have already washed my mouth out with soap. It's all Grace's fault, but I'll fall on the sword. Let her go, take me instead. I have had a good life, hers is all still ahead of her. Please don't send anyone to my house, I hate storm troopers, just tell me where to report. You'll know me because I'll be the one with my hands secured behind my back, blindfold on, and cigarette dangling from my lips awaiting my well deserved fate...

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Re: Copley Square - Unreal!! #6 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/01/06 15:53:41)


I'm with ya Lorenina. The last six songs each out ass-kicked the one before it....:smokin
I saw Grace crossing the street preshow and hustled over, told her she needed an escort, offered my elbow, which she grabbed,beamed, gave me a big "Hi Van" and we strutted arm in arm over to the break in the fence behind the stage...

set list
Nothing But The water
Arms Length
Treat Me Right
Over Again
Meantime
Stop the Bus
Big white Gate
Every Mile- Delta

on to Portland Thursday...

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Portland Maine #1 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/04/06 06:54:21)


The oppressive heat that seems to have followed the band since the 114 degrees in Phoenix finally broke last night.....everywhere but Monument Square in Portland. Perhaps inspired by a Civil War obelisk in direct view of the band from the stage (which stated "PORTLAND to her sons who died for the Union") it remained hot just a few feet above sea level as the band kicked off an 80 minute set with Ain't No Time. The combined scent of sea air and roasting coffee that Grace noted was a heady intoxicant to the night.

This was a radio show, but a little longer then the radio show in Boston 7 days earlier, meaning MORE SONGS. Especially noteworthy was Left Behind which featured a sweet intro by Scott. He was playing one of Grace's guitars for this which he later said "just sounds so right for that song" Scott's solo in NBTW was was particularly blistering as well.

Bryan got featured on the Fender in solo section of Over Again which also had Scott adding in a nice rythmn on top of Matt's solo. He was on a new red snare, having smoked his beige snare earlier in the night. And Grace was, well Grace!!8)

The band flew out first thing this AM for a AAA summit in Boulder (someday off, eh?) and comes back Saturday for a 7:30 show in Lowell, and then immediately down to The Newport Folk (?) Festival for an 11:30 AM set. Then 3 shows on the islands off Massachusetts, and after that one more in NH and then 3 weeks off. They are really glad the finish line is in sight....

Good news is October will be studio time with their new producer

set list

Ain't No Time
Treat Me Right
Bella Donna
Joey>Joy
Left Behind
Meantime
NBTW
Big White Gate
Stop The Bus
Arms Length
Over Again
Every Mile>Delta

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone Re: Boarding House Park #4 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/06/06 19:28:28)



Let' set the scene...

Five shows in seven nights and then Thursday night show in Portland. Drive back to Logan Airport arriving midnight. Grace roughed out another song on the ride back. They get a 7 AM flight to Denver, drive to Boulder. They do interviews and go to a radio station and perform a few songs live. They schmooze more, and then do a 10:00 PM show that starts late, and then drive the hour back to Denver arriving well after midnight- and remember Mountain Time is 2 hours after us, so they have been up maybe 20 hours- then grab a few winks and then are up for a morning flight back to Boston clearing the gates around 3 PM. And then head up to Lowell. They are toast, but game...


The crowd was a lawn show, and quite frankly, looking at the age of the crowd, I suspected that there would be more then a few early departures if we had a repeat of the Copley Place energy, which was off the charts..(The intro today at Newport was "they did a show in Boston a week and a half ago, and if there was a roof over the City, they would have blown it off!) It was actually a little scary, as I thought they just might spontaneously combust. For anyone whose first show was Copley, well, that's like going to your first baseball game and seeing a no-hitter. The game will be different next time you go.

Uber fan Kelly was on the lawn front and center with her parents, and 4 of parents friends. They have listened to the CD's and love it. Kelley and I talk pre-show and we recognize that these newbies might not necessarily enjoy the brand new songs as much. And while you don't have to play to the crowd, YOU CAN CHOOSE TO. You can look around, see what condition the team is in, and decide, THIS day, we are going to play defense. It's the smart call...but not always the most popular with the folks in the stands..

I thought the first set was simply brilliant, and had the chance to tell each of them exactly that after the show.

Set one was restrained, sure. They did Meantime without the "hop" at the break, if you can imagine that...You can not go 100 MPH, all day, every day, without the engine blowing up. This gave us a chance to delight in some new phrasings, to revel in a line sung not with the head back, but delivered softly, with eyes closed.

It gave us a chance to enjoy Bryan playing the upright on several songs, including a wicked intro solo to Toothbrush, and smile at his use of it as a percussion instrument.

And it gave Grace a chance to thrill us with encore of seldom heard "Falling or Flying"

Set two opened with Water and moved uptempo from there. So the sets were almost like 2 different shows. In total, a fantastic night, a demonstration of maturity, and yes, grit.

Grace had me at "hello". She had us all at hello, and we'll keep talkin'. It is one of the most interesting, captivating, and exciting conversations I have ever had

set list

Arms Length
Left Behind
Treat
Ain't No Time
Toothbrush
Out of My Tree
Meantime
Mystery Train
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
NBTW>Big White Gate
Take it All away
Belladonna
No Expectations
Stop The Bus
I Ain't Changin
Every Mile
/////////////////
Falling or Flying


bobhug Re: Boarding House Park #5 [-]

Posts: 3

(08/07/06 02:46:59)


Hi!

I guess I was part of the crowd that shocked Teadheadone by our age. This was my first GPTN concert, though I have bought everything I could get my hands on and downloaded all the torrents I could find since I first found out about Grace and the boys when I was checking the Lowell calendar earlier this year to see who was playing. I saw at least one person recording this concert; hopefully there will be a torrent available soon.

Just because Grace can knock down a brick wall with her voice when she wants to, doesnt mean she always needs to. Anyone that can pull off a delicate song like Living and Flying as an encore is really special.

Thanks for the set list. I had not caught the name of Big White Gate, probably because I was still applauding. That song brought tears to my eyes. If anyone could pull off getting into heaven because of the way she sings, it is Grace.

B :D B

tekawitha Re: Boarding House Park #6 [-]

Fan

Posts: 299

(08/07/06 08:04:49)



interesting to hear take on the shows - perspective always delivers a different summary.
I do know that their sked has been nearly superhuman - have to admire the work ethic! Not always so visible today - can't wait to catch a show soon.

allthingsninja Re: Boarding House Park #7 [-]

Posts: 46

(08/07/06 17:06:57)


I recognize that their schedule is grueling, and that the exhaustion can only influence the music. It would be unreasonable to expect anything less from musicians who are very human, and draw upon that flawed experience to create moving music. I certainly would never fault them as musicians for expressing what they were feeling. If I wanted to see trumped up, fake emotion, I'd be on Jessica Simpson tour.

However, I also recognize that scheduling is not beyond the control of the band and its management. Admittedly, a radio showcase is a big deal for the business end of things, and likely an obligation to the record company. I don't think one needs too deep of an understanding of the history of rock and roll to see overly aggressive travel schedules as a major factor promoting hard drug problems, dependencies on sleeping pills, and creating potentially tragic situations.

I don't think there's anyone on this board who wants to see the Janis Joplin comparisons end at the age of 27.

I enjoyed the show despite some sloppy performances. It's nice to see that a bad show is so good. However, I walked away feeling that things could end very badly if the band and its management didn't take steps to take better care of themselves.

Tedheadone Re: Boarding House Park #8 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/07/06 20:14:00)



Ninja wrote..

"I enjoyed the show despite some sloppy performances. It's nice to see that a bad show is so good. However, I walked away feeling that things could end very badly if the band and its management didn't take steps to take better care of themselves."

I can't agree with the premise that dialing it back for a show = sloppy, or even that it was a bad show, On the contrary, I truly thought it was brilliant. Those of us who have seen more then a few shows got to see some slightly different interpretations of a batch of favorite songs.

I do know the following things:

As of June the whole month of August was to be off tour. It got extended a bit, but Aug 4th was to be an off day for the band in Boston. The Denver AAA radio summit came up, and they really had to do it.

They have resisted tempting offers to start up before 9/1, in order to give everyone three full weeks at home.

At Boardinghouse Park, the decision was made at intermission to, regretably, abandon plans to have the band sit and sign autographs, instead a ride was arranged for the band to get to the hotel immediately post show (instead of waiting for the RV and trailer to get packed as usual) so they could maximize mattress time before the 7 AM departure Sunday morning.

We do agree on wanting nothing but the very best for the band and a long career of delighting their fans....as they did for me at Lowell.

allthingsninja Re: Boarding House Park #9 [-]

Posts: 46

(08/08/06 04:20:39)



No, a laid back set does not = sloppy. I think you're running on the assumption that I started using the message board shortly after my first show, and I expect everything to be like the WBOS set (which was high energy, but not as diverse as I'd hoped some of my friends' first show might be).

However, a few rough changes, might warrant the phrase. When the tapes come out, it will be clear that the show had some rough patches. Im glad that you and a lot of people (including folks I brought for their first show) thoroughly enjoyed it. It was good but relative to the other shows Ive seen, it was also sub par.

Again, I prefer sloppy musicians like Neil Young and Trey to note perfect metronomes.

Tedheadone Re: Boarding House Park #10 [-]

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/08/06 06:43:16)


It is a bit of a tightrope they walk between what's released and where some of their muse has taken them. I think any first timer had to relate to set 1, songs and tempo along the lines of what they may have heard on a disc, and that got them warmed up for a higher energy, newer song second set.

You know the crowd at the Paradise will be completely different. See you there....

tekawitha Re: Boarding House Park #11 [-]

Fan

Posts: 299

(08/08/06 07:09:19)


Over the past few years, I have witnessed different levels of energy at shows and I have observed genre adjustments. Growth and being human - hand in glove.

The analogy to tightrope-walking is so strong and good for the band's situation. They have to, and want to (I would guess) give their immediate fans (at the shows) a strong performance, etc. Yet, they have to keep in touch with the industry demands, which means they need participate in additional/other pursuits. We don't want our stars to burn out yet they need to keep the rays coming.

Overall, I am impressed with the professionalism of this band - despite black potatoe heat, broken busses, and a schedule that would tire a politician, they honor their commitments and continue to exude flair and musicality.

somuchmore Re: Another perspective #12 [-]

Member

Posts: 52

(08/08/06 08:00:04)



It is so good to hear all of the concerned fans that GPTN has! I got to talk to some of the band at the Copley show and got tired just hearing of their travel schedule. Thank you Tedheadone for the information concerning their recent grueling travel arrangenments.

I too recognize different levels of synergy when the band plays at different venues. Some of the factors have been discussed, but one possibility may be the amount of energy we bring to the shows! I know i might be over-simplifying things here but i recognize that they cannot always improve on a stellar performance. Sure we all have our favorite shows . . . and we want them to be topped - but alas that is difficult to do when you play at such a high level of energy.

I have seen a lot of bands (and i think six GPTN shows) and you have to recognize that even on lower energized performances this band still out rocks almost all others . . . and when they are on . . . enjoy!

mamacita Re: Another perspective #13 [-]

Posts: 3

(08/08/06 12:01:17)



Hey All:hat

This show is up on the Archive!! Sounds really good- streaming as we speak.

www.archive.org/details/G...200.flac16

:rollin

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone
Newport Folk Festival

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/07/06 12:21:35)

If God has a finer summer day in New England, he must be saving it for the day Grace and The Nocturnals come back and headline a show at Fort Adams State Park. I'm just not sure it will be the Folk Festival!!

A blue sky, withdry temps about 80 degrees, and sparkling Narragansett Bay and Newport Harbor, awash with bright sails on graceful designs, waterlines that slice through the sea.

A picture perfect day, marred only by the 11:30 AM opening set on the second stage. In hindsight, this may have been a bit of a blessing, if one seeks the silver lining, in that the performance was done, and the day stretched ahead of the band, with only autographs to sign and press to be spoken with.

The band took the stage under the tent on schedule, Grace swathed in a gorgeous beige print low cut wrap dress. And the guys, well, the guys in jeans and T shirts. The seats were full, and folks stood around the perimeter of the tent on all three sides.

Aint No Time opened easy enough, and after a sweet version of Treat, Grace remarked on how beautiful the view was from the stage. She urged everyone to turn around and see for themselves, and then said " Ha Ha I got you all to turn around and i can see the back of your FACE" which brought laughter.

And then the next six songs took off...Before Big white Gate, Grace remarked "Well, I don't know we snuck a Flying V guitar into a Folk Festival, but we did so look out!" And Scott slung it around his neck. I think only Grace has played it in recent shows. And they rocked.

Now this is stage is set snug up against the 20 foot high granite walls of the Fort, behind the stage and along one side, so the sound just got pushed out and washed over the Border CD tent, and, I'm sure, the Waterside 3rd stage.
After the show, I spoke with a Border person and she said, "yes, it was loud, but what was amazing was that the second that she stopped there was a rush to the tent to buy CD's".

No encore, offstage on schedule, precisely 12:20 Grace leading the way with the a cappella close to Nothing But The Water. At 12:45 they hit the signing table with a long line that grew. At the very end, I went up to Grace, turned around, pointed at the back of my head, and said "What's this?" she gave me a quizzical look and I laughed.. "The Back of My Face" She laughed and said, "Yea, you liked that line?"Next up was the press room, with the Boston Globe, WERS, and I think WMYV which tied them up for awhile.

Meanwhile, her folks, brother and uncle were there, as well as John Lombard, wife, and young children. John is the gent in Ireland who, knowing nothing about the biz, went out on a limb and got Grace booked into several places for a short tour 2 years ago. I think this is when her folks realized this is all very real....and he is held in very high esteem for his work.

And her Dad and Uncle Steve ran into a high school pal who had a 43 foot Grand Bank tied up right there. He took everyone but the occupied band out for a cruise around Newport Harbor, (band checking out David Rawlings and Gillian Welch) and when they all got back, the frisbee came out near the RV and Grace joined in, as well, to this family tradition, gorgeous beige print low cut wrap dress and cowboy boots notwithstanding. On the pavement...

By the time this crew worked its way over to the Main Stage, the Meters were on their last song. Several people approached Grace as she stood and watched. After this set, a return to the Tent to see Odetta, and her final song, House of the Rising Sun. Jen said we were watching history, and she was right. The crowd was drop a pin silent to listen, Grace and Dad arm in arm.

And after this, a return to the RV, where, on the curb in the shade of the RV and overhanging tree, sat Bryan (Fender mandolin) and Scott and tech Billy on Baby Ttaylor 3/4 size guitars (all that will fit behind the couches in the RV, said Scott. They sang Maggies Farm, a Folk nod to Dylan, eh? and Shady Grove. I recognize this as a Quicksilver Messenger Service song from the 60's , but it is actually a Doc Watson song that QMS amended. A woman from WUMB comes by and gets a picture to supplement an earlier interview, and then Matt correctly says "Let's beat the rush and roll out before Indigo Girls close the festival" Good call, no traffic, really, getting out of town as they headed for 2 nights, one show on Martha's Vineyard at The Outlander (formerly Carly Simons Hot Tin Roof) and then over to Nantucket for 2 nights/2 shows at The Chicken Shack

One of the festival tee shirts was a simple white Tee with "Rock The Folk" on the front. Grace and The Nocturnals kept their end of that bargain...

Man, what a day...

set list
Ain't No Time
Treat Me Right
Belladonna
Stop The Bus
Big White Gate
Every Mile
Delta
NBTW

tekawitha Re: Newport Folk Festival #1 [-]

Fan

Posts: 299

(08/07/06 13:54:52)


aah, I almost felt as if I were there - thank you so much - we had to miss this show but so glad others didn't!

[Snowbird]

Tedheadone
Nantucket Island, The Chicken Box Night 1

Nocturnican

Posts: 509

(08/09/06 18:43:22)


Tags : None
I got a speeding ticket a few months ago, and tommorow morning I have to contest it.....

Nantucket lies 27 miles off of Cape Cod and is a playground of the rich from all around the world. An estate on the island lists for $23 Million and stately homes on small lots in town fetch $3M and up. www.jordanre.com/Sales.as...&property=

It is a major pain in the ass to get RV's on to the island, but the band is game for 2 nights on this little gem, and, like Newport, the weatherman has delivered Chamber of Commerce days, temps about 80 and not too humid, blue skies, and the occasional puffy cloud.

I decide to go....never know when they might play here again, and The Chicken Box looks funky.www.thechickenbox.com/

There is a 4:45 FastFerry that arrives an hour later. I call Nantucket and locate a room, single bed, shared bath, for $152 (!) and hit the road at 2 for the 2 hour ride to Hyannis, and make my way down to the docks and buy a ticket to the show.

I take the corner rear outside deck seat in the stern, and before you know it, we are doing 40 MPH across Nantucket Sound, with twin rooster tails trailing, and a light salt mist breaking off the bow and slowly leaving a film of salt on me. The sun feels good and presto, we are pulling into the dock in Nantucket.

My B&B is The Carlisle House, circa 1765, and is a 5 minute walk, and I check in, wash the salt off, and head out. I have PLENTY of time to kill, there is a 10 PM opener. and it is a 20 minute walk from town, so I wander the town, trying to decide where to eat, before finally settling at Arnos at 41 Main.

A seat at the bar, coffee, fish and chips, a beautiful house salad featuring dried cranberries, and the Red Sox on the plasma occupy me 'till 9:30 when I start my walk. At least half the way is brick sidewalk in front of million dollar + homes.

I find the Chicken Box, it is halfway down a side street in a most unlikely location. As I approach in the semi darkness, a figure is turning the coner of the building, stops, and looking my way goes "Van?" It's Jen and we talk for a while and she details the horror stories of Marthas Vineyard hotel and ferry issues with the RV. And then I see Lee Potter walk by. Grace's brother. That was supposed to be heading back to VT last night with Mom and Dad. I head inside, see Dad Sparky and say "I'm more surprised to see you here, then you should be to see ME here!" Turns out Grace talked them into extending by another day (C'mon Mom, it's vacation!) and heading out with her again a mere 10 minutes before the ferry sailed.

So they hooked up with a long time friend on the island for a place to stay.The Chicken Box has a box bar right across from the entrance, a stage area on the left, and three billiard tables and smoking deck on the right. Sign at the door says
"Capacity 300" and likely half the number are here tonight.

Opener Hollywood Farm features Cory Beard, original bassist for GPTN. They have a sax, 2 guitars, bass, and drums, and lay down a jazz/funk/rock vibe in the club, before leaving stage after 11 PM.

Grace and the boys take the stage after a while. Grace in jeans, with a blue short sleeve top, printed with a vintage hot dog add ( 6 cents). The Nocturnals take the stage in, well, jeans and T shirts, and they open with a soulful version of Ticket to The show. During 4th song ,Meantime, Grace loses the shoes and performs barefoot for the rest of the night.

The next song is Arms Length and Sparky turns to me with a big smile and says "what song is this?" And mid set, Grace changed things up by adding in "Take it All away"

But certainly the biggest surprise of the night came after Stop The Bus, when they launched into the Stones' "Live with Me" According to Bryan and Scott, they used to do this as a rockin encore, but I had never heard it, and it was the first time Grace played guitar on it. Matt said it felt almost like punk version due to the faster tempo they played.

And after closing with NBTW, they came back and eased into the intro for POYH. It went on instrumentally for a few minutes before just kinda stopping- turns out a fan had been banging on a circuit breaker which caused some electrical problems.

Now here is the truth. A late night show in a vaction spot is rowdy. Felt like a bunch of drunken frat boys and sorority girls. Most of the girls were very well dressed, but they were loud and pushy. And merch sales were almost non existent, as much as they liked the band. Perhaps because they have another chance tonight to pick up a CD or shirt. And I would suspect that tonight will be even busier, after the buzz spreads through town. And if it is drunker, louder, pushier, ummm....

.....so I can't stay another night to see show 2 because I have to get back. And even thought the "fix is in" on this ticket, I have to be there. So I do pay a "price", after all, for that ticket. I miss what might be a very special night. I am sure it was a very special day, as there were plans for the beach for the band and all..

After the post show hang, I start the walk back to town, a full moon guiding my way. As I make my way past the church, its steeple bell tolls twice. I am in bed by 2:15 and up 6 hours later. My ferry reservation is 12:30 but I can move to the 9:30. I am really tempted to stay and try to catch up with the beach crowd, but that is a tease, and will probably be just getting going by the time I have to leave, so I take my same seat on the 9:30 ferry and cruise back to reality. Such as it is...


Speaking of price

Parking $20
Dinner $40
Fast ferry $60
Room w/ shared bath $150
Night in Paradise? Priceless...:hat

set list
Ticket to The Show
Mystery Train
Joey
Meantime
Arms Length
Treat
Ain't No Time
Ragged Co.
Take it All Away
Belladonna
Stop The Bus
Live With Me
I ain't changing
NBTW
////////////////
Piss on Your Hand




somuchmore Re: Nantucket Island, The Chicken Box Night 1 #1 [-]

Member

Posts: 52

(08/10/06 09:02:19)



Thanks for the free show Tedheadone. I thought about the Chicken Box but was nervous about my credit card limit! It sounded like a perfect venue for them but i couldn't get away for the show.

one away man Re: Nantucket Island, The Chicken Box Night 1 #2 [-]

Fan

Posts: 174

(09/12/06 11:47:51)


OK, the box was the first time I've ever seen GP. I"M HOOKED!! I've probably see four or five hundred shows in my life (including 240 Dead shows) THIS BAND KICKS ASS!
I'll see you at the Paradise!!!