In Concert: The Lumineers (Or, "Monday Is the New Friday")

Thanks to my lovely friend Amy, I had a last-minute surprise - a ticket to see The Lumineers at the House of Blues!  Last night, Monday, February 4, we hung out at the Lansdowne Pub while she and Radio 92.9 were giving away tickets to the show, albums by the band, chances to win ski passes and even a Jeep.

Step right up!

There was a group of 4 who won tickets through the station, and the 6 of us spent the whole evening enjoying drinks, interesting-looking treats at the Foundation Room (PS. I want to live there) and of course - good tunes.

Anyone thirsty?

Passion Fruit Mousse. You fancy, huh?

Pat won the tickets, and was celebrating his birthday all weekend (Happy Birthday!) and brought along his best buds Mike, Seth and Suzanne.

We watched the opener from the Foundation Room while having some drinks and food. We lost count of how many people were actually on stage for Y La Bamba but who cares?  They sounded pretty cool.  The band is from Portland, Oregon and describes themselves as "eclectic indie folk pop."  This song, "Juniper," has a great call-and-response and I love how their voices harmonize.

"Juniper"

The crowd was in love with The Lumineers from the moment the lights came up.  Looking around, every fan around us was singing along - when the band performed their second single, "Stubborn Love", Y La Bamba joined them on stage.  I loved hearing "Ain't Nobody's Problem" - I love the build-up.

This moment was pretty great, when members of The Lumineers came out into the middle of the crowd and performed the hit "Ho Hey":

What did I learn that evening?
1. "Monday is the New Friday." - Mike
2. If you order Vodka and Red Bull shots at the House of Blues, they come as actual drinks, not shots.  Bottoms up!
3. The Lumineers has a HUGE following in Boston - it was a sold-out crowd!  I certainly recommend checking this band out when they're in your neck of the woods next.  You won't be disappointed.

In Concert - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals / Trampled By Turtles

My incessant concert contest-entering paid off again!  I won a pair of tickets from 92.5 The River to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (with Trampled By Turtles opening) on November 30th at the House of Blues - Boston.  It's one of my favorite music venues in the area - great sound and atmosphere.  I was especially psyched because we had access to the Foundation Room!  If I could model my future home after the Foundation Room, I would.  I have a photo of the Prayer Room as the background on my phone - such a beautiful place.

Trampled By Turtles

I had only heard one song by Trampled By Turtles - Alone (featured on #WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday a few weeks ago), but I was not disappointed by their set at all.  I loved "Victory" - "the rain came at the break of day/ your light in the windowpane, said come on in..."  TBT really got the audience's energy level up - I'd love to see them again, for sure!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Wow.  They know how to put on a show, and that they did.  Grace started out at the keys with a shawl-type covering draped over her shoulders, and heels on, and ended up losing both, showing off her short skirt and killer legs.  Damnnnnn, Gina.  

She told the crowd that she was "glad to be back home in New England" - I learned that she is from Vermont, and there were shirts at the merch table with Vermont on it.  

    

She dedicated "One Short Night" to "all you troublemakers in Boston."

Overall, a FUN show - I now understand why there were TWO sold-out shows!

Thanks again to 92.5!