“I feel like this is my baptism.”
- a gleeful stranger standing in line in a chilly, windy rain
I always get the same feeling heading into a concert. Butterflies, but without a trace of anxiety or nerves. In stadiums and glorified (and literal!) basements, experiencing the songs that weave a soundtrack through my everyday life is an unparalleled joy. It never, ever gets old.
Going to see a favorite artist live is like seeing a movie that entirely captivates you combined with going to a sporting event where your favorite team wins in thrilling fashion, only guaranteed. You’ll feel deep emotions, and you’ll be standing and screaming in genuine elation by the end.
Music’s power is limitless. It turns out that nature’s is, too.
There aren’t many things thousands of people will joyfully climb part of a mountain and stand in borderline-to-actually pouring rain for hours for. A show at Red Rocks Amphitheatre is such a thing.
Thanks to the internet ahead of our first-ever trip, my girlfriend and I had learned that it rains often at places chiseled into the bases of mountains (these particular ones being Colorado’s Rockies). Most of the crowd also prepared accordingly, the rest weren’t bothered.
It was night one of two sold out shows for Caamp, an Ohio-born band whose name felt fit for the evening and whose folksy, banjo-heavy style seemed at home between the famous red cliffs. In their first show ever headlining at Red Rocks, the trio and their band weaved through tunes from their 2016 self-titled debut album, 2022’s Lavender Days (the album the tour was supporting), and everything in between.
The scenery at Red Rocks might be capable of making an off-key, cacophonous high school rock contest feel like a religious experience. From the first acoustic strum introducing ‘Come With Me Now’ to the rock-n-roll encore finale of ‘Going To The Country’, it was clear that both the band and its fans were sharing in a pilgrimage.
Part of music’s power is its ability to tie together seemingly disparate things: a sense of place, time and history, emotions, and so on. Its ability to bring people together in community (we met fellow Ohioans who were also experiencing Red Rocks for the first time) is uniquely special, too.
Every time I hear a song that was on the setlist that night in October of 2022, I’m right back to those benches getting torrentially rained on with my best friend in the world. I’m hearing how the band played certain tunes, how we sang along, and how thousands around us did the same.
I’m remembering how Caamp’s music about love, loss, home, seeing the world, and being there for your people hit me in that exact place and time.
All in a place that would take your breath away on its own if you sat in it alone and in silence.
A pilgrimage worth making.
Coffee: Gradient, Counter Culture (Durham, NC)*
The beauty of Counter Culture coffee - in addition to its deliciousness - is its availability. If you’re familiar with Alexandria, VA and have been to St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, you can order this there. If you shop at Whole Foods or have an internet connection (which, well, you’re reading this, so…), you can get it there. I’m a dark roast drinker and this Colombian blend delivers on all of the reasons I love dark roast coffee, but Hologram is another widely available medium blend that’s great hot or iced.
Wine: Espiral Vinho Verde (Portugal)*
At some point in this newsletter’s short and spotty history, more Trader Joe’s wines recommendations were promised. Summer is still very much here and I’m (sort of) fresh off a trip to Portugal earlier this year, so let’s drink Vinho Verde. Like most others, this one is crisp and refreshing (and feels bubbly), something we all need as we wait for Fall. It’s also only $6.
Sounds: Found (Forever) (Caamp, Lavender Days), Wear It Out (Futurebirds, Teamwork)
This newsletter celebrates Caamp’s entire discography, but ‘Found’ is a beautiful song off an album that is the latest in a natural progression of the band’s greatest strengths as musicians and storytellers. For a bonus, check out the opening band from the show described above, Futurebirds.
* I’ve never been a barista nor am I a sommelier, but I truly enjoy both of these immensely. I’d also love to hear feedback and suggestions for future sections