Tag: concert

Michelle at Empire Control Room, Austin, Texas

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Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/30 sec, ISO1000
 “Michelle” Austin, 2022

I’ve been listening to the NYC-based band Michelle for a couple of years now, and love their songs so much. When I saw that they were coming to Empire Control Room in Austin as part of their Lavender tour, I immediately bought a ticket.

The show was awesome! Empire Control Room is pretty small, so even standing at the back, the stage was pretty close. They played for about an hour, and I heard all of my favorite songs, including FYO and Sunrise. The singers, Layla, Sophia, Emma, and Jamee, sounded great, and looked like they were having so much fun.

Julian and Charlie held down the percussion, bass, and programming and were also super-funny.

I really enjoyed the show, and was glad I went. It’s one of those life-experiences that I will cherish forever.

Tennis at Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater

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“Tennis” Austin, 2021

Tonight I saw a band I really like play a show at Stubb’s. Tennis was awesome! They sounded great, with Alaina Moore singing perfectly and her husband Patrick Riley’s guitar work excellent.

The setlist was really good, and I got to hear most of my favorite songs. They pretty much spread out the setlist over their entire discography, which I prefer over setlists that just focus on the latest album.

Here’s one of the “oldies” from 2013 that they played:

Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater is a cool place to hear live music. It’s outdoors so if the weather is nice, it makes for a great time. Tonight happened to be clear and in the low 70s so it was perfect. One bad thing about Stubb’s is that people tend to talk a lot during the show, so if you want to just hear the music, you should move close to the front. Otherwise all the talking can get really annoying. I moved around a few times just to get away from loud conversations.

Photo info: Apple iPhone 12 mini, 4.2mm, f/1.6, 1/7 sec, ISO800
 “Stubb’s” Austin, 2021

This was the first concert I’ve been to since the pandemic started. The band required negative COVID tests or proof of vaccination, and the staff was indeed checking everyone at the gate. However, I still wore a mask the entire time. (I was one of only a handful people masked up)

I was a little nervous going to the show because of COVID, but I’m really glad I did. It was a lot of fun and I even came home with a new t-shirt. 😄

Austin Youth Orchestra Spring Concert

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"Austin Youth Orchestra" Austin, 2019
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 55mm, f/4, 1/150 sec, ISO3200
 “Austin Youth Orchestra” Austin, 2019

For the past couple of months, Koa has been rehearsing (as a percussionist) with the Austin Youth Orchestra every week, and today they had their Spring concert. It was really fun to listen to the music today because most of the time, Koa doesn’t perform with strings. It’s a really nice change of pace!

There were three orchestras playing today, and Koa is listed as a member of the top group, but he was asked to play in the middle group as well. He said he had to do a lot of sight reading today since he didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the middle band. But to me, he sounded great. I’m so proud of him!

Percussion is a fun discipline in the band/orchestra because they have to learn many different instruments, such as marimba, vibraphone, xylophone, bells, triangle, cymbals, snare drum, and timpani. Then there are a few other specialty instruments like the rain stick. And today, Koa said he had to switch between bass drum, snare, and cymbals in one of the pieces. Some pieces, he’s very active, and some pieces he doesn’t even have a part in. It’s very interesting.

Anyway, it was great to listen to the Austin Youth Orchestra. All the kids work so hard, and it’s impressive to hear the fruits of their labor come to life in a live concert.

I hope you had a nice Sunday!

またね〜

Middle School Percussion Concert

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"Solo" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 55mm, f/4, 1/160 sec, ISO2000
 “Solo” Cedar Park, 2018

こんばんは。How’s it going?

This evening, Koa performed at the percussion concert – both solo and ensemble. He was so happy that he got chosen as a soloist, and he did great! He got a huge round of applause at the end, which was really cool. 👏

Besides the solo, his percussion section performed two pieces, and they rocked the house. I’ve heard and seen them perform the pieces before, so I knew it was going to be great, and they did not disappoint.

"Ensemble" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 50.5mm, f/4, 1/160 sec, ISO2500
 “Ensemble” Cedar Park, 2018

Next year, Koa will be moving on to high school, and he’ll continue with percussion in the band there. The percussion director is the same for his middle school and high school so the transition will be easier. It’s great that he’s found something that he’s really into! His middle school band experience was truly a positive one, and he learned a lot about hard work, discipline, and respect. I am so glad he was in band, and in percussion in particular. I have to say that a lot of the credit goes to the band director, who is strict but dedicated. We really got lucky that he was the director at our kids’ middle school! 🎶

"8th Graders" Cedar Park, 2018
Photo info: FUJIFILM X-T10, 26.5mm, f/3.2, 1/160 sec, ISO1600
 “8th Graders” Cedar Park, 2018

I hope you had a nice Tuesday!

またね～