As Tall As Lions - New York - New Years
2015 - 2016
Best Year ending.
Wow, As Tall as Lions, one of my favorite (I might even say my ultimate favorite) bands is playing in New York, the day before New Years. After they played their farewell show 5 years ago, I thought I would never get to see them play again. And somehow the stars aligned and Jon, Justin, Lauren, Hannah, and I all got the days necessary off from work.
We drove up over night the 29th, because Jon and I had to work that day. While on this trip I think I set my personal record for longest time spent awake, from 9:00am the 29th, until 3:00pm the 30th. 30 hours. It was pretty weird to be awake for 2 days straight, time felt weird. Lauren found the perfect AirBnB apartment in the East Village, a couple blocks from Webster Hall, the shows venue. It was a small apartment, with two rooms, one bathroom, and a kitchen. I slept on my camping sleeping pad in the kitchen and let Jon & Hannah have one bedroom, and Justin and Lauren have the other. It was perfect for our little group.
This New York trip included a long, beautiful, sleepy, drive from Chicago, through Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and finally New York. These states set my total for 2015 at 21 states (somehow didn't make it to Wisconsin though.. the nearest neighboring state). We drove Justin's new Jeep Renegade, which I have to say did really well. It was kind of small for 5 people and our luggage, but it definitely got the job done. I wish I had brought my camera, and didn't rely on my phone, but Lauren took some great photos.
We had coffee and brunches/lunches/dinners at some great little places (Crif Dogs), I loved walked through NY and checking out the tiny shops. On the 31st we walked through Central park and stood below the empire state building. New York was such a different city from Chicago, a lot dirtier, and more... real feeling in some way. Everything felt like it took real energy and thought to get done. I can't really describe it, but I liked New York a lot as a city.
The show itself was amazing, taking the spot from Jonsi as my favorite show. It was just so incredible to see them play again, and to see their emotions and reactions to the crowd and their music. Kimbra came and sang with them too, which was unexpected to say the least. They played their self titled record in order all the way through, and then two encores with songs from Lafcadio, and You Can't Take it With You. Absolutely loved it...