Last night was a night I never thought would happen! Blind Melon performed at the Lincoln Theatre last night to a VERY appreciative and responsive audience. I had been looking forward to this show more so than any show this year. Upon my arrival, just seeing the band’s name on the marquee sent shivers up my spine.
I just knew this was gonna be a magical night. As I approached the venue, I was greeted by some fellow Melons from the Blind Melon Forum who had been following the tour for a few dates. Sonya, Greg, and company were VERY welcoming and I swear that in like five minutes I felt like I had known them forever. It was a really great way to start the evening. We exchanged thoughts of the tour so far, opinions of the set list, and even managed to hear the boys soundchecking to “Wilt” and “Wishing Well”. Again, I got goosebumps just hearing this and managed to get REALLY pumped up!
After being teased in the cold by the employees of the venue, the doors were FINALLY opened and we all strolled in. The group went to the front and I headed to the balcony to get my eagle eye view of the stage and to wait for my good friend Spoob to show up!
The opening act was some dude from Cary, NC named Matt (insert last name here). Now I like to stay open minded when it comes to opening acts but this guy just really kinda rubbed me the wrong way. I always believe that as a musician, there is a fine line between confidence and arrogance. Some people straddle the line and some are one extreme or the other. What started out seeming to be confidence just turned to arrogance. I couldn’t help but feel that this guy had no fucking clue that he was opening for BLIND MELON! I mean, if it would’ve been me, I would’ve been pumped by this. He never once acknowledged the band or thanked them or engaged the audience. It was very self absorbed and on top of that, the songs were forgettable at most. I mean, he did like 7 songs and 3 of them were covers (ranging from Tool to Pearl Jam’s “Yellow Leadbetter”). I think someone needs to go to performance etiquette 101.
And FINALLY, the moment we had all been waiting for! The house lights went down and the instrumental intro to “Galaxy” filled the house and the band took the stage to a massive, roaring applause. The band was all smiles but what was really odd, is that singer Travis Warren was in a Jason mask for the opening number of Galaxy and into Wilt. I at first thought that this was odd but them the thinker in me came out. I couldn’t help but think that it was almost as if he was saying “Don’t judge me. Just hear me first and then make your assumptions…”. I thought that this move was actually quite philosophical in a way.
The band slammed into Galaxy and that just sent everyone into the roof! Matter of fact, I’m not sure there’s a roof left on the Lincoln to be honest. The band really kept the momentum and did very little conversing in between songs choosing to let Travis and the music do the talking. The band played with such energy. An energy that isn’t even seen in young bands these days. It was obvious to everyone present that they were having the times of their lives. The band was constantly smiling and joking with audience, encouraging everyone to sing along. Travis really made an impossible task VERY easy. He made a statement that while Shannon Hoon was irreplaceable that he wasn’t there to replace him but to help the band keep the songs and the spirit alive. Everyone cheered and applauded his gesture and seemed to definitely approve.
The highlights of the night was really hearing the new material. Songs like “Wishing Well” and “Make A Difference” really showcase just how these guys are connecting not with just Travis but with each other as a band. They sound like they have picked up where they left off which is a really great and almost shocking thing knowing that they’ve been gone for over 12 years. The new material is just a strong as the classic material and they really hold up well next to the “classics”.
Hearing “Soup” was a really intense thing. Travis just delivered that song with every bit of heart and soul he had. It was so heartfelt and just full of emotion that I swear I teared up. Especially when he hit the line “I’ll close my eyes really, really tight and make you all go away…”. It was just so moving and he really hit a chord with me and I’m sure with everyone else. I know this isn’t an easy task he’s taken on but again, he’s being himself and just doing it really naturally. Nothing looks or sounds fake or like they’re trying to hard. This is such a natural and welcomed thing. I can’t even put into too many more words about just how amazing this is to have them back!
The band was playing really well and just sounded like they had never missed a beat. The MVP award though goes to Christopher Thorn. He was just amazing last night and really tearing it up on the guitar, mandolin, piano, harmonica and slide guitar! Getting to see him in action again after all these years was DEFINITELY a highlight for me.
Another highlight was when the band launched into the song “Sleepyhouse” (written about the Durham home they lived in for a few months writing the debut album) from their debut album and the audience just sang along to every word. Bassist Brad Smith was so moved by this performance that he was practically in tears. After the song he stated that he’d been waiting so long to perform that song again and that he was so glad they got to share it in the place where the Sleepyhouse is actually located!
The show just continuted to climb and climb and really bring the audience with them. Songs like “Soak The Sin” and “Toes Across The Floor” had us all dancing and singing along and “Skinned” had us all laughing and singing all those kookie lyrics. It was just so surreal yet so much fun and band was just eating it up. The band closed the set w/ their cover of Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher” from the Nico album which was absolutely amazing. The band came back for THREE encores and floored us all with a gutwrenching version of “Mouthful of Cavaties” featuring the gorgeous voice of their videographer Colleen. Travis went on to dedicate “Deserted” to Nel Hoon and then slam right into “Time” which had everyone just going apeshit. Then, out of nowhere, they were gone! Just like that. They came, they conquered, they left us wanting more!
It was amazing and the best part was getting to hang w/ all the guys in the band! Lots of conversations were had and lots of pictures were taken. It was a gorgeous and beautiful night and on this night, we all learned an important lesson… never say never. Dreams do come true and they don’t die, they just get put to rest for a lil while!
Blind Melon – 12/02/2007 – Raleigh, NC
1. Galaxie
2. Wilt
3. 2×4
4. Soup
5. Wishing Well
6. Toes Across the Floor
7. Make A Difference
8. Sleepyhouse
9. Change
10. Tumblin’ Down
11. Skinned
12. Soak the Sin
13. Hypnotized
14. For My Friends
15. No Rain
16. Drive
17. Pusher
Encore
18. Mouthful of Cavities
19. Deserted
20. Time
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