I went to see Ray LaMontagne at the Bangor Waterfront at the end of May. A bazillion other people from Farmington went as well, but only a few of our friends had seats together. But I had great luck since Peter was an island completely surrounded by empty seats so a bunch of us moved to sit with him in the front section. Sitting between people that I love so much, being "in it" together, immersed in music we love...what a sublime feeling.
When Brandi Carlile opened, she blew me away with her lovely, sultry, awe-inspiring voice. She performs in a way that keeps your attention, and if anyone wasn't in love with her and the way she sings by the end of her set, they obviously weren't paying attention. To me her music is so powerful because you can hear in her voice that she truly feels what she sings.
And Ray LaMontange, his voice, his lyrics...ahhhh. He created such a musical connection with the audience just by playing. He sings with such emotion! The music he makes has soul and life, which to me is the reason it's so beautiful, the reason it's so real, and the reason we can all feel something while listening to his songs.
A beautiful night of getting lost, sushi, lovely friends, 5 o'clock dusty sunlight turning to a constant mist of rain, and incredible music.
