when my friends from river asked what concert i wanted to see, i didn't hesitate. "grizzly bear," i said immediately. next thing i knew, they'd gotten me the tickets. this was going to be grizzly bear's first show in six years. getting to be there for the reunion felt uber special.. they were everything to me during a very specific time in my life. the swag-tumblr-indie-sleaze blog era.
the night started the way most good nights do. running late, overthinking what to wear, trying to find that old feeling in the mirror. i ran out of my apartment still tying my converse laces before i could psych myself out. the subway ride was quiet and kind of perfect. that new york hum that lets you think but not spiral (yet). i looked out the window and felt thirteen again for a second.
brooklyn steel was already packed when i got there. and one thing i immediately noticed is that there were very few phones out, which made me feel so awkward trying to record anything for this recap. chanel beads opened and they were incredible. one of those bands you can feel is about to blow up (they kinda have imo). their sound is still hungry, still figuring itself out and i can't wait to see what the future holds for them.
then grizzly bear came on. every version of me who ever loved them was suddenly in that room. the harmonies hit, the guitars shimmered, time just collapsed. when they played i live with you i remembered every winter playlist i ever made. every late-night walk with their songs in my ears.
then victoria legrand (of beach house) walked out. the crowd instantly errupted. it was one of those perfect show moments you don't know you'll be replaying for days. when two weeks started playing, everyone screamed like it was 2009 again. voices cracking, hands up, no one caring how off-key they were. i remember i couldn't walk 100 yards anywhere in 2009 without hearing that
i bought merch i didn't need after and lingered by the merch table longer than i should've. veckatimest still sounds perfect. some albums just become part of you. they shift with time but never really leave. and of course i ended the night at the corner store, still buzzing. the walk home was quiet in that way it only gets after a perfect night.
thank you to river. i needed this more than i knew.
stay noisy friends ✌️
— saint virgil