Miscellaneous Concert Memories 2011-2013
Some of the best concert memories come from smaller shows at intimate venues - the kind of shows where you discover an artist or catch someone right before they break big. Here are a few gems from 2011-2013 that didn't fit neatly into other categories.
Griffin - 2012
Zee Avi (2012)
The Malaysian singer-songwriter brought her jazzy, folk-pop to the intimate Griffin. Her voice is sweet and her songs blend multiple influences (jazz, folk, ukulele-driven pop). Discovered on YouTube, Zee Avi's live show showed she was more than just an internet sensation.
Henry Wolfe (2012)
Meryl Streep's son proving he's a talented artist in his own right. His piano-driven indie-pop was sophisticated and heartfelt. The Griffin's small setting let his songs breathe.
The Anthology - 2011
The Milk Carton Kids - Anthology (2011)
Before they became Americana darlings, I caught Kenneth Pattengale and Joey Ryan at the small Anthology venue. Their two-part harmonies over acoustic guitars are pristine - they sound like they've been singing together for decades (they have). Songs like "Hope of a Lifetime" and their traditional folk interpretations showed deep reverence for the music. In a small room, their harmonies were even more affecting.
Belly Up Tavern - 2012
1776 (2012)
The NYC-via-Philly band (named after the address where they met) brought indie rock energy to the Belly Up. Their scrappy, DIY aesthetic and catchy songs made for a fun show.
The Small Venue Experience
These smaller shows at venues like Griffin, Anthology, and Belly Up represent a different kind of concert-going. There's no barrier between you and the artist. You're not watching a performance from afar - you're in a room with musicians sharing songs.
Sometimes these intimate shows become treasured memories precisely because of their smallness. Seeing The Milk Carton Kids in a tiny room before they became festival staples, discovering Zee Avi in a coffee house, watching Henry Wolfe prove his musical talent - these are special precisely because they're not spectacles.
The Verdict
Not every great concert needs to be at a festival or arena. Some of the most meaningful musical experiences happen in small rooms with a few dozen people, where you can see the musicians' expressions, feel the intimacy of the songs, and discover artists before the rest of the world catches on.
San Diego's small venue culture - places like Griffin, Anthology, Lestat's, and others - provided countless opportunities for these kinds of experiences. They're the lifeblood of a healthy music scene.