CCXCIV: Stars

Apologies for the delayed post, friends. I took yesterday and today off work sick to rest and regain my voice, which on Wednesday night sounded very sexy (at some points I could even sing like a man!), but yesterday it took a turn from mute to the other extreme: pubescent boy or Mickey Mouse. Eeuw.

The fall is normally concert season for me at least compared to other times in the year. I don't go to shows that often but it always seems like the bands I like tend to come to Vancouver in late-October and November. I had been looking forward to Stars even though I only know one of the songs off their new album (and, as I write this, I realize that the only band whose shows I ever go to with knowledge of >90% of the setlist is Travis), so I couldn't enjoy the whole concert as much per se, but I'm glad they played 6-7 songs I did know, including my favourites Your Ex-Lover is Dead and One More Night. 


The male vocalist whose name I have never bothered to learn (pictured above left) reminds me of Lucius Vorenus in HBO's Rome series--Grey's Anatomy viewers will recognize him from the past couple of seasons--and it was refreshing to see him smile through most of the set. I may be overthinking this but I think that many musicians (and people in general) start off their careers with high hopes and enthusiasm at the arrival of success, and then quickly become used to it or the novelty wears off and they start to forget about the joy of what it brings, especially when you are at the helm of the art you create. So to visibly enjoy what you are doing in addition to exhibiting a passion for it is in many cases a rarity and a gift to both the observer and the observed.

I don't know how I lasted the night feeling sleepy, overheated, and unable to talk much, sing along, or cheer at all, but I'm thankful Nicky and RaeRae put up with my whining and were delightful company as always. We really don't see each other enough.