As Keating Magee summer interns, one of our main projects is to devise a seasonal marketing strategy for the HOB New Orleans. About two weeks ago, we took a stroll down Decatur Street to meet with the HOB promotions director to discuss the aim of the summer promotion. After an hour of chatting about food, music, social media and how the majority of us had made little acquaintance with the HOB, So and so mentioned allowing us to experience all that this venue has to offer.
Post-initial excitement, the offer slipped my mind. So, when Ronald said that we might get to see Jack’s Mannequin, one of my all-time-favorite bands, I had to hide my near hyperventilation. I sat at my desk, anxiously awaited a verdict and tried to not to get my hopes too high.
Then, there they were, the four little words that chimed like a choir of bells to my ears, “I got the tickets.” Caroline and I immediately grabbed our belongings and headed straight to the HOB. Little did we know just what we gotten ourselves into.
I had heard about the Foundation Room before. However, upon receiving the membership card from Ronald, I just thought it lead to a quickened entry into the gates that held the music of my juvenescence. But as we walked up the stairs into the wonderland that is the Foundation Room, we were more than pleasantly surprised. Plush couches lined the walls. Elaborate décor resembling old Tibet plastered the room, and the scent of incense roamed the air. After an introduction to what seemed like the entire staff, we were brought to our own balcony seats.
The show started off with River James, whose guitarist played his instrument like a violin. The next band, Lady Danville, was really entertaining with its upbeat rhythm, folksy touch and charisma. It was also exciting to see that the drummer kept beat with only his hands. The last opening act, Steele Train, was quite the crowd pleaser and seized my attention with its powerful lyrics. Then Jack’s Mannequin appeared on stage. The band’s passion, enthusiasm and talent could inspire anyone. I admittedly sang along to every song and enjoyed every second of the performance.
Each band had something completely unique to bring to the table. However, what caught really my attention was something that only my bird’s-eye view allowed.
As I gazed upon the crowd from my balcony seat, I realized how incredible it is to experience live music. Yes, hearing the same tune trumpeted out of iPod headphones will induce whichever emotion the song inspires. However, only at a concert can you truly see music unite a group of people and spark passion from within the musicians and the audience.
Hundreds of synchronized, sweaty strangers stand back to front, side-to-side, heal to toe and plunge into one another’s personal spaces. However, none of this matters as they form, what seem to be, personal connections with the musicians. The room potentially could have been filled with an assortment of people with only two things in common, the notes streaming off of their vocal chords and their passion for the music. The notes are simply formed by nerves traveling to the fingertips, triggering percussion to the piano keys and igniting vibrations. This process creates a sound that seems to be the only thing that really matters or even exists at that moment.
Music can tie everyone together, and that is why I believe that the New Orleanians’ love of music is what makes this city such a beautiful place.
I had an awesome time last night and would like to thank the HOB New Orleans and Keating Magee for the experience. I now look even more forward to continuing working on the HOB project this summer!
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