Fangirl returns from the alter of folkies

[mizarchivist]

The Indigo Girls (and Brandi Carlile as the opening act and back up vocals) played at the Hampton Beach Casino.

I'd never been to Hampton Beach ever. It's... just.... wow. For those who haven't seen it yet, I was struck by the notion that I'd walked right into Santa Clara but without the carnival rides. Also, there weren't billboards with missing kid notices plastered all over it. It was a decayed, grungy fairyland. Or hell. Well, both. caulay and I dined on fried seafood and then found out that the line to get into the show had formed over two hours before Brandi would take the stage. So we hung out and ate our ice cream in line rather than wandering the sidewalks. Since it is directly on the beach and such, I ended up foraging for a long sleeved shirt to buy. After a minimal amount of effort I found a gorgeous purple fleece that's bound to be my new favorite this season, as well as several places to return to in order to replace more of my hippy garb. I'm feeling lucky that it's the end of the season because now there'll be sales!
Inside the venue we sat on the far wall where there were bar tables/stools. It's so exciting to go to a Girls concert- every sort of female is there. The well to do almost middle aged ladies with their french manicures and Chanel bags (and husbands), the grannies and their girlfriends, and the dykes: diesel, redneck, sporty, baby, collegiate, fireplug, femme, gentleman... possibly a few others that defy all labels. We saw everyone from 7 to 70, but the median age definitely more towards 30/40 than an Ani concert. It was fantastic.
For those of you who've not heard Brandi Carlile- think Indigo Girls crossed with Alison Kraus. I loved every single song she played and I'm off to find all her CDs ASAP. (Bed first, then CD procurement. I have my limits) Apparently she'd been doing back up vocals for the Girls on the last album, at least. Beautiful.
We chose to move up to the dance floor area for the main event, as sitting still wasn't an option. We chose relatively wisely, but inevitably, someone taller than me - at least one woman taller than c.- is blocking my view. I have been in better crowds, but this one wasn't bad. We were surrounded by adorable couples. I went so far as to give my card to one of them who had a camera, requested a shot or two if she was got any decent shots. I also couldn't help but tell another couple how frickin' adooorable they were. The set that was played was very satisfying. We got at least 3-4 sing alongs, including the finale, Galileo.

OW. My throat hurts. I'm not 18 anymore. I've taken my Tylenol and hope I don't hobble tomorrow.

Comments

[lizzielizzie.livejournal.com]

Aw. I should have told you that the Girls are playing in Lowell this weekend! Sadly, the show is sold out.

[mizarchivist]

Trust me, not a problem. I am WAY too busy this weekend. This was a perfect show :)

[drwex]

Glad you had a great time. I've never been to Hampton Beach either.

[caulay.livejournal.com]

Hampton Beach is an experience. To truly appreciate it though, you really need to either start there and move south, through Seabrook and Amesbury to Salisbury or, even better in my opinion, start in Salisbury and move north.

Best (IMHO) is to start in the morning on a weekend and eat (or watch someone else eat) your (their) way up or down the coast.

Of course, if you grew up on or near the beach on the East Coast, this may be less of a alien environment than it is to someone from the midwest....

[mizarchivist]

My belly rumbles in fear at the idea of eating all day there...

[caulay.livejournal.com]

Which is why there's the option to watch someone else do it....

[drwex]

Just one question: do they have salt-water taffy?

I did grow up near the shore (Jersey) so boardwalks and the like are fairly familiar to me. But really, taffy made in the store just before you buy it (better if they have the machine out where you can watch it) is the defining shore-shopping experience for me.

[mizarchivist]

Oh yes. Salt water taffy. And fudge. Any boardwalk sort of food, and I expect they'd have it. Is that an indirect "bring me some" when I go back next week with your wife? Or is it just in the watching?

[drwex]

Ah, I'd forgotten you were going back. Yes, please, a small sampler. If it's really the good kind (and not the mass-market commercial stuff) then I'll try to get a larger supply.

[mizarchivist]

Happy to oblige, although just in case, I'd let Pyment know of this plan in case I get scattered on this plan

[caulay.livejournal.com]

While we did not see such a taffy place Tuesday night, we really only saw a small portion of the boardwalk. Which, as I noted, really stretches from the south side of Salisbury (MA) up to the north side of Hampton Beach (NH).

I do believe that I saw at least one, possibly two fudge shops though.