Brittany Howard is my queen.
Lately there has been much unrest in our world, our country, and my city. Yesterday was rumored to be a “day of rage” here in Memphis. There were sources claiming the “day of rage” would be a peaceful protest, other sources claimed it was going to be a not so peaceful protest. Yesterday was also the day Alabama Shakes graced Memphis with their presence and played a show at the Mud Island Amphitheater. Come hell of high water nothing was going to keep me from seeing what would soon be one of the best concerts of my life.
There are a few things that made last night wonderful:
- The people. Last nights crowd was one of the most diverse I have ever seen at a concert. Everyone, I mean everyone, was there for the music. You might be thinking well isn’t that the whole point? I talking about everyone knew the words to every song. These people were here to see the Shakes. The unity that was happening on Mud Island last night was beautiful. At one point in the night my fiance apologized to a group of guys sitting behind us for constantly standing up and blocking their view. One of the guys replied “It’s all good man, they are an amazing band, enjoy it.” Considering I was almost knocked down by a grown man at a Fleetwood Mac concert because I was standing (if Stevie is on stage i’m standing…sorry ’bout it) I was overjoyed by his response and the positive vibes that surrounded us.
- Brittany Howard. Not only did she tell the crowd that she missed us; she said she was happy to be back in the south, eatin’ biscuits. This woman knows my soul. When I thought she couldn’t be any more great she dedicated “You Ain’t Alone” to St. Jude during the encore. I’m not even going to lie, I cried a little.
- The positive vibes. On a day so ominous it was named the “day of rage” I couldn’t have felt more uplifted. The joy that Alabama Shakes brought to a crowd of five thousand was overwhelming. The city needed that joy, that break from reality. Last night proved that music is the ultimate connector of souls. The Shakes soothed our heartache over the sad state of this world. Alabama Shakes brought together people of all races, sexual orientations, religions, ages, and backgrounds for a night of happiness and music. And that my friends, is a beautiful thing.
