Gentlemen of the Road

For those that know me, know that I love going to concerts. I usually never say no to going to a concert or checking out live music. As much as I love seeing a live band, something happens to me (if they were really amazing) where I feel empty afterwards. I don’t know what this says about me, but I like to think it says more about the musical talents of the band and their affect on me. I am not sure if this is a real condition, or the reason it is referred to as concert fever, but is is like a high and I just want to keep the momentum going. Even though I have no musical talents, I want to become a roadie or start a band – anything to go on tour.

This past weekend was no different and probably up there as one of the best concerts I have ever been to. I had the pleasure of attending the Gentlemen of the Road Tour featuring Mumford & Sons at one of the stopovers in Simcoe, Ont., at the Norfolk County Fairgrounds. Sure I liked Mumford & Sons, but now I LOVE them. In an over-saturated pop market, Mumford & Sons lyrics are poetic, the tunes are folky and just reminds me of good ol’ stomp your feet and clap your hands music.

The entire experience was well worth the drive and money. The event itself was so organized from the short lines for drinks and bathrooms, to the variety of food vendors. Even the “passport” each person receives, includes information on local places to see and eat, local cab numbers, banks, the hospital and a map of the fairgrounds. Now that I know what to expect I would probably try and go up the night before and check out more bands and take in every minute of the experience. I really didn’t want the night to end.

Gentlemen of the Road Passport

Along with Mumford & Sons, some of the bands at the Simcoe stopover included Old Crow Medicine Show, Hey Rosetta!, The Walkmen, The Vaccines, Dan Mangan and Edward Shrpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Since I won’t be able to quit my job, live in an RV and follow bands around, I just hope I can enjoy as much live music as I can and I suggest to anyone to try and do the same.

-AP