I joined Cherry Tree, The National’s fan club, within ten minutes of its announcement. One of the perks offered earlier this year was the chance to attend a sound check at a handful of shows in the south. You needed to have a ticket for the show and email Cherry Tree by a certain date, and your name would be added to the list of those allowed in to watch.

I had been helping a friend of mine get tickets to their St. Augustine show and on a whim, decided to buy a pair of GA’s for us as well. When Cherry Tree announced that this show was offering a soundcheck experience, I knew I had to be there. Flights were expensive at the last minute, so I used miles to fly in the morning of May 5 and return home the next morning.

It was such fun to be in the venue to witness this. We were told not to disturb them as they were working – we got three songs in entirety, then were escorted out of the venue where we promptly formed the GA queue. It was such an amazing experience.

Doors opened at around 6p.m., and Big Thief was the support act. We had seen them the week before at Homecoming Fest in Cincinnati, and I really enjoyed their set. Then it was time for the National… it was so great to be there with my friend for his first ever show.