I was devastated when I tried to buy tickets to The National’s Planned Parenthood fundraiser in Hudson, NY and found they were sold out. I couldn’t forgive myself as I had a pair in my cart the day before, but got distracted and involved in something else before finalizing the transaction. The following day the show was formally announced and by the time I tried to buy, it was waitlist only.
I was ecstatic when we both received emails the day before Thanksgiving stating that we were off the waitlist! Something else to be thankful for this year!
The drive up to Hudson wasn’t a long one, it took us slightly over 2 1/2 hours. Our hotel room wasn’t ready so we braved the cold and walked up to Warren Street to visit a record store, check out the venue and we found a great combination book store / pub called Spotty Dog Books and Ale, where we enjoyed a few pints before heading off in search of lunch. After our meal we went to our room and listened to some live recordings of other National shows before braving the cold again to get in the queue for the show.
I think we waited about 55 minutes on the street before doors opened, and my feet did not defrost until after the show had ended, but we were on the rail, well, really it was a velvet rope, and were treated to an amazing show featuring not only The National, but also fabulous sets from Gail Ann Dorsey (David Bowie’s longtime bassist) and Kaki King, whose guitar technique is simply astounding. The National played 12 songs and I was fortunate enough to get a setlist after the gig. This was the perfect way to bookend our 14 shows on the Sleep Well Beast tour – our first was also in an intimate venue, the record release at the Bowery Ballroom back in September 2017.
After the show, we went out for a few drinks with friends we had met in Forest Hills. Thanks again to Marci, for bringing me one of the blue The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness / Guilty Party 7″ that were distributed at the record listening parties in the summer of 2017. It went on the turntable the minute we got back home.
