Deep Thoughts from New Friends @ Sofi Tukker

Last week, jungle pop sensations SOFI TUKKER took over the 9:30 Club. Hard to really describe their vibe: lush, primal, animalistic, euphoric. Inviting, welcoming, accepting. Energia.

Anyone that has ever gone to a show w/ me knows I’m an extrovert through and through. I like to meet the people around me and make new friends, we already know we have at least 1 thing in common so why not build from there?

@andypantspants and I met a ton of cool people at this show. Jen was at the Anthem show when ST opened for ODESZA back in 2017. Katie and I bonded over RUFUS playing between sets. I pulled a Merola and snagged a setlist for superfans Salma and Bianca after the show.

But the coolest person we met didn’t happen until after house lights came up. We decided to grab a beer downstairs and started chatting with Instagramless Christie about what she thought of the show. I could spend another 3 paragraphs on our common interests (turns out she’s the product manager for one of Knucklepuck’s strategic partners) but Christie made one comment in particular that really resonated with me:

The music scene cannot be sustained by musicians waiting for their turn.

It’s easy to understand why musicians would want to come out and support other musicians but the idea that as fans we can all experience music on the same level is strangely comforting. I am #blessed with a lot of gifts but musical creativity has never been one of them…and that’s OK. My role in the audience is equally valuable as the professional musician and first-time concert goer alike.

The happiest I’ve ever seen Porter Robinson was not when he and Madeon played Shelter for the last time at Coachella or when Virtual Self was nominated for a Grammy. It was when he slipped into the crowd to rock out to Kero Kero Bonito at Second Sky.

I’ve met some of the most important people in my life while seeing live music. Next time you’re at a show, say hi to your neighbor. You never know what might happen.