Find Me In FLORegon.
Did I fly cross country again to see flor? yeah. Would I do it again? everyday.
My journey to Portland began at 5:00am at the Austin airport getting stopped by a drug dog that just really liked my jeans, continued through to doing my makeup and simultaneously eating lunch in a Seattle airport gate, and finally getting to Portland at 1:00pm.
If you've ever met me, you'll know that my sense of direction is practically nonexistent, I can barely make it to work everyday without getting lost. That being said, when my lyft driver dropped me off at the venue at 2, I decided that a brand new city, completely unaware of my surroundings was the best time to do some exploring. A quick google search lead me to an ice cream shop that was only a mile away, so I took off walking...... down a few blocks...... across a river....... down a couple more streets........... four miles later, I found the ice cream shop (it's called Salt & Straw and it will change your life and trick you into thinking that it was totally worth walking miles for, which for the record, it totally is). I noticed my phone was only at 20% so I walked in search of a place to charge my phone, apparently Portland doesn't believe in outlets because, after asking 2 strangers, a store clerk, and a cop, the only place available to plug in a charger was a Starbucks, which, as the cop told me, was only "a few blocks away"...... yeah, try another 3 miles. If you're keeping up at home, my very large and in charge ass had walked 7 miles already in what was meant to be a one mile trip. I sat in the Starbucks for a few hours, chugging water and having flashbacks to being the fat kid at cheer camp who couldn't keep up on the runs, until I set off again, this time heading back to the safety of the venue.
One half-marathon later, I made it back to the venue and took my place in an already growing line. Everyone was talking excitedly about the setlist, flor had been promoting it as the only time they'd be playing the album in full, front to back, I joined in with my stories of the ones I'd already seen and the ones I was most ready for. I met people who had grown up with flor in Oregon, and fans who had just discovered them, each person with their own favorite song, favorite memory, and, of course, favorite member of the band (obviously I have mine, but it's not like I'm gonna be telling the internet any time soon). These questions were all asked again by a few guys filming a tour video, walking down the line asking giggling teenagers about their new favorite band, until we were eventually led into the venue.
As soon as I got in, I made a beeline for the stage, mostly because there's nothing like being front row for your favorite band, but also because it was a place to sit and cool off from my unplanned exercise. I tried to relax and salvage what was left of my previously pristine makeup job, until the first opener, Talk Modern came out to start the show.
For their second show ever, Talk Modern put on a really impressive set. Granted, there were a few kinks but I've seen pros do a lot worse. Their songs were catchy and the hard work they put into every detail of the set was very apparent, I have a feeling like this isn't the last I'll hear of them.
The second opener, Pleasure Curses, were on a whole new planet of weird.... in the best way. With only two members of the band, they really came out with a bang, literally, their keyboards were falling apart, they were crashing to the floor, crawling on the ground, playing in the pit. It was wild, y'all. If I'm being honest, I can't even remember what they sounded like, I was too busy enjoying the spectacle of it all, but I'm sure it was great.
As soon as flor took the stage, I'd all but forgotten the stress of the day. Immediately, it was very clear that this show was going to be special. Everyone was grinning ear to ear, dancing even before the music started, the energy was lifted to an all time high that remained constant throughout the show.
They opened with Get Behind This, much to my surprise. I was sad I wasn't going to hear that song, because it's not on the album, and it's been played at every flor show I've ever been to (if you can't tell, I am 1000% not cool with changes, especially when it comes to flor setlists... unless of course it's playing the full album, that can be forgiven.)
From then on, they played my favorite album start to finish.
A few songs in, in an unfortunate wild microphone attack, Zach ended up splitting his lip (don't worry, McKinley came to the rescue and offered to "kiss it better"), then he got tangled in the guitar cords, then almost hit his face again, which lead to me starting a new game called "how many times will Zach hurt or almost hurt himself in one set?"....... it was 6.
This is what I love about flor, they're not afraid to mess up, or be a little weird, or forget about being perfect so they can have fun playing the music that they've worked so hard on. They're perfectly imperfect.
"I’m having so much fun on stage and completely forgot I was working. I don’t even know if what I’m doing sounds good" - Zach
My absolute favorite of the night was Spoiled (surprise, it's not Warm Blood... I'm showing versatility). It's no secret that the last minute of Spoiled is my new religion, it's got dark and twisty Zach, and Kyle absolutely kicking ass and taking names and I could not wait to see it live. Spoiler (lol) alert: IT MURDERED ME. Kyle thought he was funny by pointing at me before my favorite part, he was probably just checking that I was alive before killing me, how sweet.
Remember in my San Francisco post where I said Zach sang an acoustic song that had me crying for a week but I didn't know the name? Well that song is called Restless Soul and not only do I have a rather large tattoo based off of a lyric from this song, but I was fortunate enough to hear it live in all its glory for the first time they ever played it. Could anyone hear me crying?
Flor finished the set with Overbehind, a song that has come to mean so much to them and the ever-expanding fan base. Everyone was screaming the chorus, using every last bit of energy to belt out one more song. I never wanted it to end.
It might sound silly, but the pride I felt for this band when the album came out doesn't even come close to how proud I was throughout this show. My first flor show had about 8 people, 3 of them were people I brought. Two years later, a packed crowd was singing along to every word of songs that I was previously singing along to practically alone and embarrassingly loud. I'm proud to know them in my own little way, and proud to say that I support artists that are not only insanely talented, but the kindest group of people I've ever encountered.
After the show I made my usual rounds. Stuttering and bumbling around like an idiot (it's expected now). While I was waiting to talk to everyone, I got to meet so many of the people who made flor who they are now, family, friends, and everyone in between.
What made this show the most special for me, aside from the actual set, was that I have never in my life been at a show where so many people have come up to me and said, "I've heard a lot about you, you know this band loves you just as much as you love them." I will carry that with me forever.
Despite my anxious rambling, excruciating awkwardness, my excessive twitter activity, and everything that comes with me (exhibit A: the photo below), Zach, McKinley, Kyle, and Dylan have welcomed me with open arms, and have become not only my favorite band, but some of my favorite people in the world.
this single photograph sums up me as a person more than words ever will.
If I have to, I'll keep working the 60 hour weeks, buying the plane tickets and doing whatever it takes to get to shows, because I know, without a doubt, that at a flor show, I am wanted, I have a safe space to forget about everything that hurts in the real world and for a few hours, a place to dance and sing and cry and laugh and be with people that make me feel more a part of the whole picture than anyone else around.
Thank you for that.
- Marissa
This website has almost crossed the line into being a flor site, but they continue to do cool shit so I gotta keep writing it..... they are my tape & glue after all.
Also, I didn't take any pictures during the show (too busy dancing), so for your viewing pleasure, here are my newly updated photos with the guys in all of their "I just got off a plane and walked a half- marathon so I look really gross but thank god you're not judging me" glory.... I don't think I'll ever get all 5 of us in a photo.
oh and please excuse the dad-joke of a title. I was laughing for a solid 5 minutes at Floregon and had to put it somewhere.
