flor with Winnetka Bowling League in San Antonio

Yes, I went to another flor show, and yes, it was perfect.

If you didn’t go to this tour, you missed out. In one of my favorite tour pairings ever, flor and Winnetka Bowling League made a hole-in-the-wall venue in San Antonio, TX feel like home.

I’d been dying to see WBL live since the first time I’d heard On The 5, so when flor announced they were playing together, I knew I had to be there. Alongside a group of my friends, we screamed the words to On The 5 and Kombucha (the only two WBL songs out at that time), even at one point gaining the attention of lead singer Matthew Koma, maybe because we were definitely loud and off-key, but we were having way too much fun to care.

And then there’s flor. Admittedly, it was my 26th flor show, but that just shows how completely magical they are. A few years ago, flor released a song with my good friend (and theirs) Lostboycrow called Feels Like Home, and that’s what flor shows have become for me. I never feel like I’m just at another concert, I genuinely feel like I’m coming home to a second family that has been there for me through everything the last 5 years. Something special about flor is that even if it’s your first show or your 50th, they make you feel valued, loved, and seen. I truly believe that the success that they’ve found is because of their genuine love for the people that love them. They’re not only talented in the extreme, but the nicest group of people you could ever meet.

You’ll find me at flor shows until they drag me out, kicking and screaming.

Gallery : Tones and I with Phil Good at The Parish

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to see Tones and I right at the height of her “Dance Monkey” popularity and witness a total superstar in the making.

It’s not often you see a star right at the beginning of their rise to success, so having the chance to see Tones and I in such a small room was absolutely incredible. Her talent is undeniable, she commands the stage and exudes a humble confidence that I could only wish to have. It was inspiring to hear her story of starting as a busker and making it to a world tour, she was vulnerable and honest and raw and made you want to get to know her.

Opener Phil Good played a chilled-out set that was the perfect start to the night and added several new go-to songs to my playlists.

I can’t wait to see what both of these artists do next, I’m glad I could be there for the beginning.

Check out the gallery below!

Gallery : Saint Motel at Emo's

I finally got to see a Saint Motel headliner and it was just as perfect as I’d expected.

After seeing Saint Motel open for Panic! at the Disco years ago, I was dying to see them headline their own show. Despite being armed with a broken camera and the panic associated, I wasn't going to let that rain on my parade.

Opening band Kolars was an absolute blast, they were captivating in the extreme and perfectly set the tone for a fun night.

Saint Motel is on a whole different playing field. They create an immersive world like none other, inviting you into their story with a set design that felt like you were experiencing more than just a concert and a high energy set list that left you feeling like you’d just danced a marathon.

I left that show a bigger fan, playing their music the whole way home. I can't wait to see the kind of show they put on next.

American Authors with Magic Giant and Public at Scoot Inn

With one of the most creative concepts I’ve ever seen, American Authors and Magic Giant put on one of my favorite shows of 2020.

The show started with a game similar to The Price is Right’s Plinko, a coin was dropped into a board and whichever side it landed on determined who would be the headliner for the night between American Authors and Magic Giant.

This was my second time seeing the opening band, Public, and, although it was only a year between the two shows, it was like I was seeing a whole new band. In the midst of their new-found TikTok viral stardom, they had a confidence that commanded the stage and made the small venue feel like a stadium. I had a blast dancing and singing along and so did the crowd.

It was also my second time seeing Magic Giant and their set was just as magical as the first (see what I did there?). They have a way of captivating an audience that is so unique and special, even if you were a total newbie to their music, it felt like you were seeing your favorite band. My favorite part of their set was when they made their way into the crowd for a stripped down performance, lit only by the cell phone flashlights around them. To create a moment so intimate in the middle of a performance is a hard feat and they pull it off so beautifully.

My first time seeing American Authors was so much fun, I found myself so sad when the show was over, I could have stayed there all night. I loved their constant energy and the relationship that they built with the audience. All three bands made you feel like you were a part of the performance rather than just a spectator. The lead singer of American Authors, Zac, took charge of the stage and made it his goal to get everyone moving by the end of the night. I almost forgot that I was supposed to be taking photos because I was just having way too much fun.

If you have a chance to see any of these artists, jump at it, it’ll be a night you won’t forget.

Matt Maeson at Scoot Inn

I saw Matt Maeson 4 times in 2019 and it still wasn’t enough.

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To end the Day You Departed tour, Matt Maeson made a stop at Scoot Inn in Austin, TX.

With one of my favorite albums of 2019, Bank on the Funeral, I took every opportunity to see Matt Maeson live that I could. I’ve had this album on repeat since it came out, and have found something special in every song.

Out of every Matt Maeson show that I've been to, this one was my favorite. There’s something about that “end of tour” energy that makes these shows so much fun. To start off the show, Moby Rich was incredible. I loved their presence on stage and had a blast discovering their music.

For someone who's music I usually turn on to relax, Matt Maeson’s shows are incredibly fun and full of energy. I was singing along with all of my favorites and dancing around with everyone in the crowd. For the end of the set, Matt brought out Brennan from the Technicolors and Moby Rich in a chaotic blend of White Claws, dancing, and celebrating the end of a tour.

Overall, I’m almost sad that I didn’t see Matt Maeson more this year, but excited for next year and the shows that I know I won’t be missing.

If you haven’t yet, listen to Matt’s album, Bank on the Funeral, and the new acoustic version that is everything you need and more.

Check out the gallery below!

- Marissa