REGINA SPEKTOR LAST NIGHT. ahdjejm (Patreon)

You know you've picked the right manager when she gets tickets to see your all time fave. Ugh, this was dreamy. Here's a hello-teacher-this-is-what-I-did-at-the-weekend style essay for you about my Wednesday night.

Regi (as she will be referred to throughout) played the Apollo in Hammersmith, West London; 'twasss my first time in the venue. Folk were queued up for hours before doors time and there was just such a buzz about the place; it stretched right down to the pub around the corner, where I saw a ton of people with Regi tickets in hand, clutching them tightly. Basically, the whole area was full of people I would like to be friends with.

Regi had no support act and instead went on at 8 to play a 24 song set. 24! BOSS. Her band setup was perfect - drums, cello, some dude on keyboard filling in the gaps, playing everything from synth to brass.. and RS centre-stage on a sweet baby grand piano. It was never too much; the arrangements rightly made the focus all about her, but it was so super dynamic it kept everyone super engaged. For a couple tunes she got up & just sang with no instrument.. She even hopped on electric guitar for 2 tunes which was sooO special.

Song highlights for me includeddd Grand Hotel, Ballad of a Politician (written & released years ago but heck, so relevant today), Fidelity (duh), You've Got Time, and of couuurse Samson at the end. For me the whole gig really was the statement of an 'albums artist'.. a setlist spanning over 13 years, songs carefully curated & connected by mood or concept.. the audience knowing all the most obscure tracks because they've just fallen in love with the songs in groups. I think a lot about the future of ~the music business~ and really hope artists like Regi continue to exist in 10, 20 years time.. Heck, I WANNA BE ONE OF THEM.

In a nutshell, she was my fave before, she is still my fave. Her chat on stage was so effortless.. talent aside she just must be one of the most charming creatures on the planet. Inspiring is an understatement, yo.

Anyways, hope y'all are well. I'm having an awesome little week, been writing a new one with Ben & Sean about the crazy lil city that is LUNDUN. It's coming together nicely, lil' preview for ya when I have anything meaningful to show! :) also I began scribbling thoughts down for the next demo.. Got some lil' ideas, lots of 'em actually. Just hope I can pull them off!

Anyone been to a great live show recently? Would be cool to hear about it !

All my love
OG
Xxx