Having spent a weekend in Ocala and Gainesville, I’m here to tell you that the kids are alright.
The Alleged Band featuring John’s daughter, Cec, as lead singer.
I mean that in a general sense. Young musicians are working hard and they are really talented. Everything’s fine, and I’m really not worried about them.
Friday evening In Ocala, we played for a family audience full of joyful kids who wanted to dance to the music. Their young parents weren’t stopping them, and everyone had a great time.
Clover’s Revenge at the Levitt Amp Ocala Music Series.
Saturday we traveled north to play a planned concert in Gainesville.
Up there, we had a chance to watch JB’s daughter put together, host and headline a concert at their DIY concert venue, The Treehouse.
It was an incredible experience.
I bought like 52 beers.
JB bought 5 huge pizzas.
Ahhh, college.
The Joytraders.
Six facts that point to the same conclusion: the kids are alright.
- First point: each of the bands was really high quality.
- Second point: the opening act had its very first performance. They were excellent. Fang Face.
- Third point: every time they do a show like this, there’s a brand new act opening.
- Fourth point: the young audience gave great audience. They were stylish, and took it all in, appreciating the music and enjoying themselves.
- Fifth point: nobody was getting wasted. They were into supporting each other and into the music.
- Sixth point: later, we all got drunk and played pinball at a huge video game arcade, but that was AFTER the music was done.
Fang Face at their debut performance.
There’s a ton of musical creativity and joy in this coming young generation. The kids in Gainesville are studying and working their butts off. It’s just cool to watch music that inspires the young to create. Amazing.
It made me realize that sometimes, we just need to get out of the way and let the kids do what they’re going to do with music. As long as there has been music for kids to play, kids have been playing music.
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