photos and words by Shannon Claire
Finally, I was in town for a home show. I’d seen The Faint twice, the most recent being in Los Angeles last fall, and not-so-recent back in 2005 at Coachella.
But there is nothing like seeing a band perform in their home state.
The Faint took part of the first-ever concert series, Bud Light Music First 50/50/1, which presented one concert in each 50 states on the same day, showcasing artists from around the world. I was a little taken back by the corporate showcase. Walking in to the Bourbon Theatre seeing Bud Light plastered everywhere, a photo booth with air guitar props, literally blown-up guitars that could be used as floatation devices, and T-shirts being tossed out by overly eager and cheery Bud Light reps. The funny thing was every time I saw a beer in someone's hand it was either a High Life or PBR, and the photo booth was pretty much just a vacant billboard.
That said, Touch People opened the night with a solid performance. The one-man band's Darren Keen poked fun at corporations, ahem, and gave the crowd insight on the meaning and purpose of his songs. Touch People continues to evolve with every show, and as per Darren Keen usual, gets involved with the crowd: an ideal artist to set the bar for the night.
Touch People
Digital Leather took the stage quickly after Touch People’s set, so quickly that by the time I stepped outside for some fresh air and light conversation I had already missed half of their set.
Nevertheless, the few songs that I did catch were all epic even by small proportions. I think that’s what I like the most about Digital Leather. How the bass and drums punch each other around while the guitar, synth and vocals spin a web in between.
Digital Leather
With an almost 45-minute break in between acts the suspense and spilled beer on the main floor built up for quite the show. The Faint took the stage to a roaring crowd that sung along to every song, danced and held their drinks high, and chanted for the band to come back out for more.
Their light show made you feel like you were breaking and entering into a space soon to be set off by the alarm. It added great dimensions visually to every song. The one thing I noticed that was different to compare to my prior Faint shows was of course the audience, when it’s a hometown show, everyone becomes one.
Fans danced and sang nonstop, not just with their friends or the people the came with, but with others they didn’t know. Before I knew it, I was getting down with the drunk “woooo” girl that in the beginning spilled beer all over me, twice. At the end, I couldn't care less.
The Faint
More photos
photos by Dawn Thorfinnson
Shannon Claire is a Hear Nebraska contributor and wants you to "think of all the dreams that you can dream." See more images from the night here. Reach her at shannonc@hearnebraska.org.