Asheville News

Asheville trend: The early concert

Jason Sandford January 30, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

The older you get, the harder it is to stay out late and party, right? Well, it appears the Humbuckers are here to help.

The Asheville band, which includes loyal reader David, aims to start a new trend in town — the early concert. Here’s David’s thinking:

The Humbuckers, led by singer/songwriter Rudy Colombo, is playing an early show on Saturday night the 31st at Stella Blue. 50 Year Flood is opening for us. You can hear some of our music at myspace.com/rudyandthehumbuckers.

We are experimenting with the idea that not all music fans (ours especially!) want to stay out to hear their favorite music starting at 10 or 11 at night. We figure, what does a club owner have to lose? We can be in and out before their late shows start, he’ll have people in his club when he normally wouldn’t, and our peeps can get to bed early and not have to pay a king’s ransom in babysitting fees!

If this works, maybe we will help start a trend—you know, you can go out and hear music and not have to call in sick the next morning!

So David, what time is “early”? If the Humbuckers have an opener, then does the opener start at say, 5 p.m., and the Humbuckers start at something like 7:30 p.m.?

Anyway, I think these guys might be on to something. I look at a band not hitting stage until 10:30 or 11 p.m. and think damn, that’s late, when in fact, I’m just old. Damn.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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9 Comments

don talley January 31, 2009

The new White Horse Black Mountain music venue is also on the bandwagon with early shows. Most Friday and Saturday nights the music starts at 8pm and runs til 11:30 or midnight.
I’ve gone out to lots and lots of shows in the Asheville area over the past few years and always wished their were earlier options for music. Lots of times I’d stop by French Broad and catch an earlier show before heading off to the Grey Eagle or Tressas or Stella Blue.
I hope the trend continues.

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JM January 31, 2009

this is a great idea. as both a regulary-gigging musician and concertgoing fan, i hope this catches on. makes even more sense during the bleak winter months.

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Dad January 31, 2009

…and a new curmudgeon is in development.

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Miss Daisy January 31, 2009

hehehe

start on time. don’t be late.

You sound old.

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Gratuitous January 31, 2009

The French Broad Brewery has had early shows for quite awhile, and so does Jack of the Wood sometimes. It’s great to take kids to see local bands from time to time. As for starting times… don’t get me started. I get near-postal when we’re on time for a pediatrician’s appointment, and don’t get called for up to 45 minutes. I can’t remember the last time when the doctor was punctual. I recently learned that doctors bill insurance companies in 6-minute increments, so maybe that’s why they pack them in so tightly. Still, I just want people to do what they say. It’s called integrity. Want me to be on time? Then you be on time.

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Ash January 31, 2009

i hear ya, Miss D.

b.c.w., that’s good to hear. i hope bands do catch on to making an earlier start. and while they’re at it, they should make a point of starting on time. that is a major pet peeve of mine — band is advertised as starting at 9, but don’t actually take the stage until 10:45 because there’s an opener. i really, really hate that.

start on time. don’t be late.

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b.c.w. January 31, 2009

Nope, you’re not old Ash. As a musician, I personally prefer seeing and PLAYING early shows. Even a showtime of 9PM or so is a workable, early time. You’re more awake, more focused, and your fans generally want to come out right after work to kick the weekend/evening off right. Late shows can be fun, but they’re usually a drag because you’re just DONE by the end of the night. I generally avoid late shows during the week like the plague. I think more places are catching on to this.

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Miss Daisy January 30, 2009

5am rolls around mighty early for music lovers with day jobs. I hope this idea takes off. That being said, I too am old.

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David Cohen January 30, 2009

Sorry, Ash, I forgot that essential information in my e-mail.
50 Year Flood opens at 7:30, and The Humbuckers hope to have the show wrapped up by 10.
Thanks for the post!

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