The Plush Chronicles, P2
In Which Little Bean Becomes A VIP
Shortly after accidentally running into most of the band on the streets of Portland, Little Bean and I finally arrived at the venue about two hours before doors opened to get in line for the VIP Meet and Greet. Somebody from the band crew came out and checked our IDs and presented us with our VIP laminate and we sat back again and waited for the VIP show to begin.
Since there were only about six or seven VIPS (which seems insane given what the pass got us) we made friends with all the other meet and greeters and Little Bean handed out some extra Plush pins we made.
We even got to finally meet and hang out with legendary Plush groupie, Ray Haynes, who told us this would be his 38th time seeing the band. He’d been with them right from the beginning and knew the family and band team well.
Finally, the time came for our Meet and Greet and VIP song and the crew led us into the venue and down onto the floor. Given the size of the place and that there were only eight of us, it felt like the band was playing just to us. Little Bean waved to the band as she approached the stage and they waved back before ripping into a cover of “Man in the Box” by Alice in Chains.
I gave my phone to my daughter and she took some pics and video of what amounted to a private one-kid performance. Didn’t matter. They still blew the roof off the joint.
Moriah chatted a bit with the small audience after the song and we all left for another pause while the Meet and Greet was set up. Pretty soon we were called back in for a one on one and all the other VIPs graciously let Little Bean go in first.
Side note: Rock and metal fans are the best at catering to young ones. Over and over at shows we attend, older fans always help keep an eye on the kids and make sure they get the best views and swag.
The band was set up along a row of tables and they all acted like Little Bean was their little sister. I took some shots, recorded some video and mainly hung back and let my daughter interact. She had an autograph book they all signed. They talked about piano lessons and how far she had traveled. Bella noticed her jacket and The Warning patches. Ashley complimented her hair color. They had prepared a set list for her and signed it. (I discovered later that they did this ONLY for her.)
And then, she got to do the thing she had prepared for - spend a few minutes chatting with Faith about playing piano. She asked how hard it was to play both piano and drums. Answer: Still learning, but getting better. She asked how long it took Faith to learn the piano part for the song “Find the Beautiful.” Answer: About 20 minutes, which shocked Little Bean!
Finally Little Bean gave them our hand made Plush pins. We spent 15 minutes or so talking to them, an enormous amount of individual time for a meet and greet. My only contribution was to thank them for being role models.
And then we were done. We had about an hour to kill before getting back to the venue for general admission and Little Bean had spied a bubble tea joint around the corner so we headed that way.
Then, one more amazing feat of timing. As we turned a corner to get our sweet treat, we ran into Sorrowfuse, the opening band! Little Bean had been in touch with them via FB as we all had talked about arranging her second music interview with them. Laura and the boys were as gracious and funny as they’d been in our correspondences and of course my daughter had to get a picture, get her autograph book signed and give them her special buttons.
Again, here’s a band on their way to an important gig which they have to set up for, stopping, literally on the street, to gather around a nine-year-old and make her day. Just outstanding!
By the time we sat down for our tea, our hands were full of autographs and our heads were full of stories. And the show hadn’t even started yet.
But what a show it would be!
Housekeeping: Welcome one and all - especially all you new Plush fans - to Day By Day, a daily (mostly) journal of discovery where we talk about all manner of things: books, music, libraries, history, rocks and sometimes miracles and mortality as well. We are free so subscribe, and all our archives are free as well!
For Part one of this series, click here: Plush Chronicles P1
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Ok, that’s it for today. Tomorrow the concert begins!
What an adventure! I've only had a couple interactions with rock and pop musicians before, during or after a concert, and they've always been so cool and very patient with me. So glad Bean is able to expeience this herself!
Great write-up, Dan! One small correction - "Man in the Box" is by Alice in Chains, not STP! I'm so glad that you and Little Bean had such a great time before and during the Plush show! Plush are a great band and wonderful human beings. They were also very kind to my 10 year old daughter (and drummer) after their show last month in Mechanicsburg, PA. They've definitely made lifelong fans out of both of us!