Incredible!
by Anne on 9/11/24Brown County Music Center - NashvilleRating: 5 out of 5Venue : Excellent! (other than it's way out in the middle of nowhere). Friendly personnel, clean inside and out. Just the right size - big enough to attract great entertainers while being small enough that all seats are very good to great; interactions between band and audience is good; easy to get concessions; go to the restrooms; buy band merchandise; ease of getting into and out of venue parking.
I don't like going to events because of the hassles of finding parking, long lines, difficulty and length of time to get concessions/go to restroom, big crowds, too big size of venues, but I have found finally found my favorite concert facility!
Sound : Very good, but the sound level was just loud enough it made understanding words difficult at times.
Band : Sweet opened the evening. While Sweet was good, April Wine was incredible.
The level of skill all of the band members have of playing their instruments is mindblowing. They are so good they can interact with the others in a way that they all shine separately and together at the same time. They seem so at ease while playing, but you know a lot of work, energy, practice, and time was put in by each person to get to that high level of playing.
I thought the song selection was good. I knew three of the songs and the rest made me want to hear them again, so I will look into buying more of their music.
People have mentioned the solos and breaks.
They do take several breaks during the performance. I've never been a fan of long solos, but didn't have a problem with them during this show. I think it was because of how terrific the musicians are! I continually found myself sitting on the edge of my seat, staring intently at the performer, trying to see every hand movement, piece of equipment being used (in the case of drummer), trying to see the music while hearing it, and being mezmerized by the quality.
It's been said that it is more a tribute band since there is only one original member. I respectfully disagree. The original member makes sure all subsequent members are held to the original band's standards, and I feel that is what has been done in April Wine's case. April Wine has been a band for a long time and continued to get better over that time. So anyone coming into the band has to be at that higher level. I think that came across abundantly clear the night I saw them. So much so that I actually cried during the show; I was that impressed by their natural talent, the skill they'd achieved from so much practicing, playing, caring about the music and their love of the music and instruments.
I've been to several big-name concerts before, and I can honestly say, April Wine went to the top of my list of best performances ever.
I would happily attend another of their concerts, even if I had to see them at my least favorite venue of all time (Deer Creek, originally, and has gone by corporate sponsorship names since - but will always be Deer Creek to me).
Thank you Brown County Music Center, Sweet, and April Wine for an amazing evening!!!