That’s Stella

I saw The Shins live on Friday night. They played an impressive show. I’ve been suffering from a cold and on Friday morning, the thought of not going to The Shins actually entered my mind. Thank goodness I never acted out on that thought. It was a sold out show, so I never expected getting a good view. Hell, I’m so short that I’ve never really expected getting a good view at any gig. Anyway the one time I leave my camera at home, I managed to get front row views. The Shins were 2 metres away from me! If I hadn’t had a blocked up nose, I’m sure I could’ve smelt the sweat dripping off them from all the bright lights.

The Shins have made it to my top five. I love that they don’t fit the stereotype indie rocker look. There was no sign of skinny leg jeans or blazers. I love the dynamic on stage between them. I love that they were obviously having a good time. And I particularly love the antics of the bassist and guitarist.

I got my tickets the day they went on sale but for the whole 2 months that I had my tickets, it never entered my mind that I could actually be seeing and listening LIVE to a song that brings back such bittersweet memories. When The Shins went offstage before their encore and hadn’t actually played Caring is Creepy, I prayed they wouldn’t play it.

For their encore they played Pink Floyds Time and it was followed by Caring is Creepy – the song that my New York Man use to play on repeat whilst we zipped around Manhattan in his car late at night. I remember the first time I heard the song like it was yesterday. I stood outside my West Village apartment anxiously waiting for him to pick me up for our first date. It was freezing cold and there were stray flurries hovering Manhattan that night. When I got into his car he had the Garden State soundtrack playing. Once we had got over the nervous chit chat there was silence and like some great timing, I heard for the first time this amazing song with this great intro and that was Caring is Creepy.

Later when I had to leave New York to head back to Australia, I remember putting the song on repeat during the drive to JFK and just sobbing. It was a painful experience. So when I heard The Shins play it live on Friday… well it was overwhelming. They played it slower and it was dark and only one yellow light was focused on the lead singer and it was quite appropriate. I tried so hard not to, but tears fell down my cheek and I can only be so grateful that it was dark and no one noticed.