American Authors @ Gothic Theatre

I know anyone on this post is here to read about American Authors’ show…and we will get there. But I first have to address and want to share about a problem that I have. I started this site as a place of support for all those fans out there like me, who experience the anxiety, excitement and sometimes downfalls of loving music so much. If you’ve been following the site, I had a similar but different experience when I covered the Smashing Pumpkins show.

Basically, I have an “expectations problem” – simplest way I can put it is I romanticize things and make them a HUGE deal in my head and when the situation arises, I’m disappointed because my excitement provided a scenario that didn’t come true. I’d deem this “pre-concert anxiety.” I’m a constant work in progress and something I’m trying to work on but it absolutely does not take away from the amazingness that is American Authors & Billy Raffoul.

Billy Raffoul

Speaking of Billy – we gotta just give him ALLLLLLL the love because WOW. I’d say his set was a little slower than I normally would be down for, but it was so masterful, beautiful, and his voice is from another planet. The deep & gritty tone that he has makes me shiver. I had never heard or seen him before this show (which is why I looooove going for the openers – new music to fall in love with). He absolutely blew me away. Oh, and I can’t write about this and not talk about his amazing long locks. He has better and more put together hair than I do. Cue Elle Woods: *snaps for Billy.*

American Authors

To the main act of the evening: American Authors. I know err body here knows them from their amazing hit song “Best Day of My Life.” Which is a banger BUT the amount of other songs that SLAP – insane. Their new album just has hit after hit after hit. Listening to the album prior to the show also just made me that much more excited to see it live.

One of my favorite overall things about their set was you can just tell how much joy performing, playing music and a crowd brings them. And also how much fun they were having. The lead singer, Zac Barnett, just couldn’t stop straddling the pit so he was basically on top of the front row. There was a cuuuuutie moment where he was interacting with this older gentleman and took his hat and wore it for a few songs. Now, I wouldn’t have expected folks in their prob 50s-60s to be big American Authors fans nor be so close to front row. It was a pleasurable people watching experience while also taking in the show.

Something else that I absolutely adored was they went into the crowd for a song. I love this because they make themselves accessible and give those who are not in the front, that front row experience. It was GLORIOUS!

I also have to give a shout out to the crowd at this show. Sometimes it felt like you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was so respectful of the artists. Quiet when they needed to be and interactive when they needed to be. I honestly don’t think I’ve seen a more respectful crowd & it was beautiful to be a part of.

To sum it all up, American Authors & Billy Raffoul are amazing & if you haven’t seen them, you SHOULD!!!!!