Juggling Suns

Oak Creek Brewing Company, Sedona AZ

Friday, 9/3/04 - Day 1

I've never done more than a 3 night run with any band let alone an entire tour that would play in 5 states over a 2 week period.  I was a little concerned with being able to handle 7 shows in 8 days and it did turn out to be somewhat of an endurance test.  Fortunately when the music starts playing, the surge of energy hits!

The drive to Sedona took about 9 hours and since my co-pilot was MIA for the first weekend of shows, I was really tired by the time I arrived at the venue.  This would be my first show with Andrew on the skins and I was curious about how Juggling would sound without keyboards since Gus couldn't make this tour. Sedona was as beautiful as I've heard described, definitely another one of those sacred places on this planet!

The brewing company was a tight fit for the band, they had to setup right by the vats and only about 3 feet from the bar. 

Not much of a crowd at the bar but there was a nice outdoor patio where people were hanging out.  There were a few new abductees at the bar who were completely connected to what the boys were laying down especially during the second set highlight of Twilight -> Sedona!

Since I was so tired, I enjoyed the show from the patio with Brianne, Azie and Beth.  I didn't really get drawn into the music this night which seemed a bit mellower than most nights.  I was immediately impressed with Andrew's playing and the guitar power trio seemed to be enjoying themselves despite the uncomfortable fit and small turnout.

It was Brianne's birthday so we had a little celebration between sets.

Tonight's show MVP had to be Andrew, he seems to really enjoy playing and his enthusiasm rubs off on the rest of the band.  He doesn't know all the material yet but what he does know, he really rocks on...

This is a picture of the spectacular Oak Creek Canyon outside of Sedona and part of Mark's inspiration for the lyrics of Vortex In Sedona.

Oak Creek Brewing Company Set List

Set 1 (75 min)
Tolltaker
Steppin’ Off A Star
Walkin’ Blues
A Place Outside of Time
Northern Lights
Jumping Over Ashes
Spring Water
Tabla Rasa

Set 2 (83 min)
The Way You Do The Things You Do
The Channeling >>
This Road I’m Travelin’
Twilight Dance >>
Sedona
Mountain Marlane
Ups and Downs
Sherman The Yank
Twilight Dance Reprise

Encore (17 min)
Arthur’s Pipe >
The Thrill Is Gone

Pages served...