All Aboard!

Yesterday was such an exciting day! Why? Because I got to watch the show! And it was awesome!

So I started the day by going to get lunch at a place called Lagomarcino's, which is like an old-time candy and soda shop. It was so cute inside, and there was so much candy! I got an egg salad sandwich which was delicious and a sundae with caramel and pecans. All the ice cream is homemade and it was the best chocolate ice cream I've ever had! The hot fudge is the best too, also homemade.

After lunch we went to the arena, where I got to fiddle around with the keyboards and take some pictures:

Barnum and Bailey!

The iWireless Arena

The band area

My two keyboards!

I met with the current keyboard one player, Matt, and he showed me the music and the system he uses for patch changes and such. We started going through the show, and then I got to play during sound check and some of the rehearsal, which was exciting. One of the hardest things is just getting used to the conducting. It's a very different style of conducting, and there really isn't the same kind of prep time as there would be with a full live band, since we also use click track. Also most of these guys have been doing it for a while so they don't need to know the upcoming tempo since they already know it.

After rehearsal I walked around and found the Moline info center, so I got some maps and brochures and bought a magnet. I decided that I'm gonna get a magnet for each state I go to, since magnets are cheap, easily portable, I have a fridge, and you can't have too many magnets haha. For dinner I was recommended to go to Cafe Fresh, where I got a chicken chipotle pizza with avocado and sour cream and it was delicious. It came with TWO mini pizzas so I took one home.

The show started at 7pm, and then I got to play the en'tracte and the Exotics section! I'm really glad I got to play because it showed me how fast the show really moves and how quick the changes are. I definitely need to keep practicing haha. I'm going in at 11 today to meet with Matt and practice more. I can't wait!

P.S. If you haven't checked out the promo video yet, here it is!