Hi Everyone,

I've been a lurker Towie off and on for a few years. I bought my ticket for the Austin show on August 8. Are there any Towies going to this show?

Doug }

Yup - I am!
Can't wait - this will be my first time to see Suzanne live! Looking forward to it!

I'm a new "towie" - getting tix to this concert was the push I needed to finally join!

Brady

Hello all,
The Austin concert is this Friday and I am so excited!!!!! This will be my first time to see Suzanne live after sixteen years of fandom - she doesn't tend to come to my city of Houston and it hasn't worked out for me to go to Austin in the past. Being on this list has helped whip me up into a frenzy of anticipation!!!!!
Anyway, like the rest of the list I was saddened to learn of Glynn's health crisis recently. I enjoyed "seeing" him via computer on the Screen Savers program and am sorry he won't be there in Austin. Now I hope this next question doesn't seem insensitive or tacky, but does anyone know the procedure for meeting Suzanne backstage after the show now? I only ask because it seemed to be permitted (if not encouraged) by Suzanne herself, and I was thinking that Glynn had been the guy to talk to about this. Again, I really, really hope this doesn't seem insensitive or tacky, and if meeting her backstage is just not a possibility at this time, I completely understand.

Thanks everyone,
Brady

Talk to Phil the sound guy. He will be at the board. He generally wheres black shirts and black shorts (or pants). Make sure that you use the 'magic' word. That way he will know that you are not just any old fan.
Until Glynn is at the sound board, Phil is the 'gate-keeper'.

Uncwilly
Now playing: Sanya, Kohachiro Miyata
Cheese of the day: Halloumy

THANKS WILLIAM!!!!!
See y'all in Austin!!!

Brady

Are there any Houston-Austin carpools for this weekend's gig? Any fans gathering prior to the show?

As far as I know nothing's been formally organized. My partner and I will be there for sure. What time are you arriving? The concert is at 9 but since it's general admission and the doors open at 8, I don't know what time one should line up to guarantee getting a good spot. I'd be into meeting up with anyone beforehand - maybe in front of the venue, we could all wear something identifiable (or something) Anyone else going?

Brady

Hello All,

I finally got to meet Suzanne last night in Austin and it was wonderful. We talked shop about guitar playing and figerpicking and such.
Suzanne, forgive my poor memory, but what was the name of that fingernail supplement
(something hoof?)?

Thanks,

Doug

SUZANNE VEGA IN AUSTIN

Hello all, thought you might like a concert update from Austin, Texas where Suzanne played this past Friday August 8 at Antone’s, a smallish/midsize, standing room only bar/performance area.
Show was to begin at 9 - doors opened at 8. My partner Richard and I arrived at 7:40 and were the first people there. By 8 there was a respectable line, we were the first ones in! Then realized there was an opening act – for some reason we didn’t anticipate this – Suzanne now would not be going on until 10:30. Bad for us since we needed to drive back to Houston that night – 3 hours away. UGH. Anyway we situated ourselves right front and center and met up with another Towie, Doug Snyder (the Jellydot). Really nice guy (hi Doug!), we had a good time chatting until the opening act went on at 9. Everybody sat on the floor during his act (Ravi was his name – has he been there for every concert?) After his set finished people stood up and came much closer to the stage. Suzanne and Mike came on to much applause. The three of us were directly, I mean DIRECTLY, in front of Suzanne. A great view but shockingly intimate – hard to stare at someone when they’re right in front of you. She told a funny story about coming to the gig, in the elevator at her hotel some women had told her she looked “sassy” in her outfit and makeup. “I’m going to go sing,” Suzanne explained to them. Not missing a beat, the woman replied “Hence the cough drop.” This would never happen in NYC, Suzanne said. (Austin is an epicenter for musicians and singers going to gigs is a common sight). I was really impressed by Suzanne’s relaxed, genial stage presence, frequently stopping between songs to tell stories or banter with Mike. I guess, having never previously seen her live, I was expecting someone more introverted, but I was very pleasantly surprised.

Anyway, here is an approximation of her set list (not in order):
Marlene On The Wall
Small Blue Thing
Wi(n)dow’s Walk
When Heroes Go Down
Maggie May
Calypso
Cracking
Some Journey
Gypsy
In Liverpool
Solitaire (Suzanne solo with Mike on handclaps and general slapstick)
Pentinent
Left Of Center
Queen and Soldier
Harbor Song
Caramel
Luka
Tom’s Diner

Encore #1: Undertow
Encore #2: Rosemary

Interestingly she did NOT do Solitude Standing or Tired of Sleeping, or indeed any song from Days of Open Hand. NOOD was represented solely by Caramel, and 99.9 by In Liverpool and When Heroes Go Down. The bulk of the show was from the first and last album.

It was a fairly big (300+) and enthusiastic audience. Many people knew the songs (especially from the first album) and were singing along enthusiastically.

Afterwards there were many people waiting around to talk to Suzanne, but interestingly I think we were the only three Towies there. Mike V came over to talk to us for quite a while. He was shockingly personable – we really appreciated his time. He was the biggest surprise for me that evening, his bass lines were so imaginative and symphonic in scope. He has an amazing smooth, sustained sound which made me wonder if he also plays acoustic bass (he said he didn’t so much). He is an amazing musician and a huge asset on stage. He also delivered the shocking news that Suzanne has been dropped by her label. Anyone else heard this?

We then got to meet Suzanne, just the three of us, thanks to Phil, who whisked us ahead of the waiting throng. I had heard that Suzanne was agreeable to meeting Towies but nothing could have prepared me for how warm and approachable she is in person. I told her I love the website format for the Towies (which I do) and joked with her about “Window’s Walk” – from that thread a while back from that Polish guy. She said she had met him and he was really nice, but that post rubbed her the wrong way (go figure). Anyway Richard and I wanted Suzanne to know that yes, we made it back to Houston safely, and thanks for the great show!!!!!

Brady
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Ack, that'll teach me to lurk! I missed the Austin 2002 show, and now the 2003 show.

Will she come back in 2004? Please?