I Hear a Wall of Echoes…

 Tonight we traveled back in time to see Pink Floyd.

Well, sort of — we saw their cover band, Wall of Echoes. 

I thought my last post about the bandshell wasn’t very good, and I love Chicago, so I’m trying to redeem myself (again (I keep doing that on this blog, redeeming myself, as if writing were a mark of character. Interesting).

While we were getting in the car we ran into our neighbor and told him where we were going. “Do you guys want any psychedelic chocolates?” he offered (no thanks we’ve got our own (I’m kidding). That was nice. But we decided to enjoy it the old fashioned way (maybe drugs would actually be the old fashioned way), or rather the sober way, with a couple cigarette breaks sprinkled in. 

And it was packed. We’ve been to a handful of concerts this year, which they call the Star Spangled Summer Concert Series, and I swear this was the most people I’ve seen. Wall to wall, pun very much intended. People dig Pink Floyd. And dogs; the boardwalk was filled with people and their pups (forget people watching, dog watching is a thing (now if they had cats I might be more impressed)).

The tambourine lady was there — yeah, that’s a thing. People were so high or drunk they kept standing in the way of the band, and John told a couple people to get out of the way (“you’re blocking the tube!”). The band utilized a giant screen to project musics videos to the music. And I’m not sure if they’re original or who created them, but they were nice, but strange, yet psychedelic and thought provoking (? I was definitely not intoxicated enough for this concert). I wanted to hear Time and Run Like Hell and Comfortably Numb. 

And it was loud, louder than usual, but as John claims not as loud as a “real” concert (I wouldn’t know). From what I’ve heard of Pink Floyd, I thought the singers voice sounded similar, but he sounded like he was running out of breath while failing to project. Hey, it’s a tough job. 

I forgot all about Wish You Were Here, and that was nice to hear. John wanted to hear a song called Sheep, and I don’t think they played it. They played my two songs, but we walked out as they started Comfortably Numb. Damn (we keep doing that).  I’ve heard that song so many times, so it’s okay. I like it a lot.

One song wasn’t really a song, it was the just the female backup doing a very long and unnecessary aria, like a diva meets a choir girl. I was unimpressed. But the audience ate it up.

I wore a pink shirt for “Pink” Floyd, and a pair of sea shell earrings for the band “shell”. It was not intentional, but once I realized it, it made me smile.

I had a good time, and that’s what matters. Part of why is because I know John had a good time. Him and Floyd go way back (longer than I’ve known him (for that matter, longer than I’ve been alive. Geez (did i have to say that?))).

Oh, and another nice thing that happened was I got a free coffee at 711. I found out they have a pumpkin brûlée latte, basically a pumpkin spice latte (yup it’s that time of year!) in their machine. When I went to pay, the cashier said just take it. Okay! Free coffee and Pink Floyd: cool (that was actually going to be the title).

And something else I have to mention, and then I swear I’m done…the guy from 95.7 The Hog was there — he’s the DJ for the station and his name is Chris Rhodes (and his voice is oddly very comforting). Well, John had to ask him “why do you play so much Billy Squire?!” (he does not care for Squire), which was part joke and part sincere question, and the guy just chuckled. He is at most of the concerts, and John has been meaning to ask him that question for a while. He seems sincerely like a nice guy.

Next week is a Van Halen tribute band, and I’m going to ask my friend if he wants to go. My dad was all about VH and Eddie V — it will make me think of him, and I don’t mind that at all. There’s so much music and memories. As my devotional says, “celebrate your life and hear your spirit sing.”