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Floradise

A lifestyle blog by Marette Flora

A Date Night to Remember With Johnnyswim

 

Graham and I don’t get many date nights. The last time we spent an entire evening to ourselves was on Valentine’s Day. Last weekend’s date to the Need to Breathe concert, for which Johnnyswim was opening, was a much needed night out for us and one that we looked forward to since I bought the tickets in March. If you have read this blog for a while, you know that we LOVE Johnnyswim’s music. I discovered them in 2013 when the duo were one of VH1’s You Oughta Know artists. At the same I worked at a newspaper and had mornings off to watch music videos before getting ready for the day. We have seen them live four times now: At the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, at the Space in Evanston, at the Vic Theatre in Chicago and now at the Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island.

It might make some people shake their heads, but we only went to the show for Johnnyswim. Seriously. We also booked the meet and greet VIP package because we knew they wouldn’t be playing for as long as the other times we’ve seen them, and we wanted more time with them. We had previously met them in Phoenix (for free) but this was worth it to us because it’s not like we get date often!

The show was set to start at 7 p.m. with Forest Blakk, and the meet the greet was scheduled to begin at 4:50. We arrived at 4:55 after rushing through Chicago traffic; it took us an hour to get there! We made it, though, and after security we waited for about 10 minutes to be escorted to the general admission pit area, where we would be taking photos with them. Then we waited another 15 or so minutes, but I figured this would happen, and we weren’t mad at all.

We took our opportunity to talk to them about Adelina, seeing them live, giving birth at about the same time (Amanda had their baby girl in April, too.) and about Graham’s job. They were as lovely as ever. After a few minutes of conversation, we said goodbye. It was a short but awesome encounter.

At 7, Forest Blakk took the stage. I had never heard of him, but I enjoyed the songs he played for us. I suggest checking him out!

Johnnyswim’s set was also much shorter than when we have seen them in the past, but again, they weren’t the headliners, so we expected that. We were just grateful for our night out together and to hear them live again.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, they are amazing live. If you have a chance to see them in your area, do it! You can thank me later.

See Johnnyswim Live:

Johnnyswim Tour

Related posts:

Johnnyswim at the MIM
Johnnyswim at the Space
Johnnyswim at Vic Theatre

Johnnyswim at Vic Theatre | Why You Should See Them in Concert

Graham and I looooove Johnnyswim. The husband and wife duo have incredible voices and are such talented songwriters. Their song “Take the World” was our first dance song at our wedding, and we listen to their music all the time.

I bought tickets for last Friday’s show months ago and we’ve been anticipating the show ever since. They played a sold out show at the Vic Theatre in Chicago, a gorgeous venue. The best moments:

  • Johnnyswim’s openers were so fun! Striking Matches are a duo from Nashville that were energetic and played so well!
  • Abner and Amanda always go into the audience for at least a song.
  • Johnnyswim mix up their songs, transitioning into the next so perfectly and never being dull.
Tickets for the show were mostly general admission for about $34. You could also buy VIP passes to get into the theater earlier and meet them before the show. We skipped those because we met them in the past (for free) after a show, but I found myself wishing we had purchased them the night of the show. The Vic Theatre is set up so that each little section of the main floor is raised a little higher than the one in front of it, so if you’re short you can still see if you try to stand close to the railing. That’s what I did and I had a perfect view!

We take everything opportunity to see them live, and I’m sharing why you should see them play live before they get even bigger:

  • Their music is damn good.
  • They sound even better in person.
  • They involve the audience in the show.
  • They typically perform in intimate settings.
  • Tickets are affordable; prices don’t do them justice.
  • They sometimes bring their adorable son Joaquin or good friends (like Steph Curry) onstage.
My favorite Johnnyswim songs:
  • “Take the World”
  • “Home”
  • “Diamonds”
  • “Heart Beats”
  • “Don’t Let It Get You Down”
  • “Summertime Romance”
  • “Annie”
  • “Adelina”
  • “You and I”
  • “Live While We’re Younger”

Johnnyswim at the Space in Evanston

Graham and I were able to hear our favorite duo, Johnnyswim, in Evanston last week. Their music is special to us: Amanda and Abner sing our wedding song, “Take the World.”

We had never been to Evanston, so when we stepped out of the train station we were pleasantly surprised by the different vibe it gives off vs. Chicago. It was a short walk to the Space, which didn’t appear to be a concert venue from the outside. The building says Union/Space outside; Union is the name of the restaurant in the front. We walked in and saw a long hallway with a few people waiting in line. Autographed band posters hang on one wall, and other is an exposed-brick wall.

 

 

We had arrived an hour and half early because we had standing-room only tickets and I wanted to get a good spot. When we walked inside, we saw that the Space also has tables that can be reserved. Sadly, these tables must have been sold out when I bought our tickets. We were told we could stand along the bar area or in the back behind the tables and seats. We picked a spot at the end of the bar so I could see; my height tends to be an issue at concerts. It was convenient because we didn’t have to move to get our drinks. I sipped on a Herbie Hancock, which the server described as magical. Her description is accurate; it’s a delicious mix of white rum, Falernum and watermelon.

As 8 p.m. approached, the Space filled up. We had only a couple of minutes before the show when a couple came to the end of the bar and stood right in front of me, in an area the servers had been using to access the bar. I gave Graham a worried look. He asked a server whether the couple’s spot was legit, and she said, “Absolutely not. If they still stand there when the show starts I’ll say something.” I was relieved. The couple ended up moving on their own to a spot to the right of us that didn’t block my view. I mention the couple because I find it appalling that it wouldn’t even occur to people that someone might have been waiting for hours when they block the person’s view. If you want to see your favorite artists from a good spot, arrive early.

Then the show began. I was emotional throughout most of the show because 1. I am a baby and 2. Their songs really hit home. (Specifically the song “Home” and “Diamonds.”) I nearly cried when they played “Take the World.” Abner said the Space is his favorite place to play. I can see why. It’s intimate and relaxed, and the music sounded great. There isn’t a bad seat in the house. At one point, Abner and Amanda came out into the crowd to sing.

I didn’t want the night to end,

JOHNNYSWIM at the MIM

Last night’s Johnnyswim show at the Musical Instrument Museum Theater showed me two things. 1. Johnnyswim sound a thousand times better live — and they already sound amazing. 2. The MIM is the perfect concert venue.

The show was the most enjoyable concert I’ve ever been to. The duo put on an energetic, touching performance. Amanda and Abner seem to truly enjoy sharing the stage. Graham and I were so impressed by their soulful, controlled voices, which harmonize perfectly. I still hear them in my head right now. I bought the tickets the day they went on sale, a week or so after I initially read they were coming to Phoenix on Instagram. I had commented on one of their posts, saying that they should visit our city, and I got a response! I then spent the next week researching venues to figure out just where they would be playing. I finally saw on Facebook that they would play at the MIM, a venue I had never visited. The effort was worth it to sit in the center of the front row.

 

 

 

Johnnyswim asked that audience members only take photos for the first three songs.

Johnnyswim praised the venue, talking about the museum’s impressive selection of instruments. “Music is the language of the soul,” Abner said, admitting that he stole that from the museum.

The concert was lively and fun. The audience got to hear about stories of Abner’s dad and the couple’s proposal in Paris. (The couple took artistic liberties when using their proposal as the inspiration for “Paris in June,” now one of my favorite songs on the album.) We also heard the inspiration behind “Diamonds,” which in addition to being inspirational can be thought of as a “suck it” song,” while “Live While We’re Young” is Amanda’s version of YOLO. Their set list had fun additions, like 45 seconds of a June Carter and Johnny Cash song, Britney Spears’ “Till the World Ends” and a Cuban song from Abner’s childhood. The encore started with a passionate rendition of “Over” that I currently have in my head. We had such a good time that it seemed too short of a concert.

Afterward, the duo were available to sign CDs in the lobby. The 20-30 minute wait for them was worth it. They chatted and took photos with fans and seemed genuinely interested to hear what they had to say. We talked about how I have talked to them on social media trying to get them to add a Phoenix date, and they said they truly look at those when booking shows.

I’m excited to return to the MIM to see their instruments from around the world. For now, I have roses and a signed album to remind me of a fabulous Monday.

 

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