I keep writing and then deleting it all. Perhaps it’s being tired but most likely it’s because I’m still a bit shell-shocked about an upcoming event. My band is opening for Kevin Devine.

We’ve been lucky enough to be the local opener for a few national bands. It’s always a bit surreal to share the stage with these bands you’ve always listened too. This is different though. 

I knew Kevin was going to be touring in the fall, so it was my plan to try my hardest to get on the bill. I thought we might have a chance because he typically plays TT’s and we have a good relationship with the venue. When I saw that he was playing Royale though, I knew we had no shot. The venue was far too big for a band like us to be playing and Kevin has reached a point where he doesn’t need a local band to open the show. I still contacted some people though. I’ve learned that it can never hurt to try. The worst they’ll say is no, and at the very least, now they know your name.

They (His booking agency) replied with a no.

To open for Kevin Devine is something that I’ve wanted since the day I started actually playing music. I’ve connected with his songs more than any other artist. His live shows have been such pivotal moments in my life, specifically July 2006/June 2009 at TT The Bears and October 2006 at Westfield, and I just wanted to be a part of a night like that. To me, that’s always felt like THE moment. 

Lately I have been in a bit of a rut. Stuck at a job in which I’m excelling but have no passion for at all. The band has been unable to do much due to our schedules. I’ve been doing some major thinking about where I want to be going and am kind of stuck. I had 2 tickets to see Kevin play though, and throughout all of my self-assessment and stressing, I just kept thinking how I couldn’t wait for the show. It would be an escape of sorts and perhaps a bit of inspiration.

Then a few days ago, out of the blue, I receive an email to my personal email with a subject heading of “Kevin Devine-October 20th”. I assume it’s something to do with the tickets I had purchased. Perhaps a reminder. I opened it and just stared. I kept re-reading it over and over. It was from one of the guys putting the show on. “Hey guys, just checking on the availability of the band to open for Kevin Devine on Oct. 20th. I think you had reached out to someone in Kevin’s camp before, and they’d love to have you on.”

What? 

I literally began shaking. This was it. The moment I had been waiting for. No matter how insignificant it seemed to everyone else, this was what I had been hoping for. There was some initial panic when I realized that there was a 99 percent chance that my drummer wouldn’t be able to play the show. I confirmed anyways, and immediately made a list of every person I’ve ever met that has played drums. Thankfully, the full regular line-up will be there though.

It still doesn’t seem real. Local bands, especially of our status, don’t play venues like this. We play the small clubs and are never quite sure how many people will be there.

I did myself the disservice of watching some videos of bands playing Royale and fully scared myself. I’ll calm down at some point though. This is a once in a lifetime thing for me. Perhaps the biggest stage we’ll ever play, and we’re going to enjoy the moment.