2/24/17 Lotus @ Orpheum Theatre - Madison, WI

On Friday I saw my first live music of 2017.  There's been a lot of change over the winter.  I left my job in December.  For a month and half I delivered pizza for Happy Joe's in Colona.  I wasn't worried about what the perception people would have.  It was just about moving the story forward.  That brings us to today where I've been hired on at a new full time job.  While this may mean in the short term I have to vamp down on the music it's a positive turn of events.  If I have to change my touring paradigm to achieve a better life then so be it.


Before this show I was feeling somewhat down about my state of affairs.  By the end of this it made me realize there's plenty to look forward to.  That's what a good show can do.  Preshow I grabbed a slice at Pizza Di Roma.  I got rid of my extra tickets before the show.  I've taken the time and the effort to learn the Lotus repertoire.  In my opinion they are on top of the jamtronica acts right now.  This first set at the Orpheum was kind of a statement in my eyes.  The opening act was a British DJ named Jack London (not the author of White Fang) and his buddy on guitar.  During Lotus I saw him in the balcony where we were Rempel side.  He liked my Arsenal jersey.  Inspector Norse > Age of Inexperience was top shelf playing right from the start.  The balcony was probably 3/4 empty so the show was far from sold out.  Hammerstrike explored some womped out terrain with Jesse on the keyboard bass.  Blue Giant has been a favorite of mine ever since I first discovered the band on MySpace.  Sleep When We're Dead has gotten some treatment on this tour. Caywood was a great choice.  Solid selections throughout the first set.  128 was a total banger to end the first stanza.  Incredible set.  Those familiar with the band outside at setbreak were talking about what had just gone down. 


I saw this show with my friend Soren and his girlfriend Melissa.  It was snowing outside at setbreak. Cold Facts indeed.  I prefer Luke when he plays the keys and this is an example of why.  Shimmer > Sid > Shimmer was very well executed.  You could tell it was a band in late tour form but yet had a day off to recover.  Pretty much ideal.   Arupa was a major highlight for me.  I loved the usage of the horizontal lighting strips.  I've Been A Fool was the night's second tune off the new album.  Umbilical Moonrise, Greet the Mind > Moonset > Greet the Mind was impressive.  The band was really tight and were able to turn on a dime when they chose.  All told it was definitely one of the best Lotus shows I've seen.  Disappear into a Blood Red-Sky and What Did I Do Wrong sent us off into the snowy cold Wisconsin evening.  Even though it was snowing I decided to chance the drive home.  This show was good for the soul.