October 11 Anberlin concert!

Poshe Temmuz 10, 2021

Saturday is usually when Cecilio works but he took off the 11th (along with the 25th and 26th for my birthday) to take us to see my favorite band, Anberlin. Actually, he introduced me to them a while ago, and so did an old friend of mine. At first I wasn't very impressed, but I started downloading them more on Limewire (this was before my dad's laptop crashed...oops) and I was really intrigued! So on Black Friday 2009 I bought their New Surrender CD from FYE (sadly they ran out of business...)

Then Dark is the Way, Light is a Way came out in 2010. Cecilio and I saw them on 10/10/10 at the Regency Ballroom (where this year's concert was also located), and the following concerts afterward (as they opened for Switchfoot and Smashing Pumpkins along with the Vital Tour). And finally, they are on their final tour before they disband.

I actually thought they were going to play a lot of songs from their new album, Lowborn, but they actually didn't play them at all! I was pleasantly surprised, but since most fans want to hear the older songs, that's what they played. They played the usuals, such as "Feel Good Drag", "Unwinding Cable Car", "Godspeed", and "Paperthin Hymn". But they also played songs they usually don't play like "Inevitable" (I was so happy because this is mine and Cecilio's song), "Time and Confusion", and "Symphony of Blase". They also played "Take Me as You Found Me" and "We Owe This To Ourselves" which they have only played in the DITWLIAP concert.

What I love about Anberlin is that even though they are deep, devout Christians, their aim is to make excellent art rather than mere evangelizing. They appeal to the Christians and the secular (You can hear them on Air 1 AND an alternative rock station). They have songs about spirituality but the lyrics about love can be left to the interpretation of the viewer. For example, in "Unwinding Cable Car", the lyrics say This is the correlation of salvation and love
(Don't drop your arms) Don't drop your arms, I'll guard your heart, With quiet words I'll lead you in can talk about God's love for the individual. During the concert, however, Stephen Christian (the lead singer) says this song is dedicated to the starving artists (and other ambitious people), encouraging others to never ever ever give up on their dreams. It resonates with me a lot because I struggle with the anxiety and worry that I will never be successful or build the life I want because of my lupus or because I've never been a super talented designer, top student, or athletic. Even though I'm not the best designer I try, and I am definitely trying in my senior year more than any other year. But "Unwinding Cable Car", especially with the lyrics you're so brilliant, don't soon forget, remind me otherwise and that I will keep going no matter what.

Oh Anberlin, it's been such a bittersweet time. I would listen to you all while I would work out, drive, study and chill. I hate to see you dismantle, but I hope maybe one day you will repair! (only the fans will get this)

Our pit stop to Vallejo before San Francisco

We ate at a restaurant named Mifune Don in Japan Town before the concert, which was walking distance. The concert was in the Regency Ballroom. They gave us green tea right away. I ordered tamago soba noodle soup. So nourishing, especially because it was cold outside!