My next show for the night was in Lancaster, PA with The Early November. It was about 9:00 and it takes about an hour and a half to get there from Philadelphia. I just finished photographing Good Old War and I was ready to take on 76. I got maybe 10 minutes into my drive and was stuck in bumper to bumper traffic. Only in Philadelphia. I managed to get off an exit that led me through a town where the houses were way too big for my taste and they all had gates. I wondered if M. Night Shyamalan lives in one of them?
Eventually I found my way to familiar territories. I went to college in the area and knew where to go, but unfortunately my estimated arrival time was 10:57. The Early November were taking the stage at 10:15 and ending at 11:00. It didn’t look like I was going to make it, but as I drove my estimated arrival time was getting earlier. I was five minutes away when I was pulled over for speeding. Ouch. After receiving a $142 ticket, I got to the Convention Center at 11:00. My luck was still going, because The Early November was still playing.
I walked in on The Early November finishing “Ever So Sweet”. Right away I went for my shots. During the last song, “Every Night’s Another Story”, I managed to get the many faces of Sergio. I hope he doesn’t mind the photos. I thought it was like a flip book, and I hope he finds it funny. The band left and came back on stage to play an encore. The fans request “Hair” and it was done. Even though I missed most of both bands I photographed sets’, what I heard sounded amazing from each. Good thing this wasn’t the first time seeing either of them.
After the show I talked with the band, hung out with my friend in Lancaster, and started my long drive home. It was a crazy night and even though it ended as a very expensive night, I learned some things. Never overbook yourself and drive within the speed limit. I never went to two shows in one night, and it was a rush but I think next time I will stick with one. The things I do for the bands I like.
http://www.theearlynovembermusic.net/
Listen: https://soundcloud.com/billboard/sets/early-november
