It had been a long, tedious Monday when I plopped down on the couch, kicked my feet up and let out a heavy sigh as I flipped open my laptop and aimlessly perused my TweetDeck columns. My heart sank as I read The Troubadour’s latest tweet,
“Chief tonight! Tix avail at the box for $12 cash only when doors open at 8pm/ Grouplove 830p/ Haim 915p/ Chief 10p”
Ugh. I had forgotten that I volunteered to cover Chief that night. I laid on the couch for another hour, then wrangled my gear as I choked down a microwave dinner. I begrudgingly settled into the seat of my car and started off on the trek from Culver City to West Hollywood. It flashed by in an unmemorable haze and I found myself waiting in the will call line amongst a handful of giddy teenagers. It dawned on my that school had probably just let out, which would undoubtedly default me to the “oldest dude in the joint” status. Always a great way to kick off your week, being reminded that you are no longer young.
But as I stood in line, the excitement of being out on a Monday night that swarmed around me started to sink in and my cranky mood started to soften. After the obligatory bag check/ticket scan/ID bracelet combo, I made a lap around the venue. Nice easy crowd to navigate through, no one too aggressive or pushy. Things were looking up.
As I focused my lens toward the 3 girls + 1 guy (behind a drum kit, obviously) combo, I saw that youth is a beautiful thing, if handled appropriately. Haim played their hearts out and they played well. I bobbed my head along with the mellow crowd for a bit, soaking in how polished these kids were on stage. I thoroughly enjoyed Haims set and rewarded their victory with a beer for myself, which was quickly knocked over and apologetically not replaced as I relaxed in the balcony area between sets.
I figured that was fate telling me I should get off my ass and get set up for Chief to start up. I weaseled up to the front of the stage, which I usually abhor even attempting at The Troubadour, but the crowd was so chill and accommodating that it wasn’t painful at all. I didn’t know much about Chief when they came on, other than I dug the few tracks I had heard on their myspace page. It was enough to get me to the show, so I was pleased when they delivered more than expected.
Chief are currently touring the UK, but the Santa Monica locals will be making their way home for Sunset Junction on Aug. 21.
