This past week I travelled to see Allen Stone in concert for the second time in my life. I was just as pleased with the show as I was before. In fact, I may have enjoyed seeing him perform this time more than the last.
The concert was held at the ArtsQuest café venue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing such a nice, professional venue it is located just across from the SteelStacks. The SteelStacks were once the home of Bethlehem Steel, one of the largest steel manufacturers in the nation. Today, the site has been repurposed into a ten-acre campus dedicated to arts, culture, family events, community celebration, education, and fun. It offers more than 1,000 concerts and eight different festivals annually.
One of those concerts, of course, being Allen Stone. The ambiance of the room very much so matched the vibes of the artist and his songs. From the room, you are able to see the SteelStacks through the window in the background.
His current tour is called “An Intimate Night with Allen Stone: My Favorite Songs, Favorite Stories.” And what a perfect description it is. This specific tour is different than his others. He isn’t traveling with his whole band, instead it’s a smaller group focused more on what the music is about and how he can make a personal connection with the audience.
As I was very close to the front of the stage, I convinced myself that at one point he was singing right to me- eye contact and everything! But, let’s be serious, I’m sure that was just the hopeless romantic in me. Anyway, it added to my experience regardless.
He treats everyone in the audience as equals. He is humble, and thanks all who attended for their support. By purchasing a ticket, he explains, we have aided him in being able to continue doing what he loves. For some of his songs he was able to sit on a stool and speak to us about privilege, which is something I have personally dedicated myself and my education to learning about. He said something that really resounded in me and hit me hard.
“I was born white, a male, and American. I won the fu**ing lottery.”
And isn’t that the truth. The opportunities he had were so much different than someone of a different gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, etc. may have been. Privilege, for those of you who might not know, is defined as “special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a particular person or group of people.”
I found it so rewarding to be able to attend a concert with a man who is able to recognize his privilege, but also speak, or sing rather, for those who don’t have a voice. He is using his platform to give a voice to the oppressed.
Music originally started out as people singing about things that mattered; injustices, prohibition (glad I wasn’t alive for this to happen), things with historical value etc. These songs made way for timeless music styles like jazz (a personal favorite), blues, R&B; all of which Allen Stone is able to incorporate into his music.
In fact, a song that he sings titled “American Privilege” really gets the conversation started. He introduces his songs by telling a story, most of which still have me laughing when I reminisce on the night.
When he introduced “American Privilege” he spoke passionately about how relevant the song had been in the past, as well as how relevant it still is today. Lyrics include “American Privilege, is blurring my vision, inherited sickness” and “Everyday I, piss money away, I’m a material slave. Just trying to polish this ball and this chain.”
Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zE2hyTk8g9k
It’s refreshing to be in the presence of such a talented artist and his band, and have him include songs in his set that are relatable and stand for something that matters.
My Allen Stone experiences have been two of which I will never forget. They have both been memorable nights alongside great, like-minded friends, consuming wonderfully crafted alcoholic beverages, and connecting to the music as if it were written from our own hearts.
Thank you Allen Stone for all the love, or as you would say all the “luh.”
For more information about Allen Stone including upcoming tour dates visit: http://www.allenstone.com/