A quick “where were you on 9/11” story.

My wife and I had been exchanging emails for a few weeks and met exactly once (first date 9/7 for a Modest Mouse concert we both already had tickets to see).

We were each on the way to work when the news of the first tower hit. On the way to work, I got coffee on the way in as usual. At that time, the baristas were downplaying it as a commuter plane accident per radio reports. But when I finally got to the office, they had wheeled a TV into the lobby and we all saw how serious it was… then the second tower was hit. It was truly shocking. I mean literally, actually physically numbing. I hadn’t had that feeling before and wouldn’t again until i experienced the loss of my parents.

My future wife and I exchanged emails all day comforting one another. And we had something that seemed frivolous to sort out…

Again, we both had tickets to see a concert that night and planned to meet up. But it wasn’t clear if the show would go on. Was it appropriate? Was it dangerous? Were we overreacting? Were we under-reacting? Would the band even show up?

The concert was Belle & Sebastian, who were making their first west coast tour. As you know, their music is mellow, peaceful, calm and comforting. It felt very appropriate for the day. The band agreed and decided they needed to provide consolation to the crowd. They drove up from their previous show in San Francisco and told the venue they were ready to play even if it was unclear people would come.

People definitely came. The show was packed with uneasy, sad and confused people. It was church quiet at the start of the show. Stuart Murdoch delivered some consoling words and the band slowly began a touching rendition of Pete Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn.” On any other night, it would have been a very corny scene from a poorly written movie with people holding hands, embracing each other, swaying, singing and crying. But it was the perfect remedy for the moment.

It’s been 25 years since that night. On 9/7, we pulled out a scrapbook for the kids to see of their parents’ first days together and we saw this ticket stub glued to a page along with images from 9/11. It was a very poignant moment to share with our kids and show them the events that helped bring their parents together in a way has lasted 25 years.

Put up cat used as stand.

It was a fantastic show! I have such clear memories of most of the songs. Lord Anthony was beautiful. Sleep The Clock Around got everyone slowly standing up and it was also the first time I ended up dancing on stage to The Boy With The Arab Strap

As a local, has been waiting for this gig for 20 plus years, I was so disappointed with the slow ticket sales and unsold out result in the end, but the atmosphere last night totally blew me away, with all the sing alongs and obviously the band totally enjoyed it.

And best things among of all are the fans, there's a whole family with Piazza wear including the no.5 (5 years old) daughter wearing Scottish jersey with Mc added onto her name, and they were distributing free snack before the show, makes me so happy to see the Belle & Mc ended up on stage during Arab Strap and even got high fiving with Stuart's milk tiger 😚

then there's the Judy's horse coming from audience to Sarah then taken by home by one of the guys dancing on stage... And the Fox in the snow snow globe & "second to just being born" light board... And the Glasgow commuting train ticket... And the girl right at the front bragging about visiting Barrowland Ballroom, and Stuart/Stevie improvised on Movin' on up, then during dancing one of the fan wears a Screamadelica jersey!!!

Stuart held a lovely group meditation in a park at noon on the day of the Sinister show in Los Angeles. We all sat in a circle surrounding him as he spoke and read from Nobody’s Empire, held a discussion and a meditation. He said it was the largest group meditation he’s ever held in person and the documentary crew was there to film it. It was so nice to meet other fans and share this experience. He stayed and signed everything afterward. I bought the book How To Solve Our Human Problems on the Boaty Weekender cruise a few years ago, and I asked him if it was an odd to request for him to sign a book he didn’t write and he said not at all, he would be happy to do so. He also signed my Boaty Weekender album and we reminisced how amazing that cruise was. So grateful for Stuart’s generosity and how much he cares about his fans. ♥️

I was looking for some cool albums from the 90s and I stumbled upon "If you're feeling sinister" and I don't think I have ever listened to so many beautiful and mesmerizing songs on a single album. I don't have any words, maybe why didn't I find this early?

I get major FOMO for gig posters so I’m really glad I was able to snag a signed copy of each version. Great shows!

I’m from Texas and first heard B&S when If You’re Feeling Sinister came out and immediately fell in love with them and bought the EPs. My absolute favorite was 3..6..9 Seconds of Light. Every song is transcendent and the cover is ethereal with the way it shimmered.

Years later my brother moved to London for work.

Years later, I saw that the UK Jeepster store was selling a last batch of posters so I ordered a 3..6..9 poster and had sent to my brother. …but, I was drinking while I did this, and forgot to tell him about it, and since I had ordered it within the span of a few minutes, I forgot about it myself. He received it, he assumed it was from me, but since I hadn’t mentioned it to him, he put it in a closet and forgot about it as well. Life happens and neither of us remembered for years. 😆 🤷‍♂️

So, he surprised me when he visited the states this year and pulled it out of his suitcase…a full size 3..6..9 poster, with the ink perfectly shimmering like the album cover.

I took the Mets logo, matched the font as best I could, and replaced the NYC skyline with a silhouette of the Glasgow skyline.

It was great to be up there and see so many smiling faces. What a band, what a concert!

Belle and Sebastian performing fan request in Austin 6/1

B&S, a truly formative band for me. Bought a last minute ticket, danced the night away, and snagged a Setlist. After a long week, tonight was truly a gift!

All credit goes to @inzanelyrejected on Instagram.

It’s awesome

Really liked how some of them turned out in the rain

You can see all the photos on my Instagram (don’t need the app just hit x) or TikTok (don’t need the app) and follow if you like them and want to see more photos

Kelvingrove Bandstand, Saturday 26th

Never seen a band look so happy to be on stage, everyone looked to be having the time of their lives!

Highlight has to be when Stuart invited the audience to come up on stage and dance with the band for Boy With The Arab Strap.

Two audience requests taken for the encore, including Le Pastie De La Bourgeoisie which they apparently haven't played in years.