Barcelona at Marymoor Park...oh, and The Fray, too

It isn't often I take a day off work.  I much prefer to save my vacation days for things like road trips.  But, some things are much too important...like going to a Barcelona concert!  One of my favorite musical groups is currently touring with The Fray...a huge deal for a little Seattle band!  I wanted to get to Marymoor Park...the site of the night's concert...nice and early.  Driving down from Bellingham, I grabbed some lunch at La Isla in Redmond, famous for their Puerto Rican food.  I haven't had such cuisine since I lived and worked in New Jersey more than 20 years ago.  My Puerto Rican coworkers used to bring their specialties in for office potlucks.  When I got to the restaurant, I ordered my favorite dish, pastelon...kind of a Caribbean-style lasagna made with sweet plantains, mozzarella cheese and pulled pork.  It came with salad, red beans and rice, and tostones (fried plantain patties). Delicioso!

After lunch, it was only a few miles drive to Marymoor Park.  I had about three hours to gates opening, so I hung around to see what was going on.  There was a group of people there for a radio station preshow soundcheck/meet and greet event.  Peeking through the fence surrounding the venue, I saw The Fray on stage...heard them, too as they did their soundcheck.  While I was waiting for the box office to open, I saw Barcelona's van arrive, pulling a small trailer.  As with all my previous Barcelona shows, I was on their guest list and got a free ticket.  Love that!  When gates opened at 5:30 pm, I took a look at concert area. Grassy hills form a natural bowl-shaped amphitheater with great views of the stage.

I didn't bring anything to sit on, preferring to just move around once the music started.  I would be able to get a good view of the stage from the side...perfect for taking photos.  There were several food trucks there and after perusing my choices, I settled on a grilled cheese sandwich from The Grilled Cheese Experience for dinner.  Very tasty!

Promptly at 6:30, the first opening act Oh Honey took the stage.  This New York based band played a very energetic set, and got the audience pumped up for what was to come.

 

Oh Honey played five songs, then relinquished the stage to Barcelona.  Lead singer Brian Fennell immediately started into my favorite song from their new album The Melodrama, Paper Lion.  He was accompanied by Rhett Stonelake on drums, and Branden Cate on keyboards and providing background vocals.  

Barcelona, with the exception of one song, played stuff from their new album.  Old songs are nice, but I love to hear the new songs played live.  I was happy that the single old song was Please Don't Go...my favorite track from their debut Absolutes album.  There were a lot of appreciative local Barcelona fans enjoying the music as much as I was. I even spotted one group of enthusiastic females holding up a homemade "I ♥ Barcelona" sign.  Here is the set list for the night.

Paper Lion
Strange Way
Diamond and Silver
Sick
Fall In Love
Lose Control
Cure
Please Don't Go
Background

 

It was the first time I had seen Barcelona play in an outdoor setting, and it was well worth the wait.  Every song sounded awesome and with the natural lighting, I was able to get some pretty good photos with my point and shoot camera.  I could have listened to Barcelona all night, but I think most of the crowd were eager to hear The Fray.  Personally, I only know a few of their songs, and I had never seen them in concert.  Lead singer Isaac Slade had loads of stage presence as he sang and played piano.  The music was good, but...can I say it...I like Barcelona better!  

While The Fray was still performing, I got a chance to talk to Brian who was hanging out, talking to friends and family.  He asked if I would be able to see some Barcelona shows elsewhere in the country, and I replied if they tour in October, definitely!  It's been awhile since I've done a groupie road trip...my last was with Five For Fighting back in 2009...and I would love to follow Barcelona from show to show.  I ended up leaving before The Fray finished their set.  I wanted to beat the traffic out of the park, plus I had to work the next day.  On the drive home, I had The Melodrama blasting out of my Blazer's speakers.  That seems to be the ritual after every concert I go to...play the music I just heard on continuous loop, hoping to relive the night's magical moments.  It's not too much of a stretch...Barcelona's music is already magic!