I Miss Shows — Benjamin Paul Camp

I traveled a long distance to hear a sad, quiet man sing songs about his old friends. There was a blanket of snow on the city that night. Our ride pulled over outside the venue, and I stumbled out into the snow. The falling snow softened the harsh growling of snowplows. A skinny man finishing off a cigarette caught my eye; ribbons of smoke slipped from his lips as he flicked the cigarette into the snow. I held the door as he walked in. Gently, he said, “Thank you.” I realized it was the man whom I came to see. I didn't say anything. I just watched as he quietly slipped through the unsuspecting crowd like a ghost; no one else noticed him. The opener started playing, and we fell into a dream.

This was an Instagram post that I made back in 2019 about a show I saw in Portland, ME. The quiet man is Andy Shauf, and he's one of the best singer-songwriters I've happened to come across. From his story-telling lyrics to the openers at his shows, Shauf can craft an intimate experience on a mass scale. This is especially noticeable in the opening acts of the show. Of the two shows I've attended, he's had Julia Jacklin, out of Australia, and Haley Heynderickx, out of Oregon, who have established themselves in the indie circuit. I believe all three artiest are of the same caliber, which speaks to the creative genius of Shauf. I loved going to his shows because he cares about music so much that he shares the platform with people who push him to be a better artist.

I really miss shows. I haven’t really been to a proper show since before…you know…Wow, it’s crazy that I don’t even have to say it but anyone reading this knows exactly what I’m referencing.