A note about Anberlin

So I sit here now , just 1 sleep till the Anberlin show! Yep, that's right! 1 more sleep. It's near 2 years since they last graced our shores. That's a hell of a long time for a band who has such affection for our country.

See, Anberlin's first shows out of the USA were here in Australia. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure these shows occurred in 2005. I remember clearly meeting Stephen after their Sydney show. I think he was stunned by the reaction Sydney and Australia had given the band. Not only were these shows their first outside of the USA but they also happened to be sell out shows or close to it. All this a 14 hour flight away - on the other side of the world!!

Inside that show at the Gaelic Club (Now Gaelic Hotel) there was something in the air that night. The show was intense. The crowd was just so up for it! Anberlin responded too. They were most definitely up for it. It made for a great show! That night they were playing with Antiskeptic, probably my most favourite aussie band ever.

To understand just why Anberlin are so popular here I just don't know. Many bands write great music or interact with fans. Anberlin though seem to have a connection that feels real. For me anyways. It just feels a little more real for some reason. How their album "Cities" has impacted me is amazing. To this day it still feels like i'm enjoying that album more and more. Another reason the connection with Anberlin feels so real is that they're humble, honest and always thankful for their fans. Respect works both ways and I feel that they get what it means to be in their position. It's not taken for granted. 

I've always respected them because of this. I also respect them because my views on life are somewhat similar. I think they do a wonderful job as role models. Honesty is a big reason for this. Humbleness is another thing I've noted with the band. These dudes aren't perfect and they don't claim to be. But life is all about being your best self. That's all that matters. That's what being real is all about. Anberlin have reminded me on several occasions that there IS more to living than being alive. There are things that we can do, choices that we can make, that can impact in a positive way on the world today.  This is why I respect them first as individuals and then as a collective in a band.

Back to Anberlin and their tour though. This week marks I believe their ninth tour of Oz. That's pretty incredible for a band who only formed just over a decade a go. I guess that really does make Australia their second home. This weekend will be special, I'm looking forward to it!