Walking into Newburgh Brewing Company Wednesday, February 28th I didn’t know what to expect my first time at a WRRV Sessions. What I walked into was more than I could’ve imagined. It’s around 3:30 pm, the doors are still closed to the public but you walk upstairs and the first thing you see is the WRRV table with t-shirts and other prizes for patrons to win.
The room is clear and empty, the set up for the band is prepared and before the doors open we take photos, gazing in the fact we’re about to watch a live session with a band that has only recently gotten their start and is blowing up before the world. With me is another intern, my friend Maria, we are both anticipating the doors opening waiting for assignments before the event goes live. I take photos of the DJs for the instagram page, wait for PJ to call me over to record him for his Youtube video, and ask my boss Val if she needs anything or if there’s anything I can do for her.
4:00 pm on the dot. People flood the room, going to the bar to get drinks or order food before the show. The chaos ensues, people of all ages come and settle in claiming the closest spot they can find to where the band will play. PJ runs around and introduces himself to everyone, Simon, Program Director of the station is live, playing music and making announcements. He’s fun, charismatic, thrilled to be hosting the sessions and hyping the crowd for AJR’s performance. Another one of the DJs arrives, it’s Nick Kessler from the Morning Show, he has a CD of the latest album AJR put out ready to be signed.
Eventually, raffles for the VIP Meet and Greet happen, all those that were called were thrilled even though they couldn’t rush to the stage in order to thank Simon. The more it crept towards 5:30 pm the crowd got larger, I ran around to keep up with PJ and recording the excitement, but then it happened…the band came out.
People went wild, fans were thrilled, freaking out just like in the movies. AJR proceeded to come over and interview with Simon about their story, three brothers who just loved to write and play music on the streets of New York. They couldn’t believe the turnout and how many people actually knew the words to their songs. They took questions from the audience through the set, thanking them for coming out and asking things they’d never been asked before. Turns out two of the brothers are in school at Columbia and the third was getting his Ph.D.
With each song the crowd only got more excited, they told a sappy story about their start, adding dramatic piano music for amusement. They were so carefree and their music reflected the passion that came from their love for music. The set continued, featuring a cover of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love and their more popular songs, Sober Up and Weak, and with each song the crowd got more invested. You scan the room and all you see are smiling faces, fans singing along, holding those they love and singing to them as though the words were written perfectly for them. It all seems like a dream…
The set finishes, the band says their thank yous and goodbyes. There’s a sense of unity in the room, as though everyone just came to enjoy the music, forgetting the outside world and responsibilities. Like that, just as quickly as the room filled, it cleared. People paid off their tabs, and the road crew began their breakdown to load the car. Talking to my coworkers, I thanked them for the incredible opportunity to represent our company at this event, they thanked me for wanting to be part of it and assisting in any way I could.
The night ends and I walk out to leave, peering the crowds still lingering behind, we all have a great story to tell. AJR has already taken off in preparation for a sold out concert the next day, and those that won the meet and greet are gushing to friends and loved ones about the miraculous chance they had today. To think the day started just by waking up and going about their own business, ending with music, ending with the simple feeling of bliss.
Ema Fernandez 