When I found out that one of my favorite bands, Emery, was going on tour, I pictured myself moshing to their heavy post-hardcore music and screaming along to every song.  I didn’t envision myself sitting at a table in Philadelphia’s City Winery, listening to an acoustic set.

As much as I love mosh pits, and don’t really care for most acoustic music, this concert was one of the best ones that I’ve been to.

I’ve been listening to Emery for years, but that pales in comparison to their other fans.  This tour was celebrating the 20th anniversary of their album The Question.  At the table next to me was a father and his daughter from Florida, and a mother and her daughter.  Both of them had listened to Emery for years, and ended up introducing their children to them as well.  While the table seating situation didn’t necessarily provide the best views, it allowed for conversation between fans that wouldn’t have been had before.  Tables sat four people, and were in groups of three.  Rather than reserving the whole table, your ticket is for one seat, so depending on the size of your group, you’ll be seated with other people.

The tables aren’t just for seating.  Before and throughout the concert, the venue was used as a restaurant.  The food is very good, but each guest is forced to spend a minimum of $25, and the selection is somewhat limited.  Waiters wandering around is also a slight distraction from the performance.

I’ve been to a few shows where the band only greets the audience at the beginning, plays their music, and leaves.  Naturally the unplugged experience usually comes with a more intimate feeling.  Before almost every song, Emery gave a bit of backstory.  For example, they explained how the seemingly random title of their song “Churches and Serial Killers” came from their wild tour bus driver in Australia as they were struggling to find a title to a song about two-sided people that they had written, when while driving through a small town, and he said “There’s nothing here but churches and serial killers”.  They also described the difficult decision of signing with Tooth and Nail Records, and their original hesitation.  They told stories of crazy things fans have said or believed over the years, and explained the meaning behind albums and songs, and difficulties they’ve faced.

“You never think about your bulbs until they burn out.”

While typical concert experiences are taken for granted, when the flashing lights and fog machines are turned down, new lights come on, the spark of community and connection.

The best part was the opportunity to ask questions.  One of the people I went with asked one of the singers his vocal range, and instead of note names, ended up getting him to demonstrate his spectacular range.  Others asked questions as well, and gave the audience answers to things they may have been wondering for years, or decades even.

Throughout they also shared various pieces of their backstories and testimonies.  Multiple members grew up in conservative Christian households, and shed some light on their personal journey in their faith, and how it plays into their songwriting.

At the end, band members were autographing, taking pictures with, and just chatting with the fans there.

Take the opportunity to try out an acoustic, unplugged concert, even if you have some hesitations.  It’s the perfect opportunity to get to know both fellow fans and the band themselves better.