Lori McKenna at City Winery

Most of my recent concert goings can be traced back to one Sub Rosa show at Club Passim three years ago.  It's kind of like a nine degrees of separation thing.  Case in point.  I recently went to the Lori McKenna show at City Winery.  At the Sub Rosa show I really liked Mark Erelli's music so we checked out a few of his shows and I started following him on social media (as one does nowadays.)  He often posts about playing in Lori's band and I got intrigued.  I'd heard Lori McKenna's name, as I'm sure most of us have but I wasn't too familiar with her music.  When we saw that Lori was playing a show at Passim last winter we decided to check it out and I loved it.  So when Mark Erelli shared info about Lori's show at City Winery I knew I needed to go for three reasons: 

1.  She's a great artist

2.  City Winery is an awesome venue (more info on that soon)

3.  It was something to do in the city in the summer and I'm always looking for things to do during the summer.

I took the Green Line to Haymarket, a bit earlier than needed, and spent some time reading and enjoying the weather in one of the Rose Kennedy Greenway parks.  These parks are a new favorite of mine, and will be in heavy rotation next summer since they are just so close (less than ten minutes from Lechmere.)

I can't say enough good things about City Winery.  There is a large restaurant and bar (that would be great to go to even if you weren't going to a show) in the front.  The restaurant and lounge space is quite large, airy, and spacious~ something you don't always get in the city.  It's got a nice rustic winery decor thing happening and would definitely be a great place to go separate from a show.  The performance space is in the back and all you have to do is give your name.  No need to fuss with tickets or apps. 

The performance area is quite large and features long rows of four person tables.  It's assigned seating so if you are particular about where you want to sit it's best to get your tickets early.  JO had gotten me a nice seat in the middle of the middle row of tables and that was fine for me.  There are lots of options for food and a great wine selection (hence the winery thing.)

Not surprisingly, this show was sold out.  Lori McKenna is from the South Shore so when she plays local shows she draws a big crowd.  Her two sons have a band and they opened for their mom, which was as cute as it sounds.  It was so sweet to see Lori against the back wall, enjoying her sons performance.  She looked so proud!

Lori played a long set, and a lot of her new songs from her just released album The Tree.  She also played two of her big hits~ Humble and Kind and Girl Crush (she wrote this song for Little Big Town.)  Her music is just so beautifully written.  Her lyrics seem to come straight from her heart and soul (I know that sounds sappy, but it's true!) It was a beautiful night of music in a beautiful space.  I'm already making plans for more Lori McKenna shows and more City Winery shows!