Nashville: segment 1

The point of the holiday was to go to Nashville. My mum loves country music and had always wanted to go, so why not? How selfless I am. Well, there had to be something in it for me (apart from seeing my mum), so we also planned to go and see WEEZER. That’s why we had to leave Chicago so soon but I’m getting ahead of myself.

The second part of the 16th saw us in Nashville. We went by plane and it was all very smooth, landed in Nashville about 16:30ish. Got an Uber to the hotel – I really dislike riding in taxis in general, I don’t like the small talk but you have to sometimes, unfortunately.

We trotted out to Assembly Food Hall. Mummy and I had curry (vegan) – could have shared, they were huge and my husband had some chicken burger thing.

Afterwards we went to Broadway to the Honky Tonk Highway and I have honestly never felt more out of place in my entire life. This was me, below, minus the sunglasses but let’s not forget with the little black and white denim tote bag I saunter about with. The stripes and the hair already highlight me as being some kind of coffee-drinking-avocado-toast-eating-thinks-it’s-too-good-and-better-than-everyone-and everything hipster. The Converse probably also give that impression as do the poplin wide-legged pants.

Anyway, we walked down Broadway, jostling with all the cowboy hat and boot wearing people and headed into one of the bars. I am not joking, people were turning their heads looking at us three. It was good though and my mum had a good time which is what matters.

The 17th rolled around and it was =W=eezer Day.

For breakfast, we headed to Crema Coffee Roasters because the coffee got good reviews. I didn’t try it though cause I’d had the rubbish free coffee from the hotel (I was trying to cut back). I did have the food though and it was very nice and healthy. I also saw a very special person there.

Next on the agenda was the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. It was good and it kept my attention even though I’m not really into country.

We walked to Nashville Farmers’ Market to the food hall bit – I personally wouldn’t go again. All the food was pretty mediocre.

Let’s be serious though, we’d just been killing time up until this point. All waiting for the main event.

I’d been late in buying the tickets because I didn’t know we’d be going. We did end up going but only VIP ones were left for the seats (husband and mum) so we all got VIP (I was standing). It was ridiculous – it was close to $1,000 for all three and the yen is rubbish at the minute with the dollar. It was an amazing show though and I was very happy to be there. The American fans are definitely a different vibe to the Japanese and British ones. Rivers was great even though he said he was poorly. I felt really sorry for him having to perform when he wasn’t well.

At the end of the show, I met back up with my mum and husband. One of the supporting acts was The Flaming Lips and for part of their bit, they had a balloon. My mum asked me why everyone was cheering the balloon and I asked her what she meant. She said, ‘the balloon that said, ‘Fuck you Nashville’, why did they think that was good?’. The balloon actually said, ‘Fuck yeah Nashville’. I guess she wasn’t as close up as I was to see.

Thanks for reading,
Emily