BY DEAN BIRKHEIMER | Go Venue Magazine
“He that can have patience can have what he will.” ~Benjamin Franklin
Scheduling shows on a Sunday isn’t normally the wisest thing to do. Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest, as most of us are still trying to recuperate from what we did the Friday and Saturday before, as well as convalesce in preparation for the Monday morning blues. But then again, The Waiting Room Lounge, 1% Productions and First Fleet Concerts had no apprehensions when it came to booking The Airborne Toxic Event on Sunday, October 9th 2022, in Omaha, Nebraska.
This performance was actually scheduled and rescheduled several times and there was some unsurenesss whether it would happen at all, but grit and diligence along with a say can’t mind set by all involved culminated in a fired up sell-out crowd that showed up early and stayed until the very end.
We waited this long, we could wait a little longer as Angela Gail and Jeffrey Jacob, a.k.a., In The Valley Below, would take the stage first. Gail came out doing her best impersonation of the Hollies, “Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress” and Jeffrey appeared in his all white jacket with also white razor sharp creased slacks. The sound and lighting were exquisite and meshed wonderfully with the music. The musical chemistry between Gail and Jeffrey is plain to see, but as for their actual relationship to each other, I am not sure. There are moments when you think, o.k., they are a couple and then at other times you wouldn’t bet your last dollar on it. They are beautiful on stage and their performance is enchanting. The show is more of a drama being played out for all to see. It’s a show within a show, with the two characters playing off each other to perfection. In the end, nobody minded that we had to wait a little bit longer for The Airborne Toxic Event.
Tom Petty once told us that “The Waiting is the Hardest Part.” When I think back on it, I have to say, as badly as I wanted this show to come to pass, the waiting was not as difficult as I thought it would be. I always believed that despite all the issues that tried to prevent this concert from happening, I knew deep down those involved with it would prevail. And so at approximately 9:30 p.m. the waiting was over. The Airborne Toxic Event not only took the stage, but took over The Waiting Room itself. The Airborne Toxic Event formed in 2006. It consists of Mikel Jollett (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steven Chen (guitar, keyboards), Adrian Rodriguez (electric bass, backing vocals), Daren Taylor (drums), and Miriam “Mimi” Peschet (backing vocals, violin). This band instantly energized the room with their music. They don’t just perform songs, it’s more like they recite anthems. Their sound is clear and captivating, and you feel as though you’re being told stories through movement and music. The set list was impeccable as it gave you a complete sense of what this band is about. My personal favorite was the gut-wrenching, “Sometime Around Midnight”. The song builds and builds until it finally explodes, and you understand why the song’s character feels desperate and torn apart. It is clear that ATE has a huge and solid fan base. This is due in part to their unique sound, which is bewitching. I’m pretty sure the fans will remain loyal for as long as these guys (and gal) keep making music.
Huge amounts of gratitude to The Waiting Room, One Percent and First Fleet for getting this show done. Everything you all do is done professionally and with care.
The Airborne Toxic Event
In The Valley Below
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