After wandering around Mohegan Sun approximately 5.8 times, accidentally betting (and losing) $20, and snapping a few too many selfies in the Selfie Circle, it was nearly showtime. I headed down to the Wolf Den, a venue nestled in the heart of one of the three casinos. Though the area is gated, it remains open to anyone in that part of the casino, allowing the sounds of the performance to carry through.
As I took a seat, there were only six other people present, including the girlfriend of one of the band members. Given that this was a 21+ event, I was curious about how many more people would show up.
As the set time approached, the room began to fill. It wasn’t a sell-out like their previous night’s show, but the tables and chairs were packed. The show was barely advertised—only a tweet from a month ago and word of mouth had spread the news. Familiar faces included the band’s dedicated groupies and local friends, while unfamiliar ones included an elderly couple slow dancing in the back, a table of adults who might be the band’s moms, and other onlookers around the perimeter.
When Paradise Fears took the stage, nerves were palpable, particularly in frontman Sam Miller’s voice as he introduced each song. They kicked off with “Talk About It,” from their latest album released in December. Miller welcomed the audience, noting the unique openness of the venue where anyone could be listening. Guitarist Jordan Merrigan, lacking a mic, humorously speculated that Minkus from Boy Meets World might be in the casino enjoying their music.
The set continued with engaging banter and energetic performances. Miller introduced a song about various personal hardships, though he inadvertently skipped over their cover of R. Kelly’s “Ignition Remix”—a song quite different in theme—and started playing “Sleep” instead.
The show ended just as the Vikings game began, and the band members dispersed until the game concluded. Guitarist Cole Andre, sound and lighting tech TJ Russell, and bassist Marcus Sand were spotted by slot machines, while keyboardist Michael Walker was at a craps table. Former drummer Lucas Zimmerman, now back in college, watched a friend play slots, and Merrigan mingled by the bar. Miller, however, was nowhere to be seen—likely resting up.
At 1 AM, I started to head out, $40 lost to slots and $13 to an overpriced sandwich. A lucky guest had just won $100, and another bought a $2 beer at the sports bar. Despite minimal excitement and sparse advertising, this concert turned out to be a memorable experience. From exploring the casino to seeing the couple dance in the back and enjoying good company, this show was unexpectedly delightful. My best advice: Attend a show where the band’s enthusiasm might be lacking and make it fun for them. Happiness is contagious, and smiles were in abundance last night.
January 3, 2016
Photographed and written by Simma Lamb
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