When Indie 103.1 asked RUN RUN RUN to perform at Big Bear mountain for their ski excursion/free concert radio giveaway, we welcomed the opportunity to play in a snowy wonderland. We felt like contest winners ourselves.
Friday evening the 22nd, we made our way from NoHo up through treacherous conditions to Big Bear. Smaller vehicles and SUVs were held back by our slow, steady and safe pace with Grace, our van. At one point, a sports car attempted to pass us but spun into a 180 just yards in front of us, only to turn around behind us and follow our van the rest of the way up the mountain safely. The tense, but memorable drive made the Indie 103 house a welcomed sight. Thanks again so very much!
Run Run Run (with roadie and lighting lad Alek) settled into five bunk beds constructed into one small room of the house. A few of us drifted off to sleep, while Xander and Cisco could be heard reacting excitedly over old Michael Jackson concert footage; ya’ know, the stuff that sold him as a top-notch, trailblazing showman. While snow fell cold outside, we fell warmly asleep.
The following day we awoke to hear that the outdoor stage we were going to play was still being chopped free of a few layers of ice and that we would instead be playing indoors in the ski lodge. So the ski lodge regulars and contest winners settled in for the afternoon show. From young to old, they seem to have fun rocking out in full snow gear, scarves and gloves included!
Our show was a great warm-up for our tour kick off show at the Viper Room this Thursday, Feb. 28th. RUN RUN RUN felt on fire inside with the cold conditions outside. This was altogether a unique experience. At one point during our show, a father brought his son, who was already diggin’ the music, up to the front of the stage to be photographed while we played. An experience that not even playing shows with the Bravery, Interpol, Sparta and Ween has offered us combined!
At about the time we loaded out, a busload of ski contest winners was brought back to the Indie 103.1 house where the station was broadcasting live on the air. Unfortunately, we only had time enough to stay for about an hour since foggy conditions were persisting, daylight was fading and more treacherous downhill conditions lay ahead of us. In that time however we had a great time talking with new fans, Xander interviewed live on the air and there were even pictures taken with shirtless folk…outdoors!
Congrats to all the contest winners and thank you to Indie 103.1 for sponsoring and organizing this event. See you all on the road!
