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Shelley - Front Row Friends

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It's ya friend Shelley, a vertically challenged concert nerd. My friends and I go to lots of shows and love connecting with artists & fans.

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I hadn't originally planned to see the Backstreet Boys at the Sphere - and not because I didn't want to (I was obsessed with them around age 12), but because of chronic illness. If you've ever been to a show with me, you might have seen me closing my eyes or looking down when the lights are flashing. That's just me trying to avoid migraines, dizziness, and potential seizures.

So, if a regular concert is a trigger for me*, the Sphere could be a hazard.

But I was generously invited by family 🙏 to go last night, and I managed to stay for an hour. I even caught my favorite song of theirs, Siberia. 🤍 I just had to keep my eyes on The Boys, try not to look at the (probably stunning 😭) visual effects (you know, the whole point of the Sphere), and instead stare down at my shoes if it got to be too dizzying. (It did.)

I had fun, though!

I think a normal person would so love this experience! The music was fun, the boys are cute, and there were lots of millennials, so I wasn't the grandma of the crowd like I sometimes am. If you love throwbacks to the Y2K era, this is a great one. 💾💿📠🩵

*My doctors tell me I shouldn't even be going to regular concerts. As if. by @frontrowfriends

Mother Mother's Lollapalooza aftershow in Chicago was one for the books! 🎉 Still thinking about this performance and what a privilege it was to attend. This band just continues to thoroughly impress both long-time fans and first timers with their energy and professionalism down to every last beat.

I enjoyed getting to know more of the fandom at this show, in particular meeting up with the lovely @mothermothershirtgirl, who is not only rad company, but took videos when my phone malfunctioned mid set - just in time for an impromptu performance of one of MM's new songs, In Your Company. (Such a beautiful song!) Thanks, Angelique, for capturing that highlight. 🙏

Although not as small as the tiny dive bars of the past, Park West was a delightfully intimate venue with a smaller stage than MM usually plays these days, and it brought back fond memories of feeling like a close knit family gathering. Except for one moment when a stranger shoved us at barricade. But I suppose some families are like that, too. 🙃

This set was one of the best I've seen, from five of my favorite musicians. ❤️ Go ahead and take this as your sign to see Mother Mother play live if you haven't yet.‼️

#mothermother #mothermothermusic #lollapalooza #aftershow #parkwest by @frontrowfriends

What a time it's been, traveling around Canada for three Said the Whale shows! ❤️ First in Victoria and then Vancouver the next day, and then a brief stop home before catching these favorites of mine again in Toronto, and all with my fellow Said Heads - my wonderful long distance friends and the very best fan community in the universe. 🏆

I've got plenty more video footage to share of these nights (well, mostly Van and Toronto... the sound on the Victoria videos wasn't the best) that I'll post as reels soon, but for now here's some photos and clips from three of the best nights I've had this year. I can confidently rely on Said the Whale and my friends in their community to make every show a welcoming experience, and I always leave feeling like I'd just been to a healthy, joyous family reunion. 🥰

Major thank you to Said the Whale for everything they did for all of us on this tour, and for their time and patience and kindness. The light is YOU, @saidthewhale. ✨

#saidthewhale #saidcon by @frontrowfriends

Just a short clip of Ghosting from Mother Mother's Toronto show (9/11/26) for the fam fam this Halloween. 👻 by @frontrowfriends

Marvelous @kingskingsband puts on a powerful show, and they'll be opening for The Fray at the *free* Neon City Festival in just a few weeks! 🤯 These guys and gals are quickly going places, and I cannot wait for their new music to release! Footage from their show at Dustland last month (sorry for the late upload, better late than never though!)

#kingskingsband #kingskings #thefray #dustland #neoncityfestival by @frontrowfriends

Still grinning when I think of Los Platanos and what a joyful and high quality show they put on! 🍌

@losplatanosband were enthusiastically recommended to me by a friend who appreciates local artists as much as I do, and after catching their set, I can see what the fuss is! Winner of our city-wide Battle of the Bands, Los Platanos are undeniably musically gifted, highly innovative, and infectiously fun.

Their "plat-anized" pop covers can draw anyone in, even folks previously unfamiliar with latin funk, and their original tunes are total jams that incorporate audience participation. The video on the last slide shows the little watermelon-looking shaker that I borrowed from their basket of fruit inspired instruments up at the front. There were plenty of fun options to choose from, and anyone who opted out of borrowing instruments were encouraged to dance, clap, or express themselves however they wanted. It was a wholesome musical experience led by a group of true professionals. Bonus points for them being some of the nicest folks to chat with after the show. (I apologize for not being able to get the drummer in my videos, though - I really tried!)

Los Platanos are a class act that I can't wait to see again!

#losplatanos #latinfunk #lasvegasmusic #vegaslocals #vegasbands by @frontrowfriends

OK, I really dig these guys! 👏 Saw @phantomplanet live without knowing much about them beforehand, and I loved their set. This band has that sweet, sweet combo of spectacular songwriting and engaging stage presence. They had a way of making the whole audience feel like a group of friends with our own inside jokes, and if they're able to make me, a total stranger, feel that included, then their fandom must have a great sense of community. I would definitely jump at the chance to see them again.

Also wanted to note that it was my first time in the smaller room at House of Blues (@hoblasvegas) and the vibes were A+!

#phantomplanet #houseofblues by @frontrowfriends

Full post about the incredibly fun musical geniuses @losplatanosband coming soon, but here's a clip of Los Platanos covering I Want It That Way in their signature style. Love the English and Spanish combo! 🍌 🌴 🥁 by @frontrowfriends

Watch out - there's a new MM band I'm a fan of besides Mother Mother and Modest Mouse. Introducing Midnight Moodies 🌠 @midnight_moodies

I was lucky to catch these guys open for The Small Fortunes, and for my ears it was love at first song. Their vocals, their style, their lyrics and instrumentals are all totally my vibe, and for a minute there I forgot I was watching an opener because they had us all captivated with headliner energy. They're based in the UK, so a bit of a trek from where I am in the US, but the second they set foot in North America to play a show, I'm there!

I know a lot of my followers are MM (er, Mother Mother) fans, and I encourage you fam fams to check this band out. Catchy songs sung by three vocalists is something I never tire of, and Midnight Moodies performed brilliantly live! 🤩

I was not paid to write this, I'm not even acquainted with MM (Midnight Moodies, that is), I'm really just *this* excited about this band!

#midnightmoodies #thegaragelondon by @frontrowfriends

It was a pleasure to see The Small Fortunes performing at The Garage in London. Not all of my travels have to include concerts, but when they do, it's a whole lot better. These guys drew quite the packed sold out crowd, and it's easy to see why, between their talent and their charm. Happy to have seen them for my first official concert in the UK. 🇬🇧🎉

@thesmallfortunes #thesmallfortunes #thegaragelondon by @frontrowfriends

Here are some of my favorite live music acts I stumbled upon in pubs around the UK. I didn't manage to successfully interact with all artists, so some I don't know the names of, but I'm working on tagging the pubs so that hopefully the footage can be relayed to the artists. Truly enjoyed all of these performances. Made me wish I was a local. 🤩 by @frontrowfriends

Simply Simple by Mother Mother at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto, Sept 11, 2026.

My 150th overall concert (not my 150th time seeing MM... I'm only at 37 😉) and a wonderful time worth traveling for. Got to meet more folks from the fandom in person as well as see familiar friends again. Loved the song choices for the set. Also loved having a seat and being #backrowfriends for a change. 🙃 by @frontrowfriends