Concert Katie

the same song over and over again

October 2025

Concert Hanson

Four Nights of Hanson

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If there’s a better kind of tired than four Hanson shows in four days, I haven’t found it yet. Somewhere between the harmonies, clapping, and the hundredth (or more!) sing a long to MMMBop, I remembered why this band has been my happy place since 1997.  From Englewood to Atlantic City (twice!) to Baltimore, we were ready to rock and remind the band why we keep showing up decade after decade.

Night One – Englewood, NJ at Bergen PAC felt like ignition. Opening with Fired Up, Hanson set the tone: loud, joyful and a little nostalgic. The acoustic section was golden-hour perfection: Isaac crooned Hand in Hand, Zac gave us Good Days, and Taylor melted hearts with Save Me. When the encore rolled around, A Song to Sing (with an extra verse!) turned the theater into a sea of harmonies and smiles. (The only thing better was the amazing parking spot we scored out front!)

Night Two – Atlantic City, NJ brought the energy of a casino floor straight into the Music Box. The band leaned into groove and grit: River was a full band surprise, I’ve Got Soul pulsed with swagger, and Taylor’s solo on Weird hit right in the nostalgic feels. A triple-shot of Get Up and Go, I Was Born, and MMMBop had everyone on their feet (yes, even me!) before Lost Without Each Other closed the night with pure rock-band electricity.

Night Three – same city, different vibe. The second Atlantic City show was the deeper-cut set. Thinking of You and Runaway Run had longtime fans in bliss, and Atlantic City (Isaac solo!) gave those of us ‘in the know’ a laugh when the crowd cheered “Bruuuuuuce” and the band thought they were getting boo’ed. The mix of acoustic intimacy (Strong Enough to Break, Go) and full-band jumpalongs (If Only, In the City) made this one feel like a greatest-hits mixtape made just for the diehards.

Night Four – Baltimore, MD, the tour energy could’ve dipped, but nope. Hanson came out Fired Up and never let up. The solos switched up again: Isaac did I’m a Song for the first time without his band, Mother Road Sons, Zac’s Juliet shimmered and Taylor’s Save Me was a massive sing a long with the crowd. The closing stretch from Write You a Song through In the City was pure joy, capped again by A Song to Sing with that now-familiar bonus verse, like a secret handshake between band and fans, even if it did show up early and was sung by Isaac instead of Taylor.  (AND I managed to win $143 in the casino during Taylor’s after party!)

As the lights faded after that final encore in Baltimore, a hush settled in that felt heavier than usual, the kind that comes when you realize you’ve just seen the last Hanson show of the year. Four nights of music, laughter and familiar faces had flown by in a blur, and suddenly there was that bittersweet ache of not knowing what comes next.  Likely a quiet stretch while the brothers recharge and dream up whatever’s next.  The uncertainty is real, but so is the faith that Hanson always finds their way back to the stage—and when they do, we’ll be right there, waiting for this with a song to sing.

Concert

Johnnyswim at Infinity Hall

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Opening the night at Infinity Hall in Hartford, SHUA set the tone with a tender, introspective 30 minute set that blended melancholy and warm. His stage banter was a bit awkward, but in a way that made you smile instead of cringe. He mentioned that he’d been feeling sad about D’Angelo’s passing and that sense of loss wove its way through his set.  He threw in a heartfelt cover of The Beatles’ Yesterday which landed beautifully in the intimate setting.  (Also, kudos to the crowd for being so attentive, there was very minimal crowd chatter during his set, which was quite a surprise to me.)  By the end of the set, SHUA prepared the crowd to be the “Johnnyswim choir”. SHUA’s performance was very sincere and I hope we cross paths again in the future!

It’s hard to write about a headliner set that leaves you speechless, but Johnnyswim’s set just about did.  The duo (and real life couple!) filled Infinity Hall with amazing harmonies that makes you start to believe that maybe, just maybe, soulmates are real.  They performed their newest album in FULL, explaining that they didn’t want to “tear it apart” though they treated the crowd to a few beloved older tunes too.  Amanda reminisced about her Connecticut childhood – she spent her adolescents in Westport but on a trip in fourth grade she came to Hartford to look at the buildings.  Amanda introduced “Psilocybin” with “It’s Tuesday and we’re gonna vibe! But this next song is about depression.”  During I’m Alright the show paused briefly when someone in the crowd looked like they needed help.  Abner noticed instantly, checking in twice mid-song to make sure things were ok – proof that the band’s heart is just as strong as their vocals.  In true throwback fashion, they were recording the show to cassette which would be available at the merch booth.  Talk about a 90s throwback.  Abner also decided to throw in some D’Angelo in the set which Amanda said he decided to do about 30 seconds before they stepped on stage.  Johnnyswim didn’t just play Hartford, they belonged there.

Johnnyswim Setlist Infinity Music Hall, Hartford, CT, USA 2025, When the War Is Over

Thanks to The Syndicate for hooking me up for this show!
Banana Ball

Meeting Connor Harris

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In June, when I was in VIP and meeting The Visitors, one of the players asked me where I was from and when I said CT, he told me that Connor was from CT and I should go talk to him.  After that Connor and I had a little chat every day.  When I saw he was doing a meet and greet in his hometown at a pizza place on Tuesday after I returned from Savannah I figured I’d try to check it out.  It was from 530-7 and I got there around 6 when Connor was giving a speech about his time playing baseball and getting recruited by banana ball.  Everyone was squeezed inside the take out only restaurant, and customers were coming in and out to pick up orders.  I ended up almost tripping an older man with my walker, and as he was leaving I realized it was Will Friedle and his Dad!  I ended up just opting to say “Hey Mr Seat 4C” in a iykyk kind of way, he say heyyy and left.  The place was already chaos so I didn’t want to cause a scene for Will – but I was listening to Pod Meets World and Magical Rewind the whole drive up so it was almost like I manifested it.

I ended up letting most of the kids go up and meet Connor before me, it was fun to see them being so excited and him interacting with them all.  I also met Connor’s Dad, Sister and Mom and chatted with all of them a bit about banana ball and how I had met Connor in Louisville and found out we were both from CT.  Connor remembered me when I got up to him and asked if I had seen that the Firefighters beat the Bananas and was shocked when I told him that I was there! It sounds like he’s on a team next season but no one knows which one yet as everything was being very secretive! (Banana Ball has since announced the 2 new teams – Loco Beach Coconuts and Indianapolis Clowns)  I am looking forward to finding out which team he will be pitching for and planning my 2026 schedule around trying to see all of the teams at least once.

Banana Ball

Banana Ball Playoffs

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This past weekend I went down to Savannah for the Banana Ball playoffs.  Who would be the #1 seed came down to the wire, with the Bananas taking the lead from the Party Animals after the last game of  the season.  I made sure to get tickets to all 4 games because I wasn’t sure who would be playing in which ones and wanted to make sure I saw everything.

Thursday I flew in with a layover in Baltimore – I had about an hour layover but by the time I got a wheelchair and a pusher (they are notoriously slow in Baltimore) I got to the gate with 6 minutes to spare. I got my rental car, got some lunch and was able to check into the hotel. Then I made my way to the stadium for the game.

Game 1 was Bananas vs Firefighters.  Honestly by banana ball standards this game was pretty boring.  The Firefighters scored 1 in the 5th and went on to win the game 1-0.  This was a surprise especially since they were the #4 seed.  After the game I went to the plaza  for the first time to meet up with a friend, but didn’t end up talking to any of the players.

Friday I did a Girl Scouts tour of Savannah since I had missed out on doing that my last couple trips.  I did a tour of the Juliette Gordon Low house, then went to the first Girl Scouts Headquarters.  Unfortunately the Andrew Low house being built way too long ago wasn’t accessible. (The JGL house turned the dumb waiter into an elevator, which was much appreciated!)  I managed to “earn” myself some girl scouts patches and learned a lot about Juliette and I think we would have been friends!

That night was Party Animals vs Tailgaters. This game was a lot more exciting.  The Party Animals jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead with Andy Cosgrove’s home run in the first. They had 4 more walk offs and were leading 5-0 going into the 9th.  The Tailgaters ended up scoring 2 in the 9th with an RBI single and a HR from Taylor Justus. (One of the Firefighters was watching the game near us and said it was a “moon shot!”)  But the Party Animals remained victorious winning 5-2.  After my friend was my personal security and photographer and got a bunch of photos with me and the players for a project I am working on 😉

Saturday was time for the 2nd game in the Bananas/Firefighters match. Before the game I went to VIB and met a bunch of the players.  I had on my firefighters hat but bananas shirt and a few of the Firefighters were asking me if I was split or had a team I was rooting for and I told them I was definitely leaning towards the Firefighters.   The Bananas scored in the 2nd after a triple and wild pitch and kept the lead for the rest of the game, winning the game 3-2.  Since the series was a “best of 3” but there were only 2 games, it went into showdowns to decide who would win.  Both teams scored in the 1st round of showdowns.  And in the second round… Dalton Cornett of the Firefighters hit a home run.  Banana Ball rules state if either team hits a home run in the showdowns, it ends there and that team wins.  What an upset! The Firefighters would be going to the Championship game!

Sunday was an afternoon game and it was drizzling when I left the hotel and when I got to the stadium it was absolutely pouring.  Thinking the plaza was opening at 10, I started to head to the VIB entrance, only to be told that they had pushed opening back to 10:30.  I had my poncho on and just hoped I wouldn’t get totally soaked waiting to go inside. (I didn’t, just my shoes/socks did)  They did the VIB in the stands and the ramp is on the opposite side from where they start, so I had to go against everyone to make my way through, but most people and players were helpful in letting me through and moving obstructions out of the way.  The Party Animals once again jumped to an early lead with Jake Skole hitting a home run in the 1st and then ANOTHER in the 4th.  In the 6th, there was the only fan caught out of the series and it was caught by… Savannah Bananas pitcher Zack Phillips!  In the 8th, the Party Animals fell victim to trying to overcome the Tailgaters in trick plays to avoid the new equalizer point that had been introduced (If the away team has more trick plays than the home team after the 8th inning, they get an equalizer point)  After a couple of trick play misses, the Tailgaters scored making it 2-1 and then also won the equalizer point making it 2-2 for the 9th.  Gotta make it stressful and dramatic, huh boys?   The game went into showdowns and after Round 1 both teams scored a run.  In the 2nd rounds, Drew struck out the batter and then Jake Skole was walked and scored the winning run!  The Championship series tomorrow will be Party Animals vs Firefighters.  I hung out a bit at the plaza party to see some of my faves before heading out.

The flight from Savannah to Baltimore was uneventful and I had a 3 hour layover so OF COURSE a wheelchair and pusher were waiting when we landed.  The flight to Hartford ended up getting delayed and got us in about an hour late.  The crew apologized saying that on an earlier trip a bird flew into the windshield so the plane needed to be cleaned as well as inspected. Since there was no damage to the plane they were able to keep flying, but that’s why there was a delay and they weren’t able to make up for it in the air.  Honestly, an hour later than I anticipated is fine with me compared to some of the other flight crap I have had to deal with!

I can’t wait to watch the championship game tomorrow and continue to plan what games I might be going to on the 2026 Tour!

 

Concert

JOHNNYSWIM in Hartford October 14th

Katie No Comments

There are concerts you go to just for the music, and then there are concerts that feel like you’ve been invited into someone’s living room for an evening of stories, laughter, and soul-shaking songs. That’s what it’s like seeing JOHNNYSWIM. Lucky for us, they’re bringing that magic to Hartford on October 14th at Infinity Hall.

The husband-and-wife duo, Amanda Sudano Ramirez and Abner Ramirez, are the heartbeat of JOHNNYSWIM. They’ve been making waves for years, blending pop, folk, soul, and a spark of storytelling that makes you feel every lyric. Their new album, When The War Is Over, is their most personal yet, exploring healing, resilience, and growth through seasons of change. It’s an album you don’t just listen to, you live in it.

If you caught them recently on the Today Show performing their song “I’m Alright” or saw their electric collaboration with Tobe Nwigwe on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, you already know this is a show that will stay with you long after the last note. Their latest single “Sweet Tangerine” and the deluxe edition of the album are proof that this duo is at the top of their game.  They’ve also been hard at work on the upcoming musical, One Day (based on the novel of the same name by David Nicholls), premiering next year in Edinburgh.

What makes JOHNNYSWIM extra special is the richness behind their artistry. Amanda, daughter of disco legend Donna Summer and acclaimed songwriter Bruce Sudano, carries musical history in her DNA. Abner, the son of Cuban refugees who came to the U.S. during the Mariel Boatlift, brings a perspective shaped by resilience, family, and storytelling. Together, their voices don’t just harmonize, they collide in a way that feels both intimate and cinematic.

Infinity Hall is one of the coziest, most intimate venues in Hartford, which makes it the perfect place to see JOHNNYSWIM. It’s not an arena show—it’s a night where every lyric feels like it’s sung just for you.

So, if you’re free on October 14th, come join me! Grab a friend (or a few), and let’s make it a night of great music, connection, and maybe even a little catharsis. Because with JOHNNYSWIM, it’s never just a concert—it’s a conversation.

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