With inspiring, progressive lyrics, Ani’s distinctive voice rang through the crowd with a sense of purity and honesty. The warm, progressive energy in the room was palpable.

She dyed her hair dark – maybe to match her music. The formerly tow-headed British singer-songwriter Laura Marling is what I would have aspired to be at 20 years old. Basically, I think she’s brilliant.

When grown men are waving their beers in the air and singing “and I am a Material Girrrrlll…Materiah-ahl!,” it’s impossible not to see the power nostalgia, pop, and dancing has on people.

Solomon Douglas (formerly of the Glenn Miller Orchestra) brings his Swingtet to the Boot this Sunday night. Can you swing it?

If you would have told the teenage version of me that one day I would be sway dancing to “One of These Nights” at an arena in Norfolk, Virginia, and that I was happy as a clam doing so, the teenage version of me would have stared blankly at you for a minute, nodded his head, then walked into the ocean until he disappeared.

The band has taken the stage. I’m in a crowd with hundreds of strangers all watching the frontman sing his soul into a microphone. I feel like I’m watching the girl I love get married. I just keep asking how come that guy isn’t me?

Margaret Cho, The Muckrakes, Arms and Sleepers, Chevelle, The Decemberists, and more.

The One Not to Miss: CLIPSE, Tuesday at the Norva

Crue Fest, Tarrus Riley, Michael Franti, Transmitters, Emery, Today the Moon Tomorrow the Sun, The Weiss Family of Mewithoutyou, and Fuzion Ink’s Benefit Show

DMB reminds me of what it was like to think I might just get to be President or play shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals one day.