The Marías attempts a set amidst lightning storms in Nashville

As a music fan, I have sometimes waited years to see certain bands in my city. I have known music fans who’ve waited almost a lifetime to see their favorite bands. I have even traveled to different countries to see bands on my must-see list and I’ve always had an amazing experience doing so. I can’t imagine what it feels like to be an obsessive fan and have tragedy strike during a concert that I had been waiting so long to see. But this past Sunday, I got a small taste of what a true concert disaster feels like.

I’ve spent the last five months loving the band The Marías.

My girlfriend introduced me to their music and I’ve been connecting with it ever since. I was so excited that they were coming to Nashville, since I was just at the point of learning all of their lyrics and felt so good heading to their show at Ascend Amphitheater.

As soon as I arrived, I knew something was wrong. Fans were still waiting outside the venue –no one was being let in. I began asking random people, but I couldn’t really get a straight answer, so I headed to the Will Call booth to ask the girl at the counter. She explained to me that a lightning storm was in the area and they needed to keep people out of the venue for liability reasons. I — along with 3,000+ other fans — waited outside for the next two hours. During this time, it poured as lightning flashed everywhere. I honestly thought the concert was going to be canceled, but then the rain stopped. An announcement came over the loudspeakers saying the show would still continue, but the opener, Momma, would be cut from the night of music.

Fans cheered that the show was to go on and started making their way into the venue.

It seemed as if The Marías started almost immediately and they hurried through their first three songs. A few were performed before another announcement came over the loudspeakers, this time, informing attendees that the rest of the show is canceled due to another lightning storm in the area.

I have heard many cheers and screams during my time at concerts, but I’ve never heard a collective boo as loud as this one on Sunday night in Nashville. I was so sad that The Marás did not get to play their entire set. They announced that they would try to make it up to Nashville fans in the future, but for safety reasons, they had to exit the stage. Luckily, I had the opportunity to take some photos of the band in action, but I’m very disappointed that the night didn’t go as planned. Hoping for a better night with The Marías next time!

Photography by Derek Jones

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