Wonder Boy and I spent all winter whining away about the lack of good shows coming to Cincinnati. We wondered aloud why we didn’t live in Nashville, Louisville or Chicago. They were drawing all of the great shows.

Then all of a sudden, the flood gates opened and it was like manna falling from the skies!

That may not seem like much but there is more to come!!!  In July we have a slight musical drought that picks up in August with Crowded House and Josh Ritter and the season will close with Billy Idol and Kings of Leon / The Black Keys. We are very happy.

The discovery this week really was Free Energy. We went to Mates of State as total posers — we knew nothing of their music but went because we trusted the taste of friends we knew going. In the end we thought they were okay. Their guest trumpet player, however, was phenomenal.

Opening for Mates of State of Free Energy. Love. They are a throwback to 70s rock. Think the Rolling Stones meets The Darkness meets Thin Lizzie. Think ridiculous stage presence that surpasses there minimal experience. They have one CD out and if it indicates what they are capable of, I am excited.

Almost as excited as I am for the rest of the concerts this summer!

This post originally appeared on Kate’s Point of View. © Kate. All rights reserved.