Remember how last year there was some grassroots support, including my own, for having US Air Guitar Nationals in Kansas City, and then it actually happened? Well, now it's time for me to turn that same high-powered spotlight (ha!) on the town I actually live in, Boston!
Boston is a music town. There are uncountable bands here trying to make it happen. Everyone has friends in bands or they're in bands or they go out to shows a lot. This is great for air guitarists - it's not pulling teeth to get someone out to a show. Plus there are venues galore! Big ones, small ones, fancy ones, divey ones, and everything in between. There are a couple I think would be great for our gang, too - a nice, new, bigger venue for the actual finals (although not as big as the place in Kansas City, because that place was vast... although I thought it was maybe too big for our needs) and a small, semi-divey, fun neighborhood place for the Dark Horse, WITH karaoke afterwards. I'm not naming names because it isn't up to me, although you can bet your ass I've sent these suggestions over to the head honchos for their consideration. But if you're from Boston and you're trying to figure out where I'm talking about, at the Dark Horse bar I'm thinking of, you can get your beer served to you by a Boston punk legend...
So, fine. Every city has bars and venues. This alone does not a Nationals weekend make. What else can we do here?
Well, there's a strong contingent of Boston air guitarists ready to show everyone a good time. We have museums and history up to our ears. We've got parks on the land and parks out in the harbor (you can say "hahbah" too if that's fun for you). We have breweries both within the city and in the suburbs, plus a couple of gypsy operations that don't have their own permanent home yet. You can even take a Duck Tour if that kind of thing is your jam. In short, we can keep everyone busy and having a good time!
Moreover, there are a lot of air guitarists up and down the east coast. There are trains and buses that can bring all of them here without the expense of a flight. Because we want to see your beautiful faces, I am glad it should be easy for you to bring them here!
I know the decisions aren't going to be made for a few months yet, but I thought I'd get it out there to get the groundswell going (as no doubt it will, haha). And I also know we've got competition! Portland (the Oregon kind, not Maine...) is making a case. They'll be a strong challenger! Portland is a totally sweet town! It also happens to be all the way across the continent from here. I don't have anything against them but I really want Nationals to come here this time. See, see, this is just like competition! You love them and wish the best for them... but you also do want to beat them.
And what about you? What do you think? 2015 Nationals in Boston?
Boston skyline as seen from Georges Island