We were invited to perform an acoustic show at PAMM.
By Valeria Ayala
Unplugged at Viewports
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Perez Art Museum in Miami. A light breeze drifts through the living plant columns that line the museum’s entryway. It was my first time visiting, and I was immediately blown away by the simple yet striking details in the architecture and design elements.
Though technically I was at an art museum, the real reason for my visit was for an aural experience. Live! was invited to perform an acoustic show as part of Viewports, an event curated by PAMM’s Teen Art Council, whose aim was to provide a platform for young people to lead cultural conversations.
Excited to see where the Live! students would be performing; I scavenged the museum for a bit before finally coming across PAMM’s in-house auditorium. Nestled inside this gorgeous space was the 6-piece band, getting ready for their acoustic set. I grabbed a spot close to the front so as not to miss a beat. Suddenly, the curtains swept open, revealing the band on the opposite side of the gallery space. The stage was now visible to two separate audiences, and as soon as the music started, passersby couldn’t help but walk over and take a listen.
Fronted by Sasha Crews and Francesca Winer, the band began their set with Midnight in Harlem by Tedeschi Trucks Band and continued with tunes by Amy Winehouse, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Emily King. With Teddy Kingsbury on keys, David Lehr on upright bass, Mason Porter-Brown on acoustic guitar, and Cristian Acevedo on the cajón, their stripped-down renditions of each track echoed perfectly throughout the auditorium. As each of the 3 sets ended, you could feel the crowd’s hunger for just one more song. I couldn’t blame them, as I, too, was left wanting more music. The combination of their bright, polished sound and PAMM’s crisp acoustics was the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
