Calling this finally Phantogram as the original show was scheduled for February 13th 2025 at St Andrews Hall in Detroit (1000 seats). However, due to demand, they moved the show to the Filmore (2888 Seats). No big surprise there other than that they were actually able to move venues. Then came the day of the show, which happened to also be the biggest snow storm of the year was on that day. They, surprisingly again, canceled the show with the intention to re-schedule. This is why my clips video on Facebook says the wrong venue and date information.

https://www.facebook.com/dexburninghand/videos/1126747969520423

The show eventually did take place on August 31st 2025.

The quick story for this day is that I had been working on re-installing the front stairs of my house that was removed last summer as they were falling apart and was a danger if anyone used them. That particular project wasn’t going well and almost decided to skip the show to move the project further along. But I realized at some point it wasn’t going to get any better and I needed the mental break. So I took a shower, got in the car, stopped at McD’s (which I never do anymore unless in a pinch) and drove to Detroit. I parked in a garage near the Filmore (at a cost of 30.00 for the event. Which is steep but unfortunately the norm now in that area of Detroit due to all the venues, sport and otherwise). So I got into the massive line that wrapped around the corner.

The line moved fairly quickly (I arrived in line about 5 minutes after the doors were scheduled to open). Once in I jumped into the swag line which was pretty short. They had ran out of most of the shirts and only had a white shirt in my size, a ball cap and a hoodie. I just didn’t like the white shirt and I need another ball cap like I need another hole in my head. So after much deliberation (while in line) I went with the hoodie. Note: People, pay attention when you are in line and try to have your shit together when it is your turn with the vendor. Now is not the time to play 20 questions with the single person working the booth about the painfully obvious state of what is available for sale. “Do you have any other sizes of the #3 shirt”, “No, that’s why it says Small size available only”. #facepalm

Once through that I started for the bathroom. I noticed there was absolutely no signage on where the bathrooms were at and was flaking on where they were. I ended up having to ask one of the staff. After the bathroom break, I stopped at the bar and got a drink. As expected the prices were outrageous but that’s how things are these days.

Since this was a “General Admission” show, I started to hunt down a place to stand for the night.

Now, it should be important to state, I am generally a person that tries to find a moderate place to stand. Not too close but not too far away. I also tend to try to take a place that I can tolerate but most people would not. Where I decided to stand was behind a couple that were in the range of 5’10” and 6’4″ish who were standing on the first riser from the main floor in the front in front of the rail near the steps. Now, I get that this is “GA” and it is first come, first serve when it comes to where to stand. I also chose to stand behind them. My beef (which I eventually posted on FB about) was that there were two young girls that came up that couldn’t have been taller than 5’1″ and they had asked about if they could stand in front of them. (one of them seen below kicking back a drink). They responded by just sidestepping the conversation and not moving. This is when I was a little pissed.

Add to this the conversation of the people around me talking about how inconsiderate that this was that prompted me to make a post on Facebook about the situation.

Regretfully, I friend that I run into at concerts from time to time had commented and he is also tall (stated 6’3″ and that he stands where he stands so his wife, at 5’3″ can see and he is going to stand with his wife). Which is completely fair and honestly, changed my mind a bit about the situation.

The opener completed (Open Mike Eagle https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Mike_Eagle) who was really good. Phantogram came on in like less than 30 minutes and was awesome. They were pedal down to the floor, non-stop going for it. Everyone was having a good time, including the two short girls between me and the tall people and everything seemed to be going ok.

You ever notice how you can have an amazing meal but if there is something wrong with the last bite it can ruin the whole meal? Well that was essentially how the last song of the night went for me.

So, unsurprisingly, Phantogram closed with their biggest hit, When I’m Small. I quick side note that is important to mention here is that the two girls in front of me had been pointing booze and dancing like it was half a mosh pit and half a crowded dance club. A lot of booty rubbing and ass slapping. Subsequently many of the people around them had given them a wide berth. This along with the tall people creating a visual dead space in that area. However, it was at the beginning of that last song that one of the girls was falling into me and then started elbowing me and giving me a dirty look like I was rubbing up on her. Even though she was drunk falling back into me, the dude on one side of me and the gal on the other side of me. Then, the got in my face and said “I just need some space”. I side stepped her (slightly angry now at this point) and also the gal that was next to me also moved out of the way and she ended up falling back about five feet behind us. Then, she made her way back to her friend and pounded the rest of her drink (and I believe her friend’s drink) till the song was over. The tall couple then beat feet out of the joint while the band said it’s good night and walked off stage to a Jay Rock song (Win).

The result being that this was a fantastic show and one of my favorite’s that I attended but it took a bit to get the last taste out of my mouth as it were.

I have deliberated over the events of that night along with thinking about my past experiences with “GA” and standing room only. So my personal thought and just mine is that with GA, stand where you want to stand, regardless of your height or anything. You paid the same as everybody else and have the same rights. If someone shorter wants to stand in front of you, it is your pejorative whether or not you want to “give up” that location. If they truly wanted to stand there, they would have gotten their asses there earlier or move to another location.

The overall lesson I think I got out of this is, I have to check myself before thinking someone else is being “privileged” because I want to be “privileged” instead. What my first reaction to what “fair” is may not, in fact, be fair. Those people were not “privileged” for being taller or getting there earlier than others. They had every right to be where they are and stand where they stood. Just as much as any of us. Fair doesn’t always mean equal. Also, what is the alternative? Should we be required to stand in a line and be organized by height before we are allowed to enter the main venue? What happens in the case of two people that want to stand together that are different heights? All and all, the couple didn’t do anything wrong. I, and probably some other people, were butt hurt about it. But we are also perfectly within our right to be butt hurt about at and bitch about it.

Anyway, Here is the posted set list for the night https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/phantogram/2025/the-fillmore-detroit-detroit-mi-1b4665c0.html . However it does not list Cruel World which they did play. I know, because I have the footage posted on my Facebook page above.