Deerhunter in an Auburn Basement

End of All Music—an excellent record store in Oxford, Mississippi—recently launched a new series on their website titled “Yea, I Was There.” It’s a cool concept that aims to shine a light on some legendary Oxford concerts and see who’s got memories, photos, recordings from the historic gigs. The concept inspired me, so here’s my version for Auburn, Alabama…

Back in 2009, I was a grad student at Auburn University and hungry to escape the ubiquitous cover bands that performed at the downtown bars. Thankfully, the W6 House and Rooster’s hosted indie bands occasionally, so I knew there were some like-minded folks in town who wanted something beyond “Wagon Wheel” and “Pour Some Sugar on Me.” 

I was waiting tables at the time and, through a friend, learned about a another indie-friendly house venue—known as Ford Court—and thought it might be cool to book a touring band there. I’d only booked a handful of local shows during my undergraduate years and knew very little about booking agents, contracts, riders, etc. That didn’t stop me, though. Instead, I searched for a few booking agencies online and started indiscriminately firing off emails to see what might land. Here’s the super persuasive pitch I relayed to the unsuspecting agents: “I want to book a cool band in a basement in Auburn. Do you have any artists who’d be interested?” Compelling, right?

Shockingly, an agent at Windish Agency—Sam Hunt, I believe—hit me back and said that Deerhunter was interested. This was soon after Spin named “Microcastle” one of the best albums of the year, so I couldn’t believe the band might be open to such a DIY situation with a totally inexperienced promoter. I asked him how to structure an offer (pretty hilarious that he was willing to coach me on this), then I got the Ford Court crew to bless the whole thing. The band quickly accepted the offer, and I quickly signed the contract with no knowledge of event insurance, pre-sale ticket platforms, how to fulfill a rider (including sound and lights), and the list goes on. It was loose.

After getting all of the paperwork in order, we started promoting, but, based on my recollection, we didn’t offer pre-sale tickets (or maybe we did?). In the days leading up to the event, we had no clue how many folks would attend. We were just winging it. The night of the show, we set up a modest PA, and I stuffed some cash in my wallet (all from waiting tables) in case no one showed up and we’d be required to pay the band’s guarantee out of our pockets. About an hour before the show started, a flood of people arrived from all over Alabama, and we quickly realized that it was going to be a packed house (or basement, rather). 

Deerhunter at Ford Court in Auburn (circa 2009) - photo by Richard Patterson

So, yeah, the crowd was great, and I was relieved that we’d be able to cover the band’s guarantee. But my anxiety quickly shifted to the band’s expectations of the gig. I realized we’d not fulfilled many of their sound and production requirements, and I wondered if they’d refuse to play. I was catastrophizing, and my worries became all-consuming… the fear was even more acute now that 100+ people were standing outside of the venue.

Thankfully, Bradford Cox and the band dissolved my anxiety when they arrived. Instead of critiquing the sound system or requesting specific snacks from their rider, they eased into the room, shook hands, and flowed with the whole arrangement. I don’t think I heard them complain once.

We invited two acoustic acts to open the show to minimize equipment changeover, and, by the time Deerhunter took the “stage,” the entire basement was full. Maybe 200 people? It felt like a big moment, especially given the context and setting. The band played a “Microcastle”-heavy set, and Bradford was in good spirits throughout. The crowd was lively and energetic, and, after the set concluded, Bradford continued chatting into the mic and testing guitar tones by himself. He seemed at ease… happy even.

Deerhunter performing “Nothing Ever Happened” around the same time as the Auburn show.

I met some lifelong friends that night and felt like I’d finally found a community of music fans that I’d been missing for my first six years in Auburn (I earned my undergrad degree there, too). For the next ten years. I continued firing off emails to booking agents and produced dozens of shows in cities like Montevallo, Birmingham, and Huntsville. Deerhunter got the whole thing started.

I only have a few photos from the show (and I’m sure that some of my memories are flawed or inaccurate or far too broad), so if you have any videos (or even the set list!), please reach out at analogmtns@gmail.com. I’d love to see what you’ve got.

-CHRIS AM