Rocking for the Animals
Back in the summer of 2020, Seth Johnston had an idea to keep the music playing after he noticed many of the concerts for the bands he follows were being canceled due to Covid-19. Johnston reached out to several bands, then organized kind of an “underground” concert by covertly messaging friends and fans through social media and inviting them to show up at a secret location. It was such a success, Johnston continued organizing monthly gatherings with what has come to be officially known as Covert Concerts.
Johnston said the “always free” concerts have been held at various locations around Mineral Wells and will continue as long as bands agree to schedule events. Word has spread among musicians and bands who love to play for an audience, and Johnston said bands now contact him regarding joining an upcoming venue. “A musician will call and say, ‘We heard about what you did, and we want to come play.’”
Concert turnout varies, and according to Johnston, he is very transparent with the bands about what to expect. “Sometimes it’s just the band and their friends, or we may have 50 or 60 people out there.” Big or small, the BYOB events are keeping the music alive for the musicians and rock fans, and will soon provide an avenue for supporting a local entity.
This month, the public is invited to give back to our fur-based community by attending Covert Concerts: For the Animals event benefitting the Animal Shelter of Mineral Wells. The concert is still free admission, but music lovers are asked to bring an item to be donated to the shelter, such as kitty litter, puppy pads, canned and dry cat/dog food, toys, treats, pet shampoo, flea collars, etc. The January 15, concert will kick off at 6:30p at Texas ScareGrounds-Ft Wolters, located at 832 Hood Rd in Mineral Wells. This will be Covert’s first indoor concert with a line-up that includes: Insufficient funds; Rabbit HOLE; A Relation Understood; Phanie Beth; and No Compliance.
For more information, contact Seth Johnston at (817) 600-3679 or check out the Facebook Event page at https://fb.me/e/1bSZkJg7O
Photo: No Compliance (Used by permission of Jackie Owensby)
