I'm not really a sports fan, so Super Bowl Sunday is nothing special over here in the Ruscin-Parrott household. However, news that Mates of State would be playing a FREE acoustic show at the brand new Lawrence Public Library was very exciting. The newness of the library was warmed by a digital fire projected on the new wooden walls of the library's auditorium. Seating was limited, and the show soon became standing room only. To connect with the audience, they bantered back and forth and with the audience, reminiscing about things they missed or remembered in Lawrence (their old practice space above a Mass Street store nobody in the room remembered and their love for The Replay, which brought cheers and a shout-out that a group of friends had just finished playing pinball there before coming to the show). Personally, I enjoyed the dark dark room and harsh lighting, while being hard to shoot in, because the perfect ambiance for mostly just sitting and enjoying the show, rather than documenting every second. Enjoy these party pics for lawrence.com and some "stage" pics, including a rare party pic moment to get a snapshot of the band after the show while they signed posters (design by Patrick Giroux, an Oh Snap client and also the designer of our logo and business cards! / printed by old friend from the Pirate House days, Leslie Kay Handmade). 

Fally from I Heart Local Music blog. 

Meredith and friend from Wonder Fair!