"Hey, great show."
Another person approached, gently patting Ronan's shoulder with a warm smile.
In the dim lighting, it was hard to discern the newcomer's face clearly, but Ronan returned the smile politely and responded, "Thank you. It's an honor for us."
This time, the person didn't immediately depart but instead gestured toward the empty seat next to Ronan.
"Mind if I sit down?"
Ronan hesitated for a moment.
He wasn't accustomed to this style of social interaction, as in his memory, such situations were simply impossible.
Even though this wasn't China, he still wondered whether it was considered rude for someone to approach and ask to sit down. What if everyone started doing it? Wouldn't that cause issues?
But hadn't he told himself just the previous night that he had been granted a "stolen" second chance and should embrace new adventures and the unknowns of life within the next twenty-four hours?
Feeling the joyful and harmonious atmosphere of the bar, Ronan momentarily let down his guard and gave a smiling nod of agreement.
The other person wasn't as impulsive as Ronan had expected. After securing Ronan's approval, he waited patiently and, once permission was granted, sat down gracefully.
He extended his right hand, introducing himself courteously, "Jeremiah-Fraites, drummer and co-vocalist in the band."
What appeared before Ronan was a slender and defined face with a stubble of golden beard growth along the jawline. The dim lighting emphasized his sharp features, notably his prominent nose and the dark brown fedora hat perched atop his head.
There was no smile playing on his lips, but his demeanor exuded gentleness and tranquility, devoid of any hint of aggression.
"Ronan Cooper."
This marked the first time he had introduced himself so formally and completely. It felt a bit awkward, but he extended his hand in a friendly handshake in response to Jeremiah's introduction.
"We thoroughly enjoyed your performance tonight"
Jeremiah remarked, straightforwardly expressing his admiration. He then lightly shrugged and gestured with his left hand to a nearby table where four people sat, raising their glasses in acknowledgment.
Ronan raised his own glass, which contained lemonade, since he hadn't dared to try alcohol due to his persistent cold.
Originally, he had contemplated ordering hot water, but he worried that such a choice might attract unnecessary attention in New Orleans, being perceived as peculiar. So, he opted for lemonade as a compromise.
Jeremiah glanced back at the other three members of his band, who nodded in approval, before turning his attention back to Ronan.
"I won't say that I love your music, but I do appreciate your performance style. You interpret music's diverse colors in your unique way, which is truly inspiring."
Ronan responded gracefully to Jeremiah's words, not coming across as arrogant or condescending. He also took the opportunity to express his perspective on music, saying, "Music isn't inherently good or bad. It's about how you perceive and interpret it, adding your own personal touch to the melody. There's no such thing as universally 'good' or 'bad' music—only music that resonates with you and music that doesn't."
Jeremiah's expression brightened slightly, clearly appreciating Ronan's response. "Exactly. Music isn't inherently good or bad—it's the stage that makes the difference. And tonight, you've given us an exceptional stage."
Music is a form of creation, while the stage is its interpretation. Both are vital facets of a performance.
Exceptional music can be marred by a lackluster stage, while great staging can elevate mediocre music. This concept was just one layer, and delving deeper would lead to a profound and intricate discussion.
Of course, such a deep discussion wasn't Ronan's intention in the bar. Understanding each other's perspectives was sufficient. So, he changed the topic, saying, "Let me guess: You didn't come here to engage in a discussion about the symbiotic relationship between music and the stage, did you?"
Ronan playfully touched his stomach and added, "Honestly, I'm quite hungry at the moment, and my brain might not keep up with philosophical discussions. I'm also unsure about the pace."
Jeremiah could see the playful sparkle in Ronan's eyes amidst the dim lighting. He couldn't help but laugh heartily. "I told Wesley a while back that you're an interesting guy. Your performance tonight just proved me right."
After a brief pause, Jeremiah shifted back to his warm demeanor and continued, "No, I didn't come here for philosophical and artistic discussions. I just wanted to ask if you've heard of the Old Blacksmith Bar on Bourbon Avenue."
"On Saturday nights, they host a full moon party, and various performers are invited to join the festivities. The event starts at 3:00 PM and runs until 6:00 AM on Sunday, a total of fifteen hours. Would you be interested in participating?"
A full moon party?
Ronan's mind was filled with question marks, but Cliff smoothly took over the conversation, relieving Ronan's pressure. "I've heard that you need to register in advance for it. The organizers have qualification criteria, and not everyone can perform."
Evidently, Cliff was well-informed about the full moon party, as were Maxim and Ollie. It was evidently a significant event in New Orleans.
Thus, Ronan kept silent and listened attentively, careful not to reveal any contradictions.
"Indeed," Jeremiah nodded in agreement. "They can't accept all performers through external applications; otherwise, fifteen hours wouldn't be enough. Besides, they need to maintain performance quality."
"However, that's the public statement. Internally, if you can secure a recommendation from a bar or a performing band, you can be directly selected. After all, this is a city-wide carnival that's lasted for a decade and a half, and they want more people to participate."
"Each night, every band performs for 30 minutes. The initial plan was to feature 30 bands in total. As far as I know, they haven't filled all the slots yet. So, if necessary, our performance might be extended to 45 minutes or even an hour."
"External registration rules might have screened out many bands but also left some vacancies."
Jeremiah's gaze shifted back to Ronan. "I'm here to ask if you'd be interested."