Big Machine/BMLG's Midland treated an intimate group of friends and VIPs to an album listening party (with tacos and mondo tequila) in Hollywood on 4/27, prior to an evening show in Venice.

The first event took place at Desert 5 Spot, which merges Palm Springs charm and '70s chill, resulting in "honky-tonk chic in the heart of Hollywood," per Midland manager/Range Media Partners hitter Matt Graham. In addition to the band's latest recording, attendees were treated to generous pours of Insólito tequilas, in which company the band members are partners. Somehow our own Simon Glickman, despite being an NVIP, was permitted to attend and accomplished a career milestone: spending 45 minutes in this environment without sitting on a cactus.

The merry crew then boarded a bus and made their way across town to Winston House, where Midland turned in a typically superb set that included most of their best-known material. The crowd, notably the women up front, responded zestily. There was more tequila.

As always, these boys know how to have a good time. And more than ever, we need more recovery time.