I couldn’t think of a better way to be spending my Tuesday night: sandwiched among dozens of sweaty Mighty Mighty Bosstones fans in the intimate surroundings of Ziggy’s nightclub in Winston-Salem. It was a perfect evening: excellent music in an exciting setting.Ziggy’s is a really fun place to spend a night. The audience is so close to the stage, you could reach out a hand and touch it. The lights and surroundings are perfect for a rock venue – wooden floors and ceilings with multiple levels for better viewing of the stage. The only thing I would change about Ziggy’s would be enlarging the floor area so that more fans could be up close.

Avoid One Thing and Bigwig, the opening acts, lacked the professionalism that the Bosstones possessed. But that is understandable, since they are not nearly as experienced. Both acts, staying true to the intimate nature of Ziggy’s, communicated well with the audience by involving them in each song. Each band met the basic requirements for a new punk band: modest guitar solos, basic drumbeats and incomprehensible lyrics. They both had talent, but were nothing original.

The Bosstones’ music, however, was saturated with energy throughout the evening. The band feasted on the animation of the fans as lead singer Ben Carr urged the audience to participate by shoving the microphone into the crowd. Everyone was dancing and singing along.

It was a really friendly environment as Carr strutted across the stage only an arm’s length away. On many occasions he talked to the audience and reached out a hand. At the end of the show he stuck his hand into the audience to grab several kids’ hats…and wore them for the last song. After the song finished he thanked them all for their enthusiasm.

As a ska-punk band, their music is full of horns, quick tempos, and energy. Within two songs, sweat was dripping from each Bosstone because of the intensity of the music. The set was crammed with Bosstones classics like “Impression That I Get,” “Where Did You Go,” and “Simmer Down,” as well as several songs from their new album, “A Jackknife To a Swan.”

With each song Carr got closer to the audience, encouraging them to sing – this created a type of bond between fans and band members that is indescribable. Everyone became a part of the music and it was impossible to stand still.

From the opening number, “1-2-8,” to the encore “Someday I Suppose,” the band remained energized, professional and poised. With suits and ties and an attitude screaming punk, they wailed the night away – a sincere performance and a perfect example of how to get famous without selling out.