Concert Reviews Archives
« Page 9 of 9Jeezy Creezy. What a weekend. I turn 31 today. If I have many more weekends like the one I just had, 32 is no guarantee. So instead of the exhaustive report, you get the exhausted report.
I landed in Detroit around 6 PM, turned on my cell phone upon departing the plane and had a message from Peabs waiting for me. "I have a blue shirt on, I'm tall and I'm gorgeous." Like I wouldn't remember what he looked like or something. :) We made our way downtown to my fave bar in The D*, the Town Pump. The plan was to have a beer while we wait for JP McKrengles and then head over to the game when he got there. Five beers later we finally made it over to the game (with JP in tow) during the 6th inning. Once we got inside, we met up with Grambo and Kerry SoSaysBest. And had more beers. We finally made it up to our seats in the 8th or 9th (by this point I wasn't really paying attention, I was craving hot dogs) and watched the fireworks after the game. Once that was done, we went back to Grambo's pad and drank 'til the early morn. As you do.
Saturday we slept in (glorious shut eye!), got some brunch, picked up Damore and went record shopping. I got three records by INXS so I'm sure we all can agree that the road trip was almost worth it right there. Now that Kick on vinyl had been revealed, we went over to the Grizz's house and began the pregame for the main event. CFriggs and LesCal joined us and around 5:30 we headed to the venue and started tailgaiting. Big Matt from MotorCityRocks and his crew joined us there, as did Peabs and Dr. Em, Medicine Woman. While we were tailgating, the Oasis Ice Cream truck kept driving around the parking lot and playing the Definitely Maybe DVD. It was a weird site. You can only imagine the sheer number of "I'll have a Champagne Supernova pop" and the "So, is that their new tourbus?" jokes that were flying about.
The setlist:
Fuckin’ In The Bushes / Turn Up The Sun / Lyla / Love Like A Bomb / Bring It On Down / Morning Glory / Cigarettes And Alcohol / The Importance Of Being Idle / Little By Little / A Bell Will Ring / Live Forever / The Meaning Of Soul / Mucky Fingers / Champagne Supernova / Rock And Roll Star / Encore:Songbird / Wonderwall / Don’t Look Back In Anger / My Generation
The show itself was great. Insanely so. Just like the last time I saw them, the new stuff sounded just as good as some of the older stuff in the Oasis catalog. In fact, Lyla, Love Like A Bomb and Songbird were the highlights for me. Shit, even Mucky Fingers sounded great. It was fucking mega and I had a great time. My throat is still sore from screaming like a little girl through the entire show. That and my calves are killing me. We watched he first few songs from a weird space on the lawn that has on a steep incline so I go quite the workout. After that we made our way down to the very front and had a great view of Liam, Gem and Andy, which kind of saddened me because of the venues "no camera" policy. Here are some pics from the Toronto show that I did not take, obvs.
The band was on their best behavior. The worst (best?) we got from them was Noel saying "This is from the record no one bought" before playing Little By Little. This review in the Freep really nails it.
With all the shit talking out there about Oasis (some of it deserved), I think many critics forget (or just gloss over) what a shit hot live act they are. You don't become the biggest band in the world for nothing. When Liam is focused on playing a great show, they can still reach those heights. When the band played Champagne Supernova on Saturday, Liam balanced his tambourine on his head, spread his arms out in a jesus christ pose and slowly crouched down and stood back up. The crowd went ape shit. When you can do something like that and the crowd goes mental, then you are doing something right. Andy Bell and Gem have really added a new dimension to the band's live sound (not to mention song writing). And while Zak Starkey is no Steve White, he's no Alan White either, which is a good thing. I was skeptical when he signed on for drumming duties, but he played a great show as well.
As great as the gig was, it got even more mental after the show. While we were waiting for the traffic to clear out, Grizz was walking around handing out potato chips to the cars waiting in line to leave. In between, he was running around shouting "INFORMATION LEAF BLOWER DOT COM SLASH BLOG" at the top of his lungs. It was quite literally the funniest effing thing I have ever seen in my life. He also came up with the best idea evs. Mister pink dot blogspot dot com. Mr. Pink will review albums on his blog. For everyone he likes, he will say PURR. For each one he doesn't like, he will say RAWR. Mars! Nobody beats the Grizz.
The weirdest moment of the night came as we were deciding what our post game actions would be and where they would be taking place when some random girl in a shiny union jack top came up and just started eating out of the other bag of chips we were passing around. We tried to talk to her but she was waaaaaaay too wasted to even communicate with us. The girls in our group took umbrage on her and after a good bit of coaxing we found out her boyfriend had left her and she lost her wallet, cell phone and keys during the show. Being the awesome people we are, we took her to her hotel (her boyfriend wasn't there either) and once we got the OK, left her in the hotel's care until he showed back up.
And just when I thought the night couldn't get any weirder, one of the people in our group got a call on their cell phone. On the other end of the call was none other than Chuck Klosterman. It's kind of a long story but it was fucking best.
After that we went back to the Grizz's house, started a fire and drank all his beer, tequila and champagne (obvs). I felt like ass on Sunday AM but I made my flight and returned to the DC in one piece.
Just as I did last time, I had a fucking blast in The D. The people there really know how to make someone feel at home and like one of their own. All you have to do is run around like a wildman and say "Best", "Worst" or "Dude, mars" alot. It's pretty easy once you get the hang of it.
I fucking heart The D. Big ups to everyone there for a great weekend and an even better early birthday present. I haven't drank, laughed and lost that much sleep in way too long. Mars She. And thanks to Peabs for playing taxi and Grambo and The Grizz for being gracious enough to let me crash on their couches.
Don't forget, the birthday may be today, but the party is tomorrow. Come by and buy me a beer!
Here are all the photos from my trip. I got some really good ones of Detroit itself.
*I've been to like three bars in The D.
**Update** Check out unionjack24's photos from the gig on Saturday night. Great stuff. Thanks dude.
Summer is officially here in the DC.
Spoon @ 930
Originally uploaded by leafblower.
Spoon and The Futureheads were both fantastic this weekend. Catherine wasn't blown away by Britt and Co. on Friday, but I sure was. I was a bit aprehensive about the show since the 930 would be the biggest venue I have ever seen them play, but their sound filled the room admirably. Every time I see Spoon I think to myself "These guys are 10x better than Coldplay" and things of that nature. And I'm right, so fuck off.
Seriously, why isn't this band huge? Or at least huger? Hopefully this will be the album that sends them into the stratosphere. My favorite thing about Spoon gigs? They always play the songs I want to hear. I never leave the venue saying "Man, I wish they would have played blahblahblah" because they always do. And anyone that knows me is aware that this is no small feat. In addition to all the stuff from their last two records, they threw down rollicking versions of 30 Gallon Tank, Car Radio, Fitted Shirt and yes, even Metal Detektor. Can we go ahead and agree that Spoon writes the best songs about inanimate objects EVER? I submit to you the previous four songs as evidence. A few pictures from the show here.
The Futureheads were crunchy, kinetic goodness on Saturday, despite the midnight stage time. I don't know what to say except that I fucking love this band. Sharp dressers, biting wit, snappy stage banter, delicious songs...I'm hooked. I wonder if people felt the same way when they saw The Jam for the first time back in the day. Not saying that the Futureheads are as good as Weller/Foxton/Buckler, but jeezy creezy, just imagine the posibilities! I got some great pictures here. There also a few on Dcist.
Fucking hell. Right on cue, my iPod plays In The City. Scary.
Truer words were never spoken.
Get your free shit from bluestate.
Ha! I know one of these guys!
The Super Furries try and get me to come to Wales over the July 4th holiday. I actually spent a July 4th with the Furries a few years ago in NYC. They came down for the day from Bearsville, where they were recording what would become Rings Around The World, and producer/mixer/engineer Chris Shaw had a big shinding at his apartment where we all got nice and toasty before retreating to a friend's rooftop to watch the fireworks in all their glory. Taking in the most American of holidays with a large group of Welshmen was a bit surreal to say the least. But alot of fun. Coincidentally, it was at that party where I was introduced in earnest to the works of Bill Hicks. A good day all around then.
Oasis enters the UK album charts at #1.
Got the new Coldplay over the weekend and I'm sorry to report it's a total snoozer. I count three good tracks overall but that's it. I think they tried to make this record too big. Every song doesn't need to be an anthem. I've heard that guy that writes things on his hand called this album their Joshua Tree, but I think it's much more Be Here Now.
Download the Ratatat remix of the Shout Out Louds.
Doves video for Snowden. Quicktime and Real.
Download There's A Fire, the new track from Longwave.
Heed item numero cinco por favor.
Set list from Sunday night's Super Furry Animals show:
Slow Life / Rings Around The World / Horn / Ohio Heat / Hello Sunshine / Frequency / Run, Christian Run! / Zoom / Atomik Lust / Cloudberries / Colonise The World / Juxtaposed With U / Laser Beam / Something For The Weekend / Do or Die / Ice Hockey Hair / The Man Don't Give A Fuck
No Calimero(!!!!) here but we still get Run, Christian Run! and the return of Ice Hockey Hair so I will try to keep the nitpicking to myself. Still no Frisbee! Argh. I tried. :)
A little birdie told me to expect them on this side of the pond later this year. Excuse me while I check how many vacation days I have left. Have I mentioned how much I love this band? Festival goers might be interested to know they have been added to the V Fest.
Mike pretty much nailed the Doves show last night. Good but not great. The older stuff sounded superb but as the Pita says concert nirvana was not reached. I heart Doves but I doubt I'll pay $25 to see them again. But they fucking crushed The Cedar Room and Sea Song so colour me happy. The Last Broadcast also sounded superb. The new keyboardist adds alot to the live sound. It seems they don't rely on the DAT machine as much.
Mercury Rev just put me to sleep. They played the same song 8 times. Tinkly piano intro, cue noodley guitar, add crashing drums, gimme total spacerock, sing about stars and dreams, more spacerock, more space, equal amounts rock, big finish, brief coda featuring tinkly piano and singer striking poses on stage. Rinse, repeat. Boooooooring.
More over at Blog Shamblogg. Best blog name ever for those of you that catch the reference.
Stereogum has that new Teenage Fanclub that you've been craving. Frank says they are touring the US later this summer.
More Stone Roses to reform chatter. 10 to 1 no US tour.
Coolfer says Apple hearts podcasts. I'm in the lead by 14 votes for those of you counting at home.
bluestate is tonight bitches! 9 PM. Come get your Belle & Sebastian / Stephen Malkmus Record Release Party on! Nevermind the five other awesome concerts happening around town tonight. Our shit is free and we will give you free stuff!
The Feist show on Thursday night was great. A very Billy Bragg like performance. It was just her and a guitar on stage bathed in red light. Her voice was amazing and the stripped down set up added a new dimension to some of the songs but she'd definitely do better with a full band behind her (something that I'd imagine is in store for her on future tours), no matter what Central Village says. What the fuck does he know anyway? :)
She was incredibly engaging, very chatty and commanded the audience to sing along or help out on the chorus of some songs. This performance did nothing to change my mind that the world is hers if she is marketed and promoted correctly. The show she performed, that had a crowd of indie hipsters (including She's Bitter, Andrew Squidpants, Skunkeye and L Boogie) eating out of her hand, would work just as well on Norah Jones fans or even my Mom.
I didn;t get any usable pictures from the performance (stupid Black Cat lighting), but She's Bitter has some at the link above as well as some short video clips. Oh, and British Sea Power SUUUUUUUUUUCKED.
But as good as Feist was, the Echo & The Bunnymen show on Friday was even better. Ten times so in fact. The Bunnymen were doing a (very) short East Coast tour leading up to their performance at this week's HFStival. I had seen them just once before, at Roseland in 1997 in support of their criminally underrated album Evergreen. I was still a new fan back then, not really familiar with their back catalog or anything other than Lips Like Sugar and Bring On The Dancing Horses.
I won't say I had low expectations for this show, (since I didn't remember much about their 1997 show); I really didn't have any expectations at all. Especially since they were playing Lancaster, PA of all places. But I've been in a serious Bunnymen phase lately and there was no way I would pass up this gig, so off I went with Miss Gl*mrocker in tow.
The Chameleon Club was much nicer than you would expect for a town in the middle of Amish country. And unbeknownst to me, Lancaster must be a nice little tour stop because bands like Hot Hot Heat and a few others are coming through town very soon. The room was long and thing, with a nice stage and a few risers in the back so people in the rear of the room can still see. The crowd was strange (as it always is at shows like this). It's always weird when I am one of the youngest poeple at a show.
We went up to the bar and got a Yuengling and vodka/cran. The total for our round? $6. Not too shabby. Then we copped a spot on the front part of the rear riser and marveled at our insanely great vantage point. We had a straight, eye level view of the stage.
Soon after the band came out and launched into two older, upbeat songs that I wasn't familiar with before absolutely tearing into Rescue and Seven Seas. Those last two just knocked me on my ass. The band was in top form and were absolutely killing it. The rest of the set was heavy on the hits and the night was all the better because of it. Ian MacCulloch was in fine form. It occurred to me during the show that he is the prototypical Liam. Attitude to spare, cool as fuck, great hair, tall and takes no shit. He also does the mumbley in between songs thing as well as anyone. Guitarist Will Sergeant is so, so underrated. His licks don't blow you away or overpower the songs, but they do an amazing job of filling in the crevices and sparkling exactly when and where they should. They played a beefed up version of The Cutter (not one of my favorite Bunnymen tunes mind you) that was easily ready for Giants Stadium and followed with a stripped down version of The Killing Moon that convinced me Richard Kelly is an idiot for opting to go with INXS instead. It's all I can do to not go to Tower Records right now and buy The Bunnymen boxset. There were a few songs I wanted to hear that got left out of the set (it wouldn't be an ILB concert review if I didn't complain about the set) like Read It In Books and Over The Wall, but we were treated to amazing versions of Nothing Lasts Forever, Zimbo and Ocean Rain.
As tinny and small as they sometimes sound on record, they sounded big and full of bollocks live. Almost exact opposites. Seeing this show clued me in on why The Bunnymen were once toe to toe with U2 for biggest band in the world bragging rights. It was that good and so were they. There are some amazing shows coming through town in the next month or so but any of those bands are going to have a hard time topping this show, which is the current front runner for best show of the year. Oh, and no photos from that show either as the club had a no camera policy.
New Mr. Pink photos for those of you that can't get enough. Sundays are always a good days for cat pictures because I'm usually around when it's nap time. Yes, I'm a dork.
Boo! Oasis took out Headshrinker and added (gag) Little By Little in Edinborough. Seriously Noel, get a clue.
Peep the Gorillaz toys that will be released at the same time as the new record:
Why does David Stern insist on starting the best playoff game of the weekend at 9:30 PM on an fucking Sunday?
**Update** Apparently they had to cut short the HFstival set because of Mac's voice. Glad I stayed away on Saturday!
*sigh*
Another day, another $170 spent on tickets. That's the bad news, the good news is I'm going to see Doves and Mercury Rev in May and Oasis in September. Surprisingly, I didn't forget that Oasis tickets went on sale today (thanks to the FOUR people that sent me the ticket pre-sale info today - reasons like this are why I started this damn thing), and I actually got decent seats.
Even though their new song kinda blows (cheers to Golden Fiddle for calling Noel on his lame excuses) I am so looking forward to seeing my former favorite band on the planet again. I even went so far as to buy a ticket to their show in Detroit Rock City for the opening night of the tour in June. Yes, I am a dork. I haven't seen them since 2002 and I wouldn't be so excited if that show wasn't so impressive. I went in with very low expectations but their new material really sounded great.
By my count, these two gigs will be the 14th and 15th times I've seen this band, not counting the infamous NC gig in 1996 that they cancelled when Noel took the daily flight from Charlotte to London Gatwick and scrapped that entire tour. I drove 6 hours to go to that show only to be handed a piece of paper upon arriving at the venue that said "Tonight's show has been cancelled." Fuckers. I've been an Oasis fan for 10 YEARS. That's scary in and unto itself. My Oasis gigiography:
1995
17th February Carrboro, NC, United States,Cat's Cradle - I still have the ticket stub for this show. It cost like $8. One of the loudest shows I've ever been to.
5th March Virginia Beach, VA, United States,The Abyss - The first time I met the group. Liam and Bonehead were riding go-carts at the track next to the venue and I went right up and introduced myself. They both signed my copy of Definitely Maybe and I watched them film part of the Rock N Roll Star video. Bonehead was impressed with my extensive knowledge of their B-sides. They played (It's Good) To Be Free and Fade Away at this show and Liam forgot some of the words to Columbia.
10th October Baltimore, MD, United States,Hammerjack's - This is where the above picture was taken - check out the story behind it, that's me on the right, obvs. The first time I got to hear the Morning Glory album live. A stunner.
1996
8th September Long Island, NY, United States,Jones Beach Theatre - They played my favorite Oasis track, Listen Up at this gig. I screamed like I was at an NSYNC gig. The Manic Street Preachers opened.
1997
7th October New York, NY, United States,Hammerstein Ballroom - Previewing Be Here Now. Little did I know I'd never hear any of those songs live ever again.
8th October New York, NY, United States,Hammerstein Ballroom - Ditto.
1998
12th January E Rutherford, NJ, United States,Continental Airlines Arena - Cornershop opened. The last gig I saw Noel do one his 4 song acoustic sets in the middle of the show. I miss them. he covered The Jam's To Be Someone prompting me to go out and buy every record by The Jam that I could get my hands on.
1999
3rd December Philadelphia, PA, United States,First Union Center - First ever gig with Gem and Andy Bell. This was a radio show where they only played 5 songs, but it was still great.
2000
1st May New York, NY, United States,Radio City Music Hall - Travis opened, otherwise not much to speak of. This was the Standing On The Shoulder of Giants tour. My least favorite record of theirs. I went to this gig with Redboy.
25th August Reading, United Kingdom,Reading Festival - Worst gig I ever saw them do, although the did play Step Out.
2001
27th May Wallingford, CT, United States,SNET Oakdale Theater - The tour with the Black Crowes. A great gig. Liam was in top form. They played alot of old stuff, rekindling my love for the band. I bootlegged this show.
9th June New York, NY, United States,Radio City Music Hall - Best gig I ever saw them do. Alan White's older brother Steve (Paul Weller's drummer) filled in for him and absolutely killed it. They sounded like a new band. Just amazing. Oh, and they played Columbia.
2002
11th August New York, NY, United States,Roseland Ballroom - Every song from Heathen Chemistry got new life during this show. Better Man and Born On A Different Cloud were just amazing. The production on that record is complete shite. The songs are there, but they sound horrible.
I was sad in 2003 when my streak of seeing them at least once a year for seven straight years was broken. The only band I've seen more times than Oasis is the Super Furries (I'm guessing I've seen them 22 times), but then again I don't usually have to pay for tickets to see them and I can sometimes snag a ride on the tour bus, so it makes seeing them a bit easier. But I digress...
Had fun last night at iPod Jukebox. My set was:
Feist - One Evening
Massive Attack - Daydreaming
Cartel - Fleets
Why am I so excited about a new Depeche Mode record?
Interview with Norman from Teenage Fanclub. [via Chromewaves]
Any of my DC peeps wanna go see the Brazilian Girls in NYC? OK how about if the trip is free, courtesy of your favorite group of DJ's? I just got the CD in the mail yesterday. I've heard good things.
The Celtics clinched a playoff birth last night. Sweet. Is a first round match up against the Washington Wizards in the cards?
So then...Cartel @ DC9 last night. Before I get to the music, what's up with the upstairs at DC9? It was about 45 degrees outside yet it was a good 50 degrees hotter in the upstairs of the club. Open an effing window people! It's gonna take one hell of a show to get me to go up those stairs this summer.
Now then, the band. Get this my friends. There is a new band out there with geetars and keyboards that sounds nothing like The Strokes, The Killers, or Interpol. I know it sounds hard to believe, but work with me here. I was impressed with their show (despite the catatonic crowd), as was Catherine. I'm not going to waste any bandwidth trying to come up with the perfect two sentence description of their "sound", but think atmospheric space rock, the kind that shouldn't sound so good coming out of the DC9 soundsystem. Think Catherine Wheel, Doves, Velvet Teen and even Shudder To Think in their less art rock moments. I would go as far as to say you must go check them out next time they play, but they have some stiff competition that night and I know which one you'll be representing at, right? RIGHT?
Peep the new Morrissey single.
Here are some Ian Brown bootlegs.
Cali and Mass peeps be sure to check out these Ash in-stores.
Apparently people only come here for cat pictures.
Remember the 2003 NBA Draft? Check this out:
First Pick: Lebron James - Ranks 4th in NBA in Points Per Game (26.3), Ranks 3rd in NBA in Steals Per Game (2.21), Ranks 6th in NBA in Assists Per Game (7.3), Ranks 4th in NBA in Minutes Per Game (41.7), Won Rookie of the Year
Third Pick: Carmelo Anthony - Averaging 19+ points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Led team to playoffs last year and has then poised to make it back this year.
Fourth Pick: Chris Bosh - Ranks 20th in NBA in Rebounds Per Game (8.6), Scoring 16 points per game and blocking one shot per game. Toronto decided to build their franchise around him and traded Vince Carter. Big things are expected of him next year.
Fifth Pick: Dwyane Wade - Beside keeping my fanatasy basketball team afloat, Ranks 8th in NBA in Points Per Game (23.9), Ranks T-7th in NBA in Assists Per Game (6.9), team has best record in the NBA
So who did I leave out? Oh yeah! Darko! What's he up to these days?
PS - Mylo(!!!) is DJing in NYC tonight with Melody Nelson. Go check that shit out!
Coherent thoughts are understandbly few and far between right now so let's go to the visual evidence from last night:
OK...so The Libertines. I know Kegzies swears that these guys are the real deal so for that reason alone I went to see them last night. Our crew was rolling mad deep and I did have alot of fun overall but the gig was very, very oridnary. I think with this band you either get it or you don't. I obviously don't. A big reason why is the inordinate amount of press this band has recieved across the pond. It seems like they are on the cover of NME every damn week, and honestly I have no idea why. I liked this better when it was called The Jam. Their tunes are incredibly same-y (I joked that by touring with Radio 4, who are stricken with the same affliction, they could have called this the "All Our Songs Sound The Same Tour") and just ran together. I think this bugged me most of all. This band hasn't written a Live Forever, Common People, Parklife, Connection or anything near as good. Hell, they haven't even written Good Enough or Brimful of Asha, yet the press slobbers all over them. They were a tight live act and my toe was tapping throughout but those aren't exactly traits of the rock elite now are they? The 930 Club was close to capacity though and I do have to say that I'd much rather people listen to The Libertines than Good Charlotte. But I digress...
Yo, when I say Ted Leo effing rules, this is what I really mean. An incredibly well written article and a must read for Ted fans. [Thanks Catherine]
Noel joins King Monkey Ian Brown onstage in Manchester.
UNC pretty boy Rashad McCants opens his big fat mouth again. Didn't homeboy learn his lesson from last time? Apparently not.
I bought a CD last weekend! Been a while since I've done that. I picked up Stereloab's ABC Sessions and it's just brilliant. I'm really liking the cover design too. Turns out the guy who did it also did XTRMNTR.
Will a Yank soon be in control of Man U?
Don't even get me started about tonight. I'm still recovering from last night. This I know:
Joe Buck is a douchebag
So is A Rod (see the video)
So is Tim McCarver
Curt Shilling pitched his ass off
Marky Doodles was due for a big hit
Manny is due for one tonight, and
ALL the pressure is on the Yankees right now.
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