Photos Archives

Last night I had the pleasure of watching D.C. United's Jaime Moreno bury a penalty kick to become the MLS leader in career goals with 109. Oh, and United beat the Red Bulls 3-1. Pretty sweet.

Last year at Virgin Festival, the Scissor Sisters - and act I wasn't all that familiar with - surprised me by turning in the best set of the day, instantly making me a fan. This year's surprise best set was from Velvet Revolver. Considering the people that make up the band, perhaps my expectations should have been higher, but they totally blew me away. I quite liked the V Fest line-up, but it was short of rock - and rock stars (sorry Billy Corgan, you don't count) - and VR delivered both. I would go see them again without hesitation.

More photos from the 2007 Virgin Festival:
Modest Mouse
LCD Soundsystem
Amy Winehouse
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Interpol
Wu Tang Clan

Yesterday I did two things I never thought I'd do.
1) Took a trip to Nissan Pavilion
2) Saw Linkin Park and My Chemical Romance

Ask any college aged D.C.-area local and I'm sure they can tell you a sob story about the legendary traffic backups getting to and from Nissan Pavilion, which is all the way out in Bristow, VA. But the scheduling and set times of yesterday's show negated any traffic concerns I had, so out to Bristow I went.

As for the show, I actually liked Linkin Park much more than I thought I would, although after sitting through the crap that came before them, any band worth it's salt would stand out with no problem.

Julien-K was boring, MOR rock-electronica, the kind that gets played on the radio once every five years and then disappears without a trace (God Lives Underwater and Gravity Kills say "hi"). Taking Back Sunday was all shouting, with nary a hook or melody to be had. My Chemical Romance was Queen without the payoff. Great show but nothing there. Only Placebo did anything to impress me, and their hits are very samey.

LP put on a fine show, at least what I saw of it. I left after 5 or 6 songs in order to beat the traffic home and start editing photos. They were engaging, and at least had some hooks for people to sing along to.

If you want more, be sure to check out Martin's review for DCist.

Three thoughts on Marrdest Mouse:
1) They were better than I thought they'd be, but still not my thing. But still...Johnny Marr!
2) Johnny Marr is not much taller than me, but his hands are huge!
3) I stood about two feet from Johnny Marr and David Beckham in the same week. Awesome.

Awesome, awesome piece in El WaPo today on some of the D.C. United fan groups and the role they play at every home game. I know some of you out of town readers don't quite get the whole D.C. United/MLS thing, which is why I highly recommend you read the article (and check out the accompanying multimedia extras that go along with it). I was never a big MLS guy until I moved here, but going to all these United games the last two years have really converted me. I can honestly say I'd be going even if I wasn't taking photos. They are so much fun, the stadium is full of cheer and energy even though it's only half full. The three D.C. United fan groups, La Barra Brava, La Norte and The Screaming Eagles are a huge part of that. It's impossible to sit near them and not join in with all the chanting and revelry.

Here's the choice quote:

The Barra Brava works how America is supposed to work," says Conner, a recreation coordinator for Culpeper County, Va. "It's a great melting pot. We have 27 different nationalities there now. We have guys from Africa, we have guys from Europe, and South America, which is obviously our roots that we want to hold on to. What we want to be is the standard for American hard-core support."

United takes on the L.A. Galaxy in the SuperLiga semifinals tonight at 10 p.m. ET. A win and they host Pachuca, who beat the Houston Dynamo last night, at RFK on August 29th! Vamos United!