Went to see Tears for Fears last night for the season ending show at the local winery. It was originally supposed to happen in June but the tour got postponed. We dodged a bullet on the weather & there was a beautiful harvest moon over the proceedings. After an abnormally long break post unknown opening band (perhaps the band was checking out the local flammable agricultural products. its the hazards of having legal pot) the band came out to a tape of Lorde's version of "Everybody Wants to Rule.." then launched into their version. The band sounded great even though the sound man had the bass way too loud for the first few songs. Kind of like maybe a poppier version of Steely Dan. They performed most of their hits. I probably could've done with a few less "Sowing the Seed" songs & a few more from "The Hurting" & "Songs from the Big Chair". They also did a good cover of Radiohead's "Creep". It was a really short set though. I'd be surprised if it was 90 minutes. They were charging top dollar ($70-$100+). For that kind of $ I want 2 hours. They were worth seeing though. They said this was only the 3rd time they have played Seattle. Kind of surprising considering how long the band has been around. There was no evidence of the reported acrimony between Roland & Curtis which is good. They are recording a new record. Will be interesting to see how that goes. So, if you are a fan I would go. Just be prepared for a short show. Over & out. Next up: Drive-by Truckers in a week & a half. Excited for that one!
chuckrh you are an animal with all these shows! Pretty awesome to be eating such a steady diet of live music
Is 1 of those phases. Lot of good stuff all hitting town at same time. The bad part is I'm worn out to point of being on verge of walking pneumonia. It's the hazards with the chemo. The happy part is been told not to go to work for a few days & take it easy. Dang! Starting some manly antibiotics today & hopefully nip it in the bud. I got another Seahawks game on Sunday & need to be in fighting shape given the state of the team yesterday!
Went to see Frightened Rabbit (with openers Car Seat Headrest) and then Alvvays. I was trying to save some money and was going to pass on these shows, despite really wanting to go...and then a random stranger gave me a ticket an hour before the show! Amazing! I should've bought lottery tickets because I felt so lucky, ha.
Frightened Rabbit was great. This was the first day of a music festival and the promoters put them in a fancy concert hall so everyone was seated in plush velvet seats. This worked fine in the past at shows like Iron and Wine, but I actually want to dance a bit with Frightened Rabbit. Funny banter about feeling like the band was lecturing to us, and requesting someone to vomit so they can feel more at home. I was trapped in the middle of the second row...but about halfway through the set a few brave souls stood up and decided to occupy the rather vast space between the stage and front row. I jumped up and forced everyone in my row to get moving so I wouldn't get trapped in a seated seat. It was adorable because Scott didn't notice until the start of the next song that people were finally making it feel like a real rock show-he was taken aback and then gushed about how much he loved us now. He had just been joking a song before that the reason why singers keep their eyes closed is not because of great emotion, but because they don't want to see that dude over there yawning through their songs (total burn to some guy sitting in the front row, lol). Great solid show performance-did you know they have 3 keyboards/synthesizers on stage?-and their light show was really inventive and added some great drama to the set. Would highly recommend! Very charming.
Alvvays was poppy, cute, and so Canadian, in the best way possible Humble, nice, and polite. I was on the side and really loved watching their die hard fans (all of whom looked to be between the ages of 15-18) singing every line of every song. Their fan base was also super diverse, which I also adored (again, so Canadian!). Despite being on a large university campus, most rock shows I attend are not very diverse.
Pro to free ticket: Had a fun Thursday night, spent time among humans instead of in front of my computer Con to free ticket: Now I had a crap ton of work to do because I was rocking out instead of working. booooo!
Went to see Frightened Rabbit (with openers Car Seat Headrest) and then Alvvays. I was trying to save some money and was going to pass on these shows, despite really wanting to go...and then a random stranger gave me a ticket an hour before the show! Amazing! I should've bought lottery tickets because I felt so lucky, ha.
Frightened Rabbit was great. This was the first day of a music festival and the promoters put them in a fancy concert hall so everyone was seated in plush velvet seats. This worked fine in the past at shows like Iron and Wine, but I actually want to dance a bit with Frightened Rabbit. Funny banter about feeling like the band was lecturing to us, and requesting someone to vomit so they can feel more at home. I was trapped in the middle of the second row...but about halfway through the set a few brave souls stood up and decided to occupy the rather vast space between the stage and front row. I jumped up and forced everyone in my row to get moving so I wouldn't get trapped in a seated seat. It was adorable because Scott didn't notice until the start of the next song that people were finally making it feel like a real rock show-he was taken aback and then gushed about how much he loved us now. He had just been joking a song before that the reason why singers keep their eyes closed is not because of great emotion, but because they don't want to see that dude over there yawning through their songs (total burn to some guy sitting in the front row, lol). Great solid show performance-did you know they have 3 keyboards/synthesizers on stage?-and their light show was really inventive and added some great drama to the set. Would highly recommend! Very charming.
Alvvays was poppy, cute, and so Canadian, in the best way possible Humble, nice, and polite. I was on the side and really loved watching their die hard fans (all of whom looked to be between the ages of 15-18) singing every line of every song. Their fan base was also super diverse, which I also adored (again, so Canadian!). Despite being on a large university campus, most rock shows I attend are not very diverse.
Pro to free ticket: Had a fun Thursday night, spent time among humans instead of in front of my computer Con to free ticket: Now I had a crap ton of work to do because I was rocking out instead of working. booooo!
did you see car seat headrest? i think they are kind of interesting. from seattle but i haven't seen them yet. i like frightened rabbit. saw them open for flaming lips 2 years ago & they were quite good. glad you got out & had a good time with a free ticket to boot!
I actually did see all of Car Seat Headrest's set (and half of another opener). They were quite good-I can understand why they have been getting so much buzz over the past year. I kept thinking the lead singer is what Buddy Holly would look like if he was alive today, ha! I personally feel like his vocal singing style is just on the cusp of sounding whiney for me, so I wasn't an initiate after their set. But performance wise, they were of the less talk, more rock variety. I don't think they said anything, until thank you when the set was over? Again, though, felt kinda bad for them because the audience was seated in a theater like weirdos. Not how I'd want to play a rock show.
chuckrh, I think we're the only ones who like posting here? Ha
I just back from seeing Chvrches in Milwaukee. Definitely a band that is better live than recorded. Although the sound was pretty terrible at the venue-it sounded like the band was performing in a cavern!-the enthusiasm and energy from the trio makes them a band to see in person. Lauren is amazing-she works the entire stage so there is no bad spot in the audience, and her voice is on point. She is already a spectacular frontwoman, but I really think in another year or two she'll be even better, one of the very best live performers. For reals, I was that impressed.
Was amusing spending time in line chatting with real young-uns (Youngest was 15 years old! None of them knew who Brian Wilson was, hahaha). The audience was great, everyone was there to have fun, and fun we definitely had. I always have a good show experience in Milwaukee, the audience tends to be grateful and into the music more than getting drunk and being seen. Unpretentious, making it worth the extra drive. Plus, only $8 to park downtown for 8 hours?!?
I am exhausted, ya'll! Now time for extra cuddles with the kitty to make up for leaving her all alone
chuckrh , I think we're the only ones who like posting here? Ha
I just back from seeing Chvrches in Milwaukee. Definitely a band that is better live than recorded. Although the sound was pretty terrible at the venue-it sounded like the band was performing in a cavern!-the enthusiasm and energy from the trio makes them a band to see in person. Lauren is amazing-she works the entire stage so there is no bad spot in the audience, and her voice is on point. She is already a spectacular frontwoman, but I really think in another year or two she'll be even better, one of the very best live performers. For reals, I was that impressed.
Was amusing spending time in line chatting with real young-uns (Youngest was 15 years old! None of them knew who Brian Wilson was, hahaha). The audience was great, everyone was there to have fun, and fun we definitely had. I always have a good show experience in Milwaukee, the audience tends to be grateful and into the music more than getting drunk and being seen. Unpretentious, making it worth the extra drive. Plus, only $8 to park downtown for 8 hours?!?
I am exhausted, ya'll! Now time for extra cuddles with the kitty to make up for leaving her all alone
I like Chvrchs, too. Haven't seen them yet. I'm glad you are going to see bands & posting here. I definitely have my faves to go & see live but I try to stay up on things. The teenagers seem to think I'm reasonably hip for an old person, haha. I'm doing a bit of rock school with my friend's 15 year old now, as I did with her older sister. She's into reggae but is definitely becoming more interested in rock. She's the one who grabbed the Cure shirt that had Robert's pic on it (to my surprise). I found a copy of "Mixed Up" in used cds & got it for her. I know some here don't like that record but I do & its a good place to start with someone who is coming from reggae sensibilities. 1 thing about shows though is the work night thing. I start @ 5AM, so it has to be something I'm real into especially in a club. Thursday I'm going to see Drive-by Truckers, who are an absolute fave. I've never seen them play electric for various reasons. Luckily, I'm able to flex Friday & work Sunday instead. I can see not getting home until 2 Friday morning. Will do a write up.
Recovering from Drive-by Truckers & Lydia Loveless last night. An awesome show! Lydia has a great band & did an excellent 45 minute set. Really good songs, too. Then the main event. I've been into Drive-by Truckers for 15 years but had never seen them play electric. Well, it was worth the wait. They pulled out a Cure worthy show. 31 songs over 2 hours 45 minutes with no encore break! They play different sets every night & this one covered the whole career nicely. Emphasis on the new record "American Band" but that wasn't a problem as it might be the best record to come out this year. Gets better with every listen. Really strong & political record about what is currently going on in the USA. This band has 2 excellent singers/writers & they generally alternate lead vocal. They also have 1 of the best drummers out there. In the Al Jackson (Booker T & MGs) mold. The band really play well together & are all great musicians. They are in the middle of USA tour heading east & are doing a short European tour in November. If you can go see these guys do it! Even if you're not familiar with them you will walk away a fan. The big concert marathon is over & now will get into more normal pace. Next up, Norah Jones @ the symphony hall in 2.5 weeks.
Wow. You hit a LOT of concerts, chuckrh ! I will post when I go to one, but I am pretty much a home body.
I have been on a run lately. A lot of bands that I like all came to town within a few months. It's slowing down now. There have been some shows that are more about my friend. Our tastes are pretty close but in some cases we turn each other onto bands. It works out pretty well & we like to make each other happy.
Went to see Brian Wilson perform Pet Sounds for its 50th(!) Anniversary tour. Certainly an iconic American album. Very beautiful and astonishing songs, it is quite astounding to think Brian Wilson was only 23 when he wrote those arrangements. The show was surprising long and split into three sections. First was a mix of hits and newer songs, intermission, Pet Sounds in its entirety, then an encore set of hits, including the ultimate feel good song, "Good Vibrations" which would've been on Pet Sounds if it hadn't taken so long to record that complicated song!
Al Jardine is on this tour, and he was fantastic-in great shape and great voice still. His son was also in the band to sing the falsetto parts, and I thought it was lovely....made it feel like a family affair. They also had Blondie Chaplin on tour, and that guy can shred a guitar. It was interesting but somewhat strange to me to insert songs into the set for him to shred on. Last guest appearance of the night was John Cusack, who Brian Wilson pointed out in the audience at the end of the first half, and then John joined the band for the encores. I personally found it annoying when he was pointed out early in the night because then everyone in our section wanted to just watch the actor instead of the band. Weird! But then again, I'm not the world's biggest John Cusack fan.
I'm sure most people know Brian Wilson has issues with mental health, suffered some brain damage over the years, and also destroyed his voice. To give you a sense of how I felt about the show, the first thing my partner said to me as we walked out of the theater was, "That is exactly what Robert Smith doesn't want to happen." Yup. The show was lively and the band was fantastic, but I felt strange inside watching this man who was clearly more frail than my 85 year old father-in-law. Don't get me wrong-I actually think he is quite aware and alert, and was not in his own world. But he was also an old man who was at work, and needed assistance to remember the parts and lyrics to some songs. My partner saw Brian Wilson perform Smile over 10 years ago, and he said the difference in Brian Wilson's energy and performance was striking. Luckily, the Beach Boys is a group and he was never the lead/only singer. I don't think there are many dates left of this tour, but I am still glad to have seen Brian Wilson perform (I still got the sense he wants to perform) the band was very good, and it is absolutely the last chance to see Pet Sounds performed in its entirety. Whew! Sorry for the super long post!
I did Periscope most of the Pet Sounds portion of the show, if anyone is interested in listening to the show. But there is no picture because I had to hide my camera-and I kept accidentally hitting the screen with my finger, messing some stuff up. Eh, I'm a newb at these things-but you can't complain about something that's free. Or can you?
I saw the Pet Sounds tour about a month ago, Brian was fine at the start if the night, drifted off a bit in the middle and then surprised everyone by playing a solo number at the piano as an encore. His band us tight though and Al Jardine is still cool, not so sure about Blondie Chaplin's rocking out!