Master Index of Archived Threads


Live and Sweaty 2019

seawolf17 Jan 11 2019 01:17 PM

Kicked off the 2019 live music season in style last night in Buffalo with Panic! at the Disco. Brendon Urie is a fucking MONSTER frontman. He plays every instrument, writes the tightest three-minute pop tunes in the business, and makes your ticket worth every goddamn penny. Playing Albany, Brooklyn, and Newark this week, too, so you all should stop what you're doing and go get a ticket NOW. [TWEET]https://twitter.com/cdorso/status/1083819305161187330[/TWEET]

41Forever Mar 03 2019 07:38 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Had an amazing time at Switchfoot last night in Grand Rapids. There are certain bands that you just connect with, and Switchfoot has been one of those for me for a long time. I love the positvity and the messages of hope and faith. I was going through a tough time at work a couple years ago -- and really tough time -- and wrote some of the lyrics to "Your Wounds are Where the Light Shines Through" on my white board to help me get through. The band also tends to bring a strong second act, touring in recent years with Relient K and Lifehouse. So I was pretty excited for Saturday's show: Switchfoot, with Colony House and Tyson Motsenbocker March 2 20 Monroe, Grand Rapids. This was my first show in a relatively new downtown venue. This started good when I went to the box office to buy general admission tickets, asked for two and heard a voice saying, "Hold one, you only need one." He was part of a group attending, had an extra ticket and gave it us us. Nice! And greatly appreciated. I wasn't familiar with Colony House, but my daughter knew their hits. They were good, and I checked out their two CDs on Spotify today. Switchfoot's new CD, "Native Tongue," is strong and the band opened with the album's first cut, "Let it Happen" before launching into "Meant to Live." Jon Forman is a good front man and works the crown well, jumping into the audience once, crowd surfing another time and appearing in the balcony to sing "Hello Hurricane" among the fans. One of the big highlights for me was the band playing one of my all-time faves -- "The Shadow Proves the Sunshine" -- during an acoustic set. I've heard them work a verse or two into song before, but never the whole song. It was a really emotional moment for me. Great show. Great band. And I was thrilled to share it with my daughter, who was home for spring break. She got to pose with Motsenbocker after the show. He was hanging by his merch table meeting fans, and I picked up his two EPs. Switchfoot setlist Let It Happen Meant to Live Voices Stars Live It Well The Beautiful Letdown Only Hope Take My Fire If the House Burns Down Tonight Love Alone Is Worth the Fight The Shadow Proves The Sunshine All I Need Hello Hurricane Float Prodigal Soul Dare You to Move Native Tongue Hope Is the Anthem Where I Belong Colony House setlist You & I Silhouettes Was It Me Play Video Learning How to Love 2:20 Lonely Caught Me By Surprise Moving Forward Waiting for My Time to Come You Know It https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53258128_10213474923176795_333622167516217344_o.jpg?_nc_cat=100&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=85225f54e1f28c395306c15d5d3c9540&oe=5D1D9A2B>

A Boy Named Seo Mar 04 2019 04:47 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

We recently had our first two live music outings this year. Lead-off was Neko Case at Meow Wolf, this trippy, little 500-capacity art installation in Santa Fe that was funded by George RR Martin. That she played a small venue was especially cool because she's played much larger in the same town before and easily could have played the opera house or whatever, but the intimacy made it special. Let me say, she and her band are fucking pros and it was nice to hear players with very nice gear play it excellently. Maybe I watch too many fuzzy buzzy buzzbands, but damn, they sounded amazing. See Neko Case! A couple nights ago we saw Band of Horses. It was funny, they kind of eschewed the last couple of albums which weren't critically well-received, and damn, the hits are plenty when you just slam stuff from "Funeral", "Cease to Begin" and some select "Infinite Arms" picks. If they picked an entirely different set the next night, that show might not have been as good. But Band of Horses in good form playing their bread and butter stuff is a great Rock and Roll Band™.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 06 2019 09:24 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

I am recalling that Neko case had a strict no-camera policy at her show. Signs everywhere, and when you checked in, the venue staff reiterated that cameras were not allowed, and if they saw you using one, they'd give you the boot. How nice it was to not have your view repeatedly blocked by someone taking video of the concert happening in front of us right NOW!!!! A video that they'll prob never watch again anyway. No checking facebook or looking for the perfect filter for a shot of the concert they're not paying attention to. It was a nice reprieve!

41Forever Mar 06 2019 12:33 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

A Boy Named Seo wrote: I am recalling that Neko case had a strict no-camera policy at her show. Signs everywhere, and when you checked in, the venue staff reiterated that cameras were not allowed, and if they saw you using one, they'd give you the boot. How nice it was to not have your view repeatedly blocked by someone taking video of the concert happening in front of us right NOW!!!! A video that they'll prob never watch again anyway. No checking facebook or looking for the perfect filter for a shot of the concert they're not paying attention to. It was a nice reprieve! I think there are seven phones visable in that photo -- not counting mine, which snapped the shot. I don't have an issue with someone taking a couple photos during the show, but I agree about the videos, which block someone's view for a prolonged period for sure. There was one person near the front taking photos with her tablet! That sure got in the way!

A Boy Named Seo Mar 06 2019 02:09 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

A Boy Named Seo wrote: I am recalling that Neko case had a strict no-camera policy at her show. Signs everywhere, and when you checked in, the venue staff reiterated that cameras were not allowed, and if they saw you using one, they'd give you the boot. How nice it was to not have your view repeatedly blocked by someone taking video of the concert happening in front of us right NOW!!!! A video that they'll prob never watch again anyway. No checking facebook or looking for the perfect filter for a shot of the concert they're not paying attention to. It was a nice reprieve! I think there are seven phones visable in that photo -- not counting mine, which snapped the shot. I don't have an issue with someone taking a couple photos during the show, but I agree about the videos, which block someone's view for a prolonged period for sure. There was one person near the front taking photos with her tablet! That sure got in the way! Yeah, that crap is annoying. A lot of people try to livestream entire shows on parascope or Fb live. I've been guilty of watching one of these streams online but if i was behind someone doing that, I'd let him know to knock it off.

A Boy Named Seo Mar 07 2019 10:37 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

We saw Kurt Vile and the Violators last night. I've you've ever enjoyed Kurt Vile's music as I have, just keep doing that, at your home in your favorite room and most comfortable chair. Kurt and his band are like astronauts on the Apollo 13 after the oxygen tanks broke, moving and speaking as little as possible to conserve precious energy and breathable air. But they sounded great! The Sadies opened and they tore the joint up. Such a polar opposite vibe. Next up for us are indie grandads, Death Cab for Cutie.

41Forever Mar 10 2019 05:48 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Kind of a tough week for the 12-year-old version of 41Forever. First the childhood hero's family announces he has dementia, and the childhood musical heroes come through on what they say is a farewell tour because of advancing age. These guys are all supposed to be immortal. The Kiss situation is obviously much, much less sad than Tom's situation. But it's still a sign of increasing age for both the band members and me. There are very few things that are with you for much of your life outside of family. The Mets, for sure. But Kiss has been another. I'm loyal to a fault, and I went all-in in middle school -- John P. McKenna Junior High -- and stuck with them through the lineup changes and flirtations with disco, pop and concept albums. My first concert was in 1979, the Return of Kiss Tour supporting Dynasty, at Madison Square Garden. The Kiss website was selling a t-shirt with the Return of Kiss Tour logo, and I wore that Saturday, kind of a cool way to close the circle. I can say that the boys are not half-assing it on the way out. This was the most elaborate show I've ever seen, with more pyro, fireballs, hydraulic lifts and things dropping from the ceiling than I could imagine. It's the most complex stage I've ever seen, with about 20 or so giant octagons overhead that served as screens and light rigs and platforms for the band to rise and descend. Lots of fan service. Sam T. Snake, a giant winged serpent wrapped around a torch, was a prop from the late 1970s, and a new version was back. "Beth" was the first encore. For years, this was performed by Peter sitting on a stool singing to a taped orchestra. Last tour the band played it acoustically. This time, drummer Eric Singer rose up with a grand piano, and the rest of the band came and stood next to him by the end of the show. This is an homage to the Paul Lynde Halloween Special and the way "Beth" was performed on the show. (Kiss + Paul Lynde Special = Beatles + Ed Sullivan for Kiss fans.) There are signs of age. Gene and Paul definitely don't jump around as much as they used to, and the technology provides the spectacle. That's not a complaint, mind you, just an observation. It was emotional. A lot joy and awe. I got to feel 12 again. And I also know there will never be anything like this ever again. Kiss Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids March 9, 2019 Opening Act: Artist David Garabaldi Kiss setlist: Detroit Rock City Shout It Out Loud Deuce Say Yeah I Love It Loud Heaven's on Fire War Machine (Gene Breathes Fire) Lick it Up (With "Won't Get Fooled Again" snippet) Calling Dr. Love 100,000 Years (With Drum Solo) Cold Gin (With Guitar Solo) God of Thunder (With Bass Solo) Psycho Circus Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll Love Gun (Paul On Stage In Crowd) I Was Made for Lovin' You (Paul On Stage In Crowd) Black Diamond Encore: Beth (Eric Singer On Piano) Do You Love Me Rock and Roll All Nite https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53160244_10155923842917204_4321889735854260224_n.jpg?_nc_cat=107&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=1d5ab46602ea594ddc0112a1d16f3cfd&oe=5D0B0D2D> https://scontent.fdet1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53744988_10155923843462204_8117829888448135168_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-1.fna&oh=d95cccb97bd8760e5a50d095a3ea0140&oe=5CDB46DF> https://scontent.fdet1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/53784586_10155923843677204_6215116293503188992_n.jpg?_nc_cat=109&_nc_ht=scontent.fdet1-2.fna&oh=f1254b6e698a46542298e6beed8f79e2&oe=5D06DB2A>

Edgy MD Mar 10 2019 06:25 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Did the first S short circuit and blow out? That exact effects failure led to multiple firings on the Hot in the Shade tour way back when.

41Forever Mar 10 2019 06:40 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Edgy MD wrote: Did the first S short circuit and blow out? That exact effects failure led to multiple firings on the Hot in the Shade tour way back when. No, it's just covered by smoke. It's actually a projection on the screen and not a real sign.

Fman99 Mar 10 2019 07:23 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

A Boy Named Seo wrote: Next up for us are indie grandads, Death Cab for Cutie. I am a big fan, I'm looking forward to your review.

A Boy Named Seo Apr 02 2019 02:25 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Death Cab was Sunday night. Surprised they sold out the 2,300 capacity venue well ahead of time. I had no idea New Mexicans were rabid fans of late 90s/early oughts whimsical (yet sensitive!) indie pop. It's a shitty venue, too. A glorified hotel conference room with poor sound and it's way too wide, so the people at the sides probably couldn't see or hear anything, they were practically behind the stage. Ben commented that he felt like the room was more appropriate for a Tony Robbins seminar (true) and joked that he was going to teach everyone how to get rich by playing indie rock (funny cause it's true). The set was a little heavy on second-half-of-career material for me (and looking at setlists from this tour, it doesn't look like they've varied them all that much). I last saw them in March, 2003 at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, before Transatlanticism was released. I was heavily invested up to and including that great album, started to wane with Plans and Narrow Stairs and was pretty much done by Codes and Keys and everything since then. Ben started the encore solo and acoustic with "I'll Follow You into the Dark" and all the phones went up and probably all the tears fell down. The old stuff was cool, but the new stuff lacks a little edge. Like, where do you guys stand on this song? DCFC hardcore fans love it. Apparently it's about Peter Buck. It's a little saccharine to me, and leans more "I Hope You Had the Time of Your Life" than early Death Cab lyrical cleverness. [YOUTUBE]C9nLqUQYoiE[/YOUTUBE] New Ben looks effing good, though. Sober, fit, full of energy. Current, ultramarathon Ben > nerdy, chubby Ben, for better or worse. Anyway, it was a pretty good night out, but might have to check the calendar at the end of the year to remind myself I was there. Also, we were exhausted from fostering 2 puppies this week, so maybe the show was fucking awesome. On deck: Better Oblivion Community Center

Fman99 Apr 02 2019 06:45 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

I've heard this one before, I agree, their more recent stuff is just, more, uh, tame, I guess. It's good but not great.

41Forever May 08 2019 06:24 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019 Edited 2 time(s), most recently on May 08 2019 08:38 PM

The Who May 7, 2019 Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich. Opening act: Dirty Honey I'm not sure why its the case, but a lot of bands seem to kick off tours in Grand Rapids. The Who opened the Moving On tour here last night, bringing along a 47-piece orchestra. My firs time seeing Daltrey and Townshend. Great show, with some odd things that are probably attributed to being the first night. For instance, they took the stage and seemed to start playing with the house lights still on. Daltrey still has a very powerful voice, and Townshend can still play with authority. It was wonderful to finally see the microphone twirls and windmill chord strikes in person. They started with a big section of Tommy, ended with a big section of Quadrophenia. Ended with Baba as kind of an encore. Hard to get an orchestra off the stage just to have them come back in a couple minutes. Was surprised by the acoustic version of "Won't Get Fooled Again." Loved Eminence Front." Setlist Overture It's a Boy 1921 Amazing Journey Sparks The Acid Queen Pinball Wizard We're Not Gonna Take It Who Are You Imagine a Man (Live debut by The Who) Eminence Front Join Together The Kids Are Alright Won't Get Fooled Again Behind Blue Eyes Tea & Theatre I'm One The Punk and the Godfather 5:15 Drowned The Rock Love, Reign O'er Me Baba O'Riley

Fman99 May 08 2019 10:33 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

That's a pretty sweet set list. I got my annual $20 special lawn seats for the classic rock acts coming and playing our local outdoor venue this summer - Peter Frampton on July 3 and Heart on July 30. Also going to see Steely Dan (well, half of Steely Dan) this October at the Landmark Theater, saw him/them last summer and loved it.

Edgy MD May 08 2019 11:22 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

I would've asked for one or two more meaty, beaty, big and bouncy early mod singles, but there's a million ways to laugh, and every one's a path. That sounds like a set I'd've loved.

TransMonk Jun 07 2019 08:05 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

My daughter is getting ready to turn six at the end of the month and she is a HUGE Beatles fan. As a birthday gift for me and her, my wife's mom got us tickets to see Paul McCartney at Lambeau Field on Saturday. I'm looking forward to our daddy/daughter trip to her first big-time concert.

Willets Point Jun 07 2019 09:09 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Wow! Have fun.

TransMonk Jun 09 2019 10:30 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Man, I hope I still have the stamina and energy Macca has when I'm his age. He started a little stiff, but once the sun went down and he got 5 or 6 songs into his nearly 3 hour set, he was exactly as you would expect. His band is phenomenal and the art direction was great. They even had a huge fireworks section prepared for Live and Let Die (which freaked out my child, so that's when we headed for the exits...though, she was a trooper for about 30 songs). Tons of hits and tons of fun...until we hit a deer on the way home. :( https://open.spotify.com/user/1287447030/playlist/2ktAZzHSliiFDDYcjxHkdX?si=vtbBYOnyRpedhAQnMVeoGg

41Forever Jun 09 2019 12:38 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

That's awesome!! Except for the deer. Sorry about that. Glad you got to see an actual Beatle!

TransMonk Jul 17 2019 09:54 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Took in the Raconteurs in Milwaukee on Sunday. While I like Jack White, I'm not a super-fan. But this band is one of my faves. Their new album is decent, but their last album, Consoler Of The Lonely, is awesome. They put on an energized (but short) show. The opener went on at 8:00 and I was walking out by 10:30. It was my first "no cellphone" show, which I think is pretty awesome. If you bring your phone to the show, they lock it in a pouch (made of can-coozy-type material) that you carry with you. When you leave, they unlock the pouch and you can use your phone again. It was refreshing to see people actually watching the show in front of them rather than on their screens. It definitely improves the ability for people to see the show without amateur movie makers obstructing the view in front of them trying to get a shaky 30 second clip of their favorite songs.

Edgy MD Jul 17 2019 01:07 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Interesing idea. Wonder if it'll catch on.

cal sharpie Jul 17 2019 04:05 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

I saw King Crimson about two years ago at the Beacon and there was a no cell phone recording made before the show. During the show Robert Fripp, when he wasn't playing guitar, would look around the audience and point out violators. Ushers would rush over to where he was pointing - not sure what they would do but it would stop. Jonathan Richman just stops singing and waits til whoever is violating his ban stops.

Frayed Knot Jul 23 2019 07:32 PM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019 Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jul 24 2019 08:00 AM

It was my first "no cellphone" show, which I think is pretty awesome. If you bring your phone to the show, they lock it in a pouch (made of can-coozy-type material) that you carry with you. When you leave, they unlock the pouch and you can use your phone again. It was refreshing to see people actually watching the show in front of them rather than on their screens. It definitely improves the ability for people to see the show without amateur movie makers obstructing the view in front of them trying to get a shaky 30 second clip of their favorite songs. You wonder why Broadway hasn't adopted this type of policy. You'd think that most of those theaters would be better able to afford it as compared to smaller music venues. This comes amid a story tonight about someone snapping a pic this past weekend of Audra McDowell during her nude scene in “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” Ushers are supposedly on the lookout for such stuff but they can't be or see everywhere. Locking up the phones seems like an easy solution. And if you can't go the whole show without your phone then stay the fuck home.

cal sharpie Jul 24 2019 07:28 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Totally agree except that i would worry about the shit-storm after the Broadway show with people desperate to get their phones unlocked. In the case of Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune (which I saw) that was a one-act play. In a show with an intermission you see half the audience spending the time that they aren't in the bathroom looking at their phones (sometimes when they are in the bathroom as well).

Frayed Knot Jul 24 2019 08:03 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

cal sharpie wrote: Totally agree except that i would worry about the shit-storm after the Broadway show with people desperate to get their phones unlocked. In the case of Frankie & Johnny in the Claire de Lune (which I saw) that was a one-act play. In a show with an intermission you see half the audience spending the time that they aren't in the bathroom looking at their phones (sometimes when they are in the bathroom as well). Yeah, well, people who start to get the shakes after a whole hour of not checking their phones are a whole 'nother problem.

TransMonk Aug 01 2019 08:54 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

I saw the Night Running Tour in Chicago last night featuring Spoon, Cage The Elephant and Beck. It was at the Northerly Island pavilion outside on the shores of Lake Michigan, which is a great venue...especially when the weather is perfect like last night. After a dance-pop opener, Spoon took the stage to a venue that was about a third full. Spoon has recently released a greatest hits album. While I like more recent Spoon records, my favorite albums are from 1998-2002. 1998's A Series Of Sneaks is one of my all-time picks. But, they only played one song from that era last night (a re-imagined version of the song at that). I saw them in 2014 as a headliner and they ignored that era of their history, too. It seems that while I have not quite outgrown Spoon, Spoon has outgrown me. Still, Jim Eno is one of the best alt/pop drummers and he did not disappoint. Cage The Elephant was up next as the crowd filled in and stole the show. I have long admired their stylized garage rock and they played a great set. Matt Schultz is one of the best non-instrument-playing frontmen performing today. By the end of their set, he had stripped down to boxing shorts and after his bandmates had left the stage and the house lights were up, he surfed the crowd to the back of the venue and climbed the light towers to squeals from the crowd. I strongly recommend Cage The Elephant's discography and am glad I was able to catch them. Beck does not have a new album out, though I like his latest release Colors. His band was flawless and after opening with Loser, he ran through all of his up-tempo hits of the past 25 years. I consider Beck a musical genius, though (like the times I've seen Radiohead) that genius does not always translate from the studio to the live stage. Some of the songs lost their punch being played by a live band with the vocals not quite cutting through. He did bring Britt Daniel from Spoon up near the end of the show to do a true-to-form cover of Elvis Costello's Pump It Up. Then Schultz was brought back to the stage to do the tour's eponymous song Night Running...though Schultz's mic was not working, so the duet fell a bit flat. Overall, I enjoyed the show. It's rare to be able to see three of my favorites in one night and I'll be looking for more shows at this venue.

Fman99 Aug 02 2019 06:11 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

My most recent show was another classic rock band playing at my favorite local outdoor venue, the Lakeview Amphitheater overlooking Onondaga Lake, just a 15 min drive from my home. This was Heart, supported by Ellie King (missed her entire set) and Sheryl Crow (whom I am indifferent to and semi-attentively listened). Heart, however, was terrific. Both the Wilson sisters can still sing their asses off. They put on a great show. Their encore included a ripping version of Stairway to Heaven, too. Highly recommended.

Lefty Specialist Aug 02 2019 07:31 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Going to see Bat Out Of Hell the musical on August 16th. It's live, probably not sweaty, but I'm intrigued to see how it works out

Johnny Lunchbucket Oct 16 2019 11:12 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Both Seawolf and me had separate seats last night to see reformed punk-rocker Frank Turner do his No man's land show last night at Town Hall. Turner as you may know writes rousing folk anthems for a cult fanbase that tattoos his lyrics on their necks, a kind of millennial Billy Bragg whose a little louder and not quite as politically driven. He mentioned it was he and his band's 4,024th?? show over the last 15 years -- that's like a 5-day a week job, we figured -- but one of the few for a seated audience: First half was a solo acoustic stuff from his new record of songs inspired by famous and not-famous women... he pulls that off about as well as a white guy could in 2019 but I haven't asked an actual feminist. Turner as you can imagine is a real worker so zero issues with the effort. I sometimes think he ought to expand more musically than he does but he's pretty loyal to the punk ethos-- though his band was good (augmented with considerable echo on the harmony vocals I was kinda suspicious of). Lunchpail liked it; he's learning some Frank Turner tunes on guitar. Lyrically he can be moving and rosuing but sometimes inconsistent in the message. Bust shit up and don;t care what you you do! Also, Be Kind and Considerate! But overall he gives you musical value for the $.

seawolf17 Oct 17 2019 07:14 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Dude went for nearly three solid hours - 28 songs - so you can never say you won't get your money's worth. Definitely some weird sound issues at times, but it made for some transcendent moments as well. "The Way I Tend To Be," my favorite FT tune, was a religious experience like I get at Butch Walker shows. Good to see you all - and to meet CF for the first time in person before the show!

TransMonk Nov 25 2019 11:42 AM Re: Live and Sweaty 2019

Saw Elvis Costello and the Imposters last night and was mildly disappointed. He mentioned on stage that the whole band was fighting through a cold and unfortunately, it showed. You could tell that Costello was not hearing things correctly and it effected his vocals. The band was a bit sluggish as well. Still, he is a great showman and world-class songwriter. He has an enormous catalog and I only recognized maybe half the songs. He closed with "Pump It Up", "Allison" and "Peace, Love and Understanding" which the crowd ate up.