Archive for the ‘Show Review’ Category
Monday, March 15th, 2010
Manchester Orchestra
I have heard about the theatrics of a Manchester Orchestra show and was looking forward to what they had in store that night. After (purposely) skipping the first two acts, I made my way through a seemingly 16-21 aged crowd to get a few good shots of the band.
The Features
Opening act, The Features, shared their Americana folk rock with a mixed and very young crowd. It was well received and they seemed to be having fun and confident with their presence in the tour. Last year’s Some Kind of Salvation oozed Modest Mouse recklessness and the clumsy beauty of Tom Waits making The Features a band to know this year. Keep on the look-out.
Manchester Orchestra
Just as Manchester Orchestra do what they do best, they let the music talk and leave it to be admired throughout the 90 minute set. Kicking off with Pride and going into In My Teeth, the band quickly prove these songs can fit well into this type of venue. As the set comfortably takes some of the best bits of their last 2 albums, with previous singles I Can Barely Breathe and I’ve Got Friends, along with a cover of Neil Young’s Walk On as well as a declaration of love to 50 Cent, one of the night’s more humorless highlights.
Manchester Orchestra
They even dipped into a new track entitled, Schwing!, a very high energy and poppier sound similar to Shake It Out, which was also played. Given the might, majesty and bowel-quivering rock greatness of Manchester Orchestra’s recent album, Mean Everything to Nothing, it was a bit more enjoyable to hear the grandeur of I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child.
Manchester Orchestra
An overall faultless set, that despite the bands non-mainstream status, proved anything is possible and can be done, as Manchester Orchestra’s minimalist stage approach allowed the band and fans to appreciate this band and how far they have come. Their bold, progressive sound mixed with humor was a joy to see live.
For entire picture collection, click here.
Tags: Manchester Orchestra, Show Review, The Features, The Great American Music Hall
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Thursday, March 11th, 2010
Midlake
I was looking forward to this show for quite sometime. Midlake’s The Trials of Van Occupanther is the perfect hazy day soundtrack for me and when this year’s The Courage Of Others came out, that album quickly became one of my favorites of the year. By pledging allegiance to old-time country music, 1960s The Band-like harmonies, and exuberant acoustic clatter, Midlake create hushed, dreamy and mysteriously beautiful music.
Matthew and the Arrogant Sea
Opening was the fello Denton, Texas crew, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea. The combination of the hushed, indie balladry with the spacious guitar rock made these guys a welcome addition to the short line-up. Mixing boogie-soaked country and the wail of Matthew’s echoing falsetto may have gained a few skeptical audience members.
Midlake
Ethereal beardy-music has a ready-made audience ready to declare it’s the best thing since My Morning Jacket, and as a result it’s suffering from oversubscription. Midlake are a cut above, but lack the psych-pop complexity of, say, Fleet Foxes.
Midlake
Despite darker notes like the eerie Rulers Ruling All Things, whose sweet melody couches strange, oblique images of snow and destruction, mainly they’re as unshowy, down-home and honest as their plaid shirts.
Midlake
Existing in a vague timeless space somewhere between the early-’70s and a folky, pre-industrial world of Crosby, Stills & Nash harmonies, streams and squirrels, they’re almost too gorgeous, neatly sidestepping the mess of modernity.
Midlake
Of course, you’d only have such doubts hours later. As you stand, rapt, bathed in the chiming acoustic guitar and flute of Van Occupanther or thrilling to Tim Smith’s haunting whisper on Acts of Man, your head will be full of nothing but the desire for it not to stop.
For entire picture collection, click here.
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[mp3] Midlake – Acts of Man from The Courage Of Others (2010)
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[mp3] Matthew and the Arrogant Sea – You Still Love Me Blondie from Family Family Family Meets The Magic Christian (2008)
Tags: great american music hall, Matthew and the Arrogant Sea, midlake, Show Review
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Tuesday, March 9th, 2010
Phantogram
Playing in San Francisco for the third time in five months, the Saratoga Springs, NY duo Phantogram once again graced us locals to a charged performance at The Rickshaw Stop Wednesday night, March 3rd. Opening for School Of Seven Bells last October and Zero 7 in December, this was the first headlining show in the Bay Area for these upstart soundsmiths.
Phantogram
Friends since junior high, the team of Josh Carter and Sarah Barthel released their self titled EP in May of 2009 and quickly gained the attention of the national indie music scene. Since signing to Barsuk Records last fall, the pair has toured extensively in the US and parts of Europe. Now they are embarking on their own tour in support of their first full length album, Eyelid Movies, which dropped last month. Their eclectic style of music incorporates hip hop drum samples, buzzy synths, wet guitar hooks, and vocal stylings of both members into a unique package that has been dubbed by some as “Street Beat Psyche Pop.”
Phantogram
After local bands The Frail and City Light each played solid sets, Phantogram took the stage. Orchestrating a symphony of sound and light, these modern day wizards of oz dazzled the crowd with a barrage of visuals and soundwaves occupying all the cozy spots in the audible sonic range. Armed with samplers, synths, a guitar, a laptop, a dedicated mixer, and likely a handful of other things I was unable to identify, the pair transitioned between their respective tools seamlessly making their complex gear arrangement look easy to operate. I mean, I’ve been dazzled before by the likes of Hot Chip and Animal Collective with their substantial number of support personnel making things run smoothly, but the Oz metaphor rings true when you realize that this is just two people. Barthel was particularly impressive playing synth basslines and triggering light effects all while simultaneously serenading the crowd with some of the best live vocals I have heard in awhile, often looping them and layering on additional harmonies. There was very little banter between songs, as these two just stuck to doing what they have been perfecting since they formed; performing a charismatic live show for an engaged audience. And boy did they look at ease doing it.
- Tanner Pikop
Photos By Michael Townsend
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[mp3] Phantogram – When I’m Small from Eyelid Movies (2010)
Tags: Phantogram, Rickshaw Stop, Show Review
Posted in Concerts, Music, Show Review | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 25th, 2010
Har Mar Superstar
It was a typical Har Mar show. Insanity, nudity, making out with random chicks, and all out super fun.
Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar Superstar
Tags: Bender's Bar, Har Mar Superstar, Noise Pop 2010, show pictures
Posted in Art and Photography, Concerts, Music, Show Review | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 1st, 2010
Horse Feathers
It was a modest and older crowd at the Bottom of the Hill one Wednesday night in San Francisco, all waiting patiently for a special evening with the always wonderful Horse Feathers.
TV Mike And The Scarecrowes
Combining wistful, storytelling lyrics with folksy, jangling chords, shimmering and virtuosic fingerpicking, and deliberate gestures, TV Mike & the Scarecrowes invariably recalled the glory of an amphetamine-strained 70s folk rock movement.
TV Mike And The Scarecrowes
Also like that specific era, TV Mike sang with a free spirited twang, using every iota of breath before sputtering out completely, only to create brilliant arpeggios to balance their lyrically intensive and fun songs. While I wasn’t making a mad dash for the merch table, it was a welcomed opener.
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[mp3] T.V. Mike and the Scarecrowes – Paint the Town from Spittin’ in Cursive (2008)
Horse Feathers
On record, Horse Feathers favors a sparse, acoustic sound. Their songs are subdued and melancholic with a mix of vocals, string instruments, light guitar, with the occasional addition of piano or perhaps drums. So when Justin Ringle, Nathan Crockett, Sam Cooper and Catherine Odell all arrived on stage, the room was patient and quiet, anticipating that misty sound that Horse Feathers are known for.
Horse Feathers
Things start off simple enough – a song like Heathen’s Kiss, from 2008’s House With No Home, is close enough to its recorded version, just fleshed out comfortably by the extra instrumentation, and Justin Ringle’s voice, with gentle levels of strings provided by Catherine Odell, is comfortably foregrounded in the mix. Working Poor features some beautiful harmonies from the band that even silenced the chattering back at the bar.
Horse Feathers
About 40 minutes later, the floor of the Bottom of the Hill was silent and respectful, listening contently for every pluck of the string and every word Ringle uttered. Most impressive though was Ringle’s voice, which I certainly had come to appreciate from repeated listens of House With No Home, but really fell for after hearing it live. This is similar to a meek and mild hushed solo sound similar to Sam Beam of Iron & Wine. While there is no varied intensity, I remained attentive due to the brilliant arrangements of the rest of the band.
Horse Feathers
It was an expected experience for anyone that is familiar with the Mid-Western, snow covered log cabin inspired folk music. A mellow and enjoyable night for anyone willing to witness this very special act.
For more pictures click here. For when Horse Feathers will be coming to your town, click here.
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[mp3] Horse Feathers – Curs in the Weeds from House With No Home (2008)
Tags: bottom of the hill, Horse Feathers, Show Review, TV Mike & the Scarecrowes
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Thursday, January 21st, 2010
A.A. Bondy
AA Bondy has been making waves since the release of his album When The Devil’s Loose last year on Fat Possum Records. Last night, the songwriter played a show at Café Du Nord with opening act Willy Mason. Bondy, who has been on tour almost constantly since last July, is a commanding yet intimate performer who develops a somber atmosphere during his sets.
Willy Mason
Folk rocker Willy Mason was a nice surprise mainly because I had no idea he was opening until the day before. Playing mostly songs off 2004’s Where The Humans Eat and a handful off 2007’s If The Ocean Gets Rough, Willy stood solo with acoustic guitar in hand, easily charming the ever growing crowd. Particularly with the title track off Where the Humans Eat, which I’m pretty sure is about a dog.
Willy Mason
Playing for almost an hour (I love two-act line-ups), he was a welcomed opener for his fellow singer-songwriter.
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[mp3] Willy Mason – Where the Humans Eat from Where the Humans Eat (2004)
A.A. Bondy
On this tour, Bondy was allotted over an hour to play and while he did not leave out some songs that have become staples (such as Lover’s Waltz and American Hearts) the new songs are what made that night a bit more special. He stood tall with dim red lights beaming at his lanky figure and proceeded to perform his brand of Americana / singer-songwriter style tunes.
A.A. Bondy
These songs are defined by their poetic lyrics, sentimental arrangements and antique sound. They are about longing, death, love and friendship, and they deserve a quiet audience. And Bondy played for a very focused audience.
A.A. Bondy
The stand out of the night was a ‘louder’ and swaying version of There’s A Reason. Usually a sweet and acoustic track, Bondy and his band created a fuller sound around the song, causing a few fans to dance along.
Overall AA Bondy’s show last night was a very warm and intimate performance that well represented his work on record.
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[mp3] A.A. Bondy – There’s A Reason from American Hearts (2007)
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[mp3] A.A. Bondy – I Can See The Pines Are Dancing from When The Devil’s Loose (2009)
Tags: A.A. Bondy, Cafe Du Nord, Show Review, Willy Mason
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