Posts Tagged ‘andrew bird’
Saturday, February 6th, 2010
Today, I fly out to Honolulu to see my brother. While I’m out there I’ll be seeing Andrew Bird at the Pipeline Cafe and trying to see what kind of music scene #50 has to offer. I’ll be checking in from time to time but don’t expect that much updates.
If you’re in the Bay Area this week though, check out Daedelus, Nosaj Thing, and Jogger at the Mighty tonight, St. Vincent and Wildbirds & Peacedrums at at the Great American Music Hall and Editors and The Antlers at the Warfield on Monday, Vivian Girls, Best Coast, and The Bananas at the Bottom of the Hill on Tuesday, Eyedea & Abilities, dosh, and Grieves at the Bottom of the Hill on Wednesday, Wild Beasts, Still Life Still, and the Magic Bullets at the Independent on Thursday, and The Album Leaf and Sea Wolf at the Great American Music Hall on Friday.
For more Bay Area shows, go to epic sauce. Or for more Bay Area music news, click the Links tab and there’s a plethora of great websites to choose from.
I’ll be in touch…
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[mp3] Nosaj Thing – Ioio from Mary-Anne Hobbs Presents: Wild Angels (2009)
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[mp3] The Album Leaf – Blank Pages from A Chorus Of Storytellers (2010)
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[mp3] Magic Bullets – The Book is Closed from Lives For Romance (2008)
Tags: andrew bird, Best Coast, Daedelus, Dosh, Editors, Eyedea & Abilities, Grieves, hawaii, honolulu, Jogger, Nosaj Thing, Peacedrums, Sea Wolf, St. Vincent, Still Life Still, the album leaf, The Antlers, The Bananas, the Magic Bullets, Vivian Girls, Wild Beasts, Wildbirds & Peacedrums
Posted in Concerts, Music, News | 1 Comment »
Thursday, December 17th, 2009
25. Caspian – Tertia
Opening with a whisper and ending with a snarlingly epic conclusion. Perhaps the theme of the album is an ideal reflection of Caspian themselves, a band that insists on finding its own way and settles for nothing less than instrumental perfection.
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[mp3] Caspian – Of Foam and Wave from Tertia (2009)
24. Atlas Sound – Logos
As usual Bradford Cox connects to the very heart of the melancholy and joyous side of music. Logos in my opinion is better than anything he’s ever done. I know how bold that is, but I love this record.
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[mp3] Atlas Sound – Walkabout (w/ Noah Lennox) from Logos (2009)
23. P.O.S. – Never Better
A lyrical mastermind and a thought-provokingly amazing songwriter. This is punk music for the hip-hop soul and done so cleverly with the help of the Rhymesayers. Songs like Low Light Low Life and Goodbye are alone worth purchasing this album.
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[mp3] P.O.S. – Goodbye from Never Better (2009)
22. The Antlers – Hospice
The amount of emotion poured into Hospice is unrelenting. Having already heard Bear early in the year, I had to find out what the rest of the album sounded like. Bear ended up being re-translated for me once I had heard the whole album through. Like reading one middle chapter of a book and then going and reading the whole thing in order. Hospice is a gorgeous and delicate record and a sneak attack on the listener’s emotions.
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[mp3] The Antlers – Bear from Hospice (2009)
21. John Vanderslice – Romanian Names
His craft in songwriting and artful hi-fi production are well represented in Romanian Names. I’m pretty sure the world will end if this man makes one bad record. Keep saving the world my friend!
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[mp3] John Vanderslice – Fetal Horses from Romanian Names (2009)
20. Doom – Born Like This
The grittiness is back. Lyrically brilliant and an all out blast to listen to, plus any record with a sample of Charles Bukowski is automatically awesome to me.
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DOOM – Ballskin from Born Like This (2009)
19. Sleep Whale – House Boat
As a sucker for ambient music and electro-acoustic soundscapes, Sleep Whale’s House Boat is my year’s MVP. A friend of mine said they reminded him of The Album Leaf, I responded with, “No, these guys are better.”
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[mp3] Sleep Whale – Cotton Curls from Houseboat (2009)
18. Jónsi & Alex – Riceboy Sleeps
Drenched in alien-like soundscapes and complex acoustics, “Jónsi” Þór Birgisson (Sigur Rós) and Alex Somers (Parachutes) made the world of ambient music shake with Riceboy Sleeps. The album’s ethereal movements and angelic atmosphere made listening an almost supernatural experience.
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[mp3] Jónsi & Alex - Boy 1904 from Riceboy Sleeps (2009)
17. Bat For Lashes – Two Suns
This is a more fragile record than people give it credit for. Songs like Moon and Moon and Glass are worth cuddling up with a pair of headphones and letting Natasha Khan’s soothing voice take you.
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Bat For Lashes – Glass from Two Suns (2009)
16. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
Probably his best record to date. He’s been batting 1000 this year and this is no exception. Enlisting Madlib, Chad Hugo, and Georgia Anne to help produce this record was the obvious reason this record turned out so well, but Mos Def still has that lyrical flow everyone knows and loves.
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Mos Def – Twilight Speedball from The Ecstatic (2009)
15. Division Day – Visitation
Visitation is a work of structured and dark industrial beauty. Infused with haunting melodies, complex arrangements, vibrant sonic palettes, and infectious rhythms; this eleven-song LP will undoubtedly both challenge and pleasurably reward anyone not familiar with D-Day.
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[mp3] Division Day – Devil Light from Visitation (2009)
14. St. Vincent – Actor
The amount of talent Annie Clark exudes on Actor is undeniably amazing. Her beautiful voice melds perfectly with her intricate guitar work and the grand orchestrations make Actor quite possibly her best work so far.
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[mp3] St. Vincent – Actor Out Of Work from Actor (2009)
13. Fever Ray – Fever Ray
The atmosphere that lurks in this album is the definition of ‘heavy’ music. Not heavy as in metal, just weighted and dark. You are instantly transported and free to let your imagination run a muck.
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Fever Ray – When I Grow Up from Fever Ray (2009)
12. Clues – Clues
Punch me if you want but I wasn’t too impressed with Island’s new album, Vapours. However, Alden Penner’s (along with Brendan Reed and Bethany Or) Clues pretty much made up for the disappointment of both Vapours and probably never getting another Unicorns record. Penner’s voice carries the listener off on an epically fun voyage. It’s like a Pixar movie as a record; accessible, joyous, and overwhelmingly creative.
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[mp3] Clues – Haarp from Clues (2009)
11. Andrew Bird – Noble Beast
It was almost like he took a step back from his past records and took a different approach on this album. For the better of course, but the songs sound more rich with landscape and heavy on layers. That signature prose and instrumental genius exists, making Noble Beast one of the more fun folkish records of the year.
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[mp3] Andrew Bird – Oh No from Noble Beast (2009)
10. Dirty Projectors – Bitte Orca
They are quickly becoming one of my favorite bands. Not only because of their performance with Björk but because of their uncategorizeable style on Bitte Orca. Their complex arrangements of harmonies and jazzy melodies make this record a pleasure never to be guilty over. My only complaint; too short.
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[mp3] Dirty Projectors – No Intention from Bitte Orca (2009)
9. Mew – No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away
Despite having one of the worst albums covers this side of a community college photoshop submission (something they’re kind of famous for), No More Stories is an dark and epic giganotosaurus of a record. Some call them progressive rock from another planet, I agree…except for the prog-rock part.
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Mew – Beach from No More Stories Are Told Today I’m Sorry They Washed Away No More Stories The World Is Grey I’m Tired Let’s Wash Away (2009)
8. Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion
As a casual fan of Animal Collective, I approached this album like I approach all AniCol records, an open mind. Well, my mind was properly blown thank you very much. This album will forever be known as their most important record of not only their career but in independent music in general.
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Animal Collective – Summertime Clothes from Merriweather Post Pavilion (2009)
7. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix
It’s extremely difficult to make pop music art again. Last year MGMT almost made it but their record fizzled out midway. No band this year could match the sheer catchiness and addictive rhythms of Phoenix. No wonder commercials and radio have been jumping at the chance to play their music.
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[mp3] Phoenix – 1901 from Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix (2009)
6. The Flaming Lips – Embryonic
Booming with fuzzed up entertainment and free minded lyrics. This is evidence that there is always room for growth in a band that has already perfected it’s craft.
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The Flaming Lips – The Sparrow Looks Up At The Machine from Embryonic (2009)
5. BlakRoc – BlakRoc
When some one says ‘rap-rock’ I want to punch a puppy…just want to get that out there. But when I heard BlakRoc, I heard the roots of two genres meshing together and creating something that probably should have been done a long time ago. Mixing the Black Keys with the likes of Q-Tip, Raekwon, RZA, Pharoahe Monch, etc; you get a potent mix that requires the listener to crank the volume.
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BlakRoc – Ain’t Nothing Like You (Hoochie Coo) (feat. Jim Jones & Mos Def) from Blakroc (2009)
4. Fanfarlo – Reservoir
Criminally underrated and perhaps annoyingly overhyped. Either way it’s undeniable that the humble Fanfarlo entered this year with one of the most heartwarming and lovable records. I see bright lights in their future, catch them while you can.
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[mp3] Fanfarlo – Luna from Reservoir (2009)
3. Jeremy Enigk – Ok Bear
While not exactly another Sunny Day Real Estate album, Jeremy Enigk’s Ok Bear is a grower, and boy does it grow on you. Covering all aspects of his music that I love and even touching on new ground, Enigk made the long drives to work that much more beautiful.
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[mp3] Jeremy Enigk – Mind Idea from Ok Bear (2009)
2. Portugal. The Man – The Satanic Satanist
They have been perfecting their brand of progressive beach rock for years and finally have made the record that truly embodies the real talent that is Portugal. The Man. Bonus points for the fantastic album art. Well done men.
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[mp3] Portugal. The Man – People Say from The Satanic Satanist (2009)
1. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest
It didn’t take long for me to love every inch of this album and have it grow into one of my favorites of all time. The very genius of this record is the gentle journey that it takes you on. You are instantly transported and forced to pay attention like a book you can’t put down. A smart and aurally perfect record on every level.
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[mp3] Grizzly Bear – Cheerleader from Veckatimest (2009)
Tags: 2009, andrew bird, Animal Collective, Atlas Sound, Bat For Lashes, best of 2009, BlakRoc, Caspian, Clues, Dirty Projectors, division day, DOOM, Fanfarlo, favorite record of 2009, Fever Ray, Grizzly Bear, Jeremy Enigk, john vanderslice, jonsi & alex, mew, Mos Def, p.o.s., Phoenix, Portugal. The Man, records of 2009, Sleep Whale, St. Vincent, The Antlers, the Flaming Lips
Posted in Favorites of 2009, Music | 7 Comments »
Sunday, July 19th, 2009
Lake Tahoe is in the Bay Area right? Sure it is…I don’t know I’ve only lived here for a year. It’s relivent enough to mention though. Wanderlust Festival is this weekend (July 24-26th) up in Lake Tahoe. The line-up includes Andrew Bird, Broken Social Scene, Spoon, Rogue Wave, Mates of State, Girl Talk, Kaki King, Gillian Welch, Jenny Lewis, Michael Franti & Spearhead (eww), Amanda Palmer, Spearhead, Jai Uttal, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, The Mutaytor, The Honey Brothers, and The London Souls. The pictures of people doing Yoga are kind of freaking me out, but it looks fun nonetheless. Anywho, here’s this week’s schedule…
Today has veteran shoegaze act Trespassers William and Robert Gomez with The Theatre Fire at the Hemlock Tavern, sfSoundSeries presents avant-garde masters Milton Babbitt, Alvin Lucier, Olga Neuwirth, Matt Ingalls, and Hans Thomalla at the ODC Theater, and the mighty Judgement Day, TRICLOPS! and The Definite Articles rock out at the Bottom of the Hill.
Monday features Blue Öyster Cult at Slim’s and hip hop acts Awol One, Factor, and Ceschi at the Element Lounge.
Tuesday will be pretty packed with The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Girls, and The Champagne Socialists performing the Rickshaw Stop, electro-act Casiotone for the Painfully Alone will be at the Bottom of the Hill, and the ever-so amazing hip hop group Doomtree featuring Sims, Cecil Otter, Paper Tiger, Dessa, Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak, Mike Mictlan and Lazerbeak will be playing the Elbo Room.
Wednesday has synth-pop sweetie La Roux with io echo at Café du Nord, the Fake Problems show at the Bottom of the Hill is canceled, and experimental pop group Micachu & The Shapes keep it real at the Rickshaw Stop.
Thursday, The Weakerthans play The Great American Music Hall, hip-hop legends De La Soul hit up The Fillmore, and singer-songwriter iaWillm Fitzsimmons soothes The Independent.
Friday has of Montreal and Jon Brion at the Fox Theater in Oakland and reggae acts The Lions, Bedouin Soundclash and Rootbeer featuring Pigeon John hits up Slim’s.
Saturday has the reunited No Doubt, Paramore, and The Sounds at the Shoreline Amphitheatre and local indie pop act maus haus plays with Rainbow Arabia at the Bottom of the Hill.
I’ll be at ComicCon a majority of this week, but those are your recommendations for this week. Have fun!
Olga Neuwirth – 
Lost Highway
Trespassers William – Sparrow
Ceschi – Frank Purpose
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart – Kurt Cobain’s Cardigan
SIMS – Muziektes
Paper Tiger – 1995
De La Soul – Big Mouf (Clean)
The Lions – Salam Hadji
Tags: Alvin Lucier, Amanda Palmer, andrew bird, Awol One, Bedouin Soundclash, broken social scene, Casiotone for the Painfully Alone, Cecil Otter, Ceschi, De La Soul, Dessa, Factor, Gillian Welch, girl talk, Girls, Jai Uttal, Jenny Lewis, Judgement Day, Kaki King, mates of state, Matt Ingalls, Michael Franti & Spearhead (eww), Mike Mictlan, Mike Mictlan & Lazerbeak, Milton Babbitt, No Doubt, Olga Neuwirth, Paper Tiger, Paramore, Rogue Wave, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, SIMS, Spearhead, spoon, The Honey Brothers, The Lions, The London Souls, The Mutaytor, The Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Triclops!, Wanderlust Festival
Posted in General | No Comments »
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
I’m back! Miss me? I bet you were all like, “Where am I going to get my music fix?!? GAAA!!” Well calm down, I’m here to save you from mediocrity and things like that. First off I had a very good vacation out in New York with the family and friends. Took some time out to listen to the new Gifts From Enola, Riceboy Sleeps, Here We Go Magic, Dirty Projectors, and Marissa Nadler. All are very good and I should have brief reviews up shortly. So lets get a move on and showcase some of this week’s best in Bay Area shows.
Tonight is kind of tame with the Low Red Land, Two Sheds, Birds & Batteries, and Finn Riggins show at the Fort Gallery in Oakland canceled. Which means you’ll have to look elsewhere for experimental Americana folk music tonight.
Monday has psychobilly act Reverend Horton Heat and Nekromantix freaking out the The Great American Music Hall.
Tuesday I’ll be at the Dirty Projectors and What’s Up? show at The Independent. Being that I can’t help but enjoy Dirty Projectors’ newest album, ‘Bitte Orca’, no matter how much I crank up the critic-o-meter, it’s still a damn good album. So I’m looking forward to this one. You might already have tickets to Duran Duran at The Fillmore that night as well. Have fun with that.
Wednesday has person L, The Dangerous Summer, and Ace Enders And A Million Different People which features members to The Early November at the Bottom of the Hill. Expect some sappy heartfelt sing-songwriter tunes coming from out there. Also, catch Nightmare of You and dance-rocker Plushgun at the Swedish American Hall with Magic and Brian Bonz.
Good friend of Kata Rokkar and respected Bay Area music website ipickmynose will be hosting a show with locals The Rural Alberta Advantage to say farewell as lead writer Adrian departs to South Africa. I highly recommend you go and show some love and enjoy a good night of local music. If you’re more in the mood for moshpits and mohawks, Rise Against, Billy Talent and Rancid will be making noise at the Oracle Arena in Oakland the same night. Oh yeah and Bay Area based indie pop duo Rubies celebrate their album release party at the Rickshaw Stop that night as well.
Friday has psychotrance dance duo Infected Mushroom at Club Vertigo in San Jose (Correction: San Jose, Costa Rica, but no worries, they’ll be in San Fran on the 17th; thanks eric), The Mighty Mighty Bosstones (they got back together again?) and Voodoo Glow Skulls at The Fillmore, and Texas noise rockers Indian Jewelry play 21 Grand in Oakland.
Saturday is pretty eventful with Death Cab for Cutie, Andrew Bird, and Ra Ra Riot at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. That’s quite a line-up. Lastly, Brooklyn noise rock heroes Oneida play the Bottom of the Hill with Wooden Shjips (not a typo).
See you out there!
Rubies – Room Without A Key
The Rural Alberta Advantage – Don’t Haunt This Place
Dirty Projectors – Throw On The Hazard Lights
Oneida – I Will Haunt You
Death Cab for Cutie – A Movie Script Ending
Tags: Ace Enders And A Million Different People, andrew bird, Birds & Batteries, Death Cab For Cutie, Dirty Projectors, Finn Riggins, Infected Mushroom, ipickmynose, Low Red Land, Oneida, ra ra riot, Reverend Horton Heat, Rubies, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Rural Alberta Advantage, This Week In Bay Area Live Shows, Two Sheds, Wooden Shjips
Posted in Concerts, Music, This Week In Bay Area Live Shows | 1 Comment »
Sunday, February 15th, 2009
It’s been hard for anyone who’s been a long time fan of Murder by Death. When pianist Vincent Edwards left the band in 2004, it became apparent that he had a huge influence on the band’s sound. So their last two albums, In Bocca Al Lupo and Red of Tooth And Claw, suffered from that true whiskey-dry creepiness that made Murder by Death enjoyable (for me at least). Well I guess God was listening, because not only is Murder by Death playing Red of Tooth And Claw into Who Will Survive and What Will Be Left of Them, but they will also be performing with ex-keyboardist Vincent Edwards. Whether he’ll be adding to songs from In Bocca Al Lupo and Red of Tooth And Claw is unknown to me, but this is exciting for any MBD fan. So make sure you make it out this Saturday to the Bottom of the Hill and check it out. Also today is my first Lykke Li show and from what I’ve been hearing from this tour, it’s going to be a good time. See you out there!
Sunday – 15th:
Lykke Li / Wildbirds & Peacedrums
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco CA 94115
Don Caballero / dd/mm/yyyy / Sbach
The Independent
628 Divisadero Street
San Francisco CA 94117
Monday – 16th:
Philip Glass
Davies Symphony Hall
201 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco 94102
Tuesday – 17th:
Lisa Hannigan / Gavin Glass
The Independent
628 Divisadero Street
San Francisco CA 94117
Wednesday – 18th:
Foot Village / T.I.T.S. / The Drums
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th Street
San Francisco CA 94107
Thursday – 19th:
Andrew Bird / Loney, Dear (Thursday & Friday)
The Fillmore
1805 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco CA 94115
Audrye Sessions / As Tall as Lions / The Soft White Sixties
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th Street
San Francisco CA 94107
Grails / James Blackshaw
Café du Nord
2170 Market Street
San Francisco CA 94114
Friday – 20th:
The Drift / The Necks
Swedish American Hall
San Francisco CA
Scissors For Lefty / The Vox Jaguars / Room For A Ghost
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th Street
San Francisco CA 94107
Saturday – 21st:
Murder by Death / Fake Problems / The Builders and the Butchers
Bottom of the Hill
1233 17th Street
San Francisco CA 94107
Cake / The Lovemakers
Fox Theatre
Oakland, CA
Dropkick Murphys
The Warfield
982 Market Street
San Francisco CA 94103
Wildbirds & Peacedrums – Doubt/Hope
The Drift – Streets
Murder by Death – That Crown Don’t Make You a Prince
Audrye Sessions – New Year’s Day
Tags: andrew bird, Audrye Sessions, cake, Don Caballero, Dropkick Murphys, Foot Village, Grails, Lisa Hannigan, Lykke Li, Murder by Death, Philip Glass, Scissors For Lefty, The Drift, Wildbirds & Peacedrums
Posted in Concerts, Music, This Week In Bay Area Live Shows | No Comments »
Thursday, December 18th, 2008
picture by katarokkar
5. Rival Schools and Innaway
Sunday 12 October 2008
Bottom of the Hill
San Francisco, CA
This was quite a season for reunions. With My Bloody Valentine returning and The Get Up Kids coming back together, you’d would think that Slash would run to Axel with arms wide open in a field of flowers (okay maybe not). But one of the my favorite reunions this year was that of the post hardcore band Rival Schools. Having loved their debut from back in 2001 which featured some of my favorite musicians; seeing Rival Schools was kind of a big deal. Despite my high expectations, they tore it up and then some. Featuring some new tunes and a little announcement that they are recording a new album (I asked Ian, and he confirmed it), this show was particularly special to me.
picture by www.alucinante.net
4. Outside Lands Festival Day 1-3: Radiohead, Beck, Jack Johnson, Cake, Broken Social Scene, Regina Spektor, Wilco, Manu Chao, Stars, Andrew Bird, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Lupe Fiasco, dredg, Black Mountain, Goapele, and Animal Liberation Orchestra
Friday 22 August 2008 – Sunday 24 August 2008
Golden Gate Park
San Francisco, CA
This was the first concert I attended when I moved to California. This was my introduction to the audiences and atmosphere of the Northern California concert scene. I can safely say I had a wonderful time and met some pretty cool people. Oh yeah and I witnessed some pretty fantastic performances. Whether it was Andrew Bird’s brilliant instrumentation, Radiohead’s light show, or finally getting to see Broken Social Scene in all their glory; Outside Lands Festival did not disappoint.
picture by A Power of Facing
3. Jeremy Enigk and Damien Jurado
Saturday 31 May 2008
Great Scott
Boston, MA
Music always has a way of healing me when I’m in complete despair. Last winter, Jeremy Enigk’s solo music helped me up, patted me on the back, and guided me on my way. So hearing him perform some of those heartfelt songs live was very special to me. What made it even more special was that fact that he played some old Sunny Day Real Estate songs that sounded simply flawless.
picture by chartno3
2. Sigur Rós and Parachutes
Friday 3 October 2008
Greek Theatre – U.C. Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
There are not many concerts these days that are as delicate and epic as a Sigur Rós show. At one minute you feel like the only person in the venue and another minute you feel connected with not only the band, but the entire audience. You feel closer to the people you’re with because you feel as if you’ve all witnessed something special and monumental. Like watching the birth of a dinosaur (I imagine). Missing a Sigur Rós show is not a choice, it’s a mistake.
picture from katarokkar
1. Far
Thursday 16 October 2008
Troubadour
Los Angeles, CA
Am I a little biased about this choice? Yeah, I guess I am. But holy shit cans of monkey poo, this show was so much more than I expected. I felt like I was 17 years old again, pushing and yelling and sweating and OH MY GOD!…sorry. Anyway, this band has always had a special place in my heart and to see them reunite after 10 years and completely slaughter the crowd was something I will always remember. I would like to thank my buddy Kimo for making this happen for me too. This was by far one of my favorite shows of all time.
Rival Schools – See What You Got
Andrew Bird – Oh No
Damien Jurado – What Were The Chances
Sigur Rós – viðrar vel til loftárása
Far – Girl
Tags: 2008 concerts, andrew bird, best concerts of 2008, Damian Jurado, Far, hot little pony, Jeremy Enigk, outside lands festival, radiohead, rival schools, sigur rós
Posted in Concerts, Favorites of 2008, Show Review | No Comments »
