Posts Tagged ‘Manchester Orchestra’
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
Posted in Concerts, Music, Show Review | No Comments »
Saturday, April 25th, 2009
courtesy of speed of dark
Remember that thing called Coachella that happened last weekend? Well if you’re like me, you’ve been keeping up with other music blogs and websites on how everything went. Over at Speed of Dark you’ve got a plethora of live tracks and performance reviews from the festivities. Over at losanjealous they’ve got some pretty sweet pictures of Crystal Castles, The Cure, Okkervil River, and more. Oh and then there’s this naked batshit insane wizard hippie getting tased by some cops (NSFW).
Speaking of crazy festivities, Lollapalooza’s line-up was announced this week. Nothing new aside from Lou Reed and few others deciding they’d like to jump on the festival bandwagon. Most of these artists are already on plenty of festival line-ups so it seems everyone will be getting their fair share of TV on the Radio, Beastie Boys, and Band of Horses.
Band of Horses – No One’s Gonna Love You
courtesy of merkley
dredg put out another new song this week entitled, I Don’t Know. Apparently it’s about not knowing anything about the origins of our existence and humbly admitting so. It’s got that “ring” to it that would make it a pretty good single.
listen to it here.
Not too much going on when it comes to new releases last week. Brit-punk band Art Brut released Art Brut vs. Satan, Depeche Mode released Sounds of the Universe, Empire Of The Sun goes worldwide with the US release of Walking On A Dream, Jane’s Addiction releases their b-side collection called A Cabinet of Curiosities, and Manchester Orchestra impresses me again with Mean Everything To Nothing.
Manchester Orchestra – I’ve Got Friends
Art Brut – DC Comics And Chocolate Milkshake
Tags: Art Brut, coachella, Depeche Mode, Empire of the Sun, Jane's Addiction, Lollapalooza, Manchester Orchestra, new releases
Posted in Kata's Weekend Showcase, Music, News | No Comments »
Saturday, March 14th, 2009
My birthday week went over pretty well if I do say so myself. Being able to have a crazy Wednesday filled with drunken ballroom dancing and stand-up comedy and a relaxed Thursday that involved reading outside all day and a nice Mexican dinner with a few friends, was an interesing balance. I was able to dedicate some time to listen to the new Stephen Lynch disc. It’s as faux-charming and hilarious as one would expect from the musician trapped in the body of a comedian.
Stephen Lynch – 3 Balloons
Montreal-based producer Tor, sampled a handful of songs from multi-instrumentalist Sufjan Stevens’ last full length, Illinoise, as well as A Sun Came, Seven Swans and Songs for Christmas, with hip-hop heros Aesop Rock, Big Daddy Kane, Gift of Gab (Blackalicious), C.L. Smooth, Outkast, Brother Ali, and Grand Puba. The result is amazing.
Download the whole thing here.
Happily unknown and well respected in the indie rock scene, Youth Group has been (yet again) hitting the TV shows with their melodic and dense work. Last time it was the cover of Alphaville’s Forever Young which was used in The O.C. and now it’s What Is A Life featured in Gossip Girl. Hopefully this will boost sales on YG’s upcoming US release of The Night is Ours. They deserve it.
Youth Group – All This Will Pass
The new Handsome Furs came out this week! And…uhh…it’s really fucking good! Knowing full and well how talented Dan Boeckner is with Wolf Parade and the last Handsome Furs album, it was no surprise how amazing this record turned out. With infectious hooks and perfectly witty lyrics, Face Control is definitely one of the best albums to arrive this year. I mean it’s already mid-March and as far as I’m concerned 2009 has 2008 by the balls.
Handsome Furs – I’m Confused
Some band called The Dead Weather is getting some buzz…I wonder why.
The new Manchester Orchestra songs (and videos) are coming along very nicely.
If you haven’t checked out rising hip-hopper P.O.S.’s new album yet…you need to.
Tags: Handsome Furs, illinoize, Manchester Orchestra, p.o.s., Stephen Lynch, sufjan stevens, The Dead Weather, Tor, Youth Group
Posted in Kata's Weekend Showcase, Music, News | No Comments »
