Richard Thompson Electric Trio at the Birchmere last night. I've seen RT probably five times, both solo acoustic and with an electric band, and he brings it every night. Wonderful songwriter, incredible guitarist, and a funny dude. He's in his mid-60s but shows no signs of slowing down. Loved seeing him front a power trio, he gave both of his bandmates plenty of room and they stepped up. Good, varied setlist, played a bunch of newer stuff from his last couple of albums (which I don't have) mixed with a healthy selection of older favorites. Did a two-song solo acoustic interlude about a third of the way into the show, including 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, which was amazing as always. Closed the show with a cover of Daddy Rolling Stone. Fun night.
And, to follow up on the recent discussion in this thread, my ticket was only $65. Seems like a bargain.
I love a lot of music (obviously) but I always come back to power trios. So good.
I saw Algiers last night. They're a buzzing up and coming group out of Atlanta and I'd describe their sound as gospel post punk. They were fantastic. Lots of dark, Factory Records like guitar sounds and politically motivated lyrics, but with a gospel/soul singing style, and they're better live than on tape.
Yes, power trios rule. My favorite musical life form.
Algiers sounds cool. I lived in Atlanta for a long time so I'm naturally interested in any bands coming out of that scene. Gospel post punk, I like it. And free tickets are awesome.
This weekend was Rock the Garden in the Twin Cities, so two days of bands playing in the Walker Art Center's Sculpture Garden. I only went on Saturday, but it was a good day: Belle & Sebastien, Conor Oberst, Courtney Barnett, Lucius, and thestand4rd.
Barnett (in power trio form, Muggsy!) and Lucius won the day. While they play very different music, both were perfect for a sunny afternoon sitting on the grass. Oberst just does nothing for me outside of his band Desapericidos, and while I enjoyed B&S quite a bit, they're so saccharine I think I got a cavity just watching.
A wonderful day. Bummed I couldn't get there yesterday to see Babes in Toyland's first local show in over a decade, but I'm hopeful that they can now announce a local club date.
Saw this Friday night (review link above); a commissioned piece by jazz drummer Dana Hall on the 75th anniversary of Richard Wright's "Native Son." Timely to say the least, considering it was 2 nights Charleston. Long-form jazz compositions are not always successful, but this one was very much so. Musically powerful and accomplished, beyond the urgency and anger. I strongly concur with the reviewer's hope that he will edit and record.
Sweet! Won tickets to see Torche on Sunday. That'll be a good way to wrap up the weekend.
A couple other recent shows:
Death Grips: No opener, they took the stage, started playing and didn't stop for nearly an hour and a half. There was no talking, no breaks between songs, and every song was basically the same volume and speed. After about an hour I started zoning out because you often couldn't even tell when a new song started. That said, the crowd seemed to be eating it up. Haven't seen First Ave that nuts in a lot of years.
Meat Wave: Power trio out of Chicago with a fantastic name. Just a really fun show.
New Pornographers at the 9:30 Club last Friday night. I've always liked their albums and a few songs would jump out and stick with me whenever I listened, but I never felt like I was as into them as I should be, since their music falls in my power pop sweet spot. Well, now I get it. Great band, especially the drummer, and they put on a really tight and entertaining show. Neko Case wasn't with them, which was initially disappointing but ultimately not an issue, they sounded just fine without her. And interestingly, some of the vocals I attributed to Neko on the recordings were clearly sung by Kathryn Calder after I heard her live. Show was sold out, as it always is when they play the 9:30 Club, and they played a solid 90 minute set. Opener was Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, I missed some of their set but liked what I heard.
New Pornos are a great live band. I was lucky enough to catch them last fall with both Neko and Dan, and am dang glad I did (Neko is so great), but I can believe the band wouldn't lose that much without them.
Torche was last night. Holy hell they play loud. Easily a top 5 show as far as volume for me. I could feel not just the bass in my chest, but the air around me was vibrating under the punishment. Thank Jebus for good earplugs.
One of the openers was a local "band" called Cock E.S.P. This is not a group I'd ever heard of, and after seeing them I know why. It's more art project than band, with spoken word (mostly about homosexuality as a threat to the public, from a gay guy), industrial noise, and a couple people who's entire job is to be mostly naked, beat each other with prop sheets of metal, and simulate sex/masturbation. It was fascinating, but I'm glad it lasted less than 10 minutes. I couldn't have taken much more.
That should be fun, Craig. I missed that Big Star show when they came to DC last year, I was out of town.
I just got a ticket to see Titus Andronicus at the Black Cat in early September. I've read a bunch of raves about the new CD, and I recall they are a fave of yours?
It was apparently that DC show that inspired First Ave to chase down this booking. It's the only time they're doing it in 2015 (at least as of now).
Love Titus Andronicus. The new album is amazing (maybe not better than The Monitor, but amazing). I've got my ticket for when they come through town in October.
TV on the Radio last night. Damn they put on a great show.
They closed with a cover of "Purple Rain," and because this was at First Ave it's where quite a few people try their hand at that song. This was one of the best versions I've heard.
Monday was Chelsea Wolfe with Wovenhand. Wovenhand was good dark, heavy post punk and an enjoyable show. Chelsea Wolfe was disappointing. She and the band sounded good, but there was no spark to show. It felt very obligatory.
Last night was Colleen Green with The Lower 48 and Wowsville. A whole lot of garage rock fun. The Lower 48 surprised me with how much better they are live than on tape, and Colleen Green was everything I hoped.
Howard Reich's review of closing night at Chicago Jazz Fest. His AACM hero worship exceeds the actual quality of the performance, alas. While it was certainly great to see all those guys on the same stage, and some good moments, it was basically taking turns taking solos. A little bit more of an idea, or even more interplay among the ensemble, would have been welcome. The crowd dwindled away by half during the performance.
Actually, the AACM highlight was an earlier tribute by the Kenwood Academy Jazz Ensemble, led by rising star Tomeka Reid. She had been working with the kids, teaching them some of the forms and playing some old AACM compositions. Really fun and informative tribute.
Earlier Sunday night was a great performance by Jane Bunnett and the all-Cuban, all-female band Maqueque. See pic below; the singer, who I think is named Daymé Arocena, is just a force of nature. (ETA, that is her name, and here is her Bandcamp page.)
But disastrously, the performance was cut short for an inspid set by French "gypsy jazz" vocalist Cyrille Aimee. I mean, she's OK, poor thing, and had some great accompanists. But she's like 24, as light as air, and stuck in between a powerhouse Cuban outfit and the legends of the AACM? Who programmed this mess?
Some other good stuff earlier in the week. Highlight was an absolutely great trio show by Craig Taborn w/ Gerald Cleaver & Chris Lightcap. Not sure why they weren't on the main stage instead of Miss Gypsy Jazz...but just as well for me, as I was able to see them from 3 rows back. If you ever get the chance to see Craig, I suggest you take advantage of it. Really engaging and smart player...Anybody on this board would appreciate his music, I think.
Hyde Park Jazz Fest in a couple weeks! An embarrassment of jazz riches in Chicago in Sept.
Desaparecidos last night. That's Conor Oberst's punk side project, and it's waaaaay more up my alley than his other groups/solo work. It was loud, political (show started with audio of a ridiculous Donald Trump campaign speech and went from there), and he was literally spitting mad. So good:
Openers were a local punk bad Rippers who were fun and SoCal pop punkers Joyce Manor. Pop punk just doesn't do it for me, but they sounded good.
Big Star's Third was last night. What a group. It included Big Star's Jody Stephens, The dB's Chris Stamey, The Posies' Ken Stringfellow, and R.E.M.'s Mike Mills. Plus a string quartet, four horns, some other great musicians, and local singers like Trip Shakespeare's Matt Wilson and Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner. They played two sets. The first was made up purely of Third tracks and seeing the orchestration of those songs was amazing. Most impressive were a couple of singers from NC, Brett Harris and Skylar Gudasz, who help out at all the Third performances doing a fantastic "Femme Fatale".
The second set was all the Big Star hits off Radio City and #1 Record (except "El Goodo" for some reason). Mike Mills singing "September Gurls" was a particular highlight, but Gudasz singing "Thirteen" backed just by Stamey and Harris on acoustic guitars was gorgeous. I highly recommend this show.
Dang, Kraftwerk was fun. Loved that they basically dedicated sections of the show to different albums rather than completely bouncing around. I was most excited for the TEE stuff, but it was Autobahn that ended up making me happiest. Also really enjoyed the Tour de France section. That's an album that has never really hit with me, but it really worked in the live setting.
October 9: Titus Andronicus w/Spider Bags and Baked - I love TA so much. I even bought a shirt. Can't remember the last time I bought a shirt at a show.
October 13: Disclosure w/Claude von Stroke and Pomo - My first EDM show. It was fun (the Disclosure light show was insane), but dang did I feel old.
October 23: Run the Jewels w/Boots, Fashawn, and Cuz Lightyear - Basically the same show I saw from RtJ the last time around and it was still fantastic.
October 25: Craig Finn w/ Esme Patterson - Gotta see Craig Finn whenever he plays a hometown show. I'm also really liking the toned back style of his new solo stuff.
November 1: Here We Go Magic w/Big Thief and The Counterfactuals - Dang, HWGM bring a serious groove to their live show. Couldn't help but dance.
Saw All Them Witches last night in DC w/New Madrid. New Madrid was entertaining, they're from Athens, GA and seemed to be going for a My Morning Jacket vibe (echoey, processed, occasionally high-register vocals and most songs had the soft-loud slow-fast thing going). Bass player looked like Berry Oakley, lead guitarist had a fro like Rob Tyner in the old MC5, and they had some extra tracks going either looped or on some sort of sequencer. Good energy.
All Them Witches were great. Heavy rock, bit of a stoner vibe, but they can really play and the songs are undeniably powerful and surprisingly melodic. Tremendous live band, see 'em if you can. They apparently tour a lot but this was the first time they've been to DC in a while. Most of their stuff except the new album is on Bandcamp, including several live recordings. Future show dates are also posted on Bandcamp.
Ive heard good things about them before, Muggsy. I'll have to check them out.
Last night for me was 7 hours of hip hop. The performance list:
5pm - DOORS
K-SALAAM
P.O.S
TOKI WRIGHT
BOOM BAP PROJECT
GRAYSKUL
LOS NATIVOS
DEM ATLAS
MR. DIBBS
MICRANOTS / I SELF DEVINE
GRIEVES
SOUL POSITION / BLUEPRINT
PROF
MUSAB / ABSTRACT RUDE
BK-ONE
BATTLECATS
DJ ABILITIES
AESOP ROCK / THE UNCLUDED / HAIL MARY MALLON
DILATED PEOPLES / EVIDENCE
BROTHER ALI / FREEWAY
ATMOSPHERE / FELT
12am - THE END
It was completely insane. They were introducing the next act before the prior act was even off the stage. It was also tons of fun. A panorama during Atmosphere's closing set:
Comments
Richard Thompson Electric Trio at the Birchmere last night. I've seen RT probably five times, both solo acoustic and with an electric band, and he brings it every night. Wonderful songwriter, incredible guitarist, and a funny dude. He's in his mid-60s but shows no signs of slowing down. Loved seeing him front a power trio, he gave both of his bandmates plenty of room and they stepped up. Good, varied setlist, played a bunch of newer stuff from his last couple of albums (which I don't have) mixed with a healthy selection of older favorites. Did a two-song solo acoustic interlude about a third of the way into the show, including 1952 Vincent Black Lightning, which was amazing as always. Closed the show with a cover of Daddy Rolling Stone. Fun night.
And, to follow up on the recent discussion in this thread, my ticket was only $65. Seems like a bargain.
I saw Algiers last night. They're a buzzing up and coming group out of Atlanta and I'd describe their sound as gospel post punk. They were fantastic. Lots of dark, Factory Records like guitar sounds and politically motivated lyrics, but with a gospel/soul singing style, and they're better live than on tape.
My ticket was free.
Craig
Yes, power trios rule. My favorite musical life form.
Algiers sounds cool. I lived in Atlanta for a long time so I'm naturally interested in any bands coming out of that scene. Gospel post punk, I like it. And free tickets are awesome.
Barnett (in power trio form, Muggsy!) and Lucius won the day. While they play very different music, both were perfect for a sunny afternoon sitting on the grass. Oberst just does nothing for me outside of his band Desapericidos, and while I enjoyed B&S quite a bit, they're so saccharine I think I got a cavity just watching.
A wonderful day. Bummed I couldn't get there yesterday to see Babes in Toyland's first local show in over a decade, but I'm hopeful that they can now announce a local club date.
Craig
A couple other recent shows:
Death Grips: No opener, they took the stage, started playing and didn't stop for nearly an hour and a half. There was no talking, no breaks between songs, and every song was basically the same volume and speed. After about an hour I started zoning out because you often couldn't even tell when a new song started. That said, the crowd seemed to be eating it up. Haven't seen First Ave that nuts in a lot of years.
Meat Wave: Power trio out of Chicago with a fantastic name. Just a really fun show.
Craig
Torche was last night. Holy hell they play loud. Easily a top 5 show as far as volume for me. I could feel not just the bass in my chest, but the air around me was vibrating under the punishment. Thank Jebus for good earplugs.
One of the openers was a local "band" called Cock E.S.P. This is not a group I'd ever heard of, and after seeing them I know why. It's more art project than band, with spoken word (mostly about homosexuality as a threat to the public, from a gay guy), industrial noise, and a couple people who's entire job is to be mostly naked, beat each other with prop sheets of metal, and simulate sex/masturbation. It was fascinating, but I'm glad it lasted less than 10 minutes. I couldn't have taken much more.
Craig
Gonna be fun.
Also saw Lower Dens and Young Ejecta on Tuesday. A very fun show.
Craig
I just got a ticket to see Titus Andronicus at the Black Cat in early September. I've read a bunch of raves about the new CD, and I recall they are a fave of yours?
Love Titus Andronicus. The new album is amazing (maybe not better than The Monitor, but amazing). I've got my ticket for when they come through town in October.
Craig
They closed with a cover of "Purple Rain," and because this was at First Ave it's where quite a few people try their hand at that song. This was one of the best versions I've heard.
Craig
Monday was Chelsea Wolfe with Wovenhand. Wovenhand was good dark, heavy post punk and an enjoyable show. Chelsea Wolfe was disappointing. She and the band sounded good, but there was no spark to show. It felt very obligatory.
Last night was Colleen Green with The Lower 48 and Wowsville. A whole lot of garage rock fun. The Lower 48 surprised me with how much better they are live than on tape, and Colleen Green was everything I hoped.
Craig
Openers were a local punk bad Rippers who were fun and SoCal pop punkers Joyce Manor. Pop punk just doesn't do it for me, but they sounded good.
Craig
The second set was all the Big Star hits off Radio City and #1 Record (except "El Goodo" for some reason). Mike Mills singing "September Gurls" was a particular highlight, but Gudasz singing "Thirteen" backed just by Stamey and Harris on acoustic guitars was gorgeous. I highly recommend this show.
Harris and Pirner on vocals:
Craig
Craig
Craig
Seeing the robots was awesome.
Craig
Craig
October 9: Titus Andronicus w/Spider Bags and Baked - I love TA so much. I even bought a shirt. Can't remember the last time I bought a shirt at a show.
October 13: Disclosure w/Claude von Stroke and Pomo - My first EDM show. It was fun (the Disclosure light show was insane), but dang did I feel old.
October 23: Run the Jewels w/Boots, Fashawn, and Cuz Lightyear - Basically the same show I saw from RtJ the last time around and it was still fantastic.
October 25: Craig Finn w/ Esme Patterson - Gotta see Craig Finn whenever he plays a hometown show. I'm also really liking the toned back style of his new solo stuff.
November 1: Here We Go Magic w/Big Thief and The Counterfactuals - Dang, HWGM bring a serious groove to their live show. Couldn't help but dance.
Craig
All Them Witches were great. Heavy rock, bit of a stoner vibe, but they can really play and the songs are undeniably powerful and surprisingly melodic. Tremendous live band, see 'em if you can. They apparently tour a lot but this was the first time they've been to DC in a while. Most of their stuff except the new album is on Bandcamp, including several live recordings. Future show dates are also posted on Bandcamp.
https://allthemwitches.bandcamp.com/
Last night for me was 7 hours of hip hop. The performance list:
5pm - DOORS
K-SALAAM
P.O.S
TOKI WRIGHT
BOOM BAP PROJECT
GRAYSKUL
LOS NATIVOS
DEM ATLAS
MR. DIBBS
MICRANOTS / I SELF DEVINE
GRIEVES
SOUL POSITION / BLUEPRINT
PROF
MUSAB / ABSTRACT RUDE
BK-ONE
BATTLECATS
DJ ABILITIES
AESOP ROCK / THE UNCLUDED / HAIL MARY MALLON
DILATED PEOPLES / EVIDENCE
BROTHER ALI / FREEWAY
ATMOSPHERE / FELT
12am - THE END
It was completely insane. They were introducing the next act before the prior act was even off the stage. It was also tons of fun. A panorama during Atmosphere's closing set:
I can't even imagine seven hours of hip-hop. Hell, at my age, I can't imagine standing for seven hours of anything.