Just got back from HAIM and again they performed perfectly. Real test will be at Soundset on Sunday. Wearing them all day with my head right next to festival speakers.
Yes, those are good, and very reasonably priced. I used to use them at band practice. I'm sure I still have one or two pairs, just not sure where they are.
The price is fantastic for how well they've worked for me. I didn't want to go full on ear molded hundred plus dollar ones, but knew I had to do more for my future hearing ability than I had been. As you can tell, I'm very happy with this purchase.
Okay, so HAIM were as good as advertised. Seriously, they were amazing. Best moment was when they did their cover of Beyonce's "XO". Absolutely fabulous.
Here's a video of them doing it earlier this year. It was even better live:
Saw Chvrches twice yesterday. First they played a short 'acoustic' in store at The Electric Fetus then they played First Avenue. The two performances had a slightly different look/feel.
Tegan & Sara last night at First Avenue. They really do put on a great show and are actually quite goofy in their stage banter. It was endearing.
The real revelation of the night, though, was one of the openers: My Midnight Heart. They are new wavey R&B that was both fun and soulful. Highly recommended. They only have one 3 song EP, but it is on Bandcamp.
tUnE-yArDs last night with Dosh opening. A great show. In many ways it was better than The Flaming Lips because there were times that FLips used the stage show as a crutch to make up for the music. That was not the case with Ms. Garbus et al.
Plus it's always amazing to watch Dosh do his thing. I think I may need to buy my son equipment to do live looping.
There were two shows this week at the Birchmere, about five minutes from my house, that I saw on the schedule several months ago and mentally flagged. Wednesday night, Matthew Sweet played, with Tommy Keene opening. Last night, Dave and Phil Alvin did a show based on their most recent CD, a tribute to Big Bill Broonzy. I love all four of these artists, and I've seen each of them individually in different settings over the years. Also, as I've said before in this thread, the Birchmere is a first-class venue. Nonetheless, I didn't go to either show.
I'm pretty pissed at myself. Getting old(er) sucks.
As I will make clear in a moment, this was an apt segue to Craig's post. Last night was the second time I unintentionally attended a Kishi Bashi concert. The first time he was supporting Tinariwen and I had gone for them. This time my daughter was going with friends and needed an adult along. I have thoroughly enjoyed both shows. His recorded material is a little anodyne to my ear, but he is exceptional live. An impressive and inventive musician with a strong stage presence - always seems to be thoroughly enjoying his music and the interaction with the crown. Tall Tall Trees was also in attendance both times and adds a great layer.
One of the surprises was the one song that was not a Kishi Bashi original - a blistering cover of Live and Let Die led by Kishi Bashi's electric violin and climaxing in Tall Tall Trees' thunderous banjo solo (way heavier than that combination of instruments might suggest).
As often at the venue where we were, we had to wait until almost 10:30 for the main act to appear, but it was worth it - excellent show. See him live if you get the chance.
Late Saturday night, Mr. Mould announced a surprise show on Sunday night at the 250 capacity 7th Street Entry (where Land Speed Record was recorded in 1981), tickets went on sale at 11:00 on Sunday and were gone in seconds (I asked the First Avenue Member board if anyone knew how fast they went, and apparently it was less time than the person could take to reply to my question. He got shut out, but I didn't!). After frantically trying to find a babysitter, the boy went next door for a sleep over and the wife and I headed downtown.
It. Was. Amazing.
The opening band was Fury Things, who I interviewed for MiG last year, so I was talking to them before the show and learned they were recruited to open 40 days ago. So while the show was secret it's been in the works for awhile. I also learned they got the gig because the lead singer approached Bob with a copy of their album at a festival both played in Sled Island, Canada earlier this year. Bob listened to it, and personally picked them to play this show. Sometimes it pays to be pushy!
Anyway, Bob played two sets. The first was mostly his recent solo stuff, but included a string of Sugar tunes. The second? Almost purely Husker stuff and the band burned the place to the fucking ground they were rocking so hard. The set including some stuff that rarely gets played (according to the Star Tribune review "Up in the Air" hadn't been played since 1987). Most awesomely he played "Flip Your Wig" which I hadn't heard him play before. Full setlist via the STrib: FIRST SET Star Machine / The Descent / I Don't Know You Anymore / Sinners and Their Repentances / Little Glass Pill / Kid With Crooked Face / Nemeses Are Laughing / The War / Come Around* / Changes* / Helpless* / Keep Believing SECOND SET In A Free Land+ / Real World+ / Something I Learned Today+ / Chartered Trips+ / Could You Be The One?+ / Flip Your Wig+ / See a Little Light / Celebrated Summer+ / Hardly Getting Over It+ / Tomorrow Morning / Up in the Air+ / If I Can't Change Your Mind* / Hey Mr. Grey / Fix It ENCORE Makes No Sense at All+ / Love Is All Around (theme from Mary Tyler Moore Show) / New Day Rising+
(+Hüsker Dü songs *Sugar songs)[/url]
I can't put into words how great this show was. Here's a picture my wife got, though, that demonstrates a little bit:
It really was, luddite. I feel incredibly lucky to live in a place where artists like Mould and Prince do this type of thing. Speaking of which, T-minus 11 days until The Replacements.
Thanks Craig. Bob Mould is playing in DC this Saturday night at the 9:30 Club, which is a great venue though it holds a bit more than 250 people. After reading your review, I'm thinking I have to go.
Glad to hear it, because I bought a ticket last night. I saw him with Sugar back in the day, which was great. I loved his last CD but need to listen to the new one. I also need to brush up on my familiarity with Husker Du - I know I have one CD (Candy Apple Grey?) but that's probably the only one I've heard. I'm somewhat embarrassed by that fact because they seem like a band that's right in my wheelhouse.
UPDATE: Saw the show last night and it was awesome. Early start time (doors at 6:00 pm) because there was another band playing later (doors at 10:00 pm for that one). Got there a little before 7:00 and caught the last song of the opening act, Cymbals Eat Guitars. They made a nice racket, seemed worthy of further inquiry at some point. Bob came out promptly at 7:30 and kicked ass for an hour and fifteen minutes. Incredible energy from all three guys, Wurster is really a great drummer. They barely stopped between songs, except a couple of times to give themselves and the crowd a chance to catch their breath. Done by 8:45 and I was home by 9:15, with no complaints at all.
Thanks Craig, for the heads up. If they're coming to your town, go.
Ah, Muggsy I hadn't seen your edit! Glad to hear you had a good time. Mould never disappoints.
So, on Saturday I saw The Replacements at their big homecoming show. It was...pure magic.
I was afraid going in that my excitement level was too high and no matter how great the show was it couldnt live up to what my mind had already created. At first that may have actually been the case, but by the midpoint The Mats exceeded my expectations. I should probably just stop going to concerts now. (Added after writing the rest of the below: Writing this out has brought all the emotions of the night back, I cant really put into words how this show made/makes me feel.)
The band took the stage to local OGs The Trashmens "Surfin Bird" in matching plaid suits that were gloriously hideous. The crowd was in the palm of Westerberg and Stinsons hands from the moment they arrived (even opening bands Lucero and The Hold Steady seemed like they couldnt wait to be off the stage and able to watch what was to come), and the opening notes of every single song was greeted with a roar of happiness. Heres the setlist courtesy of Stereogum:
"Favorite Thing"
"Takin A Ride"
"Im In Trouble"
"Dont Ask Why"
"Ill Be You"
"Valentine"
"Waitress In The Sky"
"Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out/Third Stone From The Sun" (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
"Take Me Down To The Hospital"
"I Want You Back" (Jackson 5 cover)
"Going To New York" (Jimmy Reed cover)
"Color Me Impressed"
"Nowhere Is My Home"
"If Only You Were Lonely"
"Achin To Be"
"Kiss Me On The Bus"
"Androgynous"
"I Will Dare"
"Love You Till Friday"/"Maybellene" (Chuck Berry cover)
"Merry Go Round"
"I Wont"
"White And Lazy/Borstal Breakout" (Sham 69 cover)
"Swingin Party"
"Love You In The Fall" (Paul Westerberg solo song)
"Cant Hardly Wait"
"Bastards Of Young"
"I Dont Know/Buck Hill/I Dont Know"
"Skyway"
"Left Of The Dial"
"Alex Chilton"
"Unsatisfied"
Thats a great mix of early punkers and later pop numbers. Of particular note are "Take Me Down to the Hospital", "Skyway", and "Unsatisfied", which had not been played live yet during the run of reunion shows (the later two are among my absolute favorites, so hearing them were particularly great). The band was exactly what I wanted from The Mats, tight for the most part, but reminding us of who they are by being sloppy and ragged every so often (forgetting lyrics, not caring if theyre in tune, changing the setlist on the fly (a photo of the stage list did not include "Unsatisfied")). Most importantly, though, it was clear just how much fun they were having. Lots of hugs between Paul and Tommy (and one big kiss between the two during "Kiss Me On the Bus") and smiles throughout with the exception of mentioning that Slim Dunlap was back in the hospital and thus unable to be there. They turned that disappointment around, though, by immediately covering Jackson 5s "I Want You Back".
All in all they played for about an hour and 45 minutes, but that wasnt nearly long enough. In fact, I had the oddest experience of being disappointed when I heard the start of songs like "Bastards of the Young" and "Alex Chilton" because the fact they were playing those songs meant the night was almost over. Ive certainly never been sad to hear a band play some of my favorite songs (not just by them, but by ANYONE) before.
tl;dr If youre near NYC or Austin, Texas go see them when they play there in the next month or so. I have a feeling there wont be any more shows by The Replacements after that and you cannot miss them.
Last night I saw The Flaming Lips again, and this time the played Transmissions from the Satellite Heart in full (playing some of the songs live for the first time ever). It was excellent, but kind of suffers from being the day after The Mats.
Good show by my wife's band, Third Time Lucky, the other night at the One Trick Pony, despite the interesting sound dynamics of the restaurant space. Brought in a good crowd too so hopefully there will be repeat bookings.
Hmmm...that is disappointing (although the lineup for Levitation is kind of awesome). I'll be seeing them in the 7th Street Entry with a 250 capacity. The earplugs will be getting a workout.
I have actually been on the lookout for a show to attend at the Levitation venue...a sizable and newly refurbished hall in a cool neighborhood a little south of downtown. Not a 2-day rock fest, however! Ginger Baker, coming up in June, may be a little more my speed
Yesterday our office received word that violinist Isabelle Faust, originally scheduled to perform with pianist Alexander Melnikov on Friday, February 6, has taken ill and has been strongly advised by her doctors not to travel; she is cancelling all engagements for two weeks.
The show must go on! Instead, UChicago Presents brings you an internationally acclaimed violin-piano duo of Stefan Jackiw and Anna Polonsky. Violinist Stefan Jackiw is recognized as one of his generation's most significant artists, captivating audiences with playing that combines poetry and purity with an impeccable technique. Pianist Anna Polonsky is widely in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. She has appeared in illustrious concert halls in Europe and the US and has collaborated with the most celebrated musicians of our time. Together they make their Chicago recital debut.
Well, I hope this Stefan Jackiw guy knows how to play the violin, as all I can say. Seems like they might have offered comps to another show in the concert series [/grumble]
Comments
Just got back from HAIM and again they performed perfectly. Real test will be at Soundset on Sunday. Wearing them all day with my head right next to festival speakers.
Craig
Craig
Here's a video of them doing it earlier this year. It was even better live:
YouTube.
Craig
Craig
The real revelation of the night, though, was one of the openers: My Midnight Heart. They are new wavey R&B that was both fun and soulful. Highly recommended. They only have one 3 song EP, but it is on Bandcamp.
Craig
The Flaming Lips certainly live up to the hype. I don't know if I'll ever get all the confetti out of my clothes.
Craig
Plus it's always amazing to watch Dosh do his thing. I think I may need to buy my son equipment to do live looping.
Craig
I'm pretty pissed at myself. Getting old(er) sucks.
"Live and Let Die" - Paul McCartney at Target Field.
Wow.
Craig
One of the surprises was the one song that was not a Kishi Bashi original - a blistering cover of Live and Let Die led by Kishi Bashi's electric violin and climaxing in Tall Tall Trees' thunderous banjo solo (way heavier than that combination of instruments might suggest).
As often at the venue where we were, we had to wait until almost 10:30 for the main act to appear, but it was worth it - excellent show. See him live if you get the chance.
Late Saturday night, Mr. Mould announced a surprise show on Sunday night at the 250 capacity 7th Street Entry (where Land Speed Record was recorded in 1981), tickets went on sale at 11:00 on Sunday and were gone in seconds (I asked the First Avenue Member board if anyone knew how fast they went, and apparently it was less time than the person could take to reply to my question. He got shut out, but I didn't!). After frantically trying to find a babysitter, the boy went next door for a sleep over and the wife and I headed downtown.
It. Was. Amazing.
The opening band was Fury Things, who I interviewed for MiG last year, so I was talking to them before the show and learned they were recruited to open 40 days ago. So while the show was secret it's been in the works for awhile. I also learned they got the gig because the lead singer approached Bob with a copy of their album at a festival both played in Sled Island, Canada earlier this year. Bob listened to it, and personally picked them to play this show. Sometimes it pays to be pushy!
Anyway, Bob played two sets. The first was mostly his recent solo stuff, but included a string of Sugar tunes. The second? Almost purely Husker stuff and the band burned the place to the fucking ground they were rocking so hard. The set including some stuff that rarely gets played (according to the Star Tribune review "Up in the Air" hadn't been played since 1987). Most awesomely he played "Flip Your Wig" which I hadn't heard him play before. Full setlist via the STrib: FIRST SET Star Machine / The Descent / I Don't Know You Anymore / Sinners and Their Repentances / Little Glass Pill / Kid With Crooked Face / Nemeses Are Laughing / The War / Come Around* / Changes* / Helpless* / Keep Believing SECOND SET In A Free Land+ / Real World+ / Something I Learned Today+ / Chartered Trips+ / Could You Be The One?+ / Flip Your Wig+ / See a Little Light / Celebrated Summer+ / Hardly Getting Over It+ / Tomorrow Morning / Up in the Air+ / If I Can't Change Your Mind* / Hey Mr. Grey / Fix It ENCORE Makes No Sense at All+ / Love Is All Around (theme from Mary Tyler Moore Show) / New Day Rising+
(+Hüsker Dü songs *Sugar songs)[/url]
I can't put into words how great this show was. Here's a picture my wife got, though, that demonstrates a little bit:
Craig
Craig
Craig
UPDATE: Saw the show last night and it was awesome. Early start time (doors at 6:00 pm) because there was another band playing later (doors at 10:00 pm for that one). Got there a little before 7:00 and caught the last song of the opening act, Cymbals Eat Guitars. They made a nice racket, seemed worthy of further inquiry at some point. Bob came out promptly at 7:30 and kicked ass for an hour and fifteen minutes. Incredible energy from all three guys, Wurster is really a great drummer. They barely stopped between songs, except a couple of times to give themselves and the crowd a chance to catch their breath. Done by 8:45 and I was home by 9:15, with no complaints at all.
Thanks Craig, for the heads up. If they're coming to your town, go.
Set list
So, on Saturday I saw The Replacements at their big homecoming show. It was...pure magic.
I was afraid going in that my excitement level was too high and no matter how great the show was it couldnt live up to what my mind had already created. At first that may have actually been the case, but by the midpoint The Mats exceeded my expectations. I should probably just stop going to concerts now. (Added after writing the rest of the below: Writing this out has brought all the emotions of the night back, I cant really put into words how this show made/makes me feel.)
The band took the stage to local OGs The Trashmens "Surfin Bird" in matching plaid suits that were gloriously hideous. The crowd was in the palm of Westerberg and Stinsons hands from the moment they arrived (even opening bands Lucero and The Hold Steady seemed like they couldnt wait to be off the stage and able to watch what was to come), and the opening notes of every single song was greeted with a roar of happiness. Heres the setlist courtesy of Stereogum:
"Favorite Thing"
"Takin A Ride"
"Im In Trouble"
"Dont Ask Why"
"Ill Be You"
"Valentine"
"Waitress In The Sky"
"Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out/Third Stone From The Sun" (Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
"Take Me Down To The Hospital"
"I Want You Back" (Jackson 5 cover)
"Going To New York" (Jimmy Reed cover)
"Color Me Impressed"
"Nowhere Is My Home"
"If Only You Were Lonely"
"Achin To Be"
"Kiss Me On The Bus"
"Androgynous"
"I Will Dare"
"Love You Till Friday"/"Maybellene" (Chuck Berry cover)
"Merry Go Round"
"I Wont"
"White And Lazy/Borstal Breakout" (Sham 69 cover)
"Swingin Party"
"Love You In The Fall" (Paul Westerberg solo song)
"Cant Hardly Wait"
"Bastards Of Young"
"I Dont Know/Buck Hill/I Dont Know"
"Skyway"
"Left Of The Dial"
"Alex Chilton"
"Unsatisfied"
Thats a great mix of early punkers and later pop numbers. Of particular note are "Take Me Down to the Hospital", "Skyway", and "Unsatisfied", which had not been played live yet during the run of reunion shows (the later two are among my absolute favorites, so hearing them were particularly great). The band was exactly what I wanted from The Mats, tight for the most part, but reminding us of who they are by being sloppy and ragged every so often (forgetting lyrics, not caring if theyre in tune, changing the setlist on the fly (a photo of the stage list did not include "Unsatisfied")). Most importantly, though, it was clear just how much fun they were having. Lots of hugs between Paul and Tommy (and one big kiss between the two during "Kiss Me On the Bus") and smiles throughout with the exception of mentioning that Slim Dunlap was back in the hospital and thus unable to be there. They turned that disappointment around, though, by immediately covering Jackson 5s "I Want You Back".
All in all they played for about an hour and 45 minutes, but that wasnt nearly long enough. In fact, I had the oddest experience of being disappointed when I heard the start of songs like "Bastards of the Young" and "Alex Chilton" because the fact they were playing those songs meant the night was almost over. Ive certainly never been sad to hear a band play some of my favorite songs (not just by them, but by ANYONE) before.
A couple of links:
A few fan videos at Stereogum.
A slideshow at City Pages.
tl;dr If youre near NYC or Austin, Texas go see them when they play there in the next month or so. I have a feeling there wont be any more shows by The Replacements after that and you cannot miss them.
Last night I saw The Flaming Lips again, and this time the played Transmissions from the Satellite Heart in full (playing some of the songs live for the first time ever). It was excellent, but kind of suffers from being the day after The Mats.
Craig
Here's the City Pages review. Apparently I should have made it out to Paisley Park on Saturday.
Craig
Craig
Isabelle Faust, Feb 6
Nels Cline w/ Fred Lonberg-Holm, Glenn Kotche & Mike Reed, Feb 21
Muti/CSO, Mozart Requiem, Feb 24
B
My schedule at the moment:
Sleater-Kinney - February 14
Viet Cong - March 12
Stevie Wonder - March 29
Father John Misty - April 4
Caribou - April 12
Diarrhea Planet - April 23
Craig
Good show by my wife's band, Third Time Lucky, the other night at the One Trick Pony, despite the interesting sound dynamics of the restaurant space. Brought in a good crowd too so hopefully there will be repeat bookings.
Viet Cong will be here the next day, Craig...Alas, at "Levitation Chicago," rather than a regular club date.
Craig
Well, I hope this Stefan Jackiw guy knows how to play the violin, as all I can say. Seems like they might have offered comps to another show in the concert series [/grumble]