Live Music Reviews

Bright Eyes live at Radio City Music Hall (March 9, 2011)

Bright Eyes, Radio City Music Hall (Wednesday, March 9, 2011)
~ Ady, Philadelphia, PA

Conor Oberst said once “Victory is sweet even deep in the cheap seats.” This I believe is true—but even sweeter in the front row, two nights in a row.

March 9, 2011 at Radio City Music Hall:  we were slated to see the second of the two in a row for Bright Eyes. We were fortunate enough to snag a set of third row pit seats for this event! How lucky is that!

I hear that there was a few people in the pit with us… first I believe (not confirmed) but perhaps Mike Mogis’ parents were in front of us. And I also hear that there was the guitarist of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in the center (again not confirmed), as well as two Felice Brothers . . . Pretty great show for them to catch, if you ask me.

Wild Flag opened, followed by Superchunk. Both put on a fantastic show and got everyone ready for the following 2-hour emotional, rockin’, and memorable event that Bright Eyes rolled out for everyone. Really, the energy started as soon as the lights went down. Everyone out of their seats- Now that’s what I like to see. I hate a seated concert just as much as I hate the dentist.

At about the third song or so, I wiggled myself into an empty seat in the front left row. I watched this wonderful seat stand empty for about 15-20 minutes and couldn’t take it anymore. I asked the usher if I could have it. She was kind enough to allow me.   Great! Now I was settled. I did leave my sister behind until encore, but I did what I had to do, and I’m almost certain she understood [ed: of course she did!]. Never before (until March 8) had I seen a Bright Eyes show.

Normally at shows I take loads of video and photos. I was only able to capture some shots with my iphone and a few quick snips of video. I was much more into taking in the music, the whole experience without a lens in front of my face, not my usual concert experience, but it just felt different. I left Shannon with the task this time. She did a fantastic job! I’m not sure if a camera can capture emotion or energy fully. But, it’s evident that this isn’t a rote stage act with no personality. I hope you enjoy looking at all the shots we took.

So much can happen in two hours. There were broken amps, broken guitars, classic comments from Oberst like “I don’t know who made this setlist, it’s gross.” (which I’m still quoting because I think it’s so funny) after he commented on the sexually explicit lyrics in “Take It Easy” that was followed by “Hot Knives,” and a very wild and crazy Conor in the second row center screaming “I’m WIDE AWAKE IT’S MORNING” at a bunch of enamored fans as the lights flashed and music played (you all know what he says guys prior to screaming this!)  I was lucky enough to catch a few seconds of this with my iphone, knowing I couldn’t get over there fast enough to join the madness (without risk of losing my first row spot I had so luckily secured) and it was awesome to actually get to see that live for the first time.  But man was I wowed at the lung capacity. It must have taken years to be able to do that! Impressed.

We were lucky enough to get a complete “Ladder Song.” It was great, and I’m so lucky I got to hear it. I have read reviews of other shows and it hadn’t shown up much on set lists. Totally a bonus for us. Okay, so back to where I was…

When I first heard “The People’s Key” it wasn’t a stand out song for me. I liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite. But sang and played with emotion live, I finally got it and I loved it! After “Road to Joy” ended they closed with “One for me, One for you…” where Conor gets personal with those in the front row, and it’s the highlight. I’ve read a few reviews that say “lots of people won’t be washing their hands tonight” – I wonder how true this is.

Oh, and did I mention that that very night additional shows were announced? I mean, what are the chances that what I thought was the night of my LAST Bright Eyes show of the tour I would find out that they are coming to MY town, and one close enough to my sister that we can go and a friend of ours can meet us there! Two more shows in June now? I can’t believe I get to start my count down over. And never forget the edgy feeling at the 10am presale! It’s a Bright Eyes kinda spring! I hope you are all enjoying the shows that are making their way to you, and we’d love to hear about them. Bright Eyes March 9 at Radio City Music Hall, definitely in my top 2 shows of all time. Can I say I LOVE NY without risk of sounding cliché? Oops, o’well, I just did!

Into the pit
While Adrienne was holding down the fort at her seat, I was able to snap a few photos of Conor Oberst heading into the center pit, just to the right . . .

. . . while Ady captured a few seconds of this on video

The rest of the photo set from both nights at Radio City Music Hall can be found here.

Opening bands were both fantastic, we stuck around for full sets from each of them.

Wild Flag (band members include Carrie Brownstein and Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinney)

Superchunk

Musical Bits (the good stuff)

Heaps of goodies to share today so I’m going to get right to it by sharing some of the recent interviews, video clips and news from some of the bands I love most-est. So grab a cuppa whatever and check out this bevvy of great tunage I’m about to unleash on you!

The Penny Black Remedy

The Penny Black Remedy recently appeared live at BBC Radio 5 Live Show for a short interview (with a nice little mention of drummer Wilco’s name likeness to another of my long time favorite American bands, Wilco). You have to hurry though, the interview will only be up until this Saturday, December 11. They are on around the 3 hour 30 minute mark. Another great clip (and a must watch!), an appearance by The Penny Black Remedy on Croatian television channel Nova TV on a program called Provjereno, which you can watch here. It’s quite a unique interview, taking place in a hair styling parlor and includes a chihuahua, as well as some very unique drumming during a snippet of an acoustic version of “The First Time I Saw Angels” they performed in the salon. A very fun clip, here is The Penny Black Remedy on Provjereno!

Much luck to the band at their upcoming performance on Saturday, December 11 at their Soundinistas Winter Jam at the Luminaire in London.

Joseph Arthur

Stateside, I’ve been watching with joy as Joseph Arthur has been touring around with his new band, Fistful of Mercy, which includes bandmates Dhani Harrison (a son-of-a-Beatle), and Ben Harper. I have seen JA (originally from my neck of the woods, cheers to NEOhioan musicians!) perform live many times in various configurations—with his band The Lonely Astronauts,

Joseph Arthur solo in NYC at City Winery (January 2010)

completely solo, and also performing briefly with Emily Wells—all in intimate settings, so I know just how much talent Joseph Arthur is loaded with, and it is really great to see him take off in yet another creative setting, and gaining momentum. His very distinct songwriting style and voice still shines through within the band of three, but synthesized with the sounds and styles of Harrison and Harper, the result is a very beautiful album: a softer Arthurian Traveling Wilburys in a way. I’ve noticed in the process of the band’s promotions that over on Joseph Arthur’s website a free six-song mp3 download sampler of some of his solo works is being offered. I won’t give away what’s in the download, you’ll have to do yourself a favor and check it out. Follow the link above to go directly to it, or you can find it on the front page of his website.

Here’s a clip of the title song “Fistful of Mercy,” a very Joseph Arthuresque tune, filmed during the recording sessions.a

The Yalla Yallas

The Yalla Yallas have also been active lately as well, appearing on two separate radio programs recently, and I have a couple of interviews with Rob Galloway and the band from these programs to share. From Stockholm, Sweeden comes The Ronny B. Goode Show, and through Rob I have been put in touch with Ronny and Ann, two very cool people I am so pleased to have met in the process of making arrangements to share their feature on The Yalla Yallas (thank you for that again, Rob!). The Ronny B. Goode Show airs every Wednesday at 1900 UTC (2-3pm EST in the USA)  on Radio Österåker 103,7.

The interview was conducted by Ann Bergholtz during one of their performances in London and is a great conversation that reflects the exuberance and passion for music that Rob brings to his band. The entire show is filled with great songs, and you’ll find The Yalla Yallas about a quarter of the way into the show.

Rob Galloway interviewed by Ann Bergholz on The Ronny B. Goode Show, November 17, 2010

The second interview is from a show called Punk Britannia out of Leeds, that airs as a weekly show on an internet punk rock station in Los Angeles, California called punkrockdemo.com. In the words of the man behind the show, Paul Aich, Punk Britannia is “aimed at giving UK punk and ska bands a bit of exposure both in the UK and in America. It’s not a nostagia trip. I scour the internet to pick up on new bands, although there are one or two older bands that are making new music that I also play.” The show airs California time Tuesdays noon to 1pm and Fridays 11pm to midnight (UK time Tuesdays 7pm to 8pm and Fridays 6am to 7am).

Rob Galloway on Punk Britannia, November 16, 2010

Time keeps getting away from me, but I have made arrangements to do another interview with Rob here on the blog, so much more on them to come in the near future. Until then, go here to listen to a few tracks from their latest album, Diamond In Dirt.

The Savage Nomads

And finally comes The Savage Nomads, self described as experimental/pop/rock, these guys from London are popping up all over the place lately, most recently having won November’s Best of Myspace and they have recently released their debut record, ‘What The Angel Said EP’ on Alaska Sounds which has received many positive reviews. Check out their tracks via myspace, a blend of ethereal, funky groovy tunes, nice jangly guitars and swirling melodies that are all tied together with lead singer Cole Salewicz’s rich and powerful voice. Good stuff. Give a listen to a couple tracks via the videos here, and follow the link above for more.

Happy listening, and stay tuned for part 2 with a few more goodies regarding my favorite musicians and bands.

Song of the Day: GORILLAZ – Kids With Guns (Live on Letterman)

We’re finally getting around to uploading some more of the videos taken by my sister and I (mostly Adrienne) during Gorillaz trilogy of shows during their recent North American Escape to Plastic Beach tour, and so this week’s Song of the Day will have a “Gorillaz live” theme.

Damon Albarn and Jeff Wootton at Gorillaz Live On Letterman taping (photos by Ady)

 

I will be posting a video a day each day from either The Live on Letterman taping/webcast (October 7) or the Madison Square Garden performance (October 8), both in New York City, or Camden, New Jersey (October 10). To start is a few short segments Adrienne grabbed during the very first song from the Letterman webcast, “Kids With Guns” (short but from our view up front, worth a few seconds of viewing time for the novelty of the footage), alongside the official CBS footage of the entire song that aired live that night.