Live at Outside Lands 2010: Janelle Monae
Not cool that Janelle Monae was late to her performance at San Francisco’s Outside Lands. Her powerful voice, funky dance moves, and killer style left me only wanting more.
August 17th, 2010 | by Hannah Simon | published in festivals, live shows, remixes | 2 comments
Live at Outside Lands 2010: The Temper Trap
I think a particularly telling indication of the success of their performance was that follow-up band, Janelle Monae, was eerily absent of crowd. Indeed, most of the mass had flocked in the direction of The Temper Trap’s stage as they climaxed to “Sweet Disposition”, completed by a chorus of rhythmic clapping that swept the audience.
August 17th, 2010 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in festivals, live shows | 2 comments
Those involved will say that the best part of Phoenix’s show in Washington, D.C. was to be able to join the band on stage for their last song, “1901″. Those who didn’t will recount that the entire show rocked anyway. I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve seen a live performer move around the crowd that much. Thomas Mars, the lead singer of the band, could literally be found standing on banisters, walking halfway across the auditorium, and balancing precariously on speakers. All of this, I should add, was done with a microphone that was STILL WIRED!
April 29th, 2010 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in indie pop, indie rock, live shows | 4 comments
Live in DC: Two Door Cinema Club
I can’t help but feel half bad for Two Door Cinema Club. Last night, they played an excellent opening set for Phoenix at DAR | Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. The only problem was that 95% of the audience was there for Phoenix. The result meant that the performance felt somewhat like a zoo exhibit: no one was getting groovy. Instead, folks were mingling and paying half-attention, occasionally walking right up to take their $50 photo and walk away. On the flip side, however, I heard a number of individuals saying, “WHO WERE THOSE GUYS? SO AWESOME!”
April 27th, 2010 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in dance, indie pop, live shows, post-punk | 4 comments
Live at Coachella: From Ground Zero (2010)
There’s something magical about a big time festival like Coachella. It takes about fifteen to twenty minutes to cross one end of the campsite to the entrance of the festival, which lies adjacent to the other end. During this walk, you pass thousands of cars and tents, some wackily decorated in the spirit of Coachella (my favorite was a van made to look like a giant yellow submarine).
April 26th, 2010 | by camden andrews | published in live shows | 4 comments
Needless to say, the show was a chaotic and awesome blur of good friends, good drinks, and most importantly: good music. The electro-pop Swedish/American sensation dubbed Miike Snow succeeded in both blowing our minds and getting our hips movin’. After sadly missing the opening band Delorean (who we hear great things about), we spent the majority of our pre-show experience continuing the fun in the downstairs bar while Miike’s extensive stage prep was underway. Needless to say, by the time the show started, we were ready to rock… and rock we did.
March 27th, 2010 | by el gringo rico | published in electro pop, indie rock, live shows, washington, dc | 10 comments
Last night The Very Best sold out Washington, D.C.’s DC9 Club, in part due to a whole lot of hype from websites such as Pitchfork, as well as a few shining reviews in DC’s local newspapers. Perhaps my growing up in South Africa makes me biased on this one, but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard African music done well (whether it be from the North or the South), and this isn’t done well.
November 3rd, 2009 | by Jason Grishkoff | published in live shows, west african, world music
Live in DC: The Alex Vans Trio
Last night, I saw DC’s newest rock/blues trio play an inspiring and energetic set at the Red & the Black on H Street. This band is new to the scene: frontman and songwriter Alex Vans recently relocated to DC after successfully rocking the hell out of James Madison Univeristy and Harrisonburg, Virginia. Vans’ new band, Alex Vans & The Great Society, might be his best project yet.
September 20th, 2009 | by el gringo rico | published in live shows, local, washington, dc | 1 comment
In between every single song there were obnoxious shouts from all parts of the club yelling everything from cliche impressions of Dave Chappelle’s impression of Little John (WHAT?! YEEAAAAH!) to “there’s a snake in my boot!” The Fleet Foxes handled the rowdiness like champs, and responded with their own light-hearted, witty banter, keeping everything in good fun.
July 31st, 2009 | by camden andrews | published in live shows, washington, dc | 4 comments
I like big concerts as much as anyone else, but there’s something special about seeing a band play in a cramped, sweaty room. It has nothing to do with the sound quality, comfort, or musicianship- it’s all about the atmosphere and the overall experience of being a part of something so intimate. You can really feel the energy radiate between the crowd and the band when you’re all packed together.
July 15th, 2009 | by camden andrews | published in live shows, washington, dc
