| Upcoming Shows [Spring 2010] |
| Written by Jason |
| Tuesday, 04 May 2010 14:03 |
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Update: Adding Mumford & Sons since they failed to show up on the ACL lineup (like everyone else) Well it's spring, the wildflowers are blooming, people are crowding the hike and bike trail and my work cube gets basked with the daily morning sunlight, which sounds real nice but actually just translates to me feeling sweaty while drinking my morning coffee...guh.
More importantly (and less disgusting), this spring also means there will be (and has been) a slew of great concerts flowing through this town. It's the Austin concert purgatory between SXSW and the announcement of the ACL lineup where I try to find some bands that I missed at the former and hopefully won't overlap with the later. So with all my tickets officially purchased, and all my "courtesy" and "will call delivery" (wtf?) fees begrudgingly paid, let's get into what I consider the best shows on the docket in chronological order (I will update the blog later with some thoughts on the shows).
Shearwater
Venue: The Parish
Date: 5/7
Doors: 8pm
Cost: ~$17
Support: Wye Oak and Hospital Ships
Preview: While I'm fairly certain there won't be very many Shearwater concert virgins in this crowd, I feel like most people, including me, will be seeing them perform songs from their latest release: The Golden Archipelago for the first time. This is one of those shows that you kind of just stare and watch the dramatic sound unfold in front of you while throwing in some knowing head bobs here and there. Also, it's hard not to watch Thor Harris who looks like, well, Thor of Norse mythology move around the stage taking on various percussion instruments.
Should you get there early? Well, kinda depends, Hospital Ships is the brainchild of Shearwater's trumpet player so it might be cool to see yet another permutation of these prolific Austin musicians, but it most likely will be fairly mellow which you may or may not be feeling on a Friday night (especially if you feel alright and just got paid). I feel the same about Wye Oak, who I also enjoy but am not digging as an opener. Luckily with The Parish, at a show that most likely won't sell out, it doesn't really matter when you get there because you can most likely find a spot to see Shearwater. I'll probably get there early, but I won't be jumping through hoops to make it happen.
Thoughts: Sometimes concerts are more then getting rowdy, hearing your favorite tunes live, and shaking your booty in public, sometimes it's all about the music and that's what it was all about on Friday. Shearwater's live show seeps with drama; the band knows how to soothe you, challenge you and change your mood on a dime. Even the stage was dramatic in it's own right: set up with a slew of instruments with the drummer's ride cymbal perched up really high and with a star drawn on the back.
As expected, they played a lot from their most recent album, opening with Black Eyes, but mixed in a lot of their older songs giving a good mix of the new with the old. They also used both members of Wye Oak to play some of their instruments to help build their multi-layered sound. Speaking of, we were lucky enough to get to Parish in time for their show (we missed Hosiptal Ships) and they far surpassed what I had imagined. The two piece band from Baltimore seemed to be in a rockin mood, and amped me up way more than I expected. We also got a small sampling of poetry from Austin's new Santa Claus impersonator/poet who apparently moved here six months ago and has been creating poems before live shows to read to the crowd. Something tells me that I will be seeing a lot more of this guy. All in all, a great night, and I can't wait to hear what comes out this band next.
Laura Marling
Venue: Central Presbyterian Church
Date: 5/22
Doors: 7pm
Cost: ~$19
Support: Smoke Fairies & Pete Roe
Preview: Of the spring shows, I am probably most excited to go see Laura Marling back at the church. I saw her here two years ago with my friend Susan during SXSW and it was one of my favorites. My biggest complaint then, like every other good SXSW show, is that I only got a mini-set, so I am really looking forward to a full version. Her latest album I Speak Because I Can is darker (downright spooky) and more mature in a lot of ways than her incredible debut. Combine that with the cold and cavernous acoustics of the downtown church and the low price of about $20 and there you have it folks: the perfect storm for an unforgettable night.
Should you get there early? Absolutely. Besides the obvious fact that this is a church and the seats will be pews and the pews are not assigned, the warm up bands should make it worth getting there early. Smoke Fairies remind me of Gillian Welch and Allison Krauss singing with Jack White producing (which he apparently did on their latest). Pete Roe sounds like he could also be a nice acoustic listen and will no doubt sound great in the church. Biggest problem with getting there early is that if you planned on having a few drinks while you kicked back to a night of British folk, be forewarned that they don't serve and noone will be turning your water into wine.
Thoughts: Definitely another concert where you are meant to simply enjoy the music. There was definitely no body movement here except for occasionally rearranging yourself in the uncomfortable pews. The night started with Pete Roe who was way better than his second warm-up slot spoke to (Anthony even said that he preferred him to Laura) so I expect him to be back with a full album that I will purchase at some point in the near future. Smoke Fairies were good musically but their live performance fell a little flat. Apparently they were booked near a rave the night before so it's possible that they were just a little out of it. They seemed to have real likable personalities, but it was just a little too stagnate, even for a church for the crowd to be overtly responsive.
On to the main act...Laura. Once again, her voice was a perfect match for this venue and as expected, the latest album translated exceptionally well to her live act. She did a good blend of solo and band numbers (the band consisting of Pete Roe and members of the Smoke Fairies) but I definitely preferred the full sound of the band to just Laura and the guitar. The crowd was fairly tame and the venue was only about 75% filled, so I hope that doesn't taint her from coming back to our town because I definitely expect a lot more from this young talent.
MGMT
Venue: Stubb's
Date: 6/6
Doors: 7pm
Cost: Sold Out
Support: Tame Impala
Preview: I can honestly say that I'm not crazy-excited about this one. Besides the fact that I've seen them twice already, their latest album, which will no doubt be pushed on us during the concert, swam a little too far into the psychedelic-rock deep end for my taste. On top of that, I worry about the crowd since the last time I saw them, the place was infested by high-school students. No matter though, MGMT puts on a good show and Stubb's is a great venue so might as well give it a shot right?
Should you get there early? Only if you really like MGMT's latest album. Australia's low-fi, psychedelic Tame Impala sounds like a dash of The Beatles' later stuff, a pinch of Led Zepplin's "When the Levee Breaks" and a heaping cup of nothing special. It could be that their live stuff is better, but this just isn't my thing. That being said, I might make it there early just to get a tasty pulled pork sammich and a Lonestar tallboy so maybe you should too.
Thoughts: Well, I can't be too surprised about this one, however it was definitely worse than I expected. Tame Impala were giving it their all and while I don't really care for that particular type of music, I did appreciate what they were trying to do. MGMT however was a snooze-fest, and they have no excuse. First of all, their stage presence was beyond boring and their latest tracks did nothing to help the situation. Secondly, and most importantly, the sound girl looked like she was less focused on the volume level and more focused on updating her facebook profile on her iPhone, probably saying something like "im so like totally ruining this band for a bunch of people lol". At one point Anthony said to me in a normal level voice "it's so weird that I can just hear you guys talking to me in your regular voices", to which I responded ironically with "really, you can?" Finally, the weather was nasty hot and muggy, making me realize that this blog entry should really be spring/summer shows.
Anyway, I made it to Electric Feel, which was also somehow boring and then tried my best to have a good time for two more songs before I gave up on it. On my way out I ran into Lundy who jokingly told me that seeing Anthony and myself was one of the bigger highlights of her concert experience...I would have been flattered if I had any competition from the bands.
Miike Snow
Venue: Antone's
Date: 6/8
Doors: 8pm
Cost: Sold Out
Support:
 Preview: I am breaking one of my golden concert rules (never see a band twice before they come out with a new album) however, this time I feel justified since I only saw a mini-set from them at SXSW and also because they were a blast to see live. Add on to this that Delorean is warming up for them and I'm there, no question. I expect nothing less than a crazy sweaty crowd dancing their asses off at this one. It's great to see Antone's get a band like this since I enjoy their venue but their booking agent seems to be at musical odds with me.
Should you get there early? 100% yes. Spain's electro-dance-rock band Delorean was a random band I caught at SXSW 2008 on top of Maggie Maes and they were a great act to watch. They will no doubt give you a nice pre-sweat glow before Miike Snow takes the stage.
Thoughts: Completely and utterly awesome. The biggest issue was that Delorean was cut as the warm up and replaced with Canon Blue, who were ok, but weren't Delorean. I also just realized that I missed those guys at sxsw by a day at Iron Gate so I have no one to blame but myself for not seeing them this year. Ahh well, Miike Snow made up for it in spades. They came out in some kick-ass white masks after making us wait a long time (again) and quickly won the crowd over, playing 100% of their most recent album. The lighting, the crowd, the sound and the small venue were all perfect vehicles for a dance pit of sweaty-ass people. After they finished with an intense rendition of "In Search Of", we headed out to the after-party at Mohawk which turned out to be fun but didn't involve Miike Snow as advertised...Mohawk Fail. Just the trip there in the peddy cab was totally worth it since Natalie, Anthony and I got to serenade Chris our driver with our incredible re-mix of Animal. Chris, we're sorry and you're welcome.
Mumford & Sons
Venue: La Zona Rosa
Date: 6/9
Doors: 8pm
Cost: Sold Out
Support: The Middle East
Preview: I like banjos, I like guitars, and I like this band. I have to admit that I jumped onto this wagon pretty late, but I'm glad I'm here tapping my feet and nodding my head as it moves down the path. Their dynamic music implores a lot of group singing and shouting which always sounds great live. I think this will be the perfect way to conclude my third concert in a week as it won't require me to be extremely active. I plan on finding the LZR sweet spot and holding my position until they finish their set.
Should you get there early? Probably. The Middle East is a kind of a Bon Iver meets Sufjan Stevens, meets a rainy Sunday afternoon. This is the type of band that probably won't lend itself well to the LZR setting and would work way better at Mohawk or anywhere outdoors *ahem* ACL */ahem* but alas we are stuck with a warehouse where I have no doubt that the dark, dank setting will muffle their musical prowesses. That being said, I will probably try to catch most of their set because I enjoy their sound; but if I miss them, I'll just wait until I see them at a place I actually enjoy.
Passion Pit
Venue: Stubb's
Date: 6/18
Doors: 7pm
Cost: ~$31
Support: Tokyo Police Club
Preview: If you have already seen Passion Pit at one of the thousands of Austin concerts they have played over the last two years promoting their album Manners then I envy you. I have somehow missed them every time due to stupid conflicts or illnesses so I'm happy that they haven't given up on me. I've been told by several friends that this is one of their favorite live acts so I have some pretty high expectations for this night. To sum it up, I will quote the great Cobo, who first sent me the link to Passion Pit's website a while back: "Don't know if you've heard of these guys yet, but I heard their sound yesterday and thought fondly of you. The song sleepyhead makes me wanna dance while robbing a bank".
Should you get there early? Yea, I think so, I definitely am. I have yet to see Canada's Tokyo Police Club live so I really can't speak from any first hand experience. I can positively say that their music which sounds a little like Los Campesinos mixed with Mates of State, has all the markers of a good concert: high intensity, rhythmic clapping and group shouting so give it a listen and head out there if you're feeling it like I am.
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| Last Updated on Thursday, 10 June 2010 00:29 |
