100Bands
Countdown: -137 days.
100Bands – Herman Düne #1
It’s a new year and time for a new challenge and putting the old 100 Bands challenge to rest. I didn’t exactly fail at seeing 100 bands, in fact I saw more than 100 bands, I just neglected to review 65% of the shows I saw which just so happened to be a crucial part of the challenge. Being a fan and not a blogger during concerts proved to be far more enjoyable and I got burnt out on writing in the middle of the year and never quite recovered. At the end of 2011, I wrote this to Lydia:
Live: Jeffrey Foucault (100 Bands Review #73)
What’s Left: 8 days. 27 Bands.
Who: Jeffrey Foucault
When/Where: July 27th, Lizard Lounge, Cambridge, MA
Expectations: Quiet nights with acoustic folk don’t happen too often, but when they do it’s usually because I’m seeing someone I’ve been a fan of for a long time, as was the case when I went to see Jeffrey Foucault.
Concert: It wasn’t that long ago that I saw this concert, but there’s only one song I really remember. There’s a few details I can recall like his lovely wife a great musician as well, Kris Delmhorst, joining him on cello for a few songs. I remember Foucault seeming a bit shy as he started a story but then eased up with the gentle laughter of the audience. He played 4&20 blues and an unrecorded song, Hurricane Land (possibly?) that was downright gorgeous, I wish I had it now after this weekend. But those are just details, what I really remember is the solitary tear that I let roll down my cheek when he played “Mesa, Arizona”.
The song meant a lot to me–more to me than I could sum up here–and was blown away by how much it still means to me. My eyes got misty as Foucault was tuning his guitar and I realized what was coming. The people around me nudged their significant other’s to tell them this was “the one I really like”. When I heard it, I saw a four year long relationship play from the awkward beginning to the fizzling out end, even though it ended three years ago and I’ve long since moved on, the song and that relationship are eternally interlocked in a way that can never be undone. The song largely reminds me of a time I was carelessly happy and swimming through the depths of a love I thought would last past the confines of college. I once got a phone call from the boyfriend in California when I was in Denver and we decided at 2am on a tuesday to drive 7 hours to a half way meeting point in Utah. I cut days of classes to do this without even hesitating, and yeah I played this song at least twenty times on the drive. But that’s just one memory of many this song has soundtracked for me, and for the ‘we’ that no longer exists. It’s not that I miss the relationship, but rather more than anything I miss the person I was when I was in love. I felt all of this so intensely during the song that I didn’t realize the tear until it reached my chin, the lyrics “I know when I know nothing, I’ll always know your name” echoing in my head. I was lost inside a memory encapsulated in a song and it’s stunning how powerful music can be.
When you see Foucault play this song he closes his eyes and sings with such emotion you wonder what memory he’s thinking of. I couldn’t have asked for anything more that night.
Afterglow: (speechless) I biked home and took at least five wrong turns because I was still thinking about the concert.
Recommendation: I love indie rock, and when there are seven musicians on stage, and weird effects being used, really I love it all dearly, but what moves me the most and often catches me off guard is a voice and an acoustic guitar. I don’t know if this is a universal thing, but you should give it a shot. Especially if it’s Jeffrey Foucault who constantly turns out wonderful albums.
Jeffrey Foucault – “Mesa, Arizona”
MP3: Jeffrey Foucault – Albuquerque (Neil Young Cover)
Live: Dastardly (100Bands Review #72)
What’s Left: 9 Days. 28 Bands.
Band #72: Dastardly
When/Where: June 16th, The Milk Way, Jamaica Plain, MA
Expectations: I had only been listening to Dastardly for about a week but something about it made me think Dastardly put on a crazy show. Then I read their hysterical tumblr posts, including the one about how they got banned from a venue, I knew I had to go.
Concert: My Dastardly experience started with meeting the band and being offered their whiskey from a brown bag. I could and probably should leave the review at that and implore that you go see them. Instead I’ll tell you how this was the first time in a long time I saw the accordion used to it’s capacity. Instead of just playing chords on the keys, like many bands do, Sarah Morgan skillfully used the bass buttons as well. This isn’t the type of band that would use indie gimmicks just for a certain aesthetic appeal, the songs were written with the accordion in mind and in all cases works incredibly well. There’s more to the band than the accordion and they work as a close knit band should, all shining in the right moments. I just happen to be an accordion nerd with a hazy memory. The band let loose with an unapologetic energy keeping the people packed into the small room captivated throughout the show.
Concert Afterglow: I definitely considered driving to see them at their next show in Rhode Island. I think they win the “every night on tour is an epic party” award.
Recommendation: Based on their tumblr you never know what antics they’ll get up to. Based on my experience however, it’s the type of show where you might over imbibe and simply remember having an incredible time, but the details might be fuzzy.
Live: Delta Rae (100Bands #71)
What’s Left: 9 days. 29 bands.
Band #71: Delta Rae
When/Where: August 26, Casbah, Durham, NC
Expectations: The last time I saw Delta Rae live, I had mixed feelings about the band. I thought that they were definitely a very talented bunch, but they were a bit too cheery for me. Their music might have been a little bit too Southern and kind for me, too. Since then, though, I have heard some of their new releases and have been incredibly impressed with the direction they’ve gone in.
Concert: Despite Hurricane Irene’s upcoming trip to the neighborhood, a large crowd made the trek to Casbah to see local band Delta Rae perform. It always impresses me to see the multiple demographic groups that Delta Rae can pull together for a show – the audience ranged from freshmen college students to a flock of post-grads and all the way up to retired folk who chose to spend an evening with their spouses in the presence of some ground-rattling music from Delta Rae.
Delta Rae includes four band members – the front four, Eric Holljes, Ian Holljes, Brittany Holljes, and Liz Hopkins, are all singers, while the back two, Mike McKee and Grant Emerson, provide support on the bass and the drums. They started off the night with an opening song that set the stage for how the rest of the night would continue – all four singers grouped together at the front of the stage and each sang a solo section of the song, as if they were going down the line showing off their incredibly powerful voices and beautiful harmonizing skills.
Throughout the night, Delta Rae played a large collection of songs. It seems to me as if they’ve grown into themselves a bit. Perhaps they once were striving to draw too grandiose of a picture, but if so, they have figured out how to fill those shoes with their wider range of songs, ability to get the crowd clapping, swaying, and dancing, and more energetic movements and actions on stage. One highlight of the night came when they performed their original Gospel song called “Bottom of the River,” during which they proved that despite their majority fair-skinned appearance, they embody the soul, power, and heart of a full choral group with a sound that can fill an entire church with the echoes of the Gospel. The acapella tune and the beautiful foot stomping and hand clapping made it feel as though Casbah itself had been transformed into a house of worship.
The band played a new song called “Surrounded,” which is repurposed from brothers Ian and Eric’s old band, Running Lights, and is a personal favorite of mine. They also played “Morning Comes,” “If I Loved You,” “Country House,” “Right Before My Eyes,” “Memphis,” “Holding on to Good,” “Rain Down On Me,” “Darling If,” among others. They created a very personal atmosphere by introducing the majority of their songs with the story behind the song or what inspired the lyrics.
I noticed this evening that Delta Rae has found a perfect algorithm to songwriting. Between gripping lyrics to grand choruses, acoustic bridges, solo vocal sections, intricate piano overtones, heavy electric guitar sections, harmonies, foot stomps, hand claps…they’ve got a whole cannon of tricks and talents, and they somehow manage to blend all of these styles together to create beautiful songs that represent what music was created to be: catchy, heartfelt, and emotional. Add to that the raw power and emotion in their live show and you’ve got a band that has just nailed the equation for a successful performance.
Delta Rae proved something to me tonight that until now I wasn’t sure they had in them. They showed me that they are some of the better songwriters I’ve seen in my time, and that they will leave a lasting mark on the music of our generation with their ability to blend historic Southern soul and gospel music with a modern twist of folk, pop, indie rock, and even some heavier rock influences. I learned tonight that Delta Rae is more than just a band; it’s a movement.
Concert Afterglow: This was an incredibly entertaining show. I’ll have “Darling If” stuck in my head for days, and I am not upset about it. I’m absolutely blown away by the strides this band has made since the last time I saw them live, and I’ll be itching to see them again live on a bigger stage soon.
Recommendation: I will go ahead and say that it wont be long before Delta Rae will be playing on very large stages in front of enormous audiences. No doubt about it, they’ll turn that into a beautiful act, but I urge you to go see them in a small setting while you can. It’s truly a wonderful and intimate experience.
“Surrounded” – Running Lights (performed this evening by Delta Rae)
Footage from the show: (apologies for shakiness)
Live: The Barr Brothers (100Band Review #70)
What’s Left: 25 days, 30 bands
Who: The Barr Brothers
When/Where: April 12th, T.T.’s, Cambridge, MA
Expectations: I was supposed to see Wye Oak this night, but there was a problem with tickets. I went to the concert venue next door instead, with no idea of what or even who to expect.
Live: Joe Purdy (100 Band Review #69)
What’s Left: 26 days, 31 bands
Who: Joe Purdy
When/Where: June 21, Brighton Music Hall, Allston, MA
Expectations: I’ve been steadfastly obsessed with a good portion of Joe Purdy songs for years, yet I have never seen him live. Of course my expectations were through the roof, probably more so than for any other band I’ve seen so far in the 100 band challenge.
Concert: The stage crew set up for Joe Purdy’s set and put down a set list right in front of me. A large portion was from his latest album, The American, released last summer, and a few of the old standbys like “Ball Player” and “Can’t Get it Right”, but luckily Purdy was prepared with more than a few surprises.
He took the stage by himself for the opening verses of “Pioneer”, his foot stomps in place of the drums and was joined by the talented Joey Ryan and Kenneth Pattengale half way through. Purdy surprised us by playing “Four Seasons” and “Canyon Joe” in the middle of his set to break up the playing extensively from his latest album. He appeared perfectly at ease on stage to the point where he looked confidently committed to living the life of a troubadour more than anyone I’ve seen in recent memory.
The encore felt like he would never stop playing all of the requests from the audience. He’d hear someone shout out a title, nod his head in agreement, and launch into whatever suited him best. He played three songs solo during the encore including “You Can Tell Georgia”, “I Love the Rain the Most”, and “Green Eyes Crying”. For the last song he started playing “Ode to the Sad Clown” which finished the concert just the way he started with the two young guys coming out from back stage, joining him half way through as the crowd sang along to the chorus “I’m gonna fill this whiskey cup / I’m gonna pick this banjo up / I’m gonna play with the tragedies/ singing good time harmonies” and stompped their feet and clapped along. The crowd was buzzing with ecstatic excitement as they heard their favorite songs played, which only made me wish the entire concert had been like that.
Afterglow: Even though it dragged a bit at times it was worth it to stay for the end.
Recommendation: If you’re feeling folky, or want to take your girl to hear some swoon worthy tunes, I’d suggest this one. Of course if you’re a Joe Purdy fan I’d say you should see him too, but just like any other artist with an extensive discography, there’s a high chance you won’t hear your favorite songs, so be prepared.
MP3: Joe Purdy – Highways
Live: Dispatch (100 Bands Review #68)
What’s Left: 35 Days. 32 Bands.
Band #68: Dispatch
Expectations: Going into it, I was unsure exactly what to expect. I’d seen State Radio (lead singer Chad Urmston’s other band) live a few times, and they were always great. I had heard good things about Dispatch’s live show (quasi-legendary things, actually) so my expectations were rather inflated. Chad’s voice was really awesome each time I saw State Radio live, and I was excited to hear him singing with the rest of the guys in Dispatch. The show was outside at Chicago’s Millenium Park (AWESOME VENUE) so that added another element to the show. Perfect summer mood, perfect summer night.
Pre-Show: Just included this to inform you how I was feeling going into the show–the weather was perfect, it was a straight up majestic day in Chicago, and we were pre-gaming the concert on my buddy’s 40 foot, wooden, OG sailboat. So I mean, the concert kind of had to be amazing for everything to live up to my expectations/the glorious afternoon leading into the show.
Concert: I used the term majestic in my last paragraph. Majestic would be an understatement. Not only was Dispatch completely in tune and on point with each other as a band, but you could really feel an awesome connection between the audience and the crowd. A feeling like that really elevates any concert experience, and there was something truly tangible in the air that night between the crowd and the band. They played all of their classics and left nobody (at least none of my friends, who are all very big Dispatch fans) wishing they had played a different set. They did some awesome covers, and it was easy to tell how much fun the band was having onstage. They had a pretty big band, and some of the percussion instruments especially were pretty cool. Rain sticks, big African drums, etc…all of the guys were adding their own unique sound to every jam.
Concert Afterglow: One of my favorite summer nights to date. This is exactly what makes Chicago my favorite city in the summer. It is absolutely beautiful–just ask ‘Ye how he feels about summertime Chi. If Dispatch ever plays in your area code, or even somewhere remotely close to you, it is a necessity in my mind that you see them. Don’t pass the opportunity up.
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Dream Big
D Prep || Follow on Twitter
Live: Bon Iver (100Bands Review #67)
What’s Left: 37 Days. 33 Bands.
Band #67: Bon Iver
Expectations: Over the past couple of years, Bon Iver has earned a position in my list of favorite artists of all time. That being said, I think it’s fair to say that my expectations were very high. However, I have heard complaints that Justin Vernon’s voice isn’t nearly as great to hear live, so I was interested to see if that was true.
Concert: The second that Justin Vernon and his eight (yes, eight) bandmates stepped onto the stage, I knew I was in for a treat. Bon Iver featured everything from multiple guitar players to a keys player to a traditional drummer to a standing drummer to a baritone sax player, violinists and more. For a music lover, this was a dream come true. If I remember correctly, he opened his set with “Perth,” which is the opener on his new album. Throughout the night, he mostly sang songs from Bon Iver, his new album, but was sure to perform keepers from For Emma, Forever Ago, including “re: Stacks” and closing the entire night with “Skinny Love.” As he tends to do, he performed a cover in the middle of his performance, this time choosing a Bjork song. It’s incredible to see how wonderfully a man can emulate an incredible female singer’s music.
In response to those who say that Justin Vernon doesn’t perform well live and that he only sounds good when he’s looped over and over again using professional studio equipment, I challenge them to go see Bon Iver live. Sure, there are times when it isn’t quite what it sounds like on record, but that’s only human. As a whole, his live set is stunning…breathtaking, even. He hit high notes at times and covered low notes at others. Though I love his falsetto, I must say that I was swept off my feet when “Hinnom” was played and Justin sang the low notes. It was, quite simply, beautiful. Beyond his singing, it’s easy to tell that Justin pours his heart into every song he creates and every performance he gives. Stepping back from the microphone at times to play the guitar with all of his might was just one of the ways that Justin Vernon showed his emotion on stage through his music.
The artfulness of the performance was one of my favorite aspects of the show. Between using one of his bandmates as a beatboxer for the Bjork cover, stepping back and allowing his compatriots on stage to take the spotlight in their solo moments, and sitting down for an acoustic solo performance during his encore, Justin emitted a sense of artistry rather than trying to shine in the limelight. There was a beautiful moment during the closer (“Skinny Love”) when Justin was seated on a stool playing guitar and singing and his bandmates gathered around him, stomping and clapping to the beat. The atmosphere seemed triumphant, as though his friends were gathering around him and cheering him on, which, in contrast to the sad nature of the song, seemed a beautiful marriage.
It was easy to tell that Justin Vernon and his band, Bon Iver, have come a long way. Everything from a completely stunned crowd to the great light show on stage signified success for such a talented musician. It was so great to see Vernon back in Raleigh once again, after leaving here years ago heartbroken and at what may have been rock bottom, yet this time able to prove to the locals that he is truly an influential musician of our time whose name will long color the minds of indie music lovers. Justin Vernon’s euphoric return as Bon Iver brought with it a night that I will not soon forget.
Concert Afterglow: As I tweeted earlier today, it seems fitting to sum up this Bon Iver concert with two words: Aural Sex.
Recommendations: Well shoot, if this review doesn’t convince you that a somewhat pricier ticket is worth your money, I’m not sure you and I are on the same page. I HIGHLY recommend seeing Bon Iver live.
MP3: “Calgary” – Bon Iver
PS: I apologize for the lack of concert photography. I was seated on the lawn in the back of the amphitheater.
Live: The Rosebuds (100Bands #66)
What’s Left: 37 Days. 34 Bands. (Yikes.)
Band #66: The Rosebuds
When/Where: July 29, Raleigh Amphitheater, Raleigh, NC
Expectations: The Rosebuds put out a killer album this year – and being that they’re a local band, their show should attract sufficient attention from the fans. Should be a good time.
Concert: As much as I dig The Rosebuds’ music, I came to see Bon Iver. This was just an added benefit as an opener. To be honest, though, when The Rosebuds started playing, I hadn’t really settled in to the environment yet. I was still focused on the blistering heat, the great company at my side, and the fact that Bon Iver was on his way to the stage before too long. That being said, they did put on an entertaining show, flooding the large stage with a sound true to their genre: reverb-filled at times, drowned out at others. They played a strong collection of songs, but their set felt rather short. Given that this show was held at Raleigh Amphitheater, who apparently has to be very timely due to city ordinances regarding sound levels, perhaps they weren’t given much time to perform.
I will say, the one thing that struck me as odd about The Rosebuds is the central focus on female member Kelly, who tends to be a backup vocalist and primarily a keys player. The main singer is Ivan, who was tucked away on the left side of the stage and taken out of the spotlight. It seemed bizarre to me, and maybe it’s because it struck me that they might be forcing the whole “female in a male band” image. Maybe I’m reading into it too much, but something about it irked me.
What I did love is how genuine The Rosebuds seemed when they said they were so excited to be playing and particularly for their fans in their hometown of Raleigh. It’s always great to see a local band doing so well.
Concert Afterglow: Frankly, the afterglow was short, as I was anxious to see Bon Iver perform.
Recommendation: The Rosebuds deserve their own attention. It’s an honor but also a challenge to open for somebody as popular as Bon Iver, because you will always be in the shadows, but at the same time it’s certainly a way to gain fans. I suggest seeing The Rosebuds in a more intimate setting than I was granted, and that could truly be a special experience.
MP3: “Nice Fox” – The Rosebuds
PS: Sorry I wasn’t able to capture my own photography. I was seated in the lawn in the very back, which was actually quite a pleasant change of pace!
Live: Tristen (100Bands #65)
What’s Left: 59 Days. 36 Bands.
Band #65: Tristen
When/Where: June 22nd, Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
Expectations: I didn’t even know the main band, I definitely don’t know these guys.
Concert: I made my way to Local 506 for the first time, and arrived just as Tristen Gaspadarek picked up her ukulele and promised to “make it sparkle” for us. As a stranger to Tristen’s music, at first glance I expected her to be a folk singer, however, Tristen’s music turned out to be much more indie-pop, or maybe as she describes it: “neo-traditionalist pop.”
Before every song, Tristen starts up her handy-dandy drum machine which supplies each song with a simple beat behind her undeniably powerful vocals. Add in some live instrumentals and Tristen and her “band” orchestrate these wonderful pieces of music that (if I had known the words) are lovely to sing along to. During her performance, I imagined myself listening to her while riding around in the car, folding laundry, or writing a paper; her music is easy on the ears, and there’s something truly organic and therapeutic about her sound.
Besides wanting to listen to Tristen on a 24/7 loop, she’s one of those acts that makes me want to be her best friend as well. In addition to engaging the crowd during her songs, she was able to entertain us with quick one liners between tunes. Her matter-of-fact sense of humor kept the audience hanging on to her every word, “This song is about babies on drugs. It’s called baby drugs.” After her set, I even got a chance to chat her up by the merchandise, and she’s as nice as she seems on stage. Tristen is an all around lovable artist.
Concert Afterglow: I wish I was in a band like Tristen’s. Just kidding, what I really wish is that I had one of those drum machines to follow me around while I walk down the street.
Recommendation: If Tristen ever makes her way out to LA, I’ll probably try to see her again. In addition to an amazing pair of lungs, she’s super friendly and funny. I’d definitely recommend buying a CD (she even has vinyl!) or seeing a show.
Live: David Bazan (100Bands #64)
What’s Left: 71 Days. 36 Bands.
Band #64: David Bazan
When/Where: June 25th, Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
Expectations: I haven’t been a huge David Bazan fan for that long, but recently I’ve found myself attached to his music. I heard from a friend that he puts on an excellent show, so I guess you can say my expectations were high.
Concert: The venue was packed full of people who came out to see David Bazan late on a Saturday night. As soon as I saw Bazan and crew completely wiping the stage free of others’ gear, I knew I was in for a treat. They set up the stage from scratch with their electronic material, leading me to believe that the sound quality of this show was going to be tip top. Sure enough, it was. From the get-go, David Bazan sent out a vibe of being an upbeat but professional performer, mixing jokes with a true sense of concern for the way his performance sounded to the crowd. If there was an audio glitch, he was sure to get it fixed before continuing on with the set. As a fan of quality music, this was very much appreciated.
David Bazan performs in a way that conveys a sense of deep emotion rooted in his music. He does this move on stage, starting with a little wiggle in his feet, moving upward through his legs, into his torso, and finally into his head and arms, as if sending shock waves throughout his entire body. Finally the movement lands on his guitar, resulting in a frill and a shake that creates a sound that echoes throughout the room, bouncing from wall to wall. His act of carrying this out in important moments throughout the entire set was not only fun to watch, but was an impressive display of stamina.
Needless to say, the visual performance was entertaining, which went perfectly with Bazan’s sense of humor. Throughout the show, perhaps because we happened to be a very quiet crowd, David Bazan kept asking if we had any questions at that point in the show. People were yelling out random questions from all corners of the room, which were answered in a manner of wit and satire. We were informed of factual things such as his love of The White Album, his fair mood on that night, his satisfaction with two kids and not wanting any more. The real kick came, though, when somebody asked the question, ‘What do you look for in a man?’ Bazan handled this question perfectly. He stood still for a moment, as if thinking, and said wittily, ‘Well…hm. I..uh…see, the question was vague. Are you talking about trying to fuck, or just, you know, trying to be bros? [Pause] Tiny penis. If the man’s trying to fuck me. Small as possible. That’s all.’ He continued playing, but opened the floor up for questions again later in the show. Every time, he entertained the crowd with his sense of humor.
So what about the music? I tell you, it was flawless. Bazan’s voice is so effortlessly breathtaking and unexpected. When he speaks, it’s a bit raspy, but when he opens up his vocal chords to sing, he releases a beautiful noise that delivers his lyrics perfectly. I wondered if he’d sound as good in person as he does on record, and sure enough, he does. His voice is flawless. You could also sense the emotion in some of his songs, as it’s known to any David Bazan fans that he writes about issues that he battles with in life. He has opened up to the public about his song “Virginia,” saying that he wrote it about a male friend who died. In an effort to avoid any exploitation of his death and offending his friend’s family, he decided to indirectly reference the story by inserting a nickname for his friend. When Bazan performed “Virginia,” his eyes were closed the entire time, as if it was a cloak that could hide his emotions. At intense moments in this song, he squeezed his eyes shut even tighter. For some reason I’m not quite sure how to pinpoint, it was truly beautiful.
It’s clear that David Bazan expresses truth and raw emotions in all of his songs. What’s fascinating is that he remains so ordinary to the eye – standing on stage in blue jeans, New Balance sneakers, and a solid t-shirt, it’s as if David Bazan is just your buddy from down the street standing on a stage performing to his friends. Once the show gets going, though, it’s obvious that David Bazan is one of the better songwriters of our era, who should, in actuality, be performing on stages and in front of crowds much larger than the one at Local 506. It makes me feel all the more lucky for having a front row spot. David Bazan is truly a gifted man with his talents and his willingness to share them with the world.
Concert Afterglow: The whole thing, honestly, counts as an afterglow. I guess the realness of the whole show was what stood out the most. His ability to open up to us about issues both silly and real, through song and joke. But also the ability to see such a talented musician perform a mere four feet away from my face – it’s just incredible.
Recommendation: David Bazan’s performance was one of the best I’ve seen in this year of trying to review 100 shows. If he is coming to your area, you must see his show. If he’s not coming to your area, do your best to go find him elsewhere.
MP3: “Wont Let Go” – David Bazan (opened the set with this song)
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Live: Centro-Matic (100Bands #63)
What’s Left: 71 Days. 37 Bands.
Band #63: Centro-Matic
When/Where: June 25th, Local 506, Chapel Hill, NC
Expectations: Similar to Sarah Jaffe, don’t know much of Centro-Matic’s music, but the little that I’ve heard seems good.
Concert: Centro-Matic kicked off their set with a beautiful opening piece, which I unfortunately do not know the name of. The highlight of it, though, came when lead singer Will Johnson, after spending the whole song against the mic, took a step back and belted out the lyrics in natural space, but still loud enough for the whole room to hear it. It was a powerful way of proving the strength of his vocal chords.
Centro-Matic brought to the stage a guitar, bass, drums, keys, and a fiddle. The harmonization by the keys player, who also played the guitar at times, was one of my favorite aspects of their sound. The band looked like they were having a great time – rocking out in songs that called for it, while emotionally singing the hell out of other songs that were slower and deeper. During their last song, I caught an exchange of smiles between the lead singer and his backup harmonizer – it summed up the atmosphere on stage perfectly.
Concert Afterglow: The power of Will Johnson’s voice is what I will take away from this show.
Recommendation: I’m not sure I’ll be seeing another show by Centro-Matic again soon, as I’m not sure their act will be much different than the one I saw last night, but I’m glad I saw this one. The energy from frontman Will Johnson, who is also a member of Monsters of Folk, is contagious.
Song: “Twenty-Four” – Centro-Matic (MP3)
