Motion City Soundtrack: U of R - Rochester, NY
This show was eh. The band that I loved so much in high school at a more angsty period in my life had lost its meaning to me but the performance was good and they certainly enjoyed themselves so I had a fun time as well. Things like repeating "This song is for love." before each song (literally) kind of cheapened the performance for me as well as the acoustics of the U of R gym being rather blase.
The Hush Sound: Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY
This show's headliner was actually "The Spill Canvas" an alt rock band of the likes of yellow card and such. I really enjoyed what the lead singer said in between songs at the show. He got the point across that he didn't care if we liked their music as long as we like music; something that really stuck with me despite my lack of interest in his type.
The Hush sound however was incredible. I enjoyed the female vocalist / keyboardist the most. She had a really swingy bluesy style and got really into it. The rest of the band was really enjoyable as well although not quite as expressive as Greta Salpeter.
Andrew Bird: The National - Ithaca, NY
All I can say is this man was playing violin in the most beautiful ways in a forest of horns. It was a great trip to Ithaca as well, somewhere I spent several years of my early childhood while my dad was at Corne
ll. I also go to see my cousin while I was there which was fun. Mainly, there was a man playing violin in the most beautiful ways in a forest of horns.Andrew Bird: Philadelphia Music and Arts Center - Philadelphia, PA
This time as well.
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band, Pittsburg (ish), PA
This was a really awesome show as well. It really put Conor Oberst's other music in perspective for me as well. He's a very lonely man, but lives the most glorious life of misery.
The Elephant Six Collective (Holiday Suprise Tour): The Bug Jar - Rochester, NY
This show was attended as a happenstance of my friend Derek needing a ride to it. He swore by it so Jake and I made our way in as well. A good opening performance by Walri started the night off but I never would have expected what came next. 7 foot tall metronomes and static the singing television. As well as a really good movie at the beginning of the show. It was held in a very variety show kind of way. Julian Koster I think was on LSD as his knee caps were sweating buckets down his shins and he spent a short amount of time rocking back and forth with his shirt color stretched over his face under the piano. He made the performance for me with singing saw and a fantastic banjo. Some of the greatest musics I've seen. Thank you Derek who got to meet Jeff Mangum of "Neutral Milk Hotel" after the show.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad: Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY
This was my first experience with this band entirely as well. What can I say besides Reggae, solid jams and mad good vibes. :-)
The Dead: Times Union Center - Albany, NY
Ridiculous.
The Dead: HSBC Arena - Buffalo, NY
Ridiculous.
Dr. John and the Lower 911: Lilac Festival - Rochester, NY
I've seen Dr. John before when I was way younger at Mass Moca and I found ten dollars! I went again hoping to find another ten dollars but also to hear his swampy hoodoo sounds. Sooooooo good. I haven't danced that hard at any of the other shows I went to. Also I could tell that the guitar player was good but he was really just keeping rythm during the show. I really wanted to see him let loose and at a point in the show where all the musicians got a little soloing time I expected it but it was still pretty tame. During the encore though he ripped that thing to shreds. I cannot express how good this show was. If you ever get the opportunity, go.
Animal Collective with opening act Grouper: Metropolis - Montreal, Canada
Okay, Grouper would be amazing to listen to as meditation music or if I wanted to hear crazy (and really cool) sounds but as a live act she was boring as shit. Her guitar playing was mediocre at best and it seemed the rest of the sounds were being played out of a walkman tape deck on the floor so I didn't really understand the talent of it all. Animal Collective on the other hand kicked ass. It was a bit loud at first, like make your ears bleed loud, not just normal second row loud but eventually I got used to it. They played an amazing set and I met a couple of cool people there as well. The crowd as a whole however tried to mosh. It felt like the animals were holding back toward the end of the show because they wanted to get the crowd to calm down and relax a bit. It seemed that they didn't really understand the music. I hope to see them again but this time I'm sitting in the balcony.
Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad: Water Street Music Hall - Rochester, NY
As I said before Reggae, solid jams, and good vibes. Also the opener even though he was a bit wierd was really good. I don't know his name but he was a solo guitar act and I really enjoyed his style.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band: Rochester International Jazz Festival - Rochester, NY
Motha fucka learned how to do that in church. God Bless.
For the future, I may be going to the offspring for some good ol' Americana. As well as free MMW, Buddahood, Michael Franti and Spearhead, an undisclosed special event, and Gov't Mule at Fun in the Park this summer. Hope to see some of you there.
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