Though the fledgling London foursome wasn’t used to playing in such heat, they gamely plowed ahead with another intense performance.
Dream-pop double header, a.k.a. Hurry Up, We’re Awaking
Right from the opening song, the twinkly, jangly guitars of Martin Courtney and Matt Mondanile sounded as soothing as cicadas and wind chimes on a warm, breezy night.
“God is in the art, that’s what I think. Until the money comes.”
Overall, Litman’s consummate showmanship and the venue’s classy old-style West Village charm made this feel like a quintessential NYC evening out.
Owing to this free show’s last-minute arrangements and the fact it wasn’t even mentioned at the previous night’s sold-out Bowery Ballroom gig, a relatively modest crowd showed up. Yet we were treated to an identical setlist as at Bowery!
This isn’t quite a show review. It’s more of a show review review. It’s more of a review of a phenomenon that dates back to god knows when—manufactured nostalgia. It’s more of a review of the complex cycle that is being relevant in New York Fucking City.
The band can still write a primo pop song.
Los Campesinos! sound is tighter, still manage to inspire sing-alongs at Brooklyn Bowl
This was an ideal opportunity for New Yorkers to catch two of New Jersey’s best power-pop bands for the price of one.
This was the Radiohead of the 2001 Amnesiac tour and the 2003 tour for Hail to the Thief, turning insular, jotty compositions into jaw-droppingly tight and powerful arena rock and it was a thrill to have them back!
Although I’m not much of a horse racing fan, I was more than enthusiastic for this early Saturday evening “Kentucky Derby party” double bill featuring these two great veteran, female-fronted local bands.
What a difference four and a half years makes, or does it?
If Graham can just be as expressive on stage is he is on record and with proper sound, this band could be as dangerous and exciting live as they are on record.
Thanks to the ever-growing Chaos in Tejas festival, Lone Star Staters were treated to a show we never thought we’d ever see: a Clean concert.
Energy in the building was kind of uneven in the early going, akin to the slow build the the band walked out to but the slow start was more than negated by the rails coming off in the end, in the best way possible.
The perfect sonic storm faded away even as the tornadic maelstrom kicked up outside.
Radiohead continue their mastery of the live stage.
When Barbato broke a string on B-side “Behind Your Eyes”, for example, they used the occasion to turn the song (only a little over two minutes on record) into an extended, impromptu, droning jam.
Given the focus on Franklin’s first two solo LPs, the show highlighted his moodier, more ethereal psych-folk side, in contrast to Swervedriver’s full-on blast furnace rockers.
On this final show of their NYC residency, the Los Angeles roots rock quintet treated the modest Bowery Electric crowd to their upcoming third album Ownerless from start to finish.
With a large draped sheet hanging behind them, onto which paint-splattered, kaleidoscopic images were projected, I couldn’t help but feel like I had stumbled into some illicit, impromptu ‘60s psychedelic basement party.
The Archers restring their bow and hit the target.
I can honestly say that I have never seen anything quite like this and may never again. But I’m sure as hell going to try.
Aided by the Music Hall of Williamsburg’s crystal-clear, punchy sound system, the band delivered another explosive and energetic performance.
On Monday night, Washed Out and Memoryhouse played Music Hall of Williamsburg
Photographs and a review of EMA’s fantastic show at Music Hall with Canadian band Nü Sensae and Brooklynites Talk Normal
Nevertheless, we got a very short, 35-minute set that concentrated mostly on Interstellar with a few tunes from her 1st album thrown in.
Real Estate is a band with a very particular, mannered sound and they have to sound right to be fully effective.
Throughout, it was a pleasure hearing Mark and April harmonize together, like on the catchy single “Wait For the Waves,” with that extra special close-knit entwining of voices that singing siblings often have.
If the rest of their proposed new album will be as good as this tune, then I’m already looking forward to it!
This enchanting power pop group put a spell on the entire audience during this Good Friday show at the Paradise in Boston. Well worth the trip.
Swervedriver still has some fuel left in the tank
The Joy Formidable capture Boston, taking no prisoners.
Once again, Swervedriver delivered another fantastic, lights out performance that left me feeling awestruck.
What we sacrificed by losing the previous shows’ up-close-and-personal immediacy was offset by the band’s most thunderous, earth-shattering assault yet!
The Wedding Present bring Seamonsters roaring back to life.
Audience members sung every word and there wasn’t one song that stood out in that regard that everyone was waiting for.
This show was not quite as blistering as the 2010 Seaport gig, which showcased the speedier Bizarro. But the more understated Seamonsters still sounded 10x more hard-hitting in this lineup’s hands.
This tour marked the first time all seven band members have played together in the U.S. Thus, this was an ideal chance to witness their luxurious music performed with all the bells and whistles.
Some of the sonic details the band so effectively rescued from their studio recordings are nameless, and some spring from the great register of fair use rock ‘n’ roll gestures.
On the 100th anniversary of Woody Guthrie’s birth, his words still provide inspiration a new generation of musicians.
Though this was a short, 35-minute opening set, it was a good opportunity to catch this fantastic new Brooklyn foursome before they embarked on a two-week SXSW tour.
Stinson projects a rock star aura that looks, breaths, feels and sounds just like the The Rolling Stones, The Faces and others of that ilk.
Although I’ve lived close to it for almost 6 years, this was my first visit to the venerable University of Pennsylvania frat house and venue.
Judging by the lively crowd at the venerated, long-lasting punk club, it seemed like every old school rock ‘n’ roller within spitting distance showed up in eager anticipation of seeing Lure in action. Once again, the band did not disappoint.
For this gratifying set, Ray brought along organist Rory More and drummer Andrew Zammit, who provided just the right shading and color for her distinctive songs.
While not quite as start-to-finish blasting as December’s show, this more well rounded overview still rocked like nobody’s business.
It was a shock that these reunion shows even happened at all, given that Pernice hadn’t spoken with his old bandmates in 14 years. Judging by this sublime show, it was as if no time had passed at all.
