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The Big Takeover Issue #95
Concerts
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The Raveonettes @ Paradise Boston, MA

The Raveonettes - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - Friday, March 28, 2008

29 March 2008

I thought that this show was, in the words of MISSION OF BURMA, good not great.

Bob Mould @ Trocadero 3/14/08

Bob Mould Band with Halou - Trocadero (Philadelphia, PA) - March 14, 2008

22 March 2008

It still feels great seeing BOB MOULD doing what he does best, even if the novelty has worn off a little now and it’s feels familiar.

Bob Mould with Halou - The Paradise (Boston, MA) - Wednesday, March 12, 2008

16 March 2008

Mould’s new material sits comfortably beside Sugar and Hüsker Dü classics in the live setting.

Phantom Orchard with The Baird Sisters - Bartram's Garden (Philadelphia, PA) - March 6, 2008

14 March 2008

Knowing to expect the unexpected, we definitely got our money’s worth in that department from PHANTOM ORCHARD.

Dean and Britta @ Johnny Brenda's 2/29/08

Dean and Britta with Keren Ann - Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia, PA) - February 28, 2008

9 March 2008

The only drawback was that the set was short, but their energy and enthusiasm made up for it.

No Age @ Queen of Sheba II 2/10/08

No Age - Queen of Sheba II (Philadelphia, PA) - Sunday, February 10, 2008

14 February 2008

All in all, I think NO AGE sounds better live than they do on record.

Vampire Weekend @ First Unitarian Church 2/7/08

Vampire Weekend with Sam Rosen - First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia, PA) - February 9, 2008

11 February 2008

After seeing them, I’m glad I went, though I can’t say there were too many surprises.

Cat Power with Appaloosa - The Orpheum Theater (Boston, MA) - Thursday, February 7, 2008

10 February 2008

Cat Power keeps on soul patrol, waves goodbye to the past.

Bob Mould in London 1/27/08

Bob Mould- World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - Friday, February 1, 2008

4 February 2008

BOB MOULD just completely shredded, reminding me of the very first time I ever saw him play live.

Kimya Dawson @ Ethical Society of Philadelphia 1/19/08

Kimya Dawson with Angelo Spencer - Ethical Society (Philadelphia, PA) - Saturday, January 19, 2008

30 January 2008

Even with all of her recent success, she is still determined to do things on her own merits, even if that means playing in out of the way venues.

Neil Young with Pegi Young - The Orpheum (Boston) - Monday, December 3, 2007

20 December 2007

Neil Young still has something to say

The Go! Team with Matt and Kim - The Paradise (Boston) - Thursday, October 25, 2007

22 November 2007

The Go! Team bury the fun-meter needle into the red

Glenn Mercer @ North Star Bar 9/21/07

Glenn Mercer with The Successful Failures and Wild Carnation - North Star Bar (Philadelphia, PA) - Friday, September 21, 2007

2 October 2007

Although rumors persist of a FEELIES reunion, this night’s show was as close as one could get.

Nick Lowe @ World Cafe Live 9/18/07

Nick Lowe with Ron Sexsmith - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - Tuesday, September 17, 2007

23 September 2007

At age 58, Nick is recording some of the very best music of his career.

Dinosaur Jr with Dr. Dog - Trocadero (Philadelphia) - Tuesday, September 4, 2007

5 September 2007

Several years after their first reunion shows, it was a different scenario, but just as satisfying.

Dan Deacon amidst the crowd @ Union Park 7/15/07

Pitchfork Music Festival (Day 3) - Union Park (Chicago, IL) - Sunday, July 15, 2007

13 August 2007

It was a fitting end to a great festival that I look forward to attending in the future.

Bert Jansch with P.G. Six - The Museum of Fine Arts (Boston) - Wednesday, June 6, 2007

13 August 2007

Folk-Blues acoustic master still commands attention.

Son Volt with Jason Isbell - The Paradise (Boston) - Sunday, April 15, 2007

10 August 2007

Jay Farrar breathes life back into Son Volt

Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth @ Union Park 7/13/07

Pitchfork Music Festival (Day 1) - Union Park (Chicago, IL) - Friday, July 13, 2007

18 July 2007

The first night was booked in conjunction with All Tomorrow Parties. Thus, the three acts performing played classic albums in order from start to finish.

Ted Leo / Pharmacists with Love of Diagrams - Avalon (Boston) - Friday, May 4, 2007

14 July 2007

TED LEO & his PHARMACISTS filled the necessary prescription with gusto…

HR of Bad Brains @ The Gorge 5/27/07

Sasquatch Festival - Gorge Ampitheater (George, WA) - Sunday, May 27, 2007

14 June 2007

Tthe day started off promising enough, sunny skies hiding what was to come.

The Gorge 4/26/07

Sasquatch Festival - Gorge Ampitheater (George, WA) - Saturday, May 26, 2007

3 June 2007

With music happening simultaneously on three different stages, it’s almost impossible to catch it all, but we did the best we could.

The Faint - Webster Hall (New York) - Sunday, May 27, 2007

29 May 2007

For the seventh anniversary of New York City’s renowned and resplendent roving dance party, Omaha’s own were the perfect addition to an eclectic night of rock ‘n’ roll depravity.

Elvis Costello and the Imposters - Electric Factory (Philadelphia, PA) - Saturday, May 19, 2007

21 May 2007

Overall, despite its shortocmings, this was one of the best ELVIS COSTELLO shows I’ve seen in the last ten years.

The Knitters @ World Cafe Live 4/30/07

The Knitters with Chatham County Line - World Cafe Live (Philadelphia, PA) - Monday April 30, 2007

6 May 2007

It was nice to see THE KNITTERS in much more agreeable circumstanes as opposed to the last time they played here in Philadelphia.

Graham Parker and the Latest Clowns @ Sellersville Theater 4/25/07

Graham Parker and the Latest Clowns - Sellersville Theater (Sellersville, PA) - Wednesday, April 25, 2007

29 April 2007

Despite drunken morons and sound problems, GRAHAM PARKER and his newest backing band put on a stellar show full of fan favorites.

The Stooges with Sistas in the Pit - Electric Factory (Philadelphia, PA) - Wednesday, April 11, 2007

19 April 2007

Despite my complaints about the show’s pacing, seeing THE STOOGES live is always a terrific experience.

Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus Three @ World Cafe Live 3/26/07

Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus Three with Johanna Kunin- World Cafe Live (Philadelphia) - Monday, March 26, 2007

1 April 2007

Hearing “Kingdom of Love” and “Not Dark Yet” back-to-back were the highlights of the evening. I was absolutely mesmerized during both of them.

Final Night #5: Another Guest report from Noise Pop 2007, just completed! Cake, Money Mark, The Botticellis, and Scrabbel

8 March 2007

“I’m not sure what to make of this evening, number five of Noise Pop 2007. It’s the last night and I’ve of two minds about it. I’m glad to be able to stay home tomorrow evening after five nights out (and working full time), but I’m also a bit sad that I won’t be out tomorrow night seeing live music as it’s been a good laugh. I haven’t been to this club, Bimbo’s 365, in a while and had forgotten how beautiful this place is—without a doubt the jewel of SF music venues.”

Night #4: Another Guest report from Noise Pop 2007, just completed! The Ponys, Gris Gris, Lemon Sun, and The Rum Diary

6 March 2007

“Goodbye Great American Music Hall, hello Bottom of the Hill. I’m particularly excited about the headliner as I am a fan and I’ve got a soft spot for bands from the Midwest (Chicago especially). Add to the mix that The Ponys haven’t graced an SF stage in about 18 months, and my anticipation has only grown. It’s also been some time since I’ve seen the Gris Gris and they’ve never let me down in the past, and I’ve no reason to think tonight will be any different.”

Night #3: Another Guest report from Noise Pop 2007, taking place right now! Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, Georgia James, So Many Dynamos, Pony Come Lately

4 March 2007

“It’s Friday evening of the Noise Pop festival and that means back to the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district. I’m here to see Leo but I bring an open mind about the other three, of course. And when Leo hits the stage with his band, the energy level off all four members is through the roof.”

Night #2: Another Guest report from Noise Pop 2007, taking place right now! Night Two: Roky Erickson & the Explosions, Oranger, Howlin' Rain, Wooden Shjips

3 March 2007

“Noise Pop night number two began in similar fashion to the previous, what with me arriving painfully early at the Great American Music Hall. As I mentioned yesterday, this venue served as the destination for those seeking fine dining and loose women from 1906 up until the Great Depression. This being Roky Erickson’s first show in San Francisco in nearly 25 years it seemed best to sit back and watch the freak show begin.” A blow by blow description of the whole night!

Guest report from Noise Pop 2007, taking place right now! Night One: original lineup Sebadoh, Bent Mustache, Love of Diagrams, New Trust

2 March 2007

“It’s been 15 years since Kevin Arnold put on the first Noise Pop festival. No, I can’t believe it either. Dedicated to showcasing bands with a sense of melody and distortion, the first “festival” was a single night, five bands on the bill and one venue—not a bad night out I’m sure. OK, six bands counting the surprise appearance by The Fastbacks (who went on to a record nine appearances). Since I don’t know Kevin, I haven’t been able to verify this, but I have to believe he had no idea that Noise Pop would turn into the institution it has. That said, I’m sure he’s pleased, but I’m guessing even he would have to confess some surprise that 15 years on from Noise Pop ’93, the event has expanded to 15 venues and over a hundred bands.”

James McNew of Yo La Tengo in Baltimore 2/07

Yo La Tengo with The Rosebuds - Trocadero (Philadelphia, PA) - Saturday, February 10, 2007

24 February 2007

It’s always a treat to hear JAMES MCNEW’s falsetto and to hear IRA KAPLAN wail mercilessly on his guitar.

Midlake@ North Star Bar 2/8/07

Midlake with St Vincent- North Star Bar (Philadelphia, PA) - Thursday, February 8, 2007

17 February 2007

Please turn your cell phones off. No one cares what band you’re seeing and how cool you are. Just sit back and enjoy the show.

Dir en grey - Nokia Theatre (New York) - Saturday, February 10, 2007

15 February 2007

The sheer live intensity of Dir en grey and the band’s effusive, excessively adoring fans made their sold-out show last Saturday quite an engaging spectacle.

The Avengers with Hot One - Bowery Ballroom (New York) - Saturday, February 3, 2007

13 February 2007

Opening with “We are the One”, they hurled one grenade after another in the forms of “Car Crash,” “I Believe in Me,” “Open Your Eyes” and others.

The dB's with Mitch Easter and Sneakers - Bowery Ballroom (New York) - Saturday, January 13, 2007

6 February 2007

The first show by the dB’s in a year and a half was immensely enjoyable despite the rustiness of their playing.

Get to Know the Opposite Sex (Opposite Sex - Trash Bar (Brooklyn) - Sunday, January 14, 2007)

28 January 2007

A riveting show is rare, and I can count on one hand the number of times that I’ve been truly engaged by the live performance of a band I’ve never heard before.

The Dears @ TLA 1/17/07

The Dears with The Annuals - Theater of the Living Arts - Wednesday, January 17, 2007

22 January 2007

I was disappointed, but I nevertheless await their next appearance in town as I hope the choice of venue and atmosphere is better-suited for them.

Interview with me at Rocksellout.com; Pete Townshend/Rachel Fuller live review

18 January 2007

First, though I haven’t posted here in two weeks, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been heard from on the net. No! Perish the thought! Actually, a reasonably lengthy interview with me has been posted in the interim at Rocksellout.com / ...”Tonight, Townshend limited himself to three songs, but gave fans a treat by dusting off Quadrophenia’s ‘Drowned.’”

The backdrop at St. Ann's Warehouse before Lou Reed went on 12/16/06

Lou Reed - St. Ann's Warehouse (Brooklyn, NY) - Saturday, December 16, 2006

30 December 2006

This was no ordinary LOU REED concert. This performance of Berlin in its entirety was a once-in-a-lifetime event.

On Vacation: Guest Live Review from Jeff Elbel, Lollapalooza! And a quick bye to James Brown

27 December 2006

Though Lollapalooza’s sophomore installment at Chicago’s Grant Park provided picky critics with ample fuel for grumbling (ubiquitous corporate signage, long walks between stages), the festival provided an impressive line-up for those who simply came to enjoy the music

The Ex @ First Unitarian Church 12/14/06

The Ex with DJ Rupture, Aloha and Mischief Brew- First Unitarian Church (Philadelphia) - December 14, 2006

26 December 2006

THE EX build up tension throughout every single song, but they don’t ever release it.

Joe Pernice of Pernice Brothers @ Johnny Brenda's 12/7/06

Pernice Brothers with Elvis Perkins and Bitter Bitter Weeks - Johnny Brenda's (Philadelphia) - Thursday, December 7, 2006

22 December 2006

Live a Little marks a stylistic return to their first two albums and as such, this show drew heavily upon their second album, the 2001 masterwork The World Won’t End, along with the new album.