My ten favorite concerts this year, so far. Note: this are in order of occurrence, not by preference.
Robert Gordon and the Gang They Couldn’t Hang, Minneapolis, January 16, 2010.
Robert Gordon and a rockabilly supergroup made up of Chris Spedding, Glen Matlock and Slim Jim Phantom. Wow!
The Electric Fetus Benefit, Minneapolis, February 26, 2010.
A great collection of Minneapolis bands to aid the legendary record store damaged by a tornado last summer. Performing were: Cloud Cult, Jeremy Messersmith, Roma di Luna, Trailer Trash and Unknown Prophets in the First Avenue Mainroom. Another 6 bands played in the Entry, but I couldn’t fight the crowd. Throw in raffle tickets, a silent auction, it was a run night of music to benefit a great cause.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Minneapolis, March 27, 2010.
I’ve enjoyed their records, but have found them difficult if not impossible to shoot in the past. This was a great show musically. The band was tight and drummer Leah Shapiro is a welcome addition. Their stage presence is significantly stronger, the light show matched the intensity of the new songs and while still dark and moody, which has become their signature, it wasn’t overwhelming. In other words, I was able to shoot without wishing I was using infrared film.
Spoon, Minneapolis, April 2, 2010.
A solid show.
The Church, Minneapolis, April 13, 2010.
In the past Church shows have swung dramatically from great to I wish I hadn’t bothered. This show was billed as “An intimate evening with the Church”. I didn’t know what to expect. A smaller club (the Fine Line) with tables and chairs set up right up to the stage didn’t assuage my apprehension. I need not have worried. It was amazing. The band were clearly enjoying themselves and the commentary to the songs provided by Marty Wilson-Piper and Steve Kilbey was interesting, often hilarious, and provided an insight into the songs and surprisingly the inner workings of the band. A wonderful evening.
(Biggest surprise – Who would have imagined in 1985 that Marty Wilson-Piper would end up looking like a wookie!)
The Whole Lotta Loves & the Magnolias, Minneapolis, April 24, 2010.
The two bands came together (with guest appearances of Whole Lotta Man Sized Love Action, the hybrid Man Sized Action-Whole Lotta Loves supergroup with Pat Woods and Billy Batson) to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Magnolias. Despite multiple personnel changes over the years John Freeman’s band still sounds fresh and incredibly energetic. I won’t be surprised if they pull off a 50th Anniversary show.
The Buzzcocks, Minneapolis, May 24, 2010.
One word: Fun!
The New Pornographers, Minneapolis, June 11, 2010.
Everyone was there, by which I mean Neko Case and Dan Bejar. Of the multiple times I’ve seen them, this was the best. They sounded great, the harmonies were stellar, the setlist was perfect. The audience loved the band and it appeared the band reciprocated.
The Psychedelic Furs, Minneapolis, June 12, 2010.
My expectations were low, especially for the night after the New Pornographer’s show, but I was won over. This is a band that has great stage presence and can really work a crowd! A nearly sold out First Avenue and as hokey as it sounds a real love-fest between the band and audience.
The Time, Minneapolis, June 13, 2010.
Talk about stage presence! These guys wrote the book. The show received hardly any publicity (at least none that I saw), but it was packed with one of the nicest, happiest and best dressed crowds I’ve ever been in. It was a Epic and not First Avenue so it didn’t quite teleport me back to 1984, but that was the only element missing. It was amazing. I hope that Morris, Jerome, Jimmy Jam, Terry, Jesse and Monte don’t wait too long to do this again!
