I missed the Great American. I haven't been there for God knows how long. And it was nice to visit one of my most favourite concert venues in the City again. Memories of that great Arcade Fire and Blur shows always come to mind everytime I see another concert at the GAMH.
M83 is the brainchild of Anthony Gonzalez. No, not the tight end of the Kansas City Chiefs, but a very young French musician who makes ethereal music. M83's new album Saturday = Youth is more 80's than any of his previous albums. Which is not a put down, but rather a good compliment. He was accompanied with three other musicians, one of which was a woman who helped with most of the backing vocals for the new songs.
"Kim and Jessie" is one of my favourite tracks in the new album, and they didn't disappoint when they played it live. It actually sounded better live. Another personal favourite, "Graveyard" was just amazing. The guitars are so infectuous in that song. Some even were prompted to dance. It was the old M83 songs that added some colour to the show, bringing back people to the noise they loved to hear when M83 first started.
There wasn't a dull moment at the show. It wasn't meant to be a raging show by any means. Just a nice show to just enjoy the music. They're fun, in a relaxed way.
26 May 2008
El Perro Del Mar / Lykke Li (Bimbo's, 18 May 2008)
Today was the official day where anyone in San Francisco can be drunk in public. Yes, Bay to Breakers, that festive event where everyone from out of town walks around naked or in some funny costume and begin to drink unheard of amounts of alcohol all at 7am. With that in mind, I was surprised to see that Bimbo's was quite packed for tonight's show. Although I did see some weary people in the audience, everyone seemed to be in good spirits and ready for some Swedish pop.
As it has been the custom, we sat in the back with a table. It seems like we only see Swedish acts at Bimbo's now a days, with Jens Lekmanbeing the two previous shows that I saw at this venue. So, with my hunger pangs in full swing, I ordered the crappiest pasta dish and watched the opener, Lykke Li.
Like El Perro Del Mar, Lykke is another Swedish indie pop singer with a fairy like voice. She was definitely more upbeat than El Perro Del Mar, and more enjoyable. I think she stole the show. Her second song, "Dance Dance" was a lot of fun with her whole band going all crazy midway through the song. She exhibited some weird dancing skills and she pounded her tambourine like no tomorrow. Sarah of El Perro joined Lykee during another song. But the definite novelty highlith of Lykee's set was when she covered a rap song, whose name escapes me right now. The song then blended nicely to her encore.
El Perro Del Mar, on the other hand, was a bit more mellower and not as exciting. Which is expected since her new album, From the Valley to the Stars is more a series of really good lullabies than pop songs. She even admitted that when she played one the new songs in the new LP. She tried to make the show exciting, but at this point, I was way too tired and my companions were as well.
As it has been the custom, we sat in the back with a table. It seems like we only see Swedish acts at Bimbo's now a days, with Jens Lekmanbeing the two previous shows that I saw at this venue. So, with my hunger pangs in full swing, I ordered the crappiest pasta dish and watched the opener, Lykke Li.
Like El Perro Del Mar, Lykke is another Swedish indie pop singer with a fairy like voice. She was definitely more upbeat than El Perro Del Mar, and more enjoyable. I think she stole the show. Her second song, "Dance Dance" was a lot of fun with her whole band going all crazy midway through the song. She exhibited some weird dancing skills and she pounded her tambourine like no tomorrow. Sarah of El Perro joined Lykee during another song. But the definite novelty highlith of Lykee's set was when she covered a rap song, whose name escapes me right now. The song then blended nicely to her encore.
El Perro Del Mar, on the other hand, was a bit more mellower and not as exciting. Which is expected since her new album, From the Valley to the Stars is more a series of really good lullabies than pop songs. She even admitted that when she played one the new songs in the new LP. She tried to make the show exciting, but at this point, I was way too tired and my companions were as well.
Jakob Dylan (Cafe Du Nord, 17 May 2008)
My girlfriend really likes Jakob Dylan so, being the good boyfriend that I am, I bought two tickets for us to see him at Cafe du Nord. Most of us recognize that name as either: (1) that guy from the Wallflowers or (2) Bob Dylan's son. Everyone in attendance, for the most part, was there because of his Wallflowers connection. I didn't realize that there were still many devoted Wallflowers fans out there. But there are, and they were all in the front row of this show.
The junior Dylan was playing in support of his new solo album. I think this is his first show of the tour, but he sounded really good and his band was tight for the most part. He started off with a new song called "Something Good This Way Comes." This sounded like vintage Wallflowers with that twangy guitar and all that. I thought it was an old song, but apparently it was a new one. It wasn't bad at all. He then proceeded with more new songs "All Day and All Night" and "Everybody Pays as They Go."
Throughout the night, I couldn't help but compare father to son. The mannerisms were all there. The slight touch of facial hair was there too. It was quite eerie. Even the swagger and the way Jakob held the guitar reminded me of Bob Dylan when I saw footage of his Newport Jazz Festival highlights.
It was after this third song that things got a bit hairy. There's this crazy tall lady stirring amock in the front of the crowd. She earlier talked to me and asked if the carpets in Japanese concert venues was as bad as du Nords. I've never been in Japan, nor am I Japanese, but because I'm Asian she immediately thought I was Japanese. Whatever. So, she asked Jakob, "Why are you here, Dylan?" To which Jakob responded, "I know why I'm here, why are you here?" More playful, though annoying, exchanges continued and Jakob immediately spotted her eyes. "Oh, you're one of those ... I can see it in your eyes." He immediately ignored her for the rest of the evening, thank goodness.
The fans went crazy when he played his Wallflowers stuff. Like "Beautiful Side of Somewhere." A really devoted fan cried when he played "The Empire in My Mind." It's a hidden track in some album apparently, and he doesn't play it that often. The song is pretty good, and I don't understand why it would be a hidden track rather than a single.
Despite this old guy in a sling wanting to hear "One Headlight," Jakob did not play his big hit. Nor did he play "Sixth Avenue Heartache" or that famous cover of David Bowie's "Heroes." Those are the only songs I knew from Jakob Dylan in his Wallflowers days. He did cover Merle Haggard song called "Branded Man," but nobody in the audience seems to know that song.
Overall, it was a good show and the man does have some great songwriting skills. Don't knock it til you try it.
The junior Dylan was playing in support of his new solo album. I think this is his first show of the tour, but he sounded really good and his band was tight for the most part. He started off with a new song called "Something Good This Way Comes." This sounded like vintage Wallflowers with that twangy guitar and all that. I thought it was an old song, but apparently it was a new one. It wasn't bad at all. He then proceeded with more new songs "All Day and All Night" and "Everybody Pays as They Go."
Throughout the night, I couldn't help but compare father to son. The mannerisms were all there. The slight touch of facial hair was there too. It was quite eerie. Even the swagger and the way Jakob held the guitar reminded me of Bob Dylan when I saw footage of his Newport Jazz Festival highlights.
It was after this third song that things got a bit hairy. There's this crazy tall lady stirring amock in the front of the crowd. She earlier talked to me and asked if the carpets in Japanese concert venues was as bad as du Nords. I've never been in Japan, nor am I Japanese, but because I'm Asian she immediately thought I was Japanese. Whatever. So, she asked Jakob, "Why are you here, Dylan?" To which Jakob responded, "I know why I'm here, why are you here?" More playful, though annoying, exchanges continued and Jakob immediately spotted her eyes. "Oh, you're one of those ... I can see it in your eyes." He immediately ignored her for the rest of the evening, thank goodness.
The fans went crazy when he played his Wallflowers stuff. Like "Beautiful Side of Somewhere." A really devoted fan cried when he played "The Empire in My Mind." It's a hidden track in some album apparently, and he doesn't play it that often. The song is pretty good, and I don't understand why it would be a hidden track rather than a single.
Despite this old guy in a sling wanting to hear "One Headlight," Jakob did not play his big hit. Nor did he play "Sixth Avenue Heartache" or that famous cover of David Bowie's "Heroes." Those are the only songs I knew from Jakob Dylan in his Wallflowers days. He did cover Merle Haggard song called "Branded Man," but nobody in the audience seems to know that song.
Overall, it was a good show and the man does have some great songwriting skills. Don't knock it til you try it.
04 May 2008
I'm From Barcelona (The Independent, 29 April 2008)
Again, I was running late to this show because my bike lock acting up. But, I was able to bike there, bike back home, walk back to the venue and was able to find my friends with no problem.
There were 20 Swedes on stage at the show. Did they really need that many band members? Yes. They are a very happy band. They started off their set with "Treehouse" and there was all sorts of confetti and balloons flying all over the small venue. And one of the members was doing some YMCA like moves as the song was performed. I can do that!
And the lead singer, I think his name is Emanuel, crowd surfed after this song. The band sounded great, and all 20 members contributed in every way. I think the fullness of the sound was definitely because of the large number of members in the band.
My favourite part of the show was when they played "Oversleeping." That's my theme song. Every day of my waking life is described succinctly in that song.
So, as cheezy as the show was, it was a lot of fun. It's not exactly a band that I'd see more than once in a year. Because the antics can get old. But the songs were fun, the band members were fun, and just...fun.
There were 20 Swedes on stage at the show. Did they really need that many band members? Yes. They are a very happy band. They started off their set with "Treehouse" and there was all sorts of confetti and balloons flying all over the small venue. And one of the members was doing some YMCA like moves as the song was performed. I can do that!
And the lead singer, I think his name is Emanuel, crowd surfed after this song. The band sounded great, and all 20 members contributed in every way. I think the fullness of the sound was definitely because of the large number of members in the band.
My favourite part of the show was when they played "Oversleeping." That's my theme song. Every day of my waking life is described succinctly in that song.
So, as cheezy as the show was, it was a lot of fun. It's not exactly a band that I'd see more than once in a year. Because the antics can get old. But the songs were fun, the band members were fun, and just...fun.
The Verve (The Warfield, 23 April 2008)
The last time I saw the Verve was nearly 10 years ago at the Mayan Theatre in Los Angeles. Can you believe that? I saw Richard Ashcroft perform solo during his first solo LP back in New York at the Bowery Ballroom, but that's a whole different show. A decade ago, Ashcroft was God-like and that L.A. show was just out of this world unbelieveable.
Now, 10 years later, I get to see them again! I missed the first two songs, much to my dismay, but I did catch the rest of the set from the far corner of the floor. It was AMAZING! Ashcroft was still God-like and the lighting just added more to his aura. The band were tight, the sound was LOUD, and Ashcroft sang with so much vigor and passion. And he looks healthy too.
They only sang two new songs, both of which were fantastic. Definitely sounded very Verve-like. Which may sound non-sensical but some bands reunite only to sound something completely different. Their classics were just nostaligic. "Lucky Man" choked me up. I sang "On Your Own" with Ashcroft from start to finish. I was amped up for "Rolling People." And his rendition of "Drugs Don't Work" will make any junkie turn their life around.
They played two songs for their encore. Although "History" wasn't one of them, unlike the lucky New Yorkers, they did play "Bittersweet Symphony." Ashcroft dedicated the song to all the black musicians who didn't get properly compensated in their contributions to rock music. This song drove the crowd wild, of course.
But song, after song, after song. It was just a great show from start to finish. And Ashcroft and the Verve were in top form. I can't wait to see them again.
Here are some photos from a fan at the show.
Now, 10 years later, I get to see them again! I missed the first two songs, much to my dismay, but I did catch the rest of the set from the far corner of the floor. It was AMAZING! Ashcroft was still God-like and the lighting just added more to his aura. The band were tight, the sound was LOUD, and Ashcroft sang with so much vigor and passion. And he looks healthy too.
They only sang two new songs, both of which were fantastic. Definitely sounded very Verve-like. Which may sound non-sensical but some bands reunite only to sound something completely different. Their classics were just nostaligic. "Lucky Man" choked me up. I sang "On Your Own" with Ashcroft from start to finish. I was amped up for "Rolling People." And his rendition of "Drugs Don't Work" will make any junkie turn their life around.
They played two songs for their encore. Although "History" wasn't one of them, unlike the lucky New Yorkers, they did play "Bittersweet Symphony." Ashcroft dedicated the song to all the black musicians who didn't get properly compensated in their contributions to rock music. This song drove the crowd wild, of course.
But song, after song, after song. It was just a great show from start to finish. And Ashcroft and the Verve were in top form. I can't wait to see them again.
Here are some photos from a fan at the show.
Jens Lekman (Bimbo's, 22 March 2008)
My 31st birthday was the day before this show, so it was nice to have Jens play during my birthday weekend. His show in November was better, but that doesn't mean that this one was bad. It was so much fun! How can anyone not enjoy themselves at a Jens show?
Jens backing band was as huge as before. In fact, the girls in his band are not even from Sweden, unlike last time, but were mostly from....Detroit? Where does he find these girls?
Like November, we were seated in our table at the very rear of the venue. And, like last time, being seated far didn't affect how great this show was. I think the set list was similar to last November's show, but he added some songs in there. Of course, his best songs live are still "Your Arms Around Me," "Shirin," "Black Cab," and "Postcard to Nina."
Jens backing band was as huge as before. In fact, the girls in his band are not even from Sweden, unlike last time, but were mostly from....Detroit? Where does he find these girls?
Like November, we were seated in our table at the very rear of the venue. And, like last time, being seated far didn't affect how great this show was. I think the set list was similar to last November's show, but he added some songs in there. Of course, his best songs live are still "Your Arms Around Me," "Shirin," "Black Cab," and "Postcard to Nina."
The Magnetic Fields (The Herbst Theatre, 29 February 2008)
It was Noise Pop! weekend and I was very excited to *finally* see the Magnetic Fields. I'm not exactly a huge fan, but some of my favourite songs are Magnetic Fields songs. Their new album, Distortion, is not that great. But, then again, can you really improve upon 69 Love Songs?
The Herbst Theatre is a beautiful venue. I think it serves as a opera and symphony space as well. It's a very fitting one for the Magnetic Fields. We had seats on the first few rows of the lobby, so our view was perfect.
Stephin Merritt was wearing a hat, and wasn't that talkative throughout the show. But when he spoke his one-liners, it was smart enough that people laughed. Many stories were shared. Some about their experiences in San Francisco in the past. Some great, some not so great, but all funny.
We all got a good chuckle when they sang "I Hate California Girls." Other than that, I forgot what they played. Wait, they played "Kiss Me Like You Mean It." That's partly because I drank way too much wine beforehand, and dozed off during bits and parts of the show.
But I really liked the show! Here's some pictures taken by a fan. It truly captures the moment.
The Herbst Theatre is a beautiful venue. I think it serves as a opera and symphony space as well. It's a very fitting one for the Magnetic Fields. We had seats on the first few rows of the lobby, so our view was perfect.
Stephin Merritt was wearing a hat, and wasn't that talkative throughout the show. But when he spoke his one-liners, it was smart enough that people laughed. Many stories were shared. Some about their experiences in San Francisco in the past. Some great, some not so great, but all funny.
We all got a good chuckle when they sang "I Hate California Girls." Other than that, I forgot what they played. Wait, they played "Kiss Me Like You Mean It." That's partly because I drank way too much wine beforehand, and dozed off during bits and parts of the show.
But I really liked the show! Here's some pictures taken by a fan. It truly captures the moment.
Travis (The Fillmore, 20 December 2007)
OK. This is six months late, but I've been busy. And I was planning my trip to Paris during this time, so making an effort to put a concert entry back then was unimaginable. And don't get me started with how busy work was...
So, here I am. In May, trying to remember what happened at the Travis show back in December. I do remember this. They came in not through the stage, but through the crowd. They were in the back and that theme song to every single boxing match came on. And here come Travis, with their boxing robes on ready to knock the crowd out with their songs. Sorry, that's as cheezy as I get.
A lot of people didn't pay much attention to Travis' new album, The Boy With No Name. It is definitely one of my top five from 2007. It's not that it was so original or "knock your socks off," it's the nostalgia that's tied with it. It's the best album they're released since The Man Who, just because The Boy With No Name is the album that closely resembles The Man Who.
Travis played everything I wanted to hear. Everything that I loved on The Man Who was played, including my personal favourite, "Turn." They were playful throughout the set, and were tight all around. Their age showed though, as Fran was turning a bit grey, Andy was unable to climb the speakers and jump as high compared to years past. Then there's Dougie, who seems like never aged one bit. He still has that big grin on his face as he strums the three or four notes of his bass. Then the pelvic thrusts he loves to do when he plays.
Although it wasn't as enjoyable as when I saw them in Coachella earlier in summer 2007, they still brought me back to my early 20's where everything was fresh and new. Cheers, Travis!
So, here I am. In May, trying to remember what happened at the Travis show back in December. I do remember this. They came in not through the stage, but through the crowd. They were in the back and that theme song to every single boxing match came on. And here come Travis, with their boxing robes on ready to knock the crowd out with their songs. Sorry, that's as cheezy as I get.
A lot of people didn't pay much attention to Travis' new album, The Boy With No Name. It is definitely one of my top five from 2007. It's not that it was so original or "knock your socks off," it's the nostalgia that's tied with it. It's the best album they're released since The Man Who, just because The Boy With No Name is the album that closely resembles The Man Who.
Travis played everything I wanted to hear. Everything that I loved on The Man Who was played, including my personal favourite, "Turn." They were playful throughout the set, and were tight all around. Their age showed though, as Fran was turning a bit grey, Andy was unable to climb the speakers and jump as high compared to years past. Then there's Dougie, who seems like never aged one bit. He still has that big grin on his face as he strums the three or four notes of his bass. Then the pelvic thrusts he loves to do when he plays.
Although it wasn't as enjoyable as when I saw them in Coachella earlier in summer 2007, they still brought me back to my early 20's where everything was fresh and new. Cheers, Travis!
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