Jamie T & the Pacemakers live @ 7th Street Entry 9/19/07

Jamie T on Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

The sold out 7th Street Entry crowd went crazy for this one. Yeah, lots of Anglophile hooligans in the audience, including myself. Jamie T and his backing band "The Pacemakers" were shockingly great in a live setting. Even after the show, I'm still not exactly sure how to classify Jamie's music... it's a hybrid of various styles, ranging from hip hop to rock 'n' roll. At times it sounded like the bloody Arctic Monkeys or The Clash were on stage. Other times it was really "grimey", ala The Streets. Anyway, bla bla bla, boy is really talented, and delivered one of the most fun shows I've seen in a while. And yeah, I did get one of his "mixtapes" at the end of the show. I'm still working on finding a tape-player to play it on ;)

Sarah over at CP also has a review. So does Brody (including setlist).

mp3: Jamie T (feat. Lily Allen) - Rawhide (YSI)

Some videos from the show:

Jamie T - "Calm Down Dearest" live 9/19/07:



Jamie T's Guitarist - "Purple Rain" (Prince cover) live 9/19/07:



Jamie T - "A New England" (Billy Bragg cover) live 9/19/07 (final encore):



Jamie T Website | MySpace

I'll be back with some fun summer photos and a mix CD soon.

Cheers,
Steve

P.S. A note on the "Purple Rain" Prince cover. I guess Prince is not messing around when he said he was taking stuff down around the internets! YouTube took down my Jamie T YouTube video for a "Copyright claim by the publisher". Wow!? Luckily, we have imeem as an alternative...

Rilo Kiley | Jonathan Rice | Grand Ole Party live @ First Avenue 9/14/07

Rilo Kiley on Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

Yeah, I agree, Rilo's latest record "Under The Blacklight" may not be my (or your) favorite. However, wow, "indie rock darling" Jenny Lewis and company really know how to put on a live show. Sold out First Avenue was crazy-packed for the gig. I haven't seen that many 18-20 year old girls in one place in a long time...

Hmmm, what else can I tell you? The band really impressed me, as I had never seen them live before. Jenny's voice and stage presence were fantastic. The rest of the band and back-up singers were equally impressive. Even the new stuff sounded great. And what do you know... now I really kinda' dig the new album. That's why I go to shows.

Opening bands Jonathan Rice and Grand Ole Party were ok. Not really 100% my thing. I was a bit bored to be perfectly honest. Both seem pretty talented, though, so definitely check them out.

I'll leave in-depth analysis to others. You can read more about the gig over at HowWasTheShow and on Brody's blog. Also, check it, they stopped in for an in-studio session on the Current.


mp3: Rilo Kiley - Smoke Detector (YSI)

Some cool vids from the show:

Rilo Kiley - "Breakin' Up" live @ First Avenue 9/14/07:



Rilo Kiley - "Rise Up With Fists" (Jenny Lewis & The Watson Twins cover) live @ First Avenue 9/14/07:



Rilo Kiley - "Does He Love You?" live @ First Avenue 9/14/07 (final encore of the night):



Rilo Kiley Website | MySpace
Jonathan Rice Website | MySpace
Grand Ole Party MySpace

Editors live @ Fine Line 9/12/07

Editors on Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

Wow. Editors did not disappoint. They were absolutely brilliant at Fine Line Music Cafe last week. One of my favorite shows of the year. No comparisons to that "other" band necessary. They're the real deal folks. I think MFR agrees. So does Brody.

mp3: Editors - The Racing Rats (YSI)

Have you seen the "Absolutely NO Video" signs inside Fine Line? Ha ha, yeah...

Editors - "Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors" live @ Fine Line 9/12/07:



Editors Website | MySpace

Previously:
My favorite shows of 2006
Stellastarr* / The Editors live @ Fine Line 4/18/06

Video: Rilo Kiley - "Does He Love You?" live @ First Avenue 9/14/07

Final encore of the night last Friday at First Avenue.

Full wrap-up of Editors and Rilo Kiley to come ASAP.

Ruckus on the Westbank 9/8/07 featuring: Dance Band, Big Quarters, Poison Control Center, North, The 757s

Ruckus on Flickr: Photos | Slideshow

Chris over at Poplife has a review for you.

Nomad World Pub did a fabulous job putting on this event. A couple of thoughts on the musical acts I witnessed: Dance Band was a blast to watch. They really want you to, ummmm, dance! Hip-hop duo Big Quarters were quite good. Unfortunately, they struck out finding somebody from the audience to beat-box for them on-stage for one of their tunes. Yeah, not one of my talents... Iowa's Poison Control Center definitely performed the high energy ADD set of the evening (see photos). Insane. North was my favorite music act. Think Radiohead meets Coldplay. The 757s closed out the night. Very nice guys and a great way to finish the festival.

Poison Control Center's brand new album "A Collage of Impressions" drops 9/25/07 via Minneapolis' Afternoon Records. Here's the first single:

mp3: Poison Control Center - Magic Circle Symphony

Also, check out a tune from their EP "Glory Us":

mp3: Poison Control Center - Glory Us

Poison Control Center Website | MySpace

Ruckus bands in the order the played (I missed the first 5):

02:00pm - Spiritual Mansions
03:00pm - Estate
04:00pm - City on the Make
05:00pm - Ice Palace
06:00pm - The Melismatics
07:00pm - Dance Band
08:00pm - Big Quarters
09:00pm - Poison Control Center
10:30pm - North
12:00am - The 757s

And yeah, no, Tay Zonday didn't play.

VHS or Beta live @ 7th Street Entry 9/5/07

VHS or Beta on Flickr: Flickr Photos | Flickr Slideshow

Due to the Federer vs Roddick US Open tennis match I wound up skipping the opening bands. I've seen locals Maps of Norway before (they're pretty good). Sorry Walter Meego, come back for a visit from Chicago soon...

Last time I saw VHS or Beta was in the First Avenue Main Room a couple of years ago when they opened up for Electric Six. They were quite good that night. So, even though I'm not a huge fan of their new album Bring on the Comets I was kind of excited to see the guys live again. VoB were ok in the 7th Street Entry. They still have lots of stage charisma and their set was solid. The older stuff rocked, the new stuff was so-so. I had a great time at the show and they're definitely still worth checking out live. Hopefully they'll return to form and wow us with the next record...

mp3: VHS or Beta - Can't Believe a Single Word (YSI)
mp3: Walter Meego - Romantic
mp3: Maps of Norway - Manners

Related:
VHS or Beta live on the Current

VHS or Beta Website | MySpace
Walter Meego Website | MySpace
Maps of Norway Website | MySpace

Quickies: I'm back | Luciano RIP | Ruckus on the Westbank | Tony RIP | VHS or Beta | Arctic Monkeys on Letterman | M.I.A.

> So... it appears I took a much needed blogging vacation in August. Yeah, I had loads of fun. However, as of today, the blog is back in session. Regular updates to follow.

> Luciano Pavarotti RIP. My favorite tenor. I was lucky enough to witness the legend live a few years ago at Xcel Energy Center. Absolutely amazing show. This song still gives me goosebumps:

Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun Dorma:


> Cool event alert! Ruckus on the West Bank goes down tomorrow, Saturday 9/8/07, 1pm - 2am. Lots of great bands and it's FREE! I'll see you there...



> Tony Wilson RIP. Tragic. 24 Hour Party People may be my favorite music film every made.

Happy Mondays - 24 Hour Party People:


> I watched VHS or Beta live @ 7th Street Entry a couple of days ago. Photos and words to come soon. In the meanwhile, check out their in-studio appearance on The Current. Brody also has a short review.

> Arctic Monkeys are performing live on Letterman tonight, 9/6/07.

> M.I.A.'s new album Kala is fantastic. After camping last weekend, this tune is officially one of my favorite songs of the summer:

M.I.A. - Paper Planes - live @ Lollapalooza 8/3/07:


OK, that's all I have for now. More to come. Have a great weekend!

Cheers.