Anyway, here are some shows I checked out recently but never got around to posting on the site:
>> Stars of Track and Field live @ 7th Street Entry 10/19/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
One of the best light shows I've seen in the Entry. The band musically was pretty good. Kind of a mix between The Postal Service and Mobius Band.
mp3: Stars of Track and Field - Movies Of Antarctica
Stars of Track and Field Website | MySpace
>> Drive-By Truckers live @ First Avenue 10/19/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
Caught the last 45 minutes of their set in the Mainroom after crossing over from the Entry. I'm not really into Southern Rock, but I was thoroughly entertained by these Georgia rockers. Wow, they really jammed out in true "Skynyrd" style. I haven't seen a Jack Daniels bottle being passed around on stage in quite a while. Poplife has more on the gig.
mp3: Drive-By Truckers - World of Hurt
mp3: Drive-By Truckers - Loaded Gun in the Closet
Drive-By Truckers Website | MySpace
>> The Raveonettes live @ 7th Street Entry 10/21/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
mp3: The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
mp3: The Raveonettes - Aly, Walk With Me
YouTube: The Raveonettes - Dead Sound
The Raveonettes have blown me away every time I've seen them. This night was no exception. I still can't believe I got to see them in the Entry. Wow, the new stuff from the forthcoming album "Lust, Lust, Lust" (out 2/19/08) sounded brilliant. More on BRIAT. Rave on.
The Raveonettes Website | MySpace
>> Nicole Atkins & the Sea live @ 7th Street Entry 10/21/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
Nicole and her band opened for The Raveonettes. I was pleasantly surprised by her performance, as I really didn't know too much about her. What did she sound like? I think the description on her MySpace sums it up: "Roy Orbison as a chick fronting a band of elves."
mp3: Nicole Atkins & the Sea - Party's Over
YouTube: Nicole Atkins & the Sea - The Way It Is (live on Letterman 10/30/07)
Nicole Atkins & the Sea Website | MySpace
>> Mobius Band live @ Triple Rock 10/24/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
Another very fine performance supporting label-mate Matthew Dear. The new album "Heaven" is great, and live the songs sounded even better. I still can't believe these guys aren't huge yet...
mp3: Mobius Band - Friends Like These
mp3: Mobius Band - Hallie
YouTube: Mobius Band - Friends Like These
Mobius Band Website | MySpace
>> Matthew Dear live @ Triple Rock 10/24/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
Hmmmm, I don't know, I wasn't that impressed. I liked the DJ-ing and electronica aspect, but really didn't dig the singing and band. I guess the show was ok. To be perfectly honest I missed 1/2 of it as I was talking with the guys in Mobius Band...
mp3: Matthew Dear - Dog Days
Matthew Dear Website | MySpace
>> Stook! | Dan Israel | Martin Devaney live @ Varsity Theater 10/26/07
Martin Devaney & Stook!:
Dan Israel:
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
What a pleasant surprise this dual CD-release (Stook!, Dan Israel) gig turned out to be. I had a great time and really enjoyed all 3 artists (and all the guest musicians who appeared). HWTS has more. And yeah, being on stage with a bunch of friends and singing backing vocals to final tune of the evening "Rockin' in the Free World" was pretty sweet...
mp3: Dan Israel - Hurt and Love
Stook! Website | MySpace
Dan Israel Website | MySpace
Martin Devaney Website | MySpace
>> Sunset Rubdown live @ Triple Rock 11/2/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
Spencer Krug can do no wrong in my book. Yep, the show was awesome. Wolf Parade still reigns supreme in my book, though.
YouTube: Sunset Rubdown - Us Ones In Between (live in Chicago)
Sunset Rubdown Website
>> The Cool Kids live @ First Avenue 11/20/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
They opened for M.I.A. and their shit was dope. They sounded like a mix between The Beastie Boys and Run DMC... which got the crowd nicely warmed up for the main act.
YouTube: The Cool Kids - Black Mags
The Cool Kids MySpace
>> M.I.A. live @ First Avenue 11/20/07
Flickr: Photos | Slideshow
Saved the best for last... M.I. mutherfuckin' A. simply destroyed sold-out First Avenue. One of my favorite shows of the year. Some highlights:
- The audience was totally into it. Kids were dancing their asses off.
- M.I.A. was all over the stage and really gave it her all. Singing, dancing, crowd-surfing, climbing into the balcony. That girl really has some energy.
- For "Bird Flu" (see photo above and video below) some of the crowd got to join M.I.A. on stage.
- The light, stage, and video screen show were really amazing. A complete multi-media experience.
Here are a couple of live videos from the show.
M.I.A. - "Bamboo Banga" live @ First Avenue 11/20/07:
(Opening tune - 4:57)
M.I.A. - "Bucky Done Gun" | "Bird Flu" live @ First Avenue 11/20/07:
(Features lots of people on stage during "Bird Flu" - 11:03)
And my favorite song of the year:
mp3: M.I.A. - Paper Planes
M.I.A. Website | MySpace
Related:
PopLife has more and the setlist.
Star Tribune review.
Reveille photos.
OK, so that about sums it up for now. I think I'm finally caught up. I'll probably try to put up a few more posts before year-end. Maybe I'll do a list of sorts. Actually, probably not. I'm really sick of year-end lists already and it's not even December. Plus you know my top song of the year already (and my top album in a sec)...
I'll conclude with the latest video from my top album of the year (no surprise). Peace, take care.
Arctic Monkeys - Teddy Picker:
Arctic Monkeys Website
