Concert Round-up 10/19/07 - 11/20/07: Stars of Track and Field, Raveonettes, Nicole Atkins, Mobius Band, Sunset Rubdown, M.I.A., and more...

So yeah, it's been too long since I've updated. I've been pretty busy with work and other extra-curricular activities the past few months so we'll have to see what the future holds for this here blog. Don't worry, I still read your blog, listen to new music, and check out bands around town.

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.

The after-party at Foundation Nightclub was pretty cool as well. What a night...

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