Concerts

Concert Review: Ra Ra Riot, December 2nd, Ritchie Coliseum

Posted on December 5, 2011 by halley in Concerts | Leave a comment

There was nothing promising about the Ra Ra Riot show at the University of Maryland’s Ritchie Coliseum on December 2nd. I didn’t really know the band well. The commute from DC to College Park (the ‘burbs) was going to be a mess. I was going to be surrounded by undergrads (no offense, undergrads).

BUT: people I adore (aka my sister) like the band; tickets were $7; they had come through DC a few weeks before and sold out for over $20; I had three friends willing to go.

Why not?

And, despite all the potential pitfalls of the unfamiliar band and the horrendous commute, it was well worth it.

The trek out to College Park was pretty epic (and included my friends and me walking a lonely, dark, semi-terrifying mile down the dark dark sidewalks of Avenue 1 as well as taking a taxi whose driver did not believe in pedestrian right-of-way or watching the road as he drove) but we got to the Coliseum a good seven minutes before doors closed and Ra Ra Riot took the stage. Our seven minute head start allowed us to see the last seven minutes of the opener, Logic, which proved to be a hard core rap band. Their sound was so abrasive (they must have dropped the mother-f**ker bomb at least 50 times in those seven minutes) my friends and I were literally a little nervous we had been duped into coming to a concert for some little-known college rap band called Ra Ra Riot – I’ve never seen such an incongruous opener-headliner pair. You never know what you’ll get!

Thankfully, after Logic’s members cleared the stage… a cello appeared (albeit, a super funky cello – all electric with no body – just frame). I instantly relaxed. Ra Ra Riot’s 6 members took the stage in all their hipster glory. The lead singer was incredible. His voice is just so distinctive and melodious – and always always on pitch. The band played for over an hour and he sounded just as good at the end as he did at the beginning. The cellist also did a solo, which was a cool change in pace. The band really rocked out with a great stage set-up (very cool vertical colored lights) and a great set, including “Too Dramatic” (my favorite), “Run My Mouth,” “Each Year” and an incredible encore ending with “Dying is Fine.”

Ra Ra Riot – Too Dramatic by Arts & Crafts

Concert Review: Sunbears!, Wendell Kimbrough, Andy Zipf, November 30, Black Cat

Posted on December 2, 2011 by halley in Concerts | Leave a comment

Y’know the best way to end a month? With a concert (obvi).

Extra points, of course, if it’s a good concert – which the November 30th show at the Black Cat, featuring Wendell Kimbrough, Sunbears!, and Andy Zipf, proved to be. Thankfully, the venue and performers experienced none of the technical troubles that occurred last time I was there for the Active Child/M83 show. Everything went smoothly which was especially good news given the literal spectacle put on by the second band, Sunbears!

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This was one of those shows where the opener was exceptionally strong. Wendell put on a great set – he really connected with the crowd, chatting about his life in Northeast DC – and sang about things to which all of us Washingtonians can relate (the terribleness of the Snowpocalypse, the mixed characters you encounter in the different DC neighborhood-quadrants) and to which of all of us still-angsty twenty-somethings can relate (miscommunications in relationships, self-definition). Not only was his banter pleasant, but his accent (he was born and raised in Mississippi) was a treat to hear. His accompanist was also very talented, if quieter than his lead-singer.

If I had to compare Wendell Kimbrough to anyone – I’d go for a combo Simon & Garfunkel/Ryan Adams sound (I’m not sure he’d agree but that’s my best attempt!). Wendell definitely has a sound of his own, however, and some great lyrics (the best line of the night, in my opinion, was his statement that ‘the demand for kills supply’). My favorite songs were “The Longest Month” (good for any other winter-haters out there) as well as “Communication” and “The Robin’s Nest.” He’s a talented, talented guy – with a new album (Things That Can’t be Taught) out for sale. Keep it in mind for your music-loving friends looking to discover new talent.

Little Birds (album preview) by wendellk

Sunbears! took the stage after Mr. Kimbrough. First of all, points for incorporating punctuation into the band name. Second of all, MAJOR points for the all-out effort this band puts into its show! Have you seen the article in the New York Times about our ‘hipster’ generation that describes us as entrepreneurs and uses small bands as a perfect example of the tendency for us Millenials to create small businesses right and left? Sunbears! is a prime example. The band literally festooned the stage with dozens of fabric flowers and strobe lights and set up a screen behind them that featured a variety of optical treats, including dancing women (in an appropriate manner), the two band members mussing their hair in time to the music, and eye-boggling patterns and shapes. It was all very very cool. Of course, the real points come from the band’s musical talent – which they proved to have without a doubt. I especially loved “I’m Alive!” “Give Love a Try” an “All You Need is Sleep” (a motto I can personally endorse!)

Sunbears! – Give Love A Try by goldestegg

Last, Andy Zipf. Honestly, I was super tired at this point, but was so impressed with the headliner’s openers I decided to stay and see what the main man himself could do. I was glad I stayed! Zipf, like his two openers, was super personable. The first thing he did was tell the crowd to move up to the stage, saying ‘we’re in this together!’ which I loved. I loved Zipf’s sound – so subtly energetic. My favorites were definitely “Forward Motion” and “Walkin’ Beside.” Honestly, Zipf’s religious messages are a bit too prominent in his music for my personal taste, but that doesn’t stand in the way of an excellent overall sound and stage presence.

I Ain’t The Kind For Givin’ Up by Andy Zipf

All in all, a great show with three great bands. Worth checking them all out!

Concert Review: Digitalism, November 29, Mod Club

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Ricky in Concerts | Leave a comment

Tuesday night marked the long awaited return of German duo Digitalism to the club scene. Not even a miserable rainy night could dampen the mood of the easily excitable crowd. With projection screens and light fixtures taking over most of the stage, the realization that we were all about to enter an aural and visual extravaganza created a slight buzz in the air that erupted into a major applause when the duo and their tour drummer (dressed in matching gear..those Germans..) took the stage shortly after 10 pm.

With only two albums in their repertoire, the duo smoothly blended and mixed the more familiar tracks off Idealism with the newer material off I Love You Dude. Classic tracks like I Want I Want got the crowd going early. For an act that is mostly known for helming the decks, Digitalism has a surprising amount of stage presence. On the tracks that required vocals, Jens Moelle would excitedly rush to the front of the stage, dance and sing the tracks with the excitement of a teenager showing off his tracks off for the first time. The excitement, enthusiasm and energy given off by the group became a great catalyst for the Toronto Tuesday crowd who admittedly required a boost in the beginning. By the time Digitalism’s signature track Zdarlight rolled around, there wasn’t a still body in the house and the show just built from there a midst strobe lights, lasers and that undeniable Euro beat. Powered by live mixing and a pulsating beat, newer tracks such as 2 Hearts and Circles were more powerful live then on record, always a good sign.

Tuesday nights are normally not reserved for a Euro after hours party experience, but with Digitalism leading the way, count me in. Highly energetic and undeniably fun, check the band out if they are in your town.

12/2 – NEW YORK, NY @ Webster Hall
12/3 – PHILADELPHIA, PA @ Trocadero
12/5- WASHINGTON, DC @ U Hall
12/7 – ASHEVILLE, NC @ Orange Peel
12/9 – AUSTIN, TX @ Parish
12/10 – DALLAS, TX @ Granada
12/12 – SOLANA BEACH, CA @ Belly Up
12/13 – LOS ANGELES, CA @ Music Box
12/14 – SAN FRANCISCO, CA @ Mezzanine

Forrest Gump by digitalism_official

Concert Review: Lana Del Rey, November 30, Mod Club

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Ricky in Concerts | Leave a comment

The Mod Club was brimming with excitement on a chilly rainy Thursday as the white hot Lana Del Rey made her Toronto debut to a sold out crowd. This fall’s ultimate love it or hate it internet sensation, Lana Del Rey (aka Lizzie Grant) has built an incredible amount of momentum on the strength of two nostalgic sounding singles on youtube, with the song Video Games garnering over eight million hits alone. With her pretty face, pouting lips and super hip music video, it was surprisingly easy for the New Jersey based singer to attract the attention of fashion forward hipsters around the globe, dominating blogs and media alike. The transition from internet sensation to real life artist began this fall as Lana Del Rey took to the clubs in promotion of her singles and upcoming debut record, titled Born to Die.

Taking the stage shortly after 9 pm and backed by a four piece band, Lana Del Rey played a short forty minute set that showcased a surprising wide variety of tracks. There were the solemn lounge singer numbers like Blue Jeans, Born to Die (still sounds a bit like Chris Isaac to me) and Video Games, but there was also a few tracks that seem to have spawn from 90s hip hop roots, with Lana almost rapping to a beat that TLC would have been proud of. It was a pleasant surprise, although the crowd seemed quite neutral to all non youtube tracks. Based on her excitement and confidence when singing those tracks, I actually wonder if those upbeat hip hop like tracks are actually truthful more Lana Del Rey songs then her popular hits. Only time will tell, I guess.

Despite not being entirely comfortable on stage, Lana Del Rey showcased a strong singing voice that can swing from high pitch almost Nicky Minaj like singing to a deep weathered soulful sound that channels someone who has seen anything and everything. Lana’s stage presence presented a playful, somewhat giddy and chatty girl in an unbelievable Jersey accent. It was quite the departure from the mysterious DIY meets James Dean meets Vogue magazine persona conjured up on the internet. Makes you wonder who is behind the latter.

All in all, it’s often hard for skyrocketing music sensations to justify their hype, but Lana Del Rey’s set at the Mod Club was good enough to establish that she is has talent. It helps that Video Games and Blue Jeans are absolutely fantastic tracks. It will be interesting to see her progression as an artist and also at the same time, if her fan base remains. I suspect most people in the crowd were there for curiosity and I’m sure half of them went to say they went. I wouldn’t be surprised if this group moves on to the next big thing by the time her debut record comes out in January. Still, a pretty show nonetheless.

Lana Del Rey – Video Games by PurplePR

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