Concert Review: Morrissey, October 19, Rapids Theatre, Niagara Falls, USA

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Ricky in Concerts | Leave a comment

morrissey niagara falls

It’s been a whole eight years since Morrissey last toured these parts, so when it was announced that the English troubadour would be embarking on a worldwide tour, you would think that one of those places he would visit would be our fair land of Canada.

Well, not really.

A staunch lover of all animals, Morrissey has refused to tour in our country over a disagreement with our seal clubbing policies. Instead, his Canadian tour stop consisted of a singular date at the Rapids Theatre in Niagara Falls, USA a mere five minutes over the border. Of course, the irony was not lost on us when we found out the only place to eat around the theatre was Burger King.

Say what you want about the man and his polices, but Morrissey knows how to put on a show. Before a packed, excited and mostly Canadian crowd, Moz delivered a sterling 90 minute set that nicely blended solo-era tracks with a few Smiths songs, which were undoubtedly the highlights of the sets.

Let’s break it down:

Smiths tracks
Shoplifters Of The World Unite
Still Ill
Meat Is Murder
I Know It’s Over
Sweet And Tender Hooligan
How Soon Is Now?

An impressive ensemble of Smiths tracks were played on Friday night, including a rare performance of Sweet and Tender Hooligan, which came much to the surprise of me and my friend Aviva. We had both analyze previous set lists to determine the tracks that we would hear and nowhere on the list was that song. I think my concert going experience for some part has been ruined by setlist.fm since I can’t help myself from checking out the setlist, and ruining the surprise of say, when Morrissey plays I Know It’s Over, one of my favorite tracks of all time. If I hadn’t known it was coming, I probably would have lost it when that song came on, instead, I was satisfied he didn’t skip it. Did that song sound amazing? Yes. Was it a bucket list moment? yes.

The only damper on this set was the inclusion of Meat is Murder, a fine track on it’s own but Morrissey felt the need to play videos of farm animals getting slaughtered on the big screen during the song. Probably a downer for some. Iconic Smith’s track How Soon is Now closed off the set. You simply can’t go wrong with that. Watch it in all it’s glory

You might notice a few people taking the stage to hug Morrissey during that video. That’s a tradition at Morrissey shows, I was surprised it didn’t happen earlier/more frequently. At the Toronto show eight years ago, there were so many people rushing the stage that I think they had a number queuing system put in, like those at the super markets.

Early Morrissey Solo stuff
You’re The One For Me, Fatty
Everyday Is Like Sunday
Maladjusted
Ouija Board, Ouija Board
The Youngest Was The Most Loved
Fantastic Bird
Speedway

Everyday is Like Sunday sounded fantastic and one of the highlights of the show for me. Ouija Board was also great. If anything these tracks served as a gentle reminder to Smiths-era diehards that Morrissey, as a solo artist, has put out a buffet of fantastic tracks. You’re the one for me, Fatty is one of my favorite song titles ever. Malajusted, with it’s dark dramatic lighting, came off as a bit trying, but I have never been a fan of that track.

Modern Day Morrissey
You Have Killed Me
I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
Let Me Kiss You
Black Cloud
Scandinavia

Modern day Morrissey tracks (I am referring to tracks off his last three albums), have been met with mixed results. The excellent You are the Quarry was only represented with one track, while Years of Refusal and Ringleader of the Tormentors had roughly equal representation. I can’t say I know Years of Refusal very well, and judging by the reaction from the crowd, I was not alone in that aspect. New track Scandinavia was also met without much fanfare. It’s always one of the struggles of an artist with a vast catalog – getting your fans interested in your new music. It’s something all nostalgia related shows deal with, and this was no different. I guess the key is to mix the old and the new well to maintain the ebb and flow of the crowd, something Morrissey did quite well.

Covers
To Give (The Reason I Live)

Morrissey had been doing this Franki Valli cover most of this tour, and it was met for a polite applause to which he retorted “You didn’t really mean it, but thanks. Time to pick up the pieces!” before immediately launching into I Know It’s Over. Classic.

All in all, the man sounded great and still commands a room like few. In a world now dominated by indistinguishable hipster bands, Morrissey stands out like no other – opinionated, stubborn, clever and incredibly honest. You might not agree with his politics or methods, but when Morrissey comes to town and plays one of those classic tracks you listened to in your bedroom when you were a teenager, none of it really matters, nor should it.

Concert Review: Mika, October 18, Victoria Theatre

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Celeste in Concerts | Leave a comment

Mika

He’s got looks that books take pages to tell, he’s got a face to make you fall on your knees.

Yes. Yes he does.

The promise of Mika’s first visit back to the states in four years brought out everyone and their mother (literally) to the Vic Theatre on a rainy Chicago Thursday. An 8 year old boy in his light up shoes and his Mom rocked out in close proximity to a bearded and tattooed twenty-something who was stepping on the toes of a middle aged man and his partner who both had their hands in the air the entire show. And they were all just so happy to be there.

The show started out with a quick but delightful set by The Dolls: Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe. Basically, Mia Moretti DJs while Caitlin Moe accompanies on her electric violin. Sound awesome? That’s because it is. And then let me also add that Moretti has a star shaped tambourine and Moe wears a skin tight, floral, backless, maxi dress and a ribbon in her hair. I’ll just stop there because really there’s nothing more to say.

Shortly after the two ladies left, Mika flowed, danced, paraded, wiggled and strutted his way onto the stage and basically owned the venue for the next two hours. He unashamedly played all his biggest hits one after another after another – Blue Eyes followed by Billy Brown followed by Big Girl followed by Love Today followed by Elle me dit followed by Grace Kelly and on and on and on. And the crowd ate it up and asked for seconds.

I’ve never seen a concert where the back of the auditorium had their hands up, dancing just as hard as the fans in the front row getting sprayed in sweat by their idol, but Mika managed it. The man was intensely, electrifying energetic at the same that he was languid, he was coy while also being brazen and he was obviously delighted to be amongst his fans while also totally making fun of the lot of us the entire time, and through all of it his falsetto never wavered.

Four years ago I was turned away from a sold out Mika show in Boston, and every passing year my expectations for his show have grown until even I had to realize that there was no way they were going to be met. Leaving his show tonight and getting on to the El I realized my face was aching because I had actually just smiled for two hours straight. Expectations exceeded.

Getting Real: A talk with Lucy Michelle & The Velvet Lapelles

Posted on October 19, 2012 by halley in interviews | Leave a comment

First, a big thanks to Lucy Michelle of Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles for graciously answering my questions in my first-ever musician-interview. Her band has been gaining renown thanks to both her penetratingly beautiful voice and her band’s great instrumental quality (often including cellos for the win!). I’m super excited to see her in DC on October 27th – and with the band’s extensive tour going on now, I’d highly recommend looking for their stop near you.

1) What question do you wish interviewers would ask you?

Does your band need a place to crash tonight?

2) You’ve mentioned your day-job is teaching. Do you ever perform for your kids? If so, do they make a good audience? If not, do you wish you could perform for younger audiences or do you avoid it on purpose?

Actually starting in June of this year I began doing music full time, but I still occasionally sub and I have played for the students several times. It’s a great experience, they always get very excited and ask lots of questions, which I love. Adults don’t really do that, nor do they have that kind of energy. But I love playing for audiences of all ages, I learn so much when I play for people of all different ages.

3) If you could sum-up your style in three adjectives and one verb, what would they be?

Whimsical, raw, spontaneous, partying

4) What was your favorite part of growing up in Minneapolis?

I actually grew up in St.Paul, which I loved. I got to know St. Paul really well at a young age. My mom wasn’t one to hang out at home when I was little so we would explore the city and she’d take me everywhere: coffee shops, thrift stores, museums, antique stores, parks, friends’ houses. Both my parents are artistic people and they have some really wonderful friends whose houses I spent many of my formative years at, I remember their kids, their gardens and their endless creativity. It’s really hard for me to imagine living in a different place, because the twin cities have been such an inspiring place for me. Not just the location but also the people in it.

5) Does musical talent run in your family?

My great grandmother was a pianist for silent movies and my Grandfather builds and play banjos. My family also has a huge appreciation for music and musicians. I remember many a living room dance party.

6) If you could open for any band, which would it be?

Velvet Underground

7) What is your favorite song on the new album, Heat, and why?

I think Puget Sound is one of my favorites, when we play it live I tend get goosebumps. That song just vividly takes me back to the day my husband asked me to marry him.

Tour Dates:

Oct 17 – Chicago, IL @ Suterranean (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 18 – Cleveland, OH @ Beachland Tavern (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 19 – Toronto, ON @ Parts & Labour (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 20 – Buffalo, NY @ Mohawk Place (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 22 – Pawtucket, RI @ The Met (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 23 – Cambridge, MA @ Middle East Upstairs (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 24 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 25 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 26 – Annapolis, MD @ Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge (w/HMBSMS)
Oct 27 – Washington, DC @ DC 9 (w/HMBSMS)

Concert Review: Dispatch, Constitution Hall, October 11

Posted on October 15, 2012 by halley in Concerts | Leave a comment

dispatch

Few things that I loved in the 1990s have stood the test of time. Slap bracelets? Gone. Ring pops? Rare. Nano-pets? No more. The notable exception to this trend: Dispatch. The band was awesome when I listened to them on my super cool discman, and they proved last night at Constitution Hall that they remain THE hardest-locking-liberally-educated-all-white-boy-jam-band around.

Their show began with a rousing set by the Parkington Sisters – four sisters (already a win) playing instruments ranging from the accordion to the guitar to the piano. Their look was a great combination of folksy-grungy-chic and outfits included cowboy boots, fishnet stockings, and jorts. The sisters delivered a lovely upbeat performance complete with beautiful four-part harmonies and big smiles. As someone totally unfamiliar with the quartet, I had trouble identifying individual songs as they were played, but I have been listening to their song “Cruel” repeatedly on YouTube since seeing them last night.

After Parkington Sisters came Good Old War, basically replacing four bluegrassy females with three equally folksy men. (Note, the name of this band comes from a combination of the members’ last names: Keith GOODwin, Tim ArnOLD and Daniel SchWARtz. Clever guys!) The trio also equaled the sisters in terms of being a crowd hit. The members fluctuated between playing drums, keyboard, and guitar and had a great presence throughout their songs. They joked with the audience, jumped around, and the guitarist in particular had some great jumping/wiggling moves. My favorite part of their set was probably their Raffi cover of “Daylight Come” but I would also recommend checking out their new album titled Come Back as Rain.

Lastly, Dispatch took the stage! So many things to say about this band. First, the boys are looking and feeling good. They’re all totally cuties and they totally own the stage when they’re up there. Constitution Hall, although a regular host to concerts, had major audio troubles, but Chad Urmston, Pete Heimbold, and Brad Corrigan didn’t blink an eye. Instead, they jammed on as best as possible, encouraging the crowd to sing to fill in the missing vocals because of the faulty microphones. They also diverted the crowd through sure-pleasers such as The Wave and inviting audience members on stage to rock out with them. Dispatch also did a phenomenal job balancing rhetoric with rock – they delivered brief and on-point commentary on the importance of education (shout out to their alma mater Middlebury!) and thanked teachers in the crowd by dedicating a song to them. They also complemented their music with an amazing lights show and invitations to the Parkington Sisters to rock out on stage with them. And I haven’t even said anything about their music. I mean, so good. I actually realized I like this band much more live than recorded. Songs such as Flying Horses and Carry You were my favorites live, although Two Coins and The General were also great. The band’s new songs from their most recent album, Circles Around the Sun, also got the crowd going – although the sing-along was a bit weaker on their new stuff. Dispatch also proved fame has not gone to their head: they delivered a rousing encore after an already 90 minute set, thanked the audience and audio support profusely (despite the many audio glitches) and generally left everyone in a great mood.

« Previous   1 2 ... 460 461 462 463 464 465 466 467 468 469 ... 784 785   Next »