After my last class on May 22nd I took the bus over to the Wonder Ballroom where I was first in line for First Aid Kit later that evening. Two girls got in line right after me and had been at the KINK Bing Lounge show earlier. They didn't have tickets, but Klara and Johanna put them on the guest list which was really cool.
Willy Mason was the opener and he was super good. Very mellow; the kind of music you'd want in the background while you're reading or if you're relaxing in a hammock.
Then First Aid Kit came out. Johanna and Klara were wearing gold dresses, and their backdrop was this pretty gold material that shimmered in different lights.
They played a 16 song set which included a Bob Dylan cover of One More Cup Of Coffee, and a Simon & Garfunkel cover of America. They played 7 out of 10 new songs off their new album "Stay Gold", and for the song Ghost Town Johanna and Klara came to the front of the stage (Klara with her acoustic guitar unplugged) and sang the entire song completely acoustic without any kind of amplification. The crowd was singling along, and it ended up being really beautiful. Everyone was quiet and respectful when they were singing - even the drinking section which is notoriously noisy - and it was awesome. They said how much they love Portland and that they naturally wanted to start their tour here, and that they would try to come back soon (they're playing the Roseland in November!)
It was an excellent show, and you could really tell how much they loved doing what they do. They have a certain energy and brightness to their music and performance, and they're really phenomenal talents considering how young they are and how much younger they were when they first started.
Johanna and drummer Nicholas
Klara and pedal steel guitar player Melvin
The view I had when they acoustically sang Ghost Town
Finding the Cuthbert Amphitheater was quite an adventure. It's conveniently hidden somewhere between a children's museum and where the Oregon Ducks play. I got to the venue around 3pm, and there was only a short line which surprised me considering how popular Childish Gambino is. The line steadily got longer up until the gates opened, and I was the first one through.
I ended up being front and center, which I realized after the show was probably not my best choice. The circulation of the crowd - especially at a rap show - is similar to a Hadley Cell (sorry, my inner geography nerd is coming out, it'll make sense I promise):
At the equator the air rises and then once it hits a certain height it moves away from the equator and descends at around 30 degrees north or south.
So in terms of a concert: the crowd pushes towards front and center from the back, but when they hit the front row or barricade the constant push from the back moving forward tends to push people in the middle to the sides (the people at the direct front and center can grab onto the barricade and generally don't get moved).
(I'm not the best at the Microsoft Paint, but it worked okay I think)
So basically to sum it up: being at the front and center is where you get the most squished.
Danny Brown was the opener, and DJ Stefan Ponce was keeping the music going the whole time with other various rappers performing before Danny Brown. I'm not super into rap music, but I though Danny Brown was pretty good, he's been getting a lot of hype lately too. The only other rapper I've seen was Ludacris who happened to be the opening act for 'N Sync about thirteen years ago.
Between Danny Brown and Childish Gambino, the 'Deep Web app' was in out in full force. It was an interactive app that allowed concert goers to scribble and write messages that appeared on a big screen onstage. There were lots of penises...
Then finally, Donald came out wearing shorts and a sweater. He didn't talk much between songs, and he seemed really cynical. It's weird since I know him from his comedy where he's so animated and vivid, but maybe that's just a he just has two selves - rapper and comedian. It might have had something to do with Community being canceled that same day, but he left the show the year before so who knows.
The set was super cool. It was made to look like the inside of a house and there were two platforms - one that looked like a study, with a big armchair, globe, and wooden desk, and the other side looked like a living room with a big couch - each with about 5 or 6 people lounging in them (all girls). My guess is that they got some sort of special VIP ticket that got them there. Side note: isn't it funny how 'VIP' (Very Important Person) these days really just means 'SMM' (Spent More Money). Anyway, about half way through the show between songs, Donald looked over at the people on the furniture and yelled "GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY HOUSE" at which they all awkwardly walked off stage.
I've gotta say, this show took the cake for the most squished I've ever been. I couldn't even get my phone out to take pictures... Absolutely insane, but fun!
For the second Decemberists show on May 30th, I had purchased a special VIP ticket which got me early entry and a meet and greet with the band. At about 5:45 they let the VIP line in. I had learned the day before that 120 VIP tickets were sold for each show, which seemed like a lot to me. I also learned that there's no way to tell someone that you're standing in the VIP line without sounding like a total douche...
I met a few people in line that were pretty cool, and we hung out in Lola's Room which is another venue on the floor below the Crystal Ballroom. It's pretty small - 340 people capacity - and that's where the meet and greet was. There was a table with some food from Ringler's Pub downstairs, and everyone got a drink ticket. The band didn't come in until about 6:30 (they were supposed to come in at 6), and the girl (can't remember her name for the life of me...) I had met before and I immediately went over to Colin since we knew he was going to get swamped and we wanted to get up to the stage before the early entry from Ringler's were allowed in.
I told him how much I appreciated what the band was doing for Victory Academy since I used to babysit for a boy that was on the autism spectrum. I also gave him a little salve package (my mom makes organic salves and lip balms, so I gave him two lip balms and a 'healskin' salve that's good for scrapes and cuts).
After that I went around and met the other band members with the girl and gave each of them a lip balm that my mom had made. They all loved them - John (drummer) put it on right away, and Nate (bass player) said it would be perfect for his 4-year-old who is very into "lipstick" right now.
I asked Chris Funk (various instruments, guitar, steel pedal guitar, theremin, etc.) about what the story is with the small deity that's always onstage with them now. Apparently it's Athena, and they stole it from the dressing room of a venue they played at once. He actually remembered me from the Black Prairie show at the KINK Bing Lounge which was super cool.
I finished the meet and greet by talking to Jenny Conlee (pianist and accordion player), who over the course of our conversation ended up reveling there would be a new Decemberists album and tour early next year. I also ended up talking to her about piano lessons, which I'm now taking with her!
Colin Meloy Chris Funk
My whole family was in the front row Signed poster included with VIP ticket
I got to the barricade (front and center) with a few people from the meet and greet, but there were only about five of us there when the early entry from Ringler's came rushing in. My family were one of the first groups in, and there was actually enough room for us all to be in front together which was kinda cool.
Sallie Ford was the opening act, she came out with a new band (all female which was badass) since 'The Sound Outside' had split. She was excellent, and Chris Funk (who is producing her latest album which I found out at the Black Prairie KINK Bing Lounge show) came out for a few songs.
The first part of the set was the Castaways And Cutouts (2002) album - same as the night before. Although I thought the first night was better than the second, due to the 80's Video Dance Attack happening in Lola's Room below the Crystal. The bass could be heard from below which really sucked during the slow songs.
After a half hour break they came back out and played the exact same second set from the night before. I was a little surprised that they played the same set since I've seen them play back to back nights before and it was always different, but I guess they haven't played in a while so they probably only rehearsed those specific songs.
Like the night before, Colin played Hank Eat Your Oatmeal which went into Calamity Song, and the rest of the second set was as excellent as the night before.
When they came back for the two song encore, Colin made a joke about the 80's Video Dance Attack that was still happening below, and the band ended up playing Your Love (an 80's song by The Outfield) with Chris Funk on vocals.
This is the song for reference:
They played almost all of Your Love, then went into 16 Military Wives. Towards the end of the song, Chris Funk and Colin Meloy had a bit of a 'guitar solo battle', and stood on the speakers between the barricade and the stage. After a bit of back and forth between them, Colin handed his guitar to the girl standing to the left of my dad, and Chris went to pull a guy up onstage who was a few people to my right. The guy didn't want to go up though, so he pulled up the girl next to him. I was super bummed he didn't pick me at first, but then John got off the drums (Colin took his place), grabbed a Tom drum that Chris had used for Rake's Song, and held it out for me to play from behind the barricade!
John was talking to me as I was playing the drums saying that "I could get a job doing this", but then went on to say "Nah, you'd be better off getting a real job" (not condescendingly, but in a joking way) , and also saying that he had "No idea how long this will go on for".
It was total chaos for a little bit: the girl was onstage playing Chris's guitar (with him helping her), John was holding out the drum for me to play, Nate got tired and sat on the drum platform with his giant upright bass on its side in his lap, and Jenny was keeping the beat.
Then after a good five minutes or so, John told me that they were going to 'bring it back', and left the drum for me to play. Colin came back out gestured for the audience to lower down - which they (of course) obliged to do (even me still playing the drum as I did so). Colin took the mic stand and was standing on the speakers in front of the stage about to end the song, when the stand disconnected and he was just holding the top part. A crew member rushed out to put it back into place, but it was very funny.
Like the night before, they ended with June Hymn, and it was a lovely, magical finish to to a fabulous night.
On May 22nd I won two spots to see First Aid Kit live at the KINK Bing Lounge. I got in line early and snagged two front row seats for me and my dad who was my plus one. I was really excited to see them since I had missed them when they were in Portland the year before.
First Aid Kit are comprised of Swedish sisters Johanna and Klara Soderberg. They covered the Fleet Foxes song Tiger Mountain Peasant Song which got their name out and helped propel them into a world wide known act.
They played three songs: Cedar Lane which is off their new album "Stay Gold", My Silver Lining also on the new album, and Emmylou which is their ode to country music.
They also did a short interview which is customary of all KINK Bing Lounge shows. They discussed recording their latest album and previous album in Nebraska, kicking off their tour in Portland, and their father touring with them as their sound tech.
After the songs and interview they did a meet and greet. They were so nice and sweet, and signed the back of my ticket. I also took a picture with them, and felt like a total shortie...
The Decemberists haven't played a show since their two epic back to back nights at McMenamins Edgefield back in 2011. They played the Boston Calling music festival on May 24th before their two sold out nights at the Crystal Ballroom in Portland on the 29th and 30th to benefit the Victory Academy. Victory Academy is a school in the Portland metro area specifically for kids on the autism spectrum; it has seen so much success that it is in desperate need of expansion which is what the shows were benefiting.
The show was ticketless in order to try and curtail the rampant scalping, meaning that there was a two ticket limit per credit card, and to get into the show you had to have the card used to purchase the tickets present along with ID. For both of the shows there were regular admittance tickets, and special VIP tickets that got you a signed special edition poster, a pre-show meet and greet with the band and some food, and early entry into the venue.
The first night I had just a regular admittance ticket, but I still ended up front row and center due to some very cool people I met who had the VIP tickets, and a funny coincidence: Three years ago at one of the back to back nights at the Edgefield my sister and I stood next to a guy who had come all the way from Alaska. He was at the front and center, and actually remembered us from the show three years ago. As it turns out, there was a picture taken of the show that was used in the album booklet for their live album and there are only about four people visible. My sister, the Alaskan guy, and I, are all clearly visible! This photo is currently their Facebook cover photo
Before the show started, a security guard came out and gave a loud (non microphone) announcement to the front rows saying that there were no photos or videos per request of the band. People adhered to it too!
Laura Veirs came out and played a short set right at 8pm. She played the first few songs with just her and her guitar, then The Decemberists (minus front man Colin Meloy) came out, and accompanied her for the rest of the excellent set.
Before the show, the founder and one of the teachers at Victory Academy came out (with an introduction from Colin) and talked a bit about the school and its goals. And then the moment everyone had been waiting for: The Decemberists came out to great whoops and cheers and immediately started into the first act of the night - the entire Castaways and Cutouts (2002) album.
It sounded excellent, and there was - of course - some banter between songs because Colin couldn't help himself. The first half ran very smoothly save for a few minor tangles which I'm guessing were simply due to not playing for a while. During Cautionary Song Colin messed up some of the lines, but he brushed it off and the crowed loved it. He also really got into California One/Youth and Beauty Parade - laying down on the ground while playing guitar, and refreshing the drummer, John Moen, with some water (pouring it in his mouth/all over his face).
They took a 20 minute break between the sets, then came back out to play another thirteen songs. At one point someone yelled out "Freebird" and Colin went on a short rant about his involvement in MACOF (Musicians Against the Calling Out of Freebird - more info here). He sang the short ditty "Hank Eat Your Oatmeal" - a song about getting his son to eat breakfast - which went into Calamity Song.
During O Valencia he went into a quick verse of "the worst song in the world" Dracula's Daughter, and before 16 Military Wives they went into the Doobie Brothers song Dixiland, and during the final 'duh duh duh''s, Colin had the audience change the volume level of singing, had us whisper it, and then finally just think it.
The performance was wonderful, and everyone had a good time. It was a spectacular comeback, and a great first night of their back to back shows which left me eagerly awaiting the second night, and marveling in the euphoria from the first night.
The last time Modest Mouse played their hometown of Portland was back in the summer of 2011 at the McMenamins Edgefield 100th birthday celebration. They came back in full swing after canceling a European tour in 2013 to continue work on their album. With around a dozen show tour plus festival dates, they kicked off their tour with two hometown shows on May 1st and 2nd at the crystal ballroom.
They obviously felt comfortable in front of their hometown fans, as was apparent by them coming out a half hour later than they were supposed to. They had some longer than necessary pauses between songs, with a few awkward stories told here and their by front-man Isaac Brock.
The first was an anecdote about when he was opening up a can of cat food and was reminded of how his grandmother's house used to smell, even though she didn't have a cat (which was the weird part). The other story was about how he was an extra in The Pelican Brief, and signed up his girlfriend even though she couldn't make it, so he got paid twice. Both stories ended rather abruptly, and filled some of the time spent in between songs.
They played a rather conservative set of songs that were sure to please. A handful of older songs, but they mostly stuck to their newer work, while also introducing three new songs: "Shit in your cut', 'Lampshades on fire', and 'Sugar boats (alternately known as 'heart of mine')'.
With 7+ people on stage at any given time, a whole second percussion set, and some brass instruments, they were very tight (although a tad rusty considering it had been a while since playing live). Isaac Brock did his classic, spastic, shout-singing in parts of most of the songs, and all the other band members switched between instruments so often that everyone was all over the stage, which accounted for some of the long pauses between songs.
No definitive news yet about when the new album will be released. I have a good friend who is next door neighbors to Isaac Brock, and Isaac invited her and her boyfriend to come listen to the new album. So as far as I know so far, it is almost in its completion, and hopefully will be released in the fall/winter. Their last full length album, We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank, was released in 2007, and the EP No One's First and You're Next came out in 2009. They are long overdue for a new release!
The encore was: Lampshades on Fire, Baby Blue Sedan, Doin' the Cockroach, Tiny Cities Made of Ashes
On April 26th I went to see Franz Ferdinand for the 4th time. The first time I saw them was with Death Cab For Cutie in a double headlining bill with The Cribs as the opening act back in 2006 at the Memorial Coliseum. The time after that was at the Crystal Ballroom back in December of 2008, and the last time was at the Wonder Ballroom in August 2012.
Every time I see them I leave the venue smiling. They put on such a fantastic show, and might be one of the best lives bands I've seen in my concert going career. Their energy, enthusiasm, and crowd connectivity is invigorating and it sucks you in. With their catchy tunes and sometimes odd lyrics, they have quite a unique sound, while still having the classic British rocker aspect to their music.
The opening act, Cate Le Bon, is a Welsh singer-songwriter who was excellent. Her voice and lyrics had a hauntingly beautiful quality, and she was very enjoyable to listen to.
Then, finally, Franz Ferdinand came out to roars of applause wearing matching outfits. Honestly, they were really tacky looking, but if anyone could pull off that look it was them. They were all wearing some variation of pants, shirts, and jackets that were a mix of black, white, and gray.
They played a fairly long set with all the old favorites and a good chunk of their new album (Fresh Strawberries, Bullet, Right Action, Evil Eye, Love Illumination, Stand on the Horizon, Brief Encounters, and Goodbye Lovers and Friends). I didn't get the setlist which was the first time in a while, so that was a total bummer. I asked the roadie a bunch of times, and he gave them to surrounding people but not me, but in the end he gave me two consolation picks (one from Alex, and one from Nick).
God, they are so good live. I ended up right in front of Bob (the bass player) which was fun, but I really like to stand in front of Nick (the guitar player) if I can because he's got some excellent dance moves! The line outside the door was a lot longer than I had expected it to be, otherwise I would have gotten a better spot... I got there about two and a half to three hours before the doors, but there were already like, thirty people there.
All in all it was a fantastic show, and Franz Ferdinand always deliver!
.jpeg)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.jpeg)
.JPG){kind=link}