(Mini) Concert: The Kooks

Before seeing The Kooks later that night at the Wonder Ballroom (my favorite venue), they were doing a set at the KINK Bing lounge. I hopped on the MAX and got to the Bing Lounge early to get a good spot. I snagged front row seats for me, my mom, dad, and best friend Jamila.

They did acoustic versions of Down, Around Town, See Me Now, and Bad Habit. It was so great to see the songs I've been listening to for weeks in a stripped down fashion about 3 feet from my face. Down was a particularly interesting one to hear acoustic, they skipped the intro and went right into the "down down digi-digi's". You can watch the videos here: Bad Habit, See Me Now, Around Town. Down, and interview.

They did a meet and greet after their short set, and I showed them a photo I had taken with them the first time they had ever been to Portland (about 8 years ago). Luke kept saying "wow" and "oh my god", it was very funny. I'm assuming he was talking about seeing his younger self. The picture itself is quite bad, and Luke and Hugh are the only current members in the photo. Then he said "So how were the last 8 years then?" in a joking way, to which I replied something along the lines of "waiting for your next album!". He apologized it took so long.

The Kooks circa 2006

(Mini) Concert: Broken Bells

When I was in Seattle seeing Portugal. The Man and Grouplove, I got an email from the KINK Bing Lounge saying I won a spot to see Broken Bells!

I got in line super early, so I was the first one there, and snagged a seat in the second row (the first row was filled by people that had cashed in favors from what I had gathered). Lucky for me, I was sitting behind a small child, so I was able to see right over her head.

They played 4 songs: Angel and the Fool, Holding on for Life, High Road, and After the Disco. They were all stripped down and acoustic - not to mention fabulous. When James Mercer whistled the part in Angel and the Fool, I melted into a small puddle of awe. There's really nothing that man can do wrong. Hell, he could put out a death metal album and I'm sure it would be excellent. And Danger Mouse is such an amazing producer... He's like King Midus - everything he touches turns to musical gold. There was also a short interview as per usual with the Bing Lounge shows.

After the (too short) set, there was no meet and greet like there normally is at Bing Lounge shows. I'm sure this was due to the enormous crowd that had come to see them, but it was still a bummer. However, not letting that stop me, I waited outside the back door where I knew they would be coming out. It was only me and a few other people who were waiting so it was okay, it wouldn't have been quite as alright if there were tons of people though. I met James Mercer, Danger Mouse, and the other two touring members of the band. I have to admit, I sort of ended up gushing to Danger Mouse about how much I love the albums he's produced, but he seemed appreciative and not like I was a crazy fan girl. Same with James.

All in all, it was probably the best KINK Bing Lounge show I've ever been to, and hearing the songs I've been listening to for months in a totally different manner was incredible.

Here are the videos for After the Disco, Holding on for Life, High Road, Angel and the Fool, and the interview from the show.

Concert: Broken Bells

Broken Bells is the collaboration of Jsmes Mercer (from The Shins), and the producer Brian Burton (AKA Danger Mouse). Their second album After The Disco came out in February 2014, and toured for the first time since 2010.

They played in Portland (James Mercer's hometown) on August 11th at the Arliene Schnitzer Concert Hall - a venue usually reserved for the Oregon symphony. The Schnitz will occasionally host concerts, but it really isn't my favorite venue to see bands at. For starters, it's a seated venue so there's the variable of "will the crowd stand or sit the entire time?" And also the possibility that the tallest person in Portland will sit in front of you, which happens to me frequently. Also the sound quality isn't the best for rock shows, and the venue itself is so large that it can feel impersonal as it holds about 2,700 people.

Anyway, there was no chance I was going to miss seeing Broken Bells, since the last time I saw them was in 2010. Portugal. The Man and Grouplove were playing the same night in Portland at the Edgefield - one of my favorite venues, but I managed to see them in Seattle, so I could go to both shows!

The opening band Cayucas were pretty good. They have a light, indie beach type sound, kind of similar to Vampire Weekend. They have echo-y vocals, simple drum beats, and staccato guitar. I thought they were pretty good, but definitely felt like an opening band. I wouldn't be surprised if they got popular in a few years once they tighten up a bit.

The stage set up was a futuristic set up that consisted of raised round platforms that the keys and drums were on, some awesome floor lights, and a mirrored half sphere in the direct center of the stage. I realized later on that the half sphere was projector that played different space-y images on a screen behind the setup. Before the band came out the projection showed a live video of the audience on the screen from a camera that was mounted just to the left of the half sphere on the keyboard stand. I tried to get a picture of the audience projection as best as I could, and you can kind of get the idea of what it looked like below.

 The band played an excellent mix of old and new songs, and captivated the audience the whole time. All the band members were switching instruments throughout the set, and played every song effortlessly. When they played Angel And The Fool Brian and James stood behind the projector so their shadows were cast based on their proximity to the projector, and the whistling in that song was spot on and beautiful. At one point towards the end of the set, James Mercer said how great it was to be home since he had a new baby at home.

It was a great show, and I'm so happy I was able to see them for a second time. In an interview I heard on NPR with them they mentioned a probable third album, and that they were more of a band than a side project. I'm excited for whatever future albums and shows they do!

Concert: Typhoon, Portugal. The Man, Grouplove

At about 11am on Sunday August 10th my best friend Jamila picked me up in her cute blue car, and we spent the next 4 hours driving to Seattle (traffic was horrible otherwise it wouldn't have taken so long).
The Honda Civic Tour was kicking off at the Marymoor Park Amphitheater (which is technically in Redmond just outside of Seattle, but whatever), and the lineup was fantastic: Typhoon, Portugal. The Man, and Grouplove.

Now, I would have gone to see them the next night in Portland where they were playing the Edgefield (one of my favorite venues), but that was the same night Broken Bells were playing at the Schnitz which I had tickets to before the Honda Civic Tour was even announced. So since my best friend is amazing, I got to have my cake and eat it too - I got to go to both shows.

We were very close to the front of the line, and due to security making all of us there scoot way back so they could have space to check bags, I ended up being the first one through the gate. Yay! I snagged my spot front and center, with Jamila on my right, and a friend I've made from seeing at so many concerts in Portland, Dominic, on my left.

There was a big screen as the backdrop for the stage that played different snippets of music videos, and Honda commercials. Plus it showed real time tweets about the show from people who used #hondacivictour. At one point they played the whole music video for Hustle And Drone's The Glow, and Arctic Monkey's R U Mine.

Typhoon took to the stage at about 6:10pm (doors opened at 5:30). They were super good live, and having two violins and a three person horn section gave them a large, well-rounded sound. Of course, it's easy for Typhoon to sound large considering they're an 11 piece band.

Up next was Portugal. The Man, then Grouplove. They were alternating between who went on first and second each night of the tour, and it didn't really make too much of a difference since they were co-headlining and their sets were the same length (both not even having an encore)

Portugal's stage setup had changed for the first time since I've known them. Below is the normal setup that they've stuck to every time I've seen them...

...But as you can see from the pictures below, the whole setup was inverted with drums and keys switching sides, and Zach and John trading places and standing closer together. I actually like the new setup a lot more this way, because you can see everyone without having to constantly turn your head.

When they were talking between songs (usually Zach) they mentioned how much they love Seattle and how they have a lot of family there. In fact, I could even see Zach's dad hanging out on the side of the stage watching. Along their tour PTM would post "Dad Facts" of interesting tidbits that Zach's dad would send to the band about the venue or city they were playing that evening. Here are a few from Toronto, New York, and Pittsburgh.

I've gotta say, this was one of the best times I've ever seen PTM. They were so impressive that night, especially considering the number of members that have been circulating through the band. They played a cover of Don't Look Back In Anger by Oasis and John adorably messed up some of the lyrics (and a line in People Say). For Creep In A T Shirt they brought out their friend Alex Rose from Minus The Bear to play saxophone, which added the horn element that's missing when they play that song live.

Then Grouplove came out and rocked it! They started out playing I'm With You and got the crowed super pumped. Their whole set was great as always. Hannah (keys and vocals) came out in a black sparkly bodysuit, and Christian (lead vocals, guitar) came out in a blue coat, black and red striped socks with cuffed jeans, black boots, and shaggy dyed blue hair (channeling his inner Kurt Cobain).

When they played Time I noticed Zach from PTM watching from the side of the stage and getting really into it - how could anyone not?? Before jumping into Shark Attack Hannah looked out into the audience and shouted "What's that in the water? What's that in the fucking water?!" it was excellent.

Everyone had such a great time at the show. Grouplove and Portugal. The Man both put on fantastic shows individually, so put them together and you've got a great night of music!

I'm With You

Itchin' On A Photograph

Borderlines And Aliens

Raspberry

Shark Attack

Hippie Hill

Didn't Have To Go/Beyonce (Drunk In Love)

Bullet

Slow

Close Your Eyes

Ways To Go

Colours

Concert: Eels

The Aladdin Theater is one of the best venues in all of Portland. It used to be an old porn theater before it was fixed up and made into a concert venue. It has the best sound out of all the venues I've been to, and I love that it has a gritty history. I haven't seen too many artists there (Mew, The Bravery, Guster, Duncan Sheik, Jude, and Demetri Martin twice) which is unfortunate since it's so superb.

I had never been able to see Eels play live before since the shows he played in Portland were almost always 21+. The Aladdin will sometimes have shows that are 18+ or 21+, but with those, if you go with a parent and you're under the required age you're allowed in which I think is really cool. The last time Eels played in Portland it was at the Wonder Ballroom, but it was 21+ which they occasionally do there which really sucked, but I was finally able to see him this time around!

The Aladdin is a seated venue, and there is really no bad seat in the house. I was in the middle and center, and had a great view of the stage.

The opening act, Chelsea Wolfe, was good, but strange. It was sort of dream rock. She has an excellent voice, but I thought the music didn't accentuate it enough. Plus she never said anything between the songs to self-promote which is a big mistake that I often see with opening acts.

The set was beautiful. A chandelier with bare light bulbs hung down and created a wonderful ambiance. There were rows and rows of smaller light bulbs in front of a black backdrop that would be dim or bright and make patterns according to what song was playing. Very simple, yet effective staging.

Mark Oliver Everett (A.K.A. 'E') is the lead singer, and primary member of the band. He introduced the band a little way through the set, and it turns out a lot of them were from Portland! The band was made up of E alternating on piano and guitar, a stand-up bass player, a drummer, and a guy alternating between stand up steel guitar and acoustic and electric guitars. E told the audience early on that he had a cold and apologized if his voice was off, but his voice is already so scruffy sounding that if anything it enhanced his sound.

Throughout the show E commented on how he was playing 'bummer rock'. At one point he looked at the setlist and said "Oh this is a happier one," paused, and said "actually no, it's a real downer" (the song in question was It's A Motherfucker). Towards the end of the set he kept yelling out "Let's do another one!" before starting a new song. Before they went off stage for the formal encore, E hopped off stage and ran through the audience hugging people. It was super fun!

After the show was over I went up to try and get a setlist, but apparently the road crew weren't allowed to give them out per instructions from E. As my mom says "He puts the 'E' in eclectic", and according to her that night's show was the most mellow and 'normal' she's ever seen him.

Concert: Die Antwoord

Die Antwoord are a South African rave-rap group that are like nothing I've ever heard before. I think they're such an outlier from everything I usually listen to, that I like it. They consist of rappers Yo-Landi and Ninja, with DJ Hi-Tek, and are known for making music videos that are completely bizarre and sometimes disturbing, so I was skeptical about what their live show might be like.

I got to the Roseland about twenty minutes after the doors had opened - which is very weird for me not to be in line beforehand. I really didn't know what to expect (in terms of the amount of people in line before hand, and what the people that made up the crowd would be - ravers, hipsters, etc), but when I got inside there was only a layer of two or three people deep against the barricade. It just so happened that I saw some kids that I knew from my old high school, and they let me stand with them at the front and to the right. It ended up being the perfect spot, because we didn't get any of the shoving that happens when you're at the front and center (as I explained in my Childish Gambino post).

I was surprised that the crowd was mostly made up of relatively normal people - people I might see at a Franz Ferdinand concert at the Crystal or something. There were a few people wearing some rave style clothing, but no one was in full rave attire. There were also some rocker/goths there, but as I said, it was mostly the typical Portland crowd (which includes a fair number of hipsters I hate to say).

The opening act wasn't really anything but a DJ guy and a guy on the guitar playing different rave-y beats. I didn't even catch what they were called.

Then Die Antwoord came out. I was completely blown away with how good they were! You could tell that they had been performing for years, and it seemed like it had been rehearsed many times, but still felt fresh. Portland was the first show of their tour after all (they played at Sasquatch before Portland, but Portland was the start of their official tour). There were two back up dancers (women) that came out wearing a few different costumes - most prominently gold leggings, bandeau bras, and ski masks. They were a nice addition to the stage which was practically bare, and weren't distracting which can be an issue with some back up dancers. Yo-Landi had a few costume changes too, and Ninja ended up in some Pink Floyd boxers by the end of the night.

They were both all over the stage - jumping up and dancing on the DJ platform, running from one end of the stage to the other, and keeping the entire audience (including the balcony) amped up and engaged. They said how much they loved Portland numerous times to great cheers and applause.

They debuted some songs off their new album, Donker Mag (Dark Magic in English), including Pitbull Terrier, Raging Zef Boner, and Happy Go Sucky Fucky. They also played a good number of older songs.

I'm not usually one to take a ton of pictures at concerts since I feel like it detracts from the experience, but for whatever reason I ended up taking quite a few at this show... Maybe because there was a big inflatable boy holding a giant penis (the Evil Boy).

All in all, I had a fantastic time, and was beaming from ear to ear after it ended at how much fun I had.