1000 Concerts: October 2014

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!