Glasvegas w/Rich Hope @ Richard's on Richards - Jan 11/09

I was torn about seeing this show, until I saw that the opening act was Carl Barat (formerly of The Libertines, and Pretty Dirty Things). Separately I might have passed, but these two on the same act was worth checking out, to me.

Got there early so as not to miss the opener, and found out immediately that Carl Barat wasn't going to be there. Another example of Canada Customs protecting us from criminals wanting to corrupt us through music, no doubt. So, I was pissed to begin with.

Local rocker, Rich Hope, who've I've seen 2 or 3 times, was the last-minute stand-in, and did a good job winning over the crowd and getting us ready for an evening of rock, despite the fact he was seated with his guitar and the percussion was his foot on a tambourine. He pulled it off.
Glasvegas made us wait, and it wasn't until the sold-out crowd started getting antsy they finally showed up. They began the night with the slowly building Flowers and Football Tops. I was immediately glad I'd come to check them out despite the Carl Barat disappointment.

Glasvegas have a big sound on their debut album, and it was immensely satisfying to hear that richness translate to the stage at Richard's. The creeping, surging guitars and booming scots accent was well-matched to the almost blinding lights, backlighting the band, and along with the smoke machine, creating a transporting rock experience.

It was a short show, with no encore, but it felt right, and is understandable as they only have one album and an EP to draw from. I'm sure there were NO complaints from the gentleman directly to my right. The last song of the night, Daddy's Gone, was drowned out by him singing at the top of his lungs. The turned heads didn't bother him one jot. And in the spirit of the night, I wasn't bothered. It was a testament to the adoration this band can create in its fans. The Glasvegas experience is one you definitely shouldn't miss if you get the chance.

Setlist:

Flowers And Football Tops
Lonesome Swan
It’s My Own Cheating Heart That Makes Me Cry
Please Come Back Home
Polmont On My Mind
Geraldine
Ice Cream Van
Go Square Go
Stabbed
Daddy’s Gone
Encore:
(None)

Music Drought?

Shockingly, I have only been to two shows since my last post in September!

I could use the excuse that I'm in a new relationship with all the new activities and preoccupations that entails, but really it has more to do with getting a bit fed up with the new music I'm hearing and the lack of anything coming through town that really excites me.

This is a common theme in my music-fan-life: obsession for a couple of years, a big lull, discovery of a new scene/sound that cranks up the concert-going again. Geography has had a lot to do with this over the years, but Vancouver is one of the best concert cities I've ever lived in, so I can't use that excuse this past 6 months.

I do not dig all the new hairy 70s retro bands, AT ALL. Much of the new poppy indie stuff is too close to bad disco for me to respect. And admittedly the post-punk revival thing is getting a bit long in the tooth, but I know what I like whether it has a label that fits into my self-conception, and nothing has done it for me for quite awhile.

Here's hoping the year is young and surprising...