The Killers @ UBC Thunderbird Arena - April 24/09

Feeling a bit tired tonight, so skipped the openers. This was my first time at Thunderbird Arena. Apparently it's been renovated in preparation for the Winter Olympics. Sorta like the PNE Forum, but nicer. We didn't have great seats, near the back on the right side, but all seats seem to have a decent view due to steep seating. The only reason I'm sharing these moans is because some of this may have coloured my impression of The Killers show.

I'm glad I got to see them, and the show was okay, but it certainly didn't blow me away. And I thought the sound was a bit muffled, particularly on one of my favourite songs, Read My Mind. And while I'm not a huge fan of the Jumbotron, it certainly would have helped those at the back more fully appreciate the show.

The set decoration was pretty fun: palm trees, and a great layout of lights, where hundreds of lights in a grid pattern blanketed the backdrop and some of the stage fixtures, like the monitors in front. These were different for every song and sometimes during it, giving each song its own visual wash of colour.

The Killers launched right in to Human and then This is your Life off their new album, "Day & Age". In fact they played the first seven songs off the album, mostly in the first part of the set, sprinkling in some early songs and the Joy Division cover Shadowplay, complete with stills from Control, the biopic on Ian Curtis, which is a nice nod to one of their post-punk influences.

Other than the obligatory shout out to Vancouver, Brandon Flowers dedicated one song, I Can't Stay, to Nardwuar and nanaimo bars, making me guess they were interviewed earlier in the day. This song was a departure from my impression of The Killers, adding a full on Vegas show feel, complete with a sax player, and caribbean percussion. Very loungey. And hopefully very ironic. The palm trees didn't help at this point.

A Dustland Fairytale, apparently the new album's third single, brings the set to its first apex, soft teasing parts, followed by catchy and building crescendos. This song looks and sounds like its fun for the band to play, and I guess they'll be doing this live for a long time, maybe as a break from some of those hits they'll have to keep playing whether they like it or not.

This was followed by the highlight of the night, for me, Sam's Town. A super slowed-down and haunting version begins with desolate Las Vegas images projected behind the band, the stage awash in red. And with perfect timing, just as Flowers sings the final words of the line "But I know that I can make it / As long as somebody takes me home", up pops a motel "Welcome" sign. Take me home, indeed. I got shivers.

The main set is rounded out by a trio of hits, thrilling the now hooked and engaged audience. All but a few people are on their feet and dancing or singing along. At least the Killers got the set list down perfectly. Even from a distance it's clear that Flowers is an energetic and interesting front man, skinny in all-black, like the rest of the band, he bounds and dances around, across the stage and up on the monitors, occasionally playing a bit on the keyboard behind the stylized "k" centre stage. But, from our seats, it still felt a bit like watching a show on a 14" TV.

We ducked out before the encore, so we stood a chance at getting back home on the bus without being squashed, but it's pretty likely they played Bones, Jenny Was a Friend of Mine, and When You Were Young, as their setlist has been pretty consistent so far on this tour.

So, an okay show. Certainly got me listening to the new album more, which is slowly growing on me.


Setlist:
Human
This is Your Life
Somebody Told Me
For Reasons Unknown
I Can't Stay
Joyride
Bling (Confessions of a King)
Shadowplay
Smile Like You Mean It
Spaceman
Losing Touch
A Dustland Fairytale
Sam's Town
Read My Mind
Mr. Brightside
All These Things That I've Done
Encore (Probably):
Bones
Jenny Was a Friend of Mine
When You Were Young

The Airborne Toxic Event @ Richard's on Richards - Feb 18/09

Feeling tired, I decided to forgo the openers tonight and arrived just in time for the start of The Airborne Toxic Event's set at 11.

This is an L.A. Band that won me over last year when I was researching the unknown names on the Pemberton line-up. Does This Mean You're Moving On immediately made it onto my playlist and ATE were high on the list of must-sees for me when the Festival finally rolled around in July.

I was not disappointed: they were fun and engaging in the bright afternoon light on the second stage, and seemed genuinely grateful to have been invited. I knew I'd want to check them out if they came through town. And on Wednesday night, they did just that.

Just like on their debut album, The Airborne Toxic Event opened with Wishing Well and closed with Innocence. The first two songs were pleasing, but had me worried that the band's charisma was MIA. But by the third song of the night, Gasoline, it looked like they were warmed up and starting to have fun.

Anna Bulbrook, alternately on violin, keyboards and tambourine was winning and bouncy. She and singer/guitarist Mikel Jollett were the main visual show, climbing on the speakers, drum riser, and sides of the stage and grinning madly at each other. Stephen Chen on guitar was stone-faced and absorbed in playing, as was bassist Noah Harmon for most of the set, save the odd shy smile. Daren Taylor on drums was energetic, but I couldn't help visually comparing him to one of the mustached detectives on Hot Fuzz.


The sold-out Vancouver crowd was a bit loud and chatty during the show, which Jollett commented on a couple of times, scolding and teasing the audience, then apologizing for being snarky. He excused the limited range of his voice to us early on, saying they considered cancelling due to some throat issues, but after a shot of cortisone they decided to come play for us.

Despite the sound being lower than I would have liked, it was a fun, intimate show, and I enjoyed seeing them live again. If I get the chance, I'll see them again.

After a short set (we arrived at 11 and were out at midnight), ATE gave us one encore, Innocence, during which they invited their openers, Rademacher and the Henry Clay Project on stage with them, thanking them for being great tour mates, introduced the band, and then invited the audience to come up on stage if they wanted to. A handful of fans took them up on the offer, dancing and singing. I wonder how long this tradition will last, as I have no doubt this band is going to be playing larger and larger venues very soon.

Partial Setlist:
Wishing Well
Gasoline
Does This Mean You're Moving On?
Echo Park (new)
Goodbye Horses (Q Lazzarus cover)
Sometime Around Midnight
Plus:
Another new song
Papillon (I think)
Something New (I think)
Encore:
Innocence

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...

Against Me! @ The Croatian Cultural Centre - September 15, 2008

I only discovered Against Me! earlier this year, when I was checking out all the 'Best of 2007' lists I could find to see if I'd missed any great bands. New Wave showed up on all of them. From the first songs I listened to ('New Wave', 'Thrash Unreal' and 'Stop!'), I was hooked and deeply impressed. My favourite band is undoubtedly The Clash, and here was a new young band with the same energy and attitude. It was an easy sell.

Speaking as a music junkie, later in the year, I had a real dilemma. The Foo Fighters were coming to town and Against Me! were opening. By the time I found this out, all decent floor tickets were sold, and I had to seriously debate whether it was worth it to pay scalper prices for a decent ticket, just to see an opening band in an arena far too big to appreciate them. After a few weeks of agonizing every time I came across an ad or mention in the Straight, I decided against going. I figured they'd be back in town within a year or so, and I'd see them then.

When I found out about this show, I was thrilled and had my tickets minutes after they went on sale. It seems like I've been waiting forever to finally see this band, when I didn't even know anything about them ten months ago. Such was my desire to see these guys live, undoubtedly the best way to appreciate their rawness and energy.

After that kind of a build up, you'd guess I'd be disappointed, wouldn't you? Me too. But I wasn't in the least. I've already accepted the fact that some of their lyrics are unsophisticated and clunky, and frankly a tiny bit embarrassing. But that is about my only criticism of this band and Tom Gabel. I can forgive some failings of youth because of all the passion he brings to his cause. This is true punk: messy, sometimes stupid, but incredibly rousing. It's the original punk ethic - catchy songs fueled by anger. They aren't as smart or worldly wise as The Clash, but they're a hell of a lot more genuine than The Sex Pistols ever were. You know these guys feel it and live it and love it with all they've got. And that is contagious for their fans. A great live experience.

Needing to brace myself to fully enjoy the show among such a young crowd, me and my boyfriend hit the Beer Garden during the openers, so unfortunately we missed them. Tom Gabel thanked Japanther and the Saint Alvia Cartel twice and said he was sad it was the last date of their tour with them.

From the opening beats of 'New Wave', Against Me! delivered a pounding, non-stop, experience for everyone at this all-ages gig. From the first to the last song, the mosh pit was large and energetic and by the end of the show I was feeling hot and sweaty just being on the edges of that churning soup. The audience were treated to just about every song off the newest album as well as some older gems like 'Pints of Guinness Make you Strong' with the memorable "I'm drinking Irish tonight" line. One personal highlight for me was a trio of perfection 'Piss and Vinegar', 'Don't Lose Touch' and 'Thrash Unreal'. The opening to 'Piss and Vinegar' was cheekily extended by blending in the Pistols "Submission" which just about made me lose my shit. Whether it was intentional or not, I don't know, but would like to think it definitely was. 'Don't Lose Touch' channels the best punk/reggae/dub sounds of 30 years before without losing a scrap of urgency, and who can't love Thrash Unreal? especially when I was feeling that 'Rebel Yell' when it was released too (although despite my young ears, I could still hear Idol selling out his roots).

Tom Gabel and Andrew Seward, stage right and center, respectively, looked they were particularly enjoying themselves and seemed to have a nice ongoing banter and rapport going on, with Gabel frequently grinning and holding drinks for Seward who was already beginning the next song. James Bowman on second guitar and vocals was unsmiling throughout the show, which is standard for him, I gather, and took over the Tegan Quin vocal part on 'Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart'
-->. He was painfully off-key on one track, but that was only a minor distraction from the overwhelmingly entertaining show.
My take-away song from this night was "Miami". I hadn't heard it before and it's a new fave of mine, with a rousing sing-along chorus, biting political vitriol, and a unflinching condemnation of one city from their home state of Florida.

Below is the partial setlist for the show. Ironically, I've been recording setlists for all the shows I've been to, coming home and finding that I can easily find a copy online. Because I miss a few moments of each song keeping a running setlist, I figured I was wasting my time and missing the show unnecessarily. I didn't keep track of the setlist during Against Me! and, wouldn't you know it, can't find a setlist anywhere. The following list is pieced together from what I remember vividly being played and the Georgia Straight's Mike Usinger's review. I would imagine they also played 'Animal', 'Stop!', and 'Those Anarcho Punks are Mysterious', but I don't remember clearly, so can't include them. Crap! I do know, however, that they didn't play 'Baby, I'm an Anarchist' which would have been cool to hear.

Against Me!'s Partial Setlist:

New Wave
Americans Abroad
Borne on the FM Waves of the Heart
From Her Lips to God's Ears (The Energizer_
Miami
Piss and Vinegar
Don't Lose Touch
Thrash Unreal
Up the Cuts
White People for Peace
T.S.R.
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Sink Florida Sink

Work in Progress

So, posting full concert reviews after they are completed does not seem to be working for me. Admittedly my free time is being taken up by some other interesting pursuits more than before, but I still hoped to keep up with a bare bones accounting of the shows I see.

The desire to create and maintain this blog is still there, but the follow-through is very sad. Laziness may be to blame. I also find it intimidating to present a finished piece of writing, and daunting to finish an article or entry. I'm still attending one or more concerts each month, and I have lots of notes from them, but haven't had the discipline to sit down and polish them up.

The solution as it occurs to me today: push myself to make an entry after each show, no matter how cryptic or unfinished it is. I can come back and edit it later.

First up, Against Me! from September 15. Then if I have the impetus, I'll plug in some more past shows and the scraps of notes and setlists I have from them.

Pemberton Festival - July 25-27/08

Written up a couple years after the fact...

Rather than camp, a few of us found some rooms to rent in a local's house.
The upside was the hot tub, and the bed to sleep in at the end of the long, dusty days.
The downside was they didn't tell us until we got there that they were having a family wedding in the backyard on one day and could we please be quiet. Oh!...and, no drinking in the house.
Ha ha ha. No, of course we won't!

Day 1 - July 25th: Interpol

Nine Inch Nails were the Day One headliner, but as we were tired and I've seen them before, we skipped it.

Interpol is a Post-Punk Revival favourite of mine and perhaps the main draw for me. Interpol were low-key, but I loved finally seeing them, despite Steve passing out mid-Evil due to dehydration/heat/perhaps other stuff. At least it made me realise how much I had come to like my new boyfriend. He was thankfully not completely broken, and thus useless to me!

Interpol

Interpol Setlist:
Pioneer to the Falls
Slow Hands
PDA
Narc
C'mere
No I in Threesome
The Lighthouse
Not Even Jail
Mammoth
Rest My Chemistry
Obstacle 1
Evil
Roland

Day 2 - July 26th: Tom Petty, Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts, Mates of State

Mates of State

Tom Petty was Day Two's headliner and we saw a few songs from way back from the stage, and decided to call it a day.

Mates of State were the first act of the day, and  a new discovery to me. An American Indie Pop duo composed of a husband and wife on drums and keyboards, respectively.

Next up was a Canadian act I started liking in 2003 with his song Hard Road, and album We Were Born in a Flame.

Sam Roberts

Sam Roberts' Setlist:
Love at the End of the World
Hard Road
Fixed to Ruin
Them Kids
Bridge to Nowhere
Up Sister
Brother Down
Mind Flood

Tragically Hip were fun to see live due to Gord Downey's spastic frontman act. Steve's more of a fan, but he introduced me to a couple of their songs I now like: Yer Not the Ocean and In View, both of which they played.

Tragically Hip

Tragically Hip Setlist:
Yer Not the Ocean
My Music at Work
Grace, Too
Ahead By a Century
In View
Gift Shop
Courage (for Hugh MacLennan)
World Container
Poets
Fully Completely
Bobcaygeon
Family Band
New Orleans is Sinking


Day 3 - July 27th: Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, The Airborne Toxic Event

Coldplay were the headliner of Day 3. I'd heard they were good live, but am suspicious of their huge popularity and the excess praise that may generate. No hype: they put on an energetic, fun, chatty show with great songs and a real connection to their audience. We stuck around for the whole set, but unfortunately I didn't get any usable photos, probably due to nightfall. The set was spread over different stages, which let more of the crowd see them up close. A nice touch.

Coldplay Setlist:
Life in Technicolour
Violet Hill
Clocks
In My Place
Viva La Vida
42
Fix You
Chinese Sleep Chant
God Put a Smile Upon Your Face
Speed of Sound
Yellow
Lost
The Scientist
Death Will Never Conquer
Encore:
Talk
Politik
Lovers in Japan
Death and All His Friends
The Escapist

The Airborne Toxic Event

Before Pemberton, I checked out all the unknown-to-me bands to see if there were any I wanted to check out live. The Airborne Toxic Event were my main discovery through Pemberton. They were good live, and I liked their songs. They went on my list to see in a club, which I did in early 2009.

The Airborne Toxic Event Setlist:
Papillon
Gasoline
Happiness is Overrated
This is Nowhere
Sometime Around Midnight
Wishing Well
Innocence

Along with Interpol, Death Cab For Cutie were a big draw for me to go to Pemberton. Also, like Interpol, they were very low-key. While I'm glad I saw both, I can't say either performance has me longing to see them again. This is the downside of festivals; they are energy black holes.

Death Cab For Cutie

Death Cab For Cutie Setlist:
Bixby Canyon Bridge
The New Year
Why You'd Want to Live Here
Crooked Teeth
Long Division
Title and Registration
I Will Possess Your Heart
Cath...
Soul Meets Body
The Sound of Settling
Transatlanticism