Rewards & Warpaint at The Studio 12/1

Writer's Note: Sorry for the lack of photos but the lighting at Webster Hall isn't very good with my camera. Also, while I'm not fond of giving this type of review, I think it was necessary. I need to be honest. I think Rewards are rad but the show just wasn't up to par. Hopefully they're better at Music Hall of Williamsburg tonight. All the best!

Last night I went to the Studio at Webster Hall to see Rewards open for Warpaint. Doors were at 8pm, but Rewards, a band featuring Aaron Pfenning of Chairlift, didn't perform until 9:30pm. Naturally, I was annoyed because it made more sense for them to start at 9pm, there was already a bunch of people there. No need to wait. But then again the band only played a 23 minute set. What annoyed me was the way the sound check was handled. Aaron wasn't even there to do a mic check. No one even bothered to check his stage left mic either, which would prove to be a bad  idea later. 

The band starts playing some nice music, then Aaron comes out and attempts to sing but you could barely hear anything. Obviously. There was no mic check. So I think the sound guy is trying to adjust levels during the performance. Aaron seemed unsure of what to do. It may have been nerves, the poor sound check or the fact that I was too close to the stage (sometimes you hear too much or don't hear enough when up close), but the sound did not do justice to the band. Throughout most of the set Aaron's wonderuflly breathy vocals could hardly be hard. This was a disappointment. From the songs I've heard, "Two Cardinals" and "I Used To," the vocals were almost mesmerizing, not in that breathtaking way, but in a way where coupled with the music you can be taken to a different place and get lost in the music. Rewards has a calming yet upbeat sound which by the end of the set turned out nicely, but then all of a sudden it was over. So when it got good, it was over, far too quickly. If Aaron is to garner any attention he needs to be more moving, practiced, and comfortable. Tonight the band fell short of evoking the aliveness their recorded music brings. Sadly, Rewards earned no prize tonight.

Here's some advice for new bands:

1. INTRODUCE: You want to introduce yourself before an audience member yells "Who are you." If you introduce yourself, fucking introduce your bandmates, too. Okay?

2. SOUNDCHECK: Sound check with all the members or at least have someone sound check for whoever is not there. There was 1.4 hours the band could've sound checked up waited until 10 minutes before the performance to. The guitar and drums were fine, but no Aaron's mic and guitar.

3. SPEAK: Talk about your band a little. Get people interested in your band. If your a new band this is extremely important. You need to show some personality. All I remember hearing was Aaron lowly saying "We are Rewards" and thanking Warpaint. That's all well and good but introduction your band, tell us there's merch, tell us a joke, tell if you have music out, where your from. Something. Otherwise the set will prove to be the big B.

Live Review: Bad Books @ Bowery Ballroom 10-20-10

Bad Books might seem like a side project or split record for Kevin Devine and Andy Hull, but the two friends have made it clear that it's more than that. Much more. Bad Books isn't a one time thing, Hull said, at the band's sold out Bowery Ballroom show on Oct. 20. Bad Books isn't just Devine and Hull. There's Robert McDowell, Jonathan Corley, and Chris Freeman,  and Ben Homola of Manchester Orchestra.

For what's it's worth, I had only heard three songs from the new record before attending this show. What I heard I mostly enjoyed. I was looking forward to getting surprised. Now, vocally Devine and Hull are some of the best. They know how to use their voices appropriately with the music. I must say that some of the guitar work was least than appealing for me, like "Baby Shoes" and "Holding the Laughter Down." However, live I could listen pass those unappealing chords to take in the overall experience and the lovely vocals. The set was filled with the band's new self-titled album.

Live Review: Cassette Kids in NYC

Cassette Kids is four Aussie kids, now living in Brooklyn, who write good dance songs. They make you feel alive, they get you dancing. The beats are hot and moving, the vocals clean--there's not a word you don't miss when Katrina sings. Everyone in the band moves when they play. Bassist Daniel  Deitzslides his feet, Katrina jumps up, guitarist Daniel Schober moves his head up and down, and Jacob Read-Harber keeps the beat. The amount of energy this bands put into their performance is great. "You Take It" is an edgy song, the band played with oomph. The single "Lying Around" is a sexy, dance number that gets you pumped. The pop number "Spin" is catchy and dancey. Duh! Right? Indie electro-pop, for the win. This song surely beats many of the ''pop" songs out there. If you like The Ting Tings or Little Boots, then Cassette Kids is for you. The band was holding it down at Mercury Lounge. They knew how to work the crowd and they played a fun, first NYC show! They're playing the CMJ Music Marathon in October. 

See below for photos.

Live Review: Grace Potter and Hacienda @ Webster Hall 6-12-10 (photos)

By Rozlyn Smith

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals read the sign that shields the entrance to Webster Hall. The show started out with Grace Potter’s band, the Nocturnals walking on the candles and roses filled stage and then Grace Potter danced onto the stage. Opening up with “Medicine” off of Potter’s new self-titled album I knew that I was going to be satisfied after seeing this performance. Potter’s stage presence, Janis Joplin like vocals, and her contagious energy kept the crowd having a great time. With a sound that I can only classify as a rock ‘n’ roll meets blues meets country with a hint of girl power, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals is a sure fit to most musical tastes. My favorite song from the set was a song that Potter referred to as the “saddest love song.” Potter’s powerful voice really had me there, and then came the harmonica, which just added to the bluesy vibe of the song to really make it the saddest love song.

While performing songs from her sophomore and first album, Potter also performed a few covers, including Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit.” I’ve seen many bands cover this song, but none of them did it better than Grace Potter. I must say Grace Slick would be proud. While on the subject of covers, Potter also performed a cover of Blondie’s "Heart of Glass." The band’s set time was well over an hour and they also performed not one, but two encores.

Live Review: Ozomatli @ Bowery Ballroom 4-19-10, playing 2 more NYC shows this weekend

Ozomatli show no musical barriers with their sound, which includes Latin, rock, hip-hop, reggae, and funk. They mix and mash it up for a diverse sound that gets you dancing. and singing along The L.A. based band has been at it for almost 15 years. In that time they've released 5 studios albums. The band played at Bowery Ballroom on April 19, a day before their new album Fire Away was released. It was also to celebrate the new flavor at Ben and Jerry's and the band's June 12th appearance at Bonnaroo. 

They played new songs like "Are You Ready," "45," "Elysian Persuasion," and the Spanglish song "Nadas por Free." Fans were delighted for "Cumbia de Los Muertos." Throughout the set people were dancing, including the band, which was top notch. The band genuinely looked happy to play. They closed their set with a medley of songs before heading into the middle of the crowd to continue performing. They got close and personal, with fans forming a circle around them. Then in marching band style the band exited up the stairs, all happy, all bringing a different element to the band that was exciting to experience live. Each song is a different style, yet, with that distinct Ozomatli sound. This was some of the tightest, exciting live performances I've seen a while. Thanks for a good time, Ozomatli.

Live Review: Sondre Lerche @ Maxwell's 3-6-10

Photos and review by Zandra Ruiz 

Sondre Lerche has a way of being cute that’s a little bit infuriating. Not because it’s tiresome, but because every time he pauses between songs and talks to the crowd, I want to hug him, in the least creepy way possible. He has a way of talking to his fans as if they are his friends.

I guess what I’m trying to say is: the man has a lot of heart. When he sings, he sings with his eyes closed, as if it’s too painful to go through every lyric and every chord, as if it’s a struggle to even mold his lips around the syllables. His voice is more than beautiful, it’s heartbreaking, clear, resonant. With one guitar, he can do in a single set what most full bands can’t with one song—he pulls the crowd together, reduces us for a moment to what we really are: people. People in love and people in lust and people confused and people heartbroken—it's evident at the end of his set, when we are all thoroughly spent, and he smiles and introduces one more song, “Modern Nature.” The crowd sings the part of Lillian Samdall, and there’s no better conclusion. We're all for one moment connected to him, to his music, and to each other, and that's pretty awesome.

Shout Out Louds played Pianos, return to NYC on May 5

Shout Out Louds, the indie-rock band from Stockholm, Sweden, performed a free show at Piano's on Tuesday, March 2. They were in the U.S. for what seemed like just some shows in NYC. The night before they had a sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg with Freelance Whales. The band hit the stage at 7:26pm and performed almost all their new album, Work, released Feb. 23 on Merge. They threw in "Very Loud," from their 2003 album Howl Howl Gaff Gaff and "Impossible" from their 2007 album Our III Wills." The set was straight-forward, but the pop-dance sensibilities of the songs shined through.  The 11 song set closed with "Walls," where Adam sings "Never trust anyone so run away, run, run, run, run, run." The band's pleasant, catchy set had me moving. Piano's seems to be becoming quite the spot for free shows at 7pm on Tuesday, so keep a watch out for any this Tuesday. 

The Gaslight Anthem @ Wellmont Theatre + video, photos, and setlist

we're having a party, everybody's swingin'

photos & story by Star Beat

The Gaslight Anthem played their last show of the year to an enthusiastic, sold out crowd on Friday night in the bands home state. The show was a testament to the growth they've made since forming in 2005 when they played basement shows and small clubs. The Wellmont Theatre in Montclair hosted 2,000 fans for a night that opened with what Brian Fallon said was a bunch of the band’s friends- The Hold Outs, Communication Redlight, and Vision.

The band's 90 minute set consisted of most of the New Brunswick natives discography. They played a nice mix of songs from their latest '59 Sound and older album Sink or Swim, as well as from their Senor and the Queen ep. The crowd sang along, crowd surfed, and most people sitting in the balcony stood up during the encore set.

From the lovely "Old White Lincoln" to the single "The '59 Sound" the band was tight and the set highlighted the band's driving music and compelling lyrics plus their folk, punk, and rock influences. The band's music, particularly on Sink or Swim capture the lush, danceable, romanticism of the Jersey Shore sound. Songs like "Wooderson," and "1930" are ones that make for great driving music with special people. "We Came to Dance" is the perfect Jersey song for two kids in love hanging out "under the central Jersey sky." There was a crispness and sincerity from the band I haven't seen in a long time.

The 8 song encore was most impressive featuring a new song, a Tom Petty cover, and songs from all 3 of their releases. It's funny they played a new one considering Fallon's earlier statement. He announced the band was writing new songs but couldn't play any because someone could record them. They closed it with "The Backseat."

Fallon later said via twitter:

thank you all so much for last night it was the best show to end a great year for us! and, it was a new song. It's called "bring it on.''

Communication Redlight put on a good show. Vision reminded me of great punk/hardcore, especially with "Close Minded." The singer seemed to use his mic stand as compensation for a lack of a guitar, but was intense and consistent.

Just last year this month the band played a secret show at the Court Tavern. Brian Fallon returns their on Dec. 23 to perform solo at Andy Diamond's Christmas show with Let Me Run, The Sirs, and Communication Redlight (see flier under "read more"). Fallon also has a string of dates lined up for the new year.

The Gaslight Anthem are one of those band's that makes me proud to be from New Jersey. They make great rock tunes that aren't overdone, but sincere and bring in different influences yet maintain a cohesive sound. They are one of Jersey's best. Keep up the anthem, gaslight!

See below for tour dates, photos, videos, and setlist.

"Old White Lincoln"


"Werefore Art Thou, Elvis?"

Vision @ Wellmont Theatre

Brian Fallon solo dates:
12/23 @ Court Tavern, New Brunswick, NJ

w/ Dave Hause of the Loves Ones
1/15 @ Bowery Ballroom, NYC
1/16 @ The Black Cat, Washington, DC
1/17 @ First Unitarian Church, Philly, PA

The Gaslight Anthem Setlist:

1. Old White Lincoln
2. Wooderson
3. Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis?
4. Even Cowgirls Get the Blues
5. High Lonesome
6. We Came to Dance
7. Film Noir
8. (I’da Called You Woody, Joe)
9. Great Expectations
10. Miles Davis & The Cool
11. Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
12. Meet Me by the River’s Edge
13. Here’s Looking at You, Kid
14. The ‘59 Sound

Encore:
15. Casanova, Baby
16. 1930
17. Bring It On (new song)
18. The Navesink Blues
19. Refugee (Tom Petty cover)
20. Say I Won't (Recognize)
21. We're Getting A Divorce You Keep the Diner
22. The Backseat

The Bravery @ Webster Hall NYC, pics & review

All photos by StarBeat

The Bravery @ Webster Hall, NYC 10-8-09


The Bravery, New York's dance/rock 5-piece played at the studio of Webster Hall a day before their gig at Terminal 5. The event was for an RXP session with NYC radio station 101.9 The 300 capacity venue with lounge couches made the event feel intimate and exclusive. There was probably only around 50 people there. The band played 3 new songs including "Slow Poison" and two of their hits. The band sounded pretty good, however during "Believe" a bass string broke about a minute in, so they had to start over. After the set Matt Pinfield interviewed the band and took questions from the audience. Upon leaving, fans received stickers and autographed posters. The most interesting part of the show was when singer Sam Endicott said "Believe" was written in a bar in NYC and that he would write lyrics on napkins.

The band's new album Stir the Blood is out on Nov. 10.

Pics and setlist below.













The Bravery Setlist:
1. Slow Poison
2. New Song (Possibly named "Legal Tender")
3. Believe
4. New Song (hatefuck?)
5. An Honest Mistake

Kiss Kiss played Bowery Ballroom, pics, tour video, & upcoming shows

All photos by StarBeat

Kiss Kiss in NYC 9-20-09


Kiss Kiss opened the Bowery Ballroom show with Thursday on Sept. 20th. They played their dose of circus-punk. This band always managed to impress live. This time they played to a fresh audience of post-hardcore fans. The band seemed to win some fans by the end of the set. The set included a nice mix of older and newer material like "Iris and Eye," "All They Draw," "Dress Up," and the awesome "Virus." Kiss Kiss have a way of seamlessly going from a light, beautifully laced keyboards and violin sound to spastic, where the band speeds it up and the music gets hyper and fun to move along.

The band play tonight in Chambersburg, PA with KristeenYoung. They'll be in NYC on Oct. 13.


Funny tour video featuring "All They Draw", pics, and dates below.











Kiss Kiss October Tour Calender:
10/10 @ The Library, Chambersburg, PA (w/ The Shackeltons, Kristeenyoung)
10/13 @ Santo’s Party House (w/ Kristeenyoung’s CD Release Party)
10/14 @ Daniel Street, Milford, CT (w/ Murder by Death)

Kiss Kiss setlist 9/20/09:

Iris and Eye
All They Draw
Haunt
The Cats In Your House
Through the Day
Dress up (Shits in Suit)
Virus

Shiragirl rock Utopia III Yacht for "Sick Day" release party + Music Video

photo by StarBeat


Shiragirl, the punk rock 4-piece from Brooklyn were all decked out in pink, white, and black attire for their single release party for “Sick Day.” Held last Thursday on the Utopia III Yacht for an exclusive event featuring family, friends, and music industry folks, it took off from the Chelsea Piers in NYC to host a rockin' night. The band premiered the video for “Sick Day” and performed on the top deck of the yacht. Lead singer Shira commanded the deck like it was a party hall. The event was an opportunity for media professionals to see the band and enjoy a good time. It was a time to let loose on a Thursday, because of course the whole idea was to take a “Sick Day” on Friday. Cruising down the Hudson watching the band play their anthemic grrrl punk songs of living in the moment, doing your own thing, yet sticking together with your crew made for a fun night. Shiragirl blended old, new, and current jams into their 25 minute set that had the crowd jumping, singing along, and raising their fists. They kicked it off with "Reklys," and also played the oldie "Go Go Go," along with a Ramones cover and the heavy "Lights Out," which closed the set. Of course they played the new single to.

“Sick Day” takes you through the morning struggle of getting up for school or work. It’s the perfect time for the song as school has recently started and new jobs began. It’s a quick, rebellious anthem of not caring about school or work and wanting to do something better. The delicious guitar flavor, head bopping beat, and hip-hop vibe of the song comes together strongly for a fun, fall jam. The compelling, repetitious, “Sick day everyday,” and “I don’t wanna go” lines in the the song is the fuel you need to get through work or school. Sometimes we just need to take a “Sick Day.”

The video was directed by Parris (Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz, Joe). You get the single on Conquer Entertainment here. The band also launched a new website. Their second album, Scream! Spit! Sing! was released earlier this year.

See the video and setlist below.






Shiragirl Setlist 9/24/09:

1. Reklys
2. Go Go Go
3. Sick Day
4. I Wanna Be Sedated (Ramones cover)
5. Drama Club
6. Roll with tha Crew
7. Tantrum
8. Anthem
9. Lights Out

--
Related Entries:
* Shiragirl Release "Sick Day" single
* ShiraGirl @ WSOU 9-5-09, "Sick Day" acoustic, interview, and pics
* Check out videos from Kevin Devine, Joe Wilson, Exit She Calls, and Shiragirl @ 89.5 FM-WSOU

Incubus @ PNC Bank Arts Center 8/7/09

Going to a huge venues like the PNC Bank Arts Center comes bought once in a rare time for me, so when I had the chance to see Incubus and the Duke Spirit, in seats, not lawn, nonetheless it was pretty exciting. Incubus was one of the early mainstream rock bands I heard growing up and one of my favorites, so getting to hear and see their “Monuments and Melodies” tour brought back at least a few memories of my middle school days.

The Duke Spirit, a U.K. band with a lady singer with a nice groove and 70s/ 80s rock vibe to them were up first. They played for 30 minutes, which I feel wasn’t too long. But they had a big sound to them and the sound quality was awesome. It’s a bummer people were still in the parking lot during their set, they missed a good band.

Incubus came on at 9pm kicking it off with “Pardon Me,” where the crowd quickly got pumped. It was nice hearing all the hits, acoustic songs, and the oldie “Redefine.” I didn’t expect the band to play anything off of “S.C.I.E.N.C.E,” so it was a cool treat. Brandon Boyd still maintains a youthful appearance and high energy, after being in the band over 10 years which is really awesome to see. The excitement of the big show was topped off by the lighting and video screen which were like mini music videos that fit each song the band played. For instance, during "circles" there was a bike wheel spinning in the video. It was also nice hearing "Wish You Were Hear" and thinking of friends who couldn't make it to the show.

The band played an hour and a half set, then came back out for a 3 song encore that closed with a jammy, almost heavier misplaced song, which I later found out was a cover of Prince’s “Let’s Go Crazy.” It was an interesting choice to close with a cover, but it seemed to work and everyone indeed went “crazy.”

Incubus Setlist (via)

1. Pardon Me
2. Nice to Know You
3. Anna Molly
4. Stellar
5. Megalomaniac
6. Circles
7. Love Hurts
8. Just a Phase

9. Drive (Acoustic)
10. Talk Shows On Mute (Acoustic)
11. Dig (Acoustic)

12. Redefine
13. Warning
14. Oil and Water
15. Quicksand
16. A Kiss to Send Us Off
17. Wish You Were Here
18. Aqueous Transmission

Encore:
19. The Warmth
20. Sick Sad Little World
21. Let's Go Crazy (Prince cover)

Kevin Devine @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 6-7-09/ Video

"I Could Be With Anyone"


All videos by Star Beat
Kevin Devine closed his 6-week long tour in support "Brother's Blood" with a stop at Music Hall of Williamsburg. He performed with over 2 hours filling the set with plenty of songs off the new album like "Carnival," Hand of God," and "I Could be With Anyone," plus "Refugees," "Longer That I'm Out Here" and "Buried by the Buzz." Kevin has a way of eliciting emotion like no other band I've seen. He started acoustic with "Ballgame," a song he usually closes with. But it started off the evening quite nicely. The song gave me goosebumps and made me teary eyed. For the most part all you could hear was his beautiful voice crackle and his voice was so strong. His band played wonderfully and openers Miniature Tigers and Brian Bonz were tight.

In an update posted today, Mr. Devine will announced that he will perform at LOLLAPALOOZA on August 7th in Chicago. Before then he'll be in the U.K. performing with Brand New and has a string of solo dates. His t-shirts are also available at Hot Topic's across New Jersey and New York.

Kevin Devine Setlist (via)
1. Ballgame (acoustic)
2. Cotton Crush
3. Carnival
4. Another Bag of Bones
5. Go Haunt Someone Else
6. You're Trailing Yourself
7. Hand of God
8. Fever Moon
9. Murphy's Song
10. Me & My Friends
11. The Shift Changed Split the Streets
12. Refugees
13. It's Only Your Life
14. I Could Be With Anyone
15. I Could Be With Anyone
16. Noose Dressed Like a Necklace
17. Longer That I'm Out Here
18. Yr Husband
19. Buried By the Buzz
20. You'll Only End Up Joining Them (acoustic)
21. All of Everything, Erased (acoustic)
22. Just Stay
23. Brother's Blood

"Go Haunt Someone Else"


"Longer That I'm Out Here"


"No Time Flat"


"Hand of God"


"Me and my friends"

Maria Taylor @ Maxwell's in Hoboken TONIGHT, played the Bell House (Brooklyn)

Maria Taylor will perform tonight at Maxwell's in Hoboken, New Jersey with the Whisphertown 2000. Doors are at 8:30pm. Tickets are $10 and can be bought here.

Maria Taylor and the Whispertown 2000 performed on Easter at Brooklyn's The Bell House, a 350+ capacity room with stools, a sofa, dim lighting and chandelier. In honor of the holiday, Maria gave away Easter eggs which contained chocolate and a slip saying either "Happy Easter! Thank you for coming to the show. Love, Maria" or contained a prize. The first band up was Brooklyn's Hawk and Dove. They had a nice vibe, but were a bit boring at times and sounded out of tune. It was nice to hear a violist to. They had free demos available to. Next, was the Whispertown 2000 from California. They had a blues/folk rock feel. It was cool to see three of the members switching off on instruments, especially the drums. For the last song, Maria Taylor played drums. She could be seen in the audience since the last song of Hawk and Dove.


Maria Taylor went on at 10pm and started with the title track to her new album, Ladyluck, then went right into the old "Replay." It was great to hear the rockin' version of that one. The last time I saw her at Knitting Factory last summer, she played a lighter version of the song in the encore, but it didn't do the song justice. During "Good Start" members of the Whispertown 2000 were dancing around, it was a fun song with a nice groove. She played a lot of the new songs in the beginning, then played older songs. She closed with "Xanax" in the regular set, then the cheers brought the band back. She played "Song Beneath the Song," then by the crowds pleading, decided to play "Leap Year," which they hadn't practiced. it was the first encore of the tour, she said. More cheers brought on "Light house," then the band left and Maria decided to played "Two of the those two," and the lovely night was over.

Read the rest and see the setlist at "read more."

Vivian Girls/Screaming Females/Mirrors & Wires played Court Tavern, NJ 1/4/09, Tour Dates

photos by thepiratehat



















The show was supposed to happen at the Loft, but ended up being at the Court Tavern, which was a better choice, even though the minors couldn’t get in, because the sound was better and I could see the bands. It was an exciting night with friends and one of mine was witnessing his second show ever.

Mirrors and Wires, from New Brunswick played first. They were a four piece instrumental horror punk rock band. What was interesting about this band was they had a theremin player. According to Wikipedia, it’s “an early electronic musical instrument controlled without contact from the player.” From what I saw it looked like an instrument that created sound without touching the instrument by making a motion in the air near the instrument. It was interesting. Pretty groovy.

Screaming Females, the trio garage punk rock n roll extraordinaires played a healthy dose of groovy tunes that entertained me and my friend, along with a room full of people. It was nice to see the band in a club setting, as opposed to in a house, where the sound is often off, the vocals are low and unclear, and when it’s packed hard to see the band. I felt like just the front row was rocking out. The band played so many new songs and ones I didn’t recognize, except was previous shows. However, it wasn’t hard getting into the songs. The last song, “Reggae” was a really good song. I’m excited for the new album, "Power Move." I grabbed the setlist at the end.



I picked up the band’s 2008 live cd-r and also a tape with lead singer Marissa’s solo music. I also got a pin.

None of my friends, except Steve were excited for Vivian Girls. It was kinda funny. However, Vivian Girls played their best performance at this show of the three times I’ve seen them. While they didn’t have the most energetic live set or have something in their set to actually captivate, they played well and entertained with some funny comments. “Tell the World” was their single and they played it so well. I rocked out.

Mirrors and Wires has one upcoming show in their hometown, while Screaming Females and Vivian Girls will be touring with big names, Throwing Muses and M. Ward. Tour dates below.












































Mirrors and Wires Tour Dates:
1/ 18 @ Death Valley, New Brunswick, NJ w/ Bagger Vance, Color Change, and Silent Way

Screaming Females Tour Dates:

NY/NJ/PA:
1/ 16 @ The Parlor, New Brunswick, NJ w/ The Sass Dragons and Slaw
1/23 @ Don Pedro’s, Brooklyn, NY w/ Shellshag, Cheeky, Emergency Party, Bonezone
2/7 @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ (SF Headlining) Don Giovanni Showcase w/ For Science (last show), The Measure [SA], Cheeky, Groucho Marxists, Pregnant, and The Steinways
2/19 @ Don Pedro’s, Brooklyn, NY
2/20 @ Haverford Free Library, Haverford, PA
2/27 @ TBA, New Brunswick, NJ w/ Liquid Limbs

Tour with Throwing Muses and 50FOOTWAVE
3/10 @ World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA
3/12 @ Music Hall of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY
3/14 @ Middle East Downstairs, Cambridge, MA

Vivian Girls Tour Dates:

1/11 @ Kidrockers at the Living Room (for kids), NY, NY
1/14 @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ w/ Titus Andronicus & Spider Bags
1/20 @ Danbro Warehouse, Brooklyn, NY w/ Fucked Up, Pissed Jeans, and more

2/6 @ 4AD Muziekclub, Diksmuide, Belgium w/ Crystal Antlers
2/7 @ RoTown, Rottedam, Netherlands
2/8 @ Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
2/9 @ Trix, Antwerp, Belgium
2/10 @ Triniaires, Metz, France
2/11 @ La Laiterie, Strasbourg, France
2/12 @ Woodstock Boogie Bar, Limoges, France
2/13 @ Point Ephemere, Paris, France
2/14 @ Proud Galleries, London, UK
2/15 @ Carling Academy Islington, London, UK with Black Lips

Tour with M. Ward:
2/19 @ The Apollo Theatre, NY, NY
2/20 @ Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA
2/21 @ Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington, DC

Kevin Devine Setlist 12/10/08

All,
Sorry I haven’t updated this better. I have been to a ton of shows recently to. Well I just got back from seeing Dead Confederate, Kevin Devine and the Goddamn Band and Manchester Orchestra. Kevin stole the show. His new songs are rockin’ and very powerful. His band and him played with so much passion. Here’s what he played:

Kevin Devine @ Maxwell’s 12/10/08 Setlist:

Carnival (New)
Another Bag of Bones
I Could Be With Anyone (New)
No Time Flat
Me and My Friends
Longer That I’m Out Here
Just Stay
Cotton Crush
My Brother’s Blood (New)

Mates of State @ Highline Ballroom, NYC 8/7/08

Mates of State the power-duo couple, Jason and Kori performed at Highline Ballroom in NYC to a packed room, where they played a solid, dance-able set filled with cello, violin, guitar, and songs off all its releases.

Click read more for setlist.

Mates of State- Highline Ballroom, NYC- Aug. 7, 2008 Setlist

Fraud in the '80s
Now
Like U Crazy
Get Better
Think Long
You Are Free
Jigsaw
Goods (All in Your Head)
Beautiful Dreamer
Blue and Gold Print
Haha
Offer
Re-Arranger

Encore:
Proofs
So Many Ways

Tilly and the Wall/ The Ruby Suns/Vivian Girls @ Music Hall of Williamsburg 7/29- photos, Setlist

Tilly and the Wall @ Music Hall of Williamsburg - July 29, 2008


It was a fun night in Brooklyn. The boroughs own Vivian Girls opened with its brand of garage-punk for 15-minutes. VG fit in more than a handful of songs, but should have played longer. Their stage presence wasn't as exciting as the following acts and there was very little movement from them, but still. Soon after New Zealand's duo, the Ruby Suns came on stage to perform some indie/pop electronic goodness that got the crowd going. They played song off "Sea Lion," which sounded different live with a more drum and bass feel to it.

Omaha's Tilly and the Wall finally came on at 10:45 to perform a fun, exciting set in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, for the first time, playing plenty of tracks off its new release, "O," as well as oldies. This outfit definitely know how to put on a live show, enticing cheers, claps, sing alongs, and dancing. The music was dance-alicious and sounded great live, especially on tracks like "Dust Me Off," and "Tall Tall Glass," where you could hear the vocals amazingly. The band even bring out their own tap dancer. This is an band not to be missed live.

"And I feel so alive," Neely and Kianna sang. "We love you, Brooklyn" were the parting words of the night.

Tilly and the Wall perform at New York's tonight at Bowery Ballroom with The Ruby Suns and Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson. $15, 18+, 7:30pm.

Click read more for a setlist.


Tilly and the Wall @ Music Hall 7/29 Setlist
1. Too Excited
2. Alligator Skin
3. Rainbows in the Dark
4. Falling without Knowing
5. Bad Education
6. Reckless
7. Beat Control
8. Dust Me Off
9. Cacophony
10. Tall Tall Glass
11. The Ice Storm, Big Gust, and You
12. Pot Kettle Black
13. Sing Song Alongs
Encore
14. Lost Girls
15. Fell Down the Stairs
16. Nights of the Living Dead

mewithoutYou @ Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ 7/18/08

Maps & Atlases, an experimental 5-piece rock band from Chicago, IL that while great to listen to in my room, wasn’t too pleasant live. The instrumentation was superb, but not enthralling. Fans in the front of the stage seemed to be enjoying the set. The groups played songs off its EP, “Tree, Swallows, Houses.” It was fun watching the drummer play all over the place. I couldn’t hear the vocalist’s lyrics and he said “thank you” to often like he didn’t have anything good to say. The band hit the road with RX Bandits and Portugal.The Man at the end of the month.

mewithoutYou came on stage at 8:32pm and performed a 16-song set that included a mix of songs from “Brother, Sister,” “Catch for Us the Foxes,” and three new songs. The set seemed rushed, Aaron only spoke about two times and there wasn’t much band-to-crowd interaction. It was fun watching Aaron’s movements and facial expressions and the drummer in particular.


The highlights for me were “C-Minor,” “O Porcupine,” and “January 1979,” The last song in their set, was a new song. I thought it was interesting to close with a track that was unfamiliar to fans, but it was pulled off nicely. There was a lot of instrumentation in the song and it was a heavier song. I remember the words, radiated so well from Aaron's voice: “Everywhere we look it’s all crazy, it’s all dreams, everywhere we look." Another line went, "the life I have been livin’ will be forgiven.”

mewithoutYou- Maxwell’s 7/18 Setlist
Paper Hanger
Yellow Spider
A Glass Can Only Spill What It Contains
Leaf
David (new)
4 Word Letter (Pt. Two)
Orange Spider
C-Minor
Swan Dive (new)
O’ Porcupine
Son of a Widow
Brownish Spider
In a Sweater Poorly Knit

Encore:
January 1979
New Song

Matt & Kim @ McCarren Pool Brooklyn 7/13/08

MATT AND KIM SETLIST @ MCCARREN POOL July 13, 2008
1. The Final Countdown cover (instrumental)
2. It's a fact (printed stained)
3. Grand (instrumental)
Matt singing some R. Kelly song real quick
4. Silver Tiles
5. Fast Song
6. Jesse Jane
Rude Mechanical Orchestra & Matt and Kim
8. Cut Down
9. Crazy in love cover
10. Yea Yeah
More on the Breeders/Matt and Kim/The Whip show soon.