Posts filed under 'Venue News & Reviews'
The Dust Devil has been on hiatus for a spell in terms of actual live reviews, but do I have three great shows to tell you about! I visited Seattle for the first time from October 14-20 and had an opportunity to see three amazing concerts. Seattle is definitely all it is cracked up to be, great coffee, great vibe and killer music scene. Let’s start with Bob Mould at Neumos on October 15.
I have had the distinct pleasure of seeing Mr. Mould two previous times this year, at the Varsity Theater in Minneapolis back in March and at Coachella in April. Both sets absolutely smoked and were very different from one another. The Varsity Theatre show was just Bob and bassist/guitarist/backing vocalist Jason Narducy. Coachella added Richard Morel on the keyboards and Jon Wurster on drums. This evening was minus Morel, so we were treated to Bob Mould once again part of a killer trio. Obviously for the knowledgeable that should conjure up images of not only two of the best trios in rock history, but two of what should be considered to be the best bands of all-time. Yes, I am referring to Husker Du and Sugar. If you are not familar with either of these bands, go pick up New Day Rising from Husker Du and Copper Blue from Sugar. Now. Seriously, you can read the rest of this later.
My first visit to Neumos
I enjoy venues like this. Simple, nothing extravagant, a stage for the band, a bar off to the side, an area to buy merchandise and plenty of GA room to roam and make your way up front if need be. Which of course I did, even though I have seen the Man enough to know my ears would bleed the next day.
Neumos is located at 925 E. Pike Street, just off 9th Avenue on Pike Street. Easy to get to via the King County transit system, this club is located right next to a very cool bar by the name of MOE Bar and a hop, skip and a jump away from some killer java served at Caffe Vita. After a hazelnut latte and some interesting people watching, it was time to head inside.
The Bob Mould Band live
I honestly do not know what else I can say about Bob Mould that I have not already said in the two reviews I have already posted this year. It amazes me that at the age of 48 (he actually turned 49 the next day) this guy STILL puts the type of energy he does in a performance. Artists are “supposed” to mellow with age, and although some of Bob Mould’s latest material may tone down the gnarl of his guitar a bit, you cannot tell when he performs live. What makes his sets so special is the combination of solo tracks, Sugar songs and tunes from Husker Du.
Jason Narducy is a stellar musician, able to play guitar and bass equally well, and lends outstanding backing vocals to Bob Mould’s fiery delivery. I suggest you check out the catalog from a past band of his by the name of Verbow, great stuff! Jon Wurster is the drummer for an indie band by the name of Superchunk and destroys on the drums. Bob is very fortunate to have two accomplished musicians like these guys supporting him, and when Richard Morel joins them on keys it is an even more dynamic outfit. Check out Blowoff when you get a chance, a DJ/dance project in which Mould and Morel have joined forces.
Right out the gate he played Wishing Well from his first solo effort Workbook, released shortly after the Huskers disbanded. A great tune, a great start for the evening. Next up we were treated to another Workbook standard, See a Little Light. It is hard for me to believe it has been twenty years since that album came out, and neither track has lost any of the power or beauty over time.
Sugar ranks in my top five bands of all-time. I only saw that incredible trio once, December 8, 1994, at a great club in Tempe, AZ by the name of the Electric Ballroom (RIP). Yes, that is the correct date, I still have the stub! They shredded on that evening. I highly suggest picking up anything from their great, but all-too brief collection.
Hoover Dam, Your Favorite Thing, Needle Hits E (I think) were a few of the Sugar tracks Mould and co. unveiled on this evening, with the incredible A Good Idea part of the set as well, one of my favorite Sugar tunes. Unbelievable stuff, delivered with the fury that I have come to expect from this band.
My favorite part of this blistering set was actually a five song interlude when Mr. Mould stripped things down considerably and delivered some of his more mellow and delicate material. Life and Times, The Breach, and I’m Sorry Baby But You Can’t Stand in My Light Anymore, three tracks from his latest solo effort Life and Times, were delivered with the quiet eloquence I have come to expect from Bob, having heard these songs played earlier this year at the Varsity Theatre show or Coachella, if not both. Sinners and Repentances, another killer Workbook song followed. The highlight of this interlude had to be the Husker Du classic from Candy Apple Grey, Hardly Getting Over It. I was blown away.
Just like at Coachella earlier this year Bob, Jason and Jon ended things with some of the best tracks from the Husker Du catalog, including I Apologize and Celebrated Summer from New Day Rising, Makes No Sense at All from Flip Your Wig and Chartered Trips from Zen Arcade. I hope Bob reads this, because I swear the band brought out In a Free Land, one of Husker Du’s earliest singles.
What an increidble show, but what makes this show even more special is the fact Bob was ill at the time, yet he still paced around stage in that maniacal fashion of his while hammering away on his guitar, and still let loose his incendiary vocal style on the appreciative crowd. He apologized a couple of times for his singing; I ask why?
I really do consider myself fortunate I have seen this legend three times in one year. During this tour he was selling off a lot of old merch, so I picked up some things, but more important was the sale of the Live at ATP 2008 disc, only for sale on the tour! If you have not seen Bob Mould this year, find this disc somehow, this is a great representation of what the man does every night he plays.
Now please Bob, a Phoenix trip next year! Three plane tickets to see you in one year is enough! But of course, I would do it again in a heartbeat.
Next show to review, Sunny Day Real Estate at the Paramount Theatre!
Cheers,
The Dust Devil
October 30th, 2009
Today, I am going to give you my top 10 favorite football stadiums. Some of these NFL venues are brand new, while others have stood the test of time. So, here they are and in no particular order.
1. Dallas Cowboys Stadium its true, everything is bigger in Texas. The brand new Dallas Cowboys Stadium opened in the spring of 2009. It features the world’s largest HD screen, which spans 160 feet in width and is 72 feet tall. I can easily say this stadium is heaven for football fanatics.
2. Lambeau Field this name is synonymous with the Green Bay Packers. The managment gives fans an amazing football experience with great atmosphere. Game day activities and concessions are actually very affordable, which makes it a great time for the family. Seating has been expanded to make fans more comfortable. Couples can even say their vows and get married at Lambeau Field!
3. Soldier Field happens to be a highly respected and historic NFL venue. The Chicago Bears have played in Soldier Field since 1971. Soldier Field is very special for football fans. The field is a memorial to every American soldier who died during combat. There are many statues and memorials placed around the beautiful stadium to respect the fallen soldiers.
4. Qwest Field is much more than just a football destination. It is a fully functional multi-purpose sports complex that is state-of-the-art. The Seattle Sounders MLS team also plays at Qwest Field. The field offers stunning views of the Seattle skyline and fresh air. It is a popular hang out for locals and tourists. Qwest field is also known for being one of the loudest NFL fields with the most rowdy and fun fans!
5. Dolphin Stadium made the list because this is where the Super Bowl XLIV will be held in 2010! The Orange Bowl is also traditionally held at Dolphin Stadium. Miami, Florida also happens to be a wonderful destination during the winter. The warm climate makes it a perfect place for football. The layout is breezy and comfortable. It’s a great place to enjoy an NFL game.
6. University of Phoenix Stadium is the home of the current NFC Champions, the Arizona Cardinals. This is another new stadium, which officially opened to the public in 2006. University of Phoenix Stadium also hosted the Super Bowl 2009 and an entire community was built to welcome NFL fans. This stadium has a retractable roof, which keeps spectators cool in the summer and comfortable during the winter.
7. Arrowhead Stadium is “The Red Sea”! Kansas City Chiefs fans are one of a kind and dress head to toe in red, to show support. Arrowhead Stadium is often feared by opposing teams, it’s an intimidating place to play. However, it’s a wonderful stadium to enjoy a game and to really get into the game day atmosphere. Like Qwest Field, Arowhead Stadium is also famous for its extremely audible fans.
8. Heinz Field this NFL venue is absolutely stunning. It is located along the Ohio River, with stunning views of Pittsburg. Heinz Field is one of the very few football fields with an all natural grass playing surface. This field also hosts a wide variety of other events including concerts, college football and other events. Heinz Field is a hot spot in Pittsburgh!
9. Metrodome has been opened since the early 80’s is one of the premier sports destinations. The Metrodome is home to the legendary Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Golden Gophers. It has a rich history of some amazing games and is one of the oldest NFL stadiums. It has a very special charm, which fans adore.
10. Qualcomm Stadium is where you will find the San Diego Chargers. This modern stadium is surrounded by the beauty of Southern California and the beach is only a few miles away. How can you go wrong? “The Murph” aka Qualcomm Stadium is made of pure concrete and steel, construction was completed in the late 1960’s.
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October 21st, 2009
I really do need to start doing these reviews the night I arrive home from the show, especially if the concert was during the weekend. I get to the office, focus on other things and before I know it nearly a week has gone by. A lack of respect on the part of the Dust Devil, because Sonic Youth put on an incredible performance this evening! Too bad the Dust Devil is an idiot and missed most of it! But I digress …
Let me start off by recommending if you go to an out of town show like I did for this one, especially if you are flying in, LEAVE EARLY! I thought I would still work that day, leave the office a bit early, arrive in Colorado with about an hour and a half leeway time. Well, due to weather and an airline that is not exactly top notch (I will never fly Frontier again), I arrived in Denver well past my scheduled arrival time. By the time I arrived at my hotel, checked in, cleaned up and caught a cab to the Ogden Theatre, it was 10:10pm and Sonic Youth hit the stage at 9:00pm. Dangit …
However, the whopping 4 1/2 songs (no joke) that I saw were so incredible, so intense, so amazing, a review is still in order. Plus, the Dust Devil was completely impressed with the Ogden Theatre, another great venue in Colorado!
Like its Colfax Avenue counterpart the Bluebird Theatre, the Ogden Theatre is a converted movie house that has maintained the same rustic look as during its cinema run. The interior is exquisite, the multi-tiered floor makes any spot downstairs an ideal place to see the show, and the balcony wraps around the entire venue, placing you right on top of the stage if you are fortunate enough to get a table that close. There are bars on both levels on the venue, plenty of tables and chairs scattered around the balcony, and lots of railing on both floors that provide plenty of room to both lean and set down your drink.
I enjoyed the heck out this venue. The sound was fantastic, the sightlines were good and the interior provided plenty of interesting decor to observe. The Ogden Theater is a venue I will undoubtedly visit again, and I already know what table on the balcony I want!
Denver seems to attract a lot of great indie and alternative artists, and Sonic Youth is a distinct legend from those genres of music. Having come out of the original “No-wave” scene in New York back in 1981, the band has released sixteen brilliant studio albums in their illustrious career. Several drummers have come and gone over the years, but the critical trio of Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo and Thurston Moore has been consistent the entire career of Sonic Youth.
Not many bands have been capable of mixing beautiful, alternative pop music with a truly vicious barrage of feedback and sheer, deafening volume. Sonic Youth has taken this unique formula to dizzying heights, creating a catalog over the years that few bands could hope to replicate. From early albums such as Bad Moon Rising, to their watershed disc Daydream Nation, to major label masterpieces such as Goo, Sonic Youth truly is one of the few bands in rock history that can honestly claim they have never sold out and actually mean it. They have one of the most loyal fan bases in rock and roll, solely due to their DIY work ethic and incredible music.
The last time I had an opportunity to see Sonic Youth was in 1995 when they headlined Lollapalooza. A great show, but unfortunately in an environment where “Alternative Nation” was more interested in seeing Hole and getting hammered. A band of this caliber deserves an appreciative audience. The Denver, CO crowd was exactly what Sonic Youth deserves!
As I mentioned earlier I arrived very late, so when I walked in Sonic Youth was in the middle of a track I was not immediately familiar with, but it was not long before I was hooked. They sounded brilliant! Mark Ibold on bass and Steve Shelley on drums complete the current line-up of Sonic Youth. Shelley played on the majority of Sonic Youth’s most brilliant work, while Ibold was formerly the bass player for Pavement.
The band finished up the track they were playing, then left the stage. I wanted to cry! Luckily that was simply the end of their initial set. I had no idea the magic that I was about to see live.
Sonic Youth came back onstage and unleashed The Sprawl on the audience. An incredible track, The Spawl features a guitar line that simply grooves and some incredible lyrics, including a first verse that features text from the novel The Stars at Noon by Denis Johnson. Next up was ‘Cross the Breeze. Another brutal track, this song pummels its way into your senses, featuring a heavy punk tempo and lyrics such as “I wanna know, should I stay or go? - I took a look into your hate - It made me feel very up to date.” Both songs are from Daydream Nation, and both feature the incredible vocals of Kim Gordon. At the age of 56 she STILL sounds as good as she did more than 25 years ago when the band first began playing together.
A second encore followed with two more songs. The first track I did not recognize, but then to the delight of the crowd Sonic Youth pulled out their classic Bad Moon Rising track Death Valley ‘69. Released in 1985, this track still shreds and features the brutal dual guitar assault of Thurston Moore and Lee Ranaldo. The crowd ate it up, and needless to say the Dust Devil was in heaven.
I may have only been witness to 4 1/2 songs, but the delivery was so intense, so precise, so perfect, I could look back today and be bummed I did not see more, but be grateful I was fortunate enough to see what I did. I respect this band more and more as time rolls on, and can only hope for 28 more great years of music from Sonic Youth.
Luckily for me the week of this show Sonic Youth added dates to this tour. When I booked the trip the band was skipping Arizona. The music gods smiled upon me, and now Sonic Youth will be playing back to back Arizona shows, October 1 at the Marquee Theatre in Tempe, then the next evening, October 2 down south in Tucson at the Rialto Theatre. I think there is a good chance the Dust Devil will be at both shows.
Folks, as of this writing only seven more U.S. dates for Sonic Youth are in play. Don’t miss an opportunity to see this amazing band live, they will blow you away in a manner most bands cannot even comprehend. If nothing else, check them out on Sunday, October 4 at the 2009 Austin City Limits Festival. Saturday evening is already sold out for this event, and often times the whole weekend does, so be sure to take a look at TickCo’s selection of ACL Festival tickets as well.
Hope you enjoyed this review my friends. Now go pick up The Eternal, the latest release from Sonic Youth if you do not already own it!
Cheers!
The Dust Devil
August 6th, 2009
From tiny dive bars to massive outdoor amphitheaters, there are hundreds of event venues in the states. I have scoured America to find you the crème de la crème. These are my favorite concert venues of all time. Venues with the best sound, lighting, music, history, vibe and so much more. Keep in mind, this list is in no particular order!
01. Cricket Wireless Pavilion Phoenix, Arizona the rumors are true, I am an Arizona Native. So, of course I have to stick my favorite Arizona concert venue in the mix. I have been to Cricket Wireless Pavilion a handful of times and always have a blast. However, the venue is best during spring and winter. Outdoor concerts in the middle of the Phoenix summer heat are scorching!
02. The Joint Las Vegas, Nevada hands down this is the most popular music venue in Vegas, The Joint has recently been renovated and updated. This concert venue located in the Hard Rock Hotel and is famous for the rock bands and super-starts it attracts. Classic rock-n-roll, Vegas-style…this is as good as it gets!
03. Hollywood Bowl Hollywood, California this beautiful outdoor amphitheater is beloved by Los Angeles residents. The Hollywood Bowl was opened to the public in the summer of 1922. This venue is full of unique features which set it apart from the competition. Looking at the stage, you will see a rounded shell like structure that covers the stage. This structure helps to keep the acoustics clear and loud during performances. Seating is situated in an area full of large trees and cool Cali breezes.
04. Madison Square Garden New York City, New York all recording artist know they have arrived at the top, when given the opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden. This absolutely massive arena (also known as MSG), hosts over 320 events per year. That is almost an event every single day of the year!
05. Red Rocks Amphitheater Morrison, Colorado when it comes to Red Rock Amphitheater, you should definitely believe the hype! Red Rock is built in to the beautiful and preserved, Rocky Mountains. The natural surroundings create perfect acoustics, which draw concert goers from all over the globe.
06. The Fillmore San Francisco, California now, here is a venue with some history! Constructed in the late 60’s, the Fillmore helped to launch the psychedelic music movement. Featuring such far-out bands bands as: The Grateful Dead, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and so many more. The Fillmore is an iconic tradition in San Francisco.
07. Gorge Amphitheater George, Washington a ticket to a live performance at Gorge Amphitheater offers you so much more than just a live music. This Amphitheater is situated near the Columbia River Gorge and showcases breathtaking scenic views. Lawn seating is often preferred and some of the most talented performers of all time have graced the stage at Gorge Amphitheater.
08. Chastain Park Atlanta, Georgia Chastain has it all; Amazing music, plenty of seating, surrounded by lush vegetation with beautiful views. Chastain Park is a gigantic area, solely devoted to rest and relaxation in Atlanta, Georgia. You can reserve tables near the front of the stage. Patrons with reserved seating can bring coolers with food and beverages to enjoy during the event, how cool?!
09. Smalls New York City, New York When I hear jazz, I think Smalls! Located in the heart of the Big Apple, Smalls features established jazz musicians on almost every single day of the week. Although this is not one of the mega venues, this intimate jazz club is truly one of a kind. A treat for any music lover, check it out especially if you are in to jazz.
10. Great American Music Hall San Francisco, California this music hall is a slice of Americana, opened in 1907. The architecture is stunning, a mesh of a French-American design. This club has a rich-history, The Great American Music Hall has always been a jewel in the San Francisco music scene. Today, it has been beautifully restored for many more generations to enjoy.
July 15th, 2009
Well folks, the answer is simple. The concert was that good and Jimmy Eat World deserve some heavy props for a fabulous evening!
March 7, 2009, I headed over to the Marquee Theatre with a couple of buddies for what I knew would be a great show, and what better way to top off the week? I had already seen The Pretenders and James Galway the same week, so it made sense to cover the entire spectrum in regards to musical genres.
Jimmy Eat World was playing the last of ten shows in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of their watershed album Clarity, and the band was playing the disc in its entirety live during this short tour. Hailing from Mesa, AZ, this show was also a homecoming for the band, and the crowd completely got into the spirit of things on this historic evening.
What is scary is the opener, San Diego’s own No Knife, may have been the highlight of the evening, at least in the eyes of the Dust Devil. No Knife had come out of “retirement” to play a few stops of the tour, and Arizona was fortunate enough to land one of No Knife’s gigs. Holy mackerel, were they unbelievable or what! Having never had an opportunity before to see them, this was a special occasion for me. They did not disappoint, leading off with Academy Flight Song and Minus One, the first two tracks off their third album Fire in the City of Automatons. The dual lead vocals of Ryan Ferguson and Mitch Wilson were outstanding, and for a band that had played their last show in March of 2003 until this tour, they were extremely tight. The highlight of course was Jim Adkins from Jimmy Eat World coming out to sing backing vocals on Charming, just as he did when No Knife released Automatons. My money is on the fact that 90% of the crowd did not even know the band enlisted him for backing vocals all those years ago. What a great moment seeing him up there during that tune!
I could have gone home then, but I was really excited to see Jimmy Eat World. Now, before the review of their set, how about a huge BOO to the Marquee Theatre first? It really stinks that the bigger general admission shows usually end up at this venue, because the more I attend shows there, the more I miss the Red River Opry and despise this establishment. Parking is a joke, the security is on one serious power trip, and the process to simply enter the venue is out of control. Sorry guys, your venue is not the same as going through security at the airport, so the policy of having people take off their shoes is asinine. What is more idiotic is the fact they expect their patrons to do this on the pavement, which makes “perfect sense” instead of having a rug or some other surface for people to step on. I wish this venue would disappear yesterday, that is how tired I am of the place.
We move on to more positive things, because although Jimmy Eat World should have played at a venue more deserving of the amount of fans they draw, their set was incredible! Clarity is such a great album, and like many other fans it is my favorite piece of work from this band. Every song is wonderful, and knowing Jimmy Eat World was going to play the disc in its entirety excited the heck out of me.
Well, not only did they play every tune, they did so in the exact order on the album! The first set was all Clarity and the crowd loved every second of it. I have never seen Marquee so packed, and it was incredibly loud considering it seemed every fan was singing along the entire night! How special for the band, hearing one gigantic chorus as they played. Lucky Denver Mint and Your New Aesthetic were phenomenal, A Sunday was delivered in a beautful manner and Goodbye Sky Harbor was a great end to the set.
Not done yet, Jimmy Eat World returned to play some of their B-sides and tracks from other albums, closing things out with their smash hit singles from Bleed American, The Middle and Sweetness. They delivered a dynamite show, and one has to believe Jim Adkins was being sincere when he expressed over and over during the concert that the show was the best one they had ever played in town.
Folks, Jimmy Eat World will be releasing a digital only version of the Tempe show on April 7. The track listing includes the entire Clarity set, as well as two of the tracks played during the encore. If you were there, what a great way to have a life-long memory of the historic show. If you were one of the unlucky ones who did not land a ticket before the concert sold out, here is your chance to own this little piece of music history.
The next post will have some April and May shows for all of you to consider, and of course, don’t forget that Coachella is coming up April 17-19. I am so pumped for that weekend!
Cheers!
The Dust Devil
April 1st, 2009
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