The Mandatory Rate the last gig you Witnessed.

[Shift]

So I think we should have one along with rate your last track for a gig, since Im sure a lot of people go to gigs regularly on here.

I will start.

Radiohead - Manchester, Old Trafford Cricket Grounds.

100x better than I thought it would be, played pretty much everyone of my favourite songs and many classics, like Just, Airbag, Paranoid Android and even Pyramid Song, finishing on Lucky.

Once in a lifetime gig, but would have been 100% perfect had they included at least either Street Spirit, How to Dissapear Completely, or Creep, but unluckily none were sang. But still, amazing to witness.

[Van_Halen]

is this gigs we were at, or gigs we'd never seen on DVD?

I'm gonna guess you mean ones we were at, so here.

Jackyl in St. Louis- Pretty much what I expected, was a little less than awesome, but then again the lead singer was hoarse from the night before, so he wasn't feeling too well. Props to them for coming out and playing a kickass show though.

[Ennui]

Radiohead, Charlotte NC May 9th
10/10

[-Kashmir-]

Led Zeppelin - O2, London.

I'm not joking. If you're a fan of Led Zeppelin, you would know they played in December '07 at the O2 in London.

It was an amazing concert. They played all of their best songs, like Kashmir and Dazed and Confused. They also ended with Rock and Roll, which was great. Definitely one in a lifetime. We got great seats since my dad mixed John Paul's solo record :D

[TheAntipop]

Been a bit dry around these parts, not been much on sadly. I got Supersonic to look forward to, though, in Birmingham. Red Sparowes, Oxbow, Battles, Harvey Milk... man, fock yeah.

[Crushenator 500]

Radiohead - Lancashire Cricket Club

****ing incredible, I can't believe they came out for a third encore and played that fantastic performance of Lucky

Possibly the perfect setlist, the only other songs I was looking forward to them playing (that they have been playing on this tour, not random ones like creep lol) are telex and exit music

Were MGMT any good? I completely missed them (just managed to listen to "time to pretend" while i was stood outside, the only song I was particularly interested in really, would've liked to have seen them though)

Bat for lashes was pretty awesome though

[Kula Meenur]

Armin van Buuren Live in Perth 2008 - June 13th: Armin: One Night Only


Was the last gig i've been to in a while, right in the first week of exams :( Meh, had to go. Rating? His current status as the worlds best DJ lives up to it's credibility and name. Superb night, superb performance, superb atmosphere.

10 outta ****in 10

[soulslicer]

Incubus - Light Grenades Tour

The only large scale "gig" I have ever witnessed. They only played one song from SCIENCE, which sucked for that matter, very few songs from their make yourself album, mostly stuff from ACLOTM and LG. Was Good though, loved the drum and dj solos.

In small scale, I've seen "Electrico", a rather popular local band play. They make good music.

[Tarkus]

Muse/Offspring/Linkin Park at the Rock in Rio festival. The Offspring really brought the house down, their concert was > amazing <. Same for Muse. Linkin Park was very meh

And f*ck Kashmir, you lucky bastard

[Pulse]

Queens of the Stone Age, Bristol Carling Academy, December 1st.

Won 2 free tickets for me and a mate from the carling website and got served free carling all night, plus I got to see my favourite band. Naturally, it was fecking incredible! :D Can't wait for Reading now, that's gonna be the highlight of the year for me.

[Iron Kat]

Bullet For My Valentine at Manchester Academy in February: 10/10. Tears Don't Fall was definitely the best song. It really got the crowd going and now whenever I hear it it brings back fantastic memories!!!!
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=2375132461189993748&q=Tears+Don%27t+Fall+Bullet+For+My+Valentine+Manchester+Academy+08&ei=tuVoSMyLKoyUjQKzh8i-Ag&hl=en

[DreamThrall]

The New Pornographers, Spoon in Dallas TX.. late 2007 I believe.

10/10 ... Got to see the New Pornographers perform with Neko Case and Dan Bejar, which is a rarity, and Spoon put on an awesome show even though I don't really care for them that much.

Interesting tidbit - my wife and I completely lost our tickets after we'd driven 3 hours from Shreveport, LA to Dallas, TX (they were with us when we left, we think they might've fallen out of the car when she got out to go to the ATM). Luckily, my wife was able to pull the cry pregnant girl card and the manager at the box office was nice so we were able to get in :D

[Shift]

Were MGMT any good? I completely missed them (just managed to listen to "time to pretend" while i was stood outside, the only song I was particularly interested in really, would've liked to have seen them though)

They were like David Bowie - the second but obviously not as good, they played good chill out music. The second artist, that women, started off really interesting but jesus christ did it get boring quickly, droned on for too long.

And cant believe somehow on here was also at the gig :D

And yeh I do mean gigs you are actually at, V fest is next on the list for me.

[TheAntipop]

I'm looking at my gig calender right now and it's really depressing to see that the only events I have planned are festivals - Supersonic, Damnation and All Tomorrows Parties. What the hell happened to good small venue gigs anymore. I miss seeing Municipal Waste in the basement of a pub, man. Still, Torche have been added to the ATP line up which has me VERY hyped, and Taint are playing Damnation. Buzzing. I foresee 10 out of 10's for all three events.

I'm not too bothered about missing Reading now I've got these to look forward to! \o/

[staticprimer]

Silver Mt. Zion - Asheville, NC
9/10

I like their older stuff better and would have liked to hear more of it, however they did play Could've Moved Mountains, which was fantastic, and a new song, Metal Bird (the full title is far too long to remember), which was mind blowing.

[Hazard.Squared]

My last gig was Foreigner, Styx and Def Leppard w/ DL headlining, Styx shoulda been the head liner IMO. Going to see CrueFest in a couple of days though!

[leib10]

Last gig I've seen was Taste of Chaos, El Paso, TX on 4/6/08. On the bill were a bunch of Japanese metalcore bands (who were surprisingly good), Blessthefall, Bullet For My Valentine (who I was not impressed with), Atreyu (who mixed it up from the constant drone of double bass drums that seemed to ruin my hearing), and headlining and last was Avenged Sevenfold who naturally blew the rest away.

The acoustics in the place were terrible, but that was okay. The crowd was lively too. All in all a great concert except that it could've done without a band or two and it would've been fine with me.

9/10

[Corp. Sheepo]

Shouldn't it really be the last gig you attended, seeing as what's important is the music and witnessed implies a visual importance?

I'll go no now

[Qonfused]

NIN two years ago (lol): 10/10

[kazsymonds]

Foo fighters - Wembley

10/10

[Sliver]

Less Than Jake. Reel Big Fish, Steetlight Manifesto, Against All Authority- Shout it loud tour, last year.

12/10, one of the best nights of my life.

[DreamThrall]

LTJ and RBF are still together and touring? People still listen to ska?? D:

[Cormeh]

Foo Fighters w/ NiN supporting, Meadowbank, Edinburgh - 10/10

My mates weren't keen on seeing NiN but I was insistent that we get there early to see them kicking off. ****ing great set, mostly Year Zero promotion but a few older tracks in there too.

I was still buzzing during the Foos but they were awesome too. Again, mostly promoting new material. This was like, two summers ago omfg. D:

[Iron Kat]

I just wish I could go back to last year so that I could witness Download and Muse at Wembley. Download had the best headliners EVER last year: Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park. And to see Muse, My Chem and Biffy Clyro playing Wembley would've been unbelievable. I was absolutely GUTTED that I missed out on them. :(

[Slacker]

Mudhoney with Birds of Avalon.

Mudhoney was great. Birds of Avalon sucked.

Peter Buck and Mike Mills from REM apparently showed up (they had played a show earlier the same night) which is weird.

[Hazard.Squared]

Cruefest 10/10 even though Vince Neil sounded like Geddy Lee

[Septih]

I just wish I could go back to last year so that I could witness Download and Muse at Wembley. Download had the best headliners EVER last year: Iron Maiden, My Chemical Romance and Linkin Park. And to see Muse, My Chem and Biffy Clyro playing Wembley would've been unbelievable. I was absolutely GUTTED that I missed out on them. :(

MCR would've been alright apart from the fact that gerard way is (and acted like) a prick. Biffy were good, but hardly anyone knew them, so there wasn't much going on. I would've enjoyed the day a lot more if they hadn't had the stupid first come first served inner circle close to the stage and if my camera hadn't got nicked :<

[Dog--]

Rush in Toronto on Wednesday - IT WAS THE BEST THING I EVER DID IN MY LIFE.

You have no idea how freaking awesome it was. The crowd (and me) sang along to every song, they played 2112, Spirit of Radio, Passage to Bangkok.. They played everything good (well, they don't have any bad stuff anyways..). I can't believe how awesome it was. Seriously, no joke, not over exaggerating, it was honestly the best thing I've ever witnessed and experienced. Ever.

10,000,000/10.

[Slacker]

Silver Mt. Zion - Asheville, NC
9/10

I like their older stuff better and would have liked to hear more of it, however they did play Could've Moved Mountains, which was fantastic, and a new song, Metal Bird (the full title is far too long to remember), which was mind blowing.

Zoinks, didn't Vic Chesnut play at that show too?

That would have been AMAZING

[VictimOfScience]

AT THE GATES, MUNICIPAL WASTE, TOXIC HOLOCAUST, DARKEST HOUR
@ Irving Plaza, NYC

One of the greatest shows I have EVER been to. Reunion after all these years of ATG and the Waste was insane as always--best live band going right now imho.

11/10.

[KineticAesthetic]

Bill Bailey - Tinselworm
9/10.
I mean, I can't really describe it, you know? It was very funny, he's awesome at music, I enjoyed myself immensely. What'm I gonna do, repeat the jokes? Nah. 1 point off for repeating material from older shows.

[Dog--]

Sam Roberts - 8/10

Pretty damn good, also free. Was at the local college, so me and my friend skipped fourth period (first day of highschool), and went to the orientation day at my local college where he was playing. Pretty sweet.

[TheAntipop]

Bill Bailey - Tinselworm
9/10.
I mean, I can't really describe it, you know? It was very funny, he's awesome at music, I enjoyed myself immensely. What'm I gonna do, repeat the jokes? Nah. 1 point off for repeating material from older shows.

Holy shit, Tinselworm ONLY just got to you guys? I saw that show last year. :laugh:

It was brilliant. 10/10. But I uhh, don't have any gigs as of late to talk about or rate. Stupid Wolverhampton.

[KineticAesthetic]

New Zealand's usually the last stop for tours. Maybe. Sucks D:

[Saturos]

Dana and the Dogs- My own sister's blues rock band with her husband as her lead guitarist. They play alot of tributes mostly. (I can't think of any atm, but they were pretty popular bands from the late 70's-80's.) Although they do have a few originals.

This guy is a guitar god though. He can play anything. Likewise, so can the sax player they dubbed "Big Earl".

TBH though, she's not really the greatest vocalist in the world (I wouldn't tell her that though) and the rest of the band overshadows her performance. It was her first gig though, so she probably was a bit nervous.

10/10 for the instrumental solo's alone though.

[Kula Meenur]

Going to Global Gathering '08.

Big dance festival.


November 23rd.

[bam23]

metallica - cyanide

i like the solo

[soulslicer]

http://www.visitsingapore.com/publish/stbportal/en/home/apps/event_detail.html?pageName=DailyEvent&buttom=detail&eid=8729&eventType=1

Hmm..should I? 58 Dollars is just insane, but to watch Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten..sigh

[Ennui]

upcoming shows I'm going to around here:

annual Galactic show (Raleigh)
annual Durham Blues Festival (Durham)
NIN in November (Greensboro)

[lefty]

sep 5th, blakes
sihouette (friend's band)
some cool country band that I didn't catch the name of
stone foxes
full on flyhead

all in all pretty good show, liked all the bands pretty well, though apparently it went on till like two in the morning.

upcoming shows I want to see but probably wont-
Toadies sept. 16, Slims
Beat union oct. 2, bottom of the hill
MxPx/Lagwagon, oct. 4th, The Phoenix
From the Jam, oct. 8th, great american music hall. Really looking forward to this one.

and then tiger army and rancid are playing around here end of october.

[Glo-Boy]

octopus project - hello avalanche - Hollywood, ca

8.5/10

Solid, quality music and a rocking good ****ing time. However, yvonne lambert's occasional theramin performance was only bearable because she was making handjob motions. Theramins sound like 50s sci fi lasers. I don't like that in my music.

Tomorrow night I'm going to see mogwai, I am so stoked I'm practically jumping out of my chair.

[TheAntipop]

Mogwai are great live. You're in for a treat if they play We're No Here.

Pelican w/ Torche - Birmingham, Custard Factory

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOWW.

My ears are still ringing. Torche were ridiculous - so blisteringly erratic, though the sound was a little shit. Stupid Bimingham.

Pelican were wonderful.

[Seppo]

Metallica in spring 2004

[staticprimer]

Flogging Molly 10/10

Saw them last night. Holy shit it was awesome!

[Gryphius]

Rage Against the Machine + Metallica at the Reading festival.

Hands down amazing- particularly Rage Against the Machine. Only problem was that some sound level restriction forced them to turn the volume down a bit. Oh well, it sounded awesome anyway.


Next show I wanna see... wherever Muse is playing :D

[Glo-Boy]

Mogwai cancelled. This sucks hard. Like hours before the show. I think they've cancelled the rest of the tour in fact, someone said they're sick.

[Qonfused]

I was looking some stage's website and saw a Mogwai date, but it was cancelled. I was curious as to why. Hm.

[Glo-Boy]

yeah they're done. Martins pacemaker shat itself the night before the Boston show. I can't say I blame them. My god I hope they come back soon.

[TheAntipop]

Wow, that sucks. :(

Have you heard the new album?

[Kula Meenur]

Going to Global Gathering '08.

Big dance festival.


November 23rd.

What an intelligent, handsome fellow!




Got tickets to Summerdayze in January. ARMIN VAN BUUREN IS GONNA BE THERE!!!

[Dog--]

Rise Against - 8/10

I don't really like that band, but my friend needed someone to go with him (going to a concert alone is lame), so I went, only $30, they're decent, they got an 8 because of the moshing. I got kicked in the head twice by crowd surfers, and elbowed in the face, I got pushed all over the floor (literally, I was at back of crowd, side of crowd, front (stage), all over..). A bra landed on my head (people were throwing clothes all over) so I threw it back into the crowd. Then near the end I went at the way back where there was little moshing, and some random (****ing hot) girl came up behind me and put her hands on my shoulders and started like grinding me. Basically I gave the concert an 8 because some really hot chick rubbed her tits on my for like an hour. It's always good.

[ĐynastҰ]

Im off to see Oasis tomorrow, although im actually working as security/event staff. If I dont get put inside the stadium im gonna be pissed though, nothing worse than hearing a gig going on and youre guarding the ***king carpark.

[Dog--]

AC/DC - 10/10

****. The only thing I've ever seen that was better was Rush (nothing can top Rush). My ears only just stopped ringing about 3 hours ago, the concert was about 30 hours ago now. ****ing awesome, god dammit, I'm so glad I went, it was soooooo worth $150.

[Shift]

Sigur Ross - 10/10

Probably the most unique act Ive ever seen. Best ending ever.

[-Kashmir-]

Upcoming: AC/DC (high five dog--)

Recent: Nancy Griffith at Bells Bend. Some concert to save the state park, I think. It was decent. But they played Wish You Were Here, which is my favorite song ever <3

9/10

[Pulse]

Andy McKee and Don Ross at Thekla, Bristol - 10/10

Absolutely amazing acoustic set by this duo. The venue was small, 150 people at best and the atmosphere was fantastic. Their style of playing and ability is second to none and it simply blew me away and made me want to burn my guitar. Best highlight was 'Drifting'.

[Dog--]

Upcoming: AC/DC (high five dog--)

They will rock your socks off, bust your gut, melt your face clean off. It was so good, seriously.

[soulslicer]

Andy McKee and Don Ross at Thekla, Bristol - 10/10

Absolutely amazing acoustic set by this duo. The venue was small, 150 people at best and the atmosphere was fantastic. Their style of playing and ability is second to none and it simply blew me away and made me want to burn my guitar. Best highlight was 'Drifting'.

woah. lucky you. both of them, amazing guitarists, performing together, wish i could watch.

[-Kashmir-]

They will rock your socks off, bust your gut, melt your face clean off. It was so good, seriously.

Did they do the thing with the huge bell I've seen before?

[Dog--]

Yea, Brian Johnson was swinging off it, it was pretty cool. Opening video was awesome, they had a huge train with devil horns on it in the back, rising platform for Angus solo, etc, etc.

[Dumb Dude]

of Montreal - 999999/10

Oh my god ,of Montreal put on an AMAZING SHOW. I just got back and wow, I'm speechless, there is absolutely nothing I can ever say that will ever justify how crazy amazing the show was. I'm still all crazied out because I just got back but man oh man......no way, it was too awesome.

[Qonfused]

Nine Inch Nails: 9/10

Awesome set, awesome setlist; douchebags were douchebags.

[Letters]

I'm going to see NiN for the second time this coming Friday... I'm pumped!

I saw Metallica (second time) a couple weeks ago... I really enjoyed that one too... even more than the first time since their new album (which they played half of) is pretty darn good. Sound was awesome (and left me ringing 'til the next day haha). Also something that's really, really neat is you can buy the cd online of any concert on their tour...

[Qonfused]

Hopefully your crowd will be more into it. My crowd was shamefully tame during most of the show. Maybe all of their energy was gone after the energy**** that was March, Wish, Gave Up, Closer, etc. all in succession.

[TheAntipop]

Going to Damnation Festival this weekend in Leeds and I cannot wait. Mountains Became Machines, Latitudes, *shels, Devil Sold his Soul... christ, that's gonna be an intense stage.

[Kula Meenur]

Going to Global Gathering '08.

Big dance festival.


November 23rd.

This weekend bitches.


Gonna upload some vids and piccys.

[Darkwolf]

Last big gig:
The Whitlams - Perth, Aus at the Regal. 1st of Nov

Was awesome as ever. Tim Freedman was plastered as usual and drinking on stage, and provided very... suss backstories for most of the songs. Played all their hits, dancing was involved... 10/10

went to an Institute Polaire gig the following night. They're a local Perth band, but they're very tight and very awesome. If you are a fan of your alternative, I recommend getting some of their music. ;D

Global Gathering is on Sunday...

-D

[TheAntipop]

Damnation Festival - 10/10

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah.

Everyone should listen to and then go see Devil Sold His Soul.

[Kula Meenur]

Global Gathering 2008 - 10 outta 10

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/38/dsc05749dn0.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/1047/dsc05803ft4.jpg

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/6715/dsc05688vm5.jpg

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=mkIUVbhLzRM

[Darkwolf]

And as an extension to that, Kraftwerk at GG! Was absolutely freaking awesome. Anyone who hasn't seen them live in concert, is soooo missing out! Now all we need is some kind of Kraftwerk vs Daft Punk...

[Adrik_Senturu]

El Ten Eleven at the 92Y Tribeca. Amazing ****ing show. Listening to the music online really doesn't show case how ****ing awesome these guys are.

The band that opened for them wasn't too bad either. Abigail Warchild they were called I think.

[undertone]

Broken Social Scene - 8/10 - November 27th 2008

It was exactly what i expected, with Issac Brock showing up to play a couple Modest Mouse songs. All in all having no Fiest or Haines really hurt a few of the songs on the set list. Probably the most irritating part of seeing a band like Broken Social Scene is the fact that of all the people on the stage and all the talent, two or three of them have to be arrogant, self-centred assholes and really make you re-think respecting a band like this so much.

In a nutshell: Andrew Whiteman you are a douchebag.

[nipples]

I saw a few local punk bands on Friday night.

99999999/10

The Circle K (http://www.myspace.com/thecirclekband)
Autopilot (http://www.myspace.com/autopilotband), my friends band
Hangman, couldn't find a myspace
The Snails (http://www.myspace.com/thesnailspa)

Check them out if you get the chance.

[TheAntipop]

It was exactly what i expected, with Issac Brock showing up to play a couple Modest Mouse songs.

*envy*

I need to see Modest Mouse, in one form or the other, so much. :(

WHY WON'T THEY TOUR THE UK.

[Ennui]

holy SHIT

PHISH is coming to north carolina this summer! i'm getting my ticket at the end of jan when they go on sale. this is a big deal for me, i cant ****ing wait

[lefty]

new years saw The Slackers, The Impalers, and the Struts. Surprisingly I thought the struts which were the opening band gave the best performance, the slackers were lacking which was unusual for them. Then again I wasn't entirely into the show, I was in an extended text conversation with my gf who was elsewhere and drunk and getting mad at chicks she somehow was sensing in my proximity.

[Dog--]

haha, The Slackers were slacking, I guess.

[lefty]

yeah I was trying to avoid making that joke... ha

[KineticAesthetic]

Chase and Status at Fu Bar and Zen

Holy jesus these guys were tight. The drop to a VIP of Eastern Jam was perhaps the single most ridiculous moment of the night. Chase (or was it Status) even went on to three decks at one point, and was playing flawless mixes and double-drops. I skanked until I could skank no longer. It was a whole bunch of fun. Plus the dubstep at Fu was ****ing hot. YEAH MAN

:thumbs:/10

[Iron Kat]

Crap, wrong thread. Just ignore this post.

[KineticAesthetic]

BDO 9/10
I shall edit this post with an actual review, but for now have some pictures

So it was a pretty damn good day.

Started off with Bionic Pixie - mediocre/good electro/rap indie kids. Mainly meh.

Onto An Emerald City - Pretty damn good psychedelic rock. They recorded their last album in a cave.

Staying in the boiler room, caught Antiform, who played a good, if slightly safe, set.

Saw some of The Black Kids. Might like them if I heard an album.

P-Money. Such a great DJ. Mixed up a whole bunch of stuff, got the crowd incredibly hyped, even premiered a new track. Great set.

Bullet For My Valentine. Hahaha! They sucked.

Pendulum - See my rant in Strife Lately.

TV On The Radio were fantastic, but the sound was... Less than ideal. Played an amazing version of Staring At The Sun.

Had a much needed break after hours of dancing.

Caught the end of Simian Mobile Disco - ****ing incredible, I wish I'd seen the whole set. Searing live electronic madness.

Drank for a while. :thumbs:

Caught the first quarter of an hour of Arctic Monkeys - they seemed very tight, but a tad samey.

Hot Chip were god damn awesome. So heavy, so catchy, had the entire boiler room jumping and singing. A damn good show.

Came out, thoroughly trashed, saw the last of Neil Young's set, which was amazing.

Considered The Prodigy, but were put off by the massive cluster**** of people. Mainly the cluster**** of Prodigy fans.

Went home.

GOOD TIMES

[Zephos]

Tomorrow, baby, tomorrow.

[TheAntipop]

I haven't been yet, but I just got tickets for The Bronx with the almighty ****ED UP in support. That's going to be one rough gig.

[Zephos]

Big Day Out was pretty swish.

Saw Youth Group. They were boring, the crowd was bored and jeered for Forever Young and when this wish was fulfilled half the room promptly exited.

Then came the Tings Tings, which despite being horrible got the crowd going and it was rather fun to go along with.

Then came TV on the Radio. Oh my jesus, the equipment was horrible: the distortion made half the songs barely audible. Yet somehow, it was ****ing awesome. The mosh exploded with Wolf Like Me. The "Heeeeey" before "**** YOUR WAR" was extended to just the right length, making the latter call-out a ****ing epic explosion of sound. Despite the inaudibility you could just feel the music, the way Tunde freaking moved across the stage was hypnotic. Staring at the Sun was an incredible closer and A Method was a beautiful interlude. **** yeah, TV on the Radio.

Went back to the Orange/Blue Stage (got in the D barrier to be close to the Monkeys). Pendulum was on and was ABSOLUTELY ****ING HORRIBLE. If I ever have to hear such repetitive, horrible garbage (not helped by Sir Dipshit MC going "FOOKING A" and "GOLD COAST ROOOOCK" every five seconds) again I will scream. Serj Tankian was heaven compared to it. Serj Tankian.

Got up real close to the stage for the Arctic Monkeys as everyone rushed to The Living End. Living End served their purpose as an intolerable wait and as Alex Turner and the rest emerged on stage the whole grounds erupted like no other on the day. Set was tight, new music was pretty great, Alex Turner looked slightly disinterested. But the mosh was intense, we were like five metres away and the whole crowd was singing along. Seems like they were the stars of the day.

Overall, worth it for TVOTR and The Arctic Monkeys.

[KineticAesthetic]

00gun, Tikiman, The Bug & Warrior Queen at The Montechristo Room.

Sheeeeit.

We got there and 00gun was playing ridiculous slow-motion dubstep. Dubstep is slow, this was just silly. He slowly brought the tempo up and up, and the crowd got ridiculously amped, then dropped immediately into one of his tracks (?) - basically a wall of searing square bass with kicks cutting through it.

We left.

[BREAK FOR DRUGS AND ALCOHOL]

Came back in a very good mood, to see Tikiman. Freestyling over amazingly smooth beats. The reverb in the place was ridiculous - it's basically a concrete bunker. He played an amazing set, but it did drag a little. Maybe it was the drugs.

The Bug came on and played for about half an hour. He kept teasing Skeng (HOSE SOME PRICKS WITH AN EMM ONE SIX) but never got very far into it, which was a bit of a dick move. The place was going off quite solidly. Then Warrior Queen came on.

I saw something I have never seen before.

A fat, unattractive Jamaican woman on stage shouting 'I JUST CAME! YOU BETTER BELIEVE I JUST MUTHA****IN CAME!' The crowd loved her. She was an amazing MC and a damn good rapper. Insane was a highlight.

A good night.

[TheAntipop]

Man, The Bug? I'd love to see him holding down London sometime. His work with JKB and Dalek is pretty awesome.

[KineticAesthetic]

I've actually only heard London Zoo, but most of what I've heard I really like. The people I was there with were talking to me about him - turns out they'd seen him a month earlier at Phat09, a big music festival out in the middle of nowhere. Apparently he was rather lackluster out there - missing drops, screwing up mixes - but it seems that he's getting better and better at DJing. He only made a few mistakes when I saw him.

[[RE]Leon]

Weezer - Live at the Tsongas Arena; Lowell, MA

****ing amazing. 100/10

[KineticAesthetic]

Nine Inch Nails

Let's just preface this by saying I'm not a Nine Inch Nails fan. I like Ghosts, half of The Slip, and a handful of tracks from Year Zero and With Teeth, and I haven't heard anything else. Of the 200 plays on last.fm a majority are from Ghosts. I can also honestly say that until tonight I had never heard Hurt in any form.

But by golly they were impressive. They'd bought a drummer (who was amazing) a bassist, a guitarist and Trent Reznor. No giant audio-visual show like I'd seen in videos, no interesting supporting act (some generic New Zealand rock band who started what could have been a good cover of Staring At The Sun but apparently gave up after a verse) and no Echoplex. I was even seated so no funtimes dancing around.

However they were so tight, so focussed, so energetic and sounded amazing. Trent sounds excellent live - his studio voice is his live voice. The crowd was amazingly amped the entire time, and they played an incredibly cohesive and captivating set. The light show was minimalistic but well timed and well suited to the tracks.

Only negative aspect of the show was the lack of crowd interaction. I'm sure not saying much besides 'thanks' suits the slightly 'cooler-than-thou' attitude, but it's obvious that a little bit of attention on the crowd would have made everyone very happy.

However it was a damn impressive show.

Plus my ticket was free.

[Shift]

Of course they will be tight, they use click tracks like no tommorow lol.

[Pulse]

Defenders of the Faith II - O2 Academy, Bristol

10/10

Lamb of God = absolutely brutal. So god damn good.

[Vigilante]

Opeth - Watershed Tour - Ram's Head Live, Baltimore, MD.

10/10.

Great show.

[Dog--]

Sam Roberts - Buffalo, NY. - 10/10

Honestly, this was better than when I seen AC/DC. I got all the band members autographs on a shirt, I got Sam Roberts' autograph on a guitar pick, me and my friend chilled with the band after the show and talked about music (seriously). After Rush (nothing beats that show), this was the best show I've ever been to.

I was also front row, right at the stage during the show.

[dfc05]

I attended some free SXSW shows yesterday. First time attending SXSW... it was pretty awesome.

Explosions in the Sky -- Auditorium Shores, Austin, TX -- 11/10

3rd Explosions show I've been to so far (previous two were a couple of years ago).

They were preceded by Fastball, Beach House, and the Cannabinoids ft. Erykah Badu (listed below).

I got there and stood in front of the stage FOUR HOURS early and managed to get front row for Explosions, which was completely worth it. It was a free show in a big outdoor venue (great view/weather), so the crowd was huge.... and it was the most wonderful/epic show. I thought the songs they played were really good for the setting.

Setlist for anyone who cares:
The Only Moment We Were Alone
Catastrophe and the Cure
Greet Death
Your Hand In Mine
Birth and Death of the Day
Memorial


To top it all off, there were actually EXPLOSIONS in the SKY (fireworks!) at the end as they finished playing Memorial. I bought a nice shirt too. Ahhhh, good times..... :D

-----------------------
Other free sxsw shows I attended (I'm not good with genres so I may be a little off on the descriptions):

Casiokids -- 8/10
Norwegian electronic-pop. Pretty good tunes and entertaining to watch. Too many exercise-y Japanese girls over-enthusiastically bobbing though (...actually there was just one girl like that but even one is too many). I don't think I could really listen to their recordings much, but it's good live.

Slow Club -- 10/10
British indie-pop. Also entertaining and they sing really nicely. They did a great acoustic, no-microphone performance of When I Go.

The Theater Fire -- 7/10
Folksy indie music. I just stopped by as this was the most convenient show I could find to fill time in between Slow Club and the Auditorium Shores shows. They were pretty good... they played a bunch of cool instruments. There were a couple of songs I liked and the rest were decent too.

Fastball - 6/10
Not bad, just typical mainstream music.

Beach House - 8/10
I like their music a lot, but the organ sounded too loud compared to the guitar/vocals which detracted somewhat, as the guitar has all the really cool mellow tunes.

Cannabinoids ft. Erykah Badu - 2/10
They were ok once they actually started playing. Erykah got stuck in traffic so we had to wait for her to show up which was really frustrating for both the Erykah fans and especially the non-Erykah fans (like me...). It was a really huge mess.

[dfc05]

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - 7/10

Free outdoor show at my university. I've heard of them and maybe listened to stuff on their myspace a few years ago, but really don't know any of their music. It was alright, and they had some good songs, but nothing too special.

Also I ended up standing near the obnoxious dancercise girls again (as in, dancing in an irritating way that could probably be put on a horrible 80's exercise video). I hate getting stuck next to dancercise girls, drunk people acting retarded, and/or douchebags at concerts :frown:.

[VictimOfScience]

Propagandhi - The Trocadero, Philadelphia, PA, USA. 10/10

One of the best shows I have ever seen. The crowd was extremely positive and everyone knew all the words so during most of the songs you were adrift is a turbulent sea of like-minded people so much so that you felt the show as opposed to just seeing it or hearing it. An amazing experience.

[Qonfused]

Demetri Martin: 8/10

It's a gig, stfu.

Pretty funny, mostly new material even though he's fresh out from his show. Most of his improv was better than the actual jokes, which was kinda weird. The opener was really good too. So yeah, good times.

[swan_song1973]

Fleetwood Mac @ the BankAtlantic in Sunrise, FL

not bad, i didnt think theyd be that good, but fleetwood put on a good show, especially in the drumming and guitar categories.

[gFrohman]

311 - It's Getting OK Now

[Pulse]

Rolo Tomassi, Bristol - 10/10

Pure god damn energy these guys were the spazziest band I've ever seen.

[Corp. Sheepo]

CAKE- Richmond VA 0/10

Of ****ing course it's going to be the same day as my sister's wedding. Next time I guess...

[ajski752]

Emporius's band!!!!
they were ok i guess.... Actually they were great!
the sound guy sicked large amounts of male and/or female genitalia.

Sam Roberts - Buffalo, NY. - 10/10

Honestly, this was better than when I seen AC/DC. I got all the band members autographs on a shirt, I got Sam Roberts' autograph on a guitar pick, me and my friend chilled with the band after the show and talked about music (seriously). After Rush (nothing beats that show), this was the best show I've ever been to.

I was also front row, right at the stage during the show.
I just saw that: Sam Roberts is the Coolest musician I have ever met. he is so sincere and he is a really nice person.
I see him every year at bluesfest, in Ottawa... INCREDIBLE, always 11/10

[Qonfused]

Dan Deacon: 9.5/10

Hoooooooooly shit, this was awesome; dare I say better than the last NIN concert I went to? And I hadn't even listened to this guy beforehand. If any of you get a chance to go see him, do it. The concert he puts on is so much ****ing fun. Audience participation, humor, awesome music, crazy dancing...shit, I loved it.

[KineticAesthetic]

De La Soul('s 20th anniversary tour) at The Powerstation.

10/10

God damn. I don't even listen to De La much (I should), but I know they're great from what I've heard and GOD DAMN THAT WAS SUCH A GOOD SHOW I DON'T EVEN KNOW I WASN'T EVEN ON ANY DRUGS

That was some real old-school hip hop shit man. Slamming.

Plus my ticket was free I LOVE YOU BFM (http://www.95bfm.co.nz/)

[dfc05]

Calm Blue Sea at Hole in the Wall (in Austin) - 9/10

Pretty good. Played pretty loud. Liked them better live than just listening to the cd which is good. Can't hear right now. I enjoyed it.

[Ennui]

Les Claypool and O Death at The Orange Peel in Asheville, NC - 9/10
The Orange Peel is one of the most kickass venues on the east coast and Les Claypool is a dirty dirty man. My friends and I all busted out of Durham yesterday afternoon and drove 4 hours to get there, rolled up about 2 hours late and enjoyed the shit out of the show.


Tomorrow morning I'm buying Tool tickets for July 29th in Charlotte, about 2 hours from here. Can't wait for that either. This summer is looking absolutely NASTY for NC in terms of live acts - by the time the summer is over I'll have seen Les Claypool, Tool, Nine Inch Nails, Phish, TV on the Radio, and Akron/Family. Also possibly Easy Star All-Stars.

[TheAntipop]

Les Claypool. :(

[Vigilante]

Opeth at the 9:30 club in Washington DC with Enslaved.

9/10

Only because I don't like Black Metal (Enslaved). Opeth and Akerfeldt were amazing as always.

[losttheskyagain]

The Blue Man Group in Chicago.

10/10. Phenomenal.

[Nixt]

Shit, last gig I was at was a Nirvana gig back in the day.

Which was definitely a 10/10

Simply cause Krist Novaselic knows how to rip a bassline

[swan_song1973]

saw phish last night, and its easily now the best concert ive ever been to, far surpassing roger waters two years ago.

[Ennui]

saw phish last night, and its easily now the best concert ive ever been to, far surpassing roger waters two years ago.

I saw Phish in Knoxville on the 10th (two days ago) and was blown the **** away, best live show I've ever been to hands down.

Phish (Thompson-Boling Arena, Knoxville, TN 06/10/09) - 10/10
Absolutely goddamned epic, monstrous performance. People leaving the show were saying it was the best of the tour so far and I believe it. Setlist was dirty, second set in particular got the entire place moving. First time seeing Phish and hopefully far from the last. Knoxville is a terrible city though, we got viciously lost in downtown trying to find the venue but got there in time anyway.

TV on the Radio (Amos' South End, Charlotte, NC 06/11/09) - 10/10
Also goddamn epic, they were a lot improved over when I saw them in 2006 and I have to say that this was easily one of the best shows I've ever been to (particularly at a small venue). The way they played Staring at the Sun (with an extremely heavy beat) was great, danced my tits off the entire show and shit a whole chimney of bricks when they played Young Liars as the second encore. Tunde Adebimpe is one of the most dynamic, excellent frontmen I've ever had the pleasure of seeing.

The opening act was a band called Drunken something (can't remember) and was pretty good as well, if a bit too deep into the indie experimental side. I give them a 7/10 but I think they have a lot of potential, I wish I could find out what they were called though.

Tonight I'm heading to Charlotte again to see NIN, Jane's Addiction and Street Sweeper... will report back tomorrow although if last time is any indication NIN will tear that place down.

[swan_song1973]

damn, i was supposed to see tv on the radio, but i ended up having graduation dinner plans. do tell how street sweeper is, im really looking forward to their album.

[Zephos]

Tunde Adebimpe is one of the most dynamic, excellent frontmen I've ever had the pleasure of seeing.

I was absolutely hypnotised by his dancing when I saw him, there was so much energy to his performance.

Deerhunter - 9/10 - Absolutely incredible setlist. Nothing Ever Happened, Never Stops, Like New, SPRING HALL CONVERT. All it needed to top it off was Disappearing Ink, but I can't complain. The noise was absolutely deafening, my ears are still ringing. Point deducted for shitty audience, there was like a quarter of them moshing, if you could call it that.

[Ennui]

damn, i was supposed to see tv on the radio, but i ended up having graduation dinner plans. do tell how street sweeper is, im really looking forward to their album.

Unfortunately I got there too late and missed Street Sweeper (arrived right at the end of their set) but my friend saw it and seemed to enjoy it a lot. Also, apparently Boots Riley (whom I've seen in concert before with the band Galactic) spends his summers in my hometown of Durham, which is pretty cool.

As for the show...

NIN - 9/10. Great performance but not as awesome as last time I saw them in 06, so it can't be a 10/10. Setlist was pretty good, all the staples were there and the crowd was enthusiastic. I was thrilled to see him perform I'm Afraid of Americans, which has always been a huge favorite of mine and not one I expected to see. My only regret is that I probably won't see NIN ever again which means I'll never see Deal Souls performed live... oh well.

Jane's Addiction - 7/10, great light show, Dave Navarro is one hell of a flashy guitarist and the frontman is very talkative and amusing, but I'm not into JA enough to give it any higher than a 7.

I was absolutely hypnotised by his dancing when I saw him, there was so much energy to his performance.
Yeah, I wish I could dance like that. He really is just pure energy up there, everything is fluid and contained but still very raw. I love it when he jumps all over the place and does his little hand waving things along with the lyrics. Definitely hope to see TVOTR again (for the 3rd time). Easily tied for my favorite band ever. I saw them in 06 and now in 09, but missed a show very close to me in 07, which is a mistake I am definitely never making again.

[Pulse]

Download Festival 2009 - Infinity/10

Absolutely awesome 5 days at Donnington, camping was amazing, the weather was amazing, the people were amazing and the bands... were amazing.

Best bands I saw:

Meshuggah
Killswitch Engage
Limp Bizkit (laugh if you must, they were quality live!)
Architects
Clutch
Fei Comodo
Opeth
Sylosis
Devildriver
Down
Slipknot
Dream Theater

Definitely heading back next year as I've have been going since '07 but missed last year in favour of the Reading lineup.

[Ennui]

Sounds awesome. Limp Bizkit being good live I find hard to believe but I trust your word. How were Opeth and Dream Theater in particular?

My next shows are Tool in late July, then Akron/Family in August, and Venetian Snares and KMFDM in October... and a 3 day psytrance festival in the mountains in September.

[Qonfused]

Venetian Snares and KMFDM in October... and a 3 day psytrance festival in the mountains in September.

Holy shit what I want to go

[TheAntipop]

Down


Was Phil completely and utterly out of his face this time? He was so ****ed when they last played, but then so was I and it was like 11 in the morning, haha! Top band, top show.

[nipples]

My next shows are Tool in late July

Where are you seeing Tool at?

[Pulse]

Sounds awesome. Limp Bizkit being good live I find hard to believe but I trust your word. How were Opeth and Dream Theater in particular?

Opeth were incredible as always, Mikael had some pretty humorous banter with the crowd as Motley Crue were up after them therefore there was an influx of their fans just stood there looking really bored and unamused so during the introduction he said they were Whitesnake and just generally took the piss, was great :D

Dream Theater were also amazing, Petrucci and Rudess had what felt like a 30 minute solo showdown together, was epic to watch a synth and guitar duke it out.

Was Phil completely and utterly out of his face this time? He was so ****ed when they last played, but then so was I and it was like 11 in the morning, haha! Top band, top show.

I don't think he was this year, he still had a hell of a lot to say and was spouting the usual bollocks he comes out with but it was all good. Their set was killer, highlight for me was definitely 'New Orleans Is A Dying Whore' sounded so damn chunky.

[TheAntipop]

Yeah, sounds like Phil. I saw the setlist the other night and it just made me want Down to tour even more.

Or Eyehategod. Or Crowbar, or even if Superjoint Ritual got their arses into gear and did something, too... Man, any will do thanks.

[Ennui]

Holy shit what I want to go
Venetian Snares is going to be in Chicago and South Palm Beach FL iirc, I think my friends and I are going to the FL show but if we head up to Chicago instead (they're roughly the same distance from here) I'll let you know and maybe we could see it together :P KMFDM is coming to a tiny but awesome venue about a mile and a half from my apartment and I absolutely cannot wait to see them from 3 feet away in a room that doesn't hold more than 200 people or so. The Cat's Cradle it's called, SERIOUSLY small place, I'm uber psyched to see such a big act as KMFDM there.
Where are you seeing Tool at?
Charlotte, NC at the Bojangles Coliseum. Hopefully it's a less cramped venue than the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem NC where I saw them in 2007. Ideally it'd be like the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville where I saw Phish, best large indoor venue I've been to.

This summer / early fall are so excellent in terms of live music for me. Les Claypoole, Phish, TV on the Radio, Nine Inch Nails, Jane's Addiction, Akron/Family, Tool, and KMFDM all within a few months. I missed Easy Star All Stars a few weeks ago and I think I'm going to pass on 311 with Ziggy Marley but those would both be great shows too I bet.

[nipples]

Charlotte, NC at the Bojangles Coliseum. Hopefully it's a less cramped venue than the Joel Coliseum in Winston-Salem NC where I saw them in 2007. Ideally it'd be like the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville where I saw Phish, best large indoor venue I've been to.

Right on. I'm seeing them on the 30th in Fairfax, VA.

[Ennui]

That's the day after I see them. If you've never seen Tool before you're in for a treat. They put on one hell of a show, and their lights/lasers/screens beast the hell out of any other act I've seen, including Nine Inch Nails (esp. 06) and Radiohead, both of whom have insane visuals. I was stone sober last time but this year my friends and I will be getting a little Fear and Loathing on it if you follow my meaning. I'm completely ****ing thrilled that Tool is touring between albums, because that means I'm guaranteed to be able to see them again once they release their next one. High five!

[nipples]

It'll be the first time I've seen them and I hear their concerts are pretty much life changing. I'm going with two of the members of my band, we have another ticket but for some reason our drummer doesn't want to go. His loss.

[KineticAesthetic]

Kode9 at Zen - YEAH AWESOME/15

This was good good good great. Totally unexpected set - I thought it would be mainly his stuff: minimal, bass heavy, reverbed and dubby. Totally wasn't - he played an incredibly varied set, from some wicked funky that I have never heard, into bass-heavy dubstep, into some brutal grime (Poison DARTTTTT) and then, most excitingly, about twenty minutes of absolutely ridiculous jungle, so cut up it sounded almost like Venetian Snares (but wasn't because 7/8). He's an incredibly good DJ - I was expecting competence, not awesomeness. He even dropped Parisian Goldfish by Flying Lotus at one point [swoons]. Only thing that could have made it better would have been a more chilled section in the middle, I admit I was really looking forward to hearing some Burial on a proper club system. Even the MC couldn't ruin this one!

[Qonfused]

Venetian Snares is going to be in Chicago and South Palm Beach FL iirc, I think my friends and I are going to the FL show but if we head up to Chicago instead (they're roughly the same distance from here) I'll let you know and maybe we could see it together :P

In 100% seriousness, this sounds like an awesome idea. I'd definitely travel on down to Chicago for that! :)

[Lone Wolf]

Ages ago, but Gn'R Chinese Democracy tour - 100/10

[Viperidae]

Ages ago, but Gn'R Chinese Democracy tour - 100/10

I thought we were trying to get away from these kinds of rate-n-run posts.

[swan_song1973]

saw femi kuti and the positive force a few weeks ago. ive never seen anything like them before and probably wont. gotta love the afro beat. they were playing in this tiny bar/club and they had 14 people on stage all the time. pretty crazy.

[PorkPi]

Ska night at The Gilman-5/10
Opening bands were not to my liking but the last three, The Street Vendors, Maxwell Smart,and another band I don't remember the name of were pretty grood. Minus point(s) because my ears were still ringing 2 days later on account of the opening punk rockas.

[Warped]

going to see Killswitch Engage, Billy Talent, Rise Against, and Rancid this Thursday. Can't wait, because its been like 2-3 years since I've even been to a show.

[nipples]

I'm seeing Silversun Pickups, Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant on the third. I'm really excited for it.

[Ennui]

Tool on Wednesday. Can't wait, last time I saw them was awesome.

[nipples]

I was supposed to see tool this week. But tickets ran out right as my friend went to buy them. I was ****ing pissed.

[Warped]

I was supposed to see tool this week. But tickets ran out right as my friend went to buy them. I was ****ing pissed.

can't you get scalped tickets?? what you do is go up to someone who has tickets, make them an offer, if they refuse, walk away and look for others, if not hold out a little bit longer but keep an eye on them. then when the show starts go ahead and buy them for cheap. also i used to sell tickets and i used to make a killing sometimes. being a salesmen off the clock still means i can be a good sales person

[nipples]

We could. But my friend found a few on eBay for the same price we were gonna pay. Not sure if we're going yet, our ride still has to let us know if he can make it.

[Ennui]

TOOL - 10/10
Bojangles Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina

My second Tool show, and every bit as awesome as the first - possibly more because this time they played "Aenima" which is one of my favorite songs. Their light show is more impressive than any other band I've seen - including Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails who both had really kickass set ups (especially NIN's 2006 show in NC, the 2009 one was less awesome). Basically, if you like Tool at all, see them live - it's more of an experience than a show because they are so synergistic and well-practiced. Can't wait to see them again once they release their new album.

Setlist:

Jambi
Stinkfist
46 & 2
Schism
Lost Keys *new audio*
Rosetta Stoned
Flood
Aenema
Lateralus
Vicarious

Aenema was a serious highlight, the only song new to this tour and GODDAMN AWESOME. I was going nuts. Too bad Wings / 10,000 Days wasn't played this time around though.

Crappy cell phone pics:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t176/ennuified/bda10ba27635.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t176/ennuified/8e8286b1161e.jpg

The opening band was "Tweak Bird" which was pretty good although I didn't see more than 15 minutes of them playing, so I'm not going to rate them.

[TheAntipop]

65daysofstatic at Square Festival in Borth, Wales - 10/10

The festival itself was horrendous, or it was up until 65 took the stage and then left the stage. Bad organisation all around, and some horrible bookings that made no sense. If a band cannot pull more than 20 people in a small club, do not book them to be on early at an arena stage as the field will look nothing less than cringeworthy. Quite a few bands got quite arsey at the lack of people standing up or coming over to watch, but why should we? My biggest complaint, however, was the absence of something so simple but yet so important - times. I want to know when the bands I like are on and at one stage and not anywhere was there a timetable. Even the organisers I asked had no information, but I would of honestly gone out into the grounds with a pen and drawn the times up on a wall if someone had just gave me the very basics.

All that aside, 65 ****ing tore the place apart. I was a little skeptical about the crowd they would pull after seeing bands prior pull so little, but after racing to the barrier just in case of a surge I found I was right to be cautious but wrong to underestimate the booking - it was packed, and for all the right reasons.

I don't know how many people are familiar with 65daysofstatic here, they've been around for a while in the UK and have gained quite a bit of attention in the States and Japan recently so hopefully some folk know of the wonders they make. They play a strange mixture of noise, metal and electronica, all jumbled up into one great big mess of feedback, fuzz, atmospherics, breakbeats, cut-up glitchiness, odd time signatures and droning soundscapes. With so much going on, I thought the band might be quite laid back in their live presence what with the amount of laptops, keyboards, pedals and guitars on stage at the time but to my surprise they were probably one of the livliest bands I've ever seen. I haven't been to a gig in a long time - the last being Damnation fest in October 08 - so it was a bit of a shock being back at the front again next to the speakers, but I imagine even being a mile away you would still be deafened at the sheer volume of amplification 65 were using.

They ploughed through a setlist of popular favourites including This Cat is a Landmine (a personal favourite of mine), Retreat! Retreat! to the closing piano of Radio Protector. All of this was filled inbetween by lashings of improvised or home-studio-made electronic, noise and ambience to jump from one song to another - by all of this, I don't mean some simple beats and mixes, more of the rub-off from a huge Aphex Twin and Venetian Snares influence that is apparent in the bands records from over the years.

It's difficult for me to write about such a band and I'm no reviewer either, so I'll leave you with some pictures I took from the front. I tried to get a photo pass but I emailed them to late for the organisers to send them to me. More at my flickr (and more to come once my monthly limit resets...)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0366.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0427.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0195.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0309.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0499.jpg

More here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/branchbreaker/)

[dfc05]

65daysofstatic at Square Festival in Borth, Wales - 10/10


Very cool! I'm not a huge fan of 65dos but I think it would be incredibly awesome to see Radio Protector live. I've seen a couple of pretty epic youtube videos of them live.

[TheAntipop]

Yeah, Radio Protector was mindblowing. I don't know if the Youtube videos show the particular version they played at this set (though I suspect it's an on-going thing) but they played the intro really slow, with the piano section being much more drawn out and then everything came crashing, tumbling and billowing when the rest of the song started to pick up. If I recall, they added in a whole load of crazy snare rushes and jungle drum and bass elements into the intervals between segments. It was goddamn amazing.

[dfc05]

Yeah, Radio Protector was mindblowing. I don't know if the Youtube videos show the particular version they played at this set (though I suspect it's an on-going thing) but they played the intro really slow, with the piano section being much more drawn out and then everything came crashing, tumbling and billowing when the rest of the song started to pick up. If I recall, they added in a whole load of crazy snare rushes and jungle drum and bass elements into the intervals between segments. It was goddamn amazing.

Ah, the videos I saw were from '06/'07... there's one where they have a screen behind them and project a film with stuff about global warming, and this one which I really like:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qSptlkMuC8

[KineticAesthetic]

Mark Pritchard (aka Harmonic 313) at Ink

This was... Weird. Of course he's a ****ing great DJ, playing ****ing great tunes, and the crowd got really into it. The crowd, however, was maybe 50 people. There wasn't a stage. The decks were basically at a continuation of the bar. As a result, the dancefloor was a metre wide, and 6 metres long. My friend made the apt comment that it was like a house party, with a really really excellent DJ. The highlight of the night was subtly dropping an entire deck of cards (the ones for 500, with 11, 12 and 13s) on the dancefloor through out the night. It was hilarious watching people just trip out as they suddenly noticed that there were playing cards EVERYWHERE. Out on the street I saw a guy handing out a small pile to his friends, all of whom were confused as ****. A girl found the queen of hearts and wore it in her hat for the rest of the night. A group of guys obsessively hunting for all the aces, and eventually finding the ace of spades where I'd hidden it in the bathroom.

Plus it was free

DEAR bFM I LOVE YOU DEARLY

[Warped]

saw Killswitch Engage, Rise Against, Billy Talent, Rancid, and whitechapel with a friend and it was amazing. I would have to say the destortion was pretty bad but since I knew 60% of the content I could understand it. Yesterday flew by so fast, and I had no sleep the day before the show which is crazy why I'm not dead tired today.

And I'm a light drinker but managed to down 10 beers before the show, then recorded 4GB of video in the concert, drank about 3 more beers in the beer tent, went to a strip club and had even more. I made another thread because it was a wild night, but overall the concert was amazing. Basically the stripper bled on me and I didn't realize this until I got to my friends car.

9/10

[Adrik_Senturu]

Saw Mogwai, The Black Keys, and MGMT at All Points West.

Mogwai was great although they're alot better in smaller venues since they get a chance to play there softer stuff. I had never actually heard of The Black Keys and was surprised. They were really good, and I'll definitely try to catch them if they roll around NYC. MGMT was alright, im not a huge fan but it was entertaining so I can't complain.

Overall the festival was pretty ****ing awesome aside from the ankle deep mud so

8/10

[bryanf445]

Ahh wish I could see both 65dos and mogwai!! so very jealous. My brother just saw explosions in the sky a couple weeks back, I was so dissapointed I didn't make it out to chicago to see them.

[Vigilante]

Prog Nation '09 just outside of Baltimore, MD.

****ing amazing show. 10/10. Dream Theater rocked. It was two days ago and my ears are still ringing.

[neptuneuk]

65daysofstatic at Square Festival in Borth, Wales - 10/10

The festival itself was horrendous, or it was up until 65 took the stage and then left the stage. Bad organisation all around, and some horrible bookings that made no sense. If a band cannot pull more than 20 people in a small club, do not book them to be on early at an arena stage as the field will look nothing less than cringeworthy. Quite a few bands got quite arsey at the lack of people standing up or coming over to watch, but why should we? My biggest complaint, however, was the absence of something so simple but yet so important - times. I want to know when the bands I like are on and at one stage and not anywhere was there a timetable. Even the organisers I asked had no information, but I would of honestly gone out into the grounds with a pen and drawn the times up on a wall if someone had just gave me the very basics.

All that aside, 65 ****ing tore the place apart. I was a little skeptical about the crowd they would pull after seeing bands prior pull so little, but after racing to the barrier just in case of a surge I found I was right to be cautious but wrong to underestimate the booking - it was packed, and for all the right reasons.

I don't know how many people are familiar with 65daysofstatic here, they've been around for a while in the UK and have gained quite a bit of attention in the States and Japan recently so hopefully some folk know of the wonders they make. They play a strange mixture of noise, metal and electronica, all jumbled up into one great big mess of feedback, fuzz, atmospherics, breakbeats, cut-up glitchiness, odd time signatures and droning soundscapes. With so much going on, I thought the band might be quite laid back in their live presence what with the amount of laptops, keyboards, pedals and guitars on stage at the time but to my surprise they were probably one of the livliest bands I've ever seen. I haven't been to a gig in a long time - the last being Damnation fest in October 08 - so it was a bit of a shock being back at the front again next to the speakers, but I imagine even being a mile away you would still be deafened at the sheer volume of amplification 65 were using.

They ploughed through a setlist of popular favourites including This Cat is a Landmine (a personal favourite of mine), Retreat! Retreat! to the closing piano of Radio Protector. All of this was filled inbetween by lashings of improvised or home-studio-made electronic, noise and ambience to jump from one song to another - by all of this, I don't mean some simple beats and mixes, more of the rub-off from a huge Aphex Twin and Venetian Snares influence that is apparent in the bands records from over the years.

It's difficult for me to write about such a band and I'm no reviewer either, so I'll leave you with some pictures I took from the front. I tried to get a photo pass but I emailed them to late for the organisers to send them to me. More at my flickr (and more to come once my monthly limit resets...)

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0366.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0427.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0195.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0309.jpg

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii276/beskbucket/DSC_0499.jpg

More here (http://www.flickr.com/photos/branchbreaker/)



I love you.
I wish I was there.













I saw NiN at Manchester!! It was brill. End of review.

[Warped]

ohhh gawd...going to Crue Fest 2 and it has Motely Crew, Godsmack, Theory of a Deadman and a few others on the 5th of Sept last day of tour. should be epic!

[KineticAesthetic]

Saw Mogwai, The Black Keys, and MGMT at All Points West.

Wow. MGMT get around. They were here last week, I think? Strange.

[nipples]

Silversun Pickups, Manchester Orchestra and Cage the Elephant - 10/10
Rams Head Live, Baltimore, Maryland

Wow. ****ing incredible.

Cage the Elephant was up first, they played great and were really into it. During the last song, the singer climbs up on a bunch of amps to reach the second level of the place. He finished the song up there and when it was over, he climbed out onto a little beam and dove 15 feet into the crowd.

Manchester Orchestra played great and had a great stage presence. I really liked when they played their song, The River, which seemed like they extended. Fantastic.

Silversun Pickups. I don't even know what to say, they were that good. A very excellent setlist. They left the stage but ended up coming back for three more songs. I was close enough to the stage to shake the frontman's hand. Afterwards, my friends and I went outside to the parking garage our car was in and noticed the tour buses in front of the garage. We stuck around outside for awhile and managed to meet the frontman and bassist of SSPU. My friend and I talked about our band to the frontman and when I met the bassist, I didn't know what to say to her. I felt silly. But I got her to sign my ticket and I got a picture with her.

We also got lost on the way back. It took us two and a half hours instead of an hour and fifteen minutes to get home.

[Shift]

Wow this has to be most successful thread \o/ Anyway...

Blur - MEN Arena, Manchester - 10/10

It was actually about a month or so ago but what the hell. I wasn't optimistic that it would be a fantastic gig if I'm honest when first walking to take my seat (yeh I was late to the tickets so had to sit) but I was totally blown away. They were one of the first bands I started listening to and have slowly become one of my favorites. Albarn's enthusiasm and energy on stage for someone of his age was incredible, I mean just when I saw it all he only did a full on stage dive into the crowd during a song, and that just after I was thinking how temping it would be to do that.

They played more or less all their best songs, and even a few I didn't recognize which surprised me, Coxon's guitar playing was brilliant, with Trimm Trabb (couldn't believe they played that), Out of Time, This Is A Low, Badhead, The Universal and Beatlebum being the most memorable songs of the night.

Only drawback was the annoying occurance of people around you trying to join in the singing and being completely off key, when you are standing the sound level kinda drains all that out, being that we were sitting their bloody singing was blocking albarns out and really did my head in, I mean if you are going to sing, sing in bloody key! And we had this fat lady sitting in front of us wiggling about in what I suppose was 'dancing', at first it was hilarious and my mate actually averted his camera phone from the stage to her at one point, but eventually it just got annoying. So we ended up harassing her, she would scream at the stage after every song, so we would scream right behind her, she eventually turned around to our 'what?' expressions haha.

Although doesn't detract from the score because was hardly the bands fault. I'm am just so glad these guys are back together, Albarn and Coxon only shine when they work together, been saying that for ages, (even though The Good, The Bad and the Queen and Happiness in Magazines were great albums) think they finally released that.

[swan_song1973]

just got back from quite possibly the best concert ill ever see.

first i said roger waters playing dark side of the moon in 2007 was the best id ever see. then i saw phish in june and it blew my mind. however, i knew there was one show that could beat them all: paul mccartney. holy **** does this guy know how to put on a show. never before have i seen anybody handle a crowd the way he did. i mean, ****, the dude's 67 years old and he hit every single note. his backing band kicks ass too. he's got this samoan drummer who's insane. the highlight of the show was by far hey jude, as i expected. he had all of boston singing that song, it was pretty emotional. mgmt opened for him, but unfortunately their sound was way out of balance and it was hard to really listen to them, but they were still good. an odd choice considering the crowd, which consisted mostly of 50+ year olds. i dont care though, this concert was ridiculously mind blowing and was well worth the $99.

Setlist:

01. Drive My Car
02. Jet
03. Only Mama Knows
04. Flaming Pie
05. Got to Get You Into My Life
06. Let Me Roll It (w/ Foxy Lady)
07. Highway
08. The Long and Winding Road
09. My Love
10. Blackbird
11. Here Today
12. Dance Tonight
13. Calico Skies
14. Mrs. Vandebilt
15. Eleanor Rigby
16. Sing the Changes
17. Band on the Run
18. Back in the USSR
19. I'm Down
20. Something
21. I've Got a Feeling
22. Paperback Writer
23. A Day In the Life (w/ Give Peace a Chance)
24. Let It Be
25. Live and Let Die
26. Hey Jude

Encore #1
27. Day Tripper
28. Lady Madonna
29. I Saw Her Standing There

Encore #2
30. Yesterday
31. Helter Skelter
32. Get Back
33. Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)
34. The End

[Shift]

Lost Prophets - Academy 1 - Manchester - 7/10

I wasn't exactly excited about this gig, but I'm a fan so I felt I had to witness them properly live, since when I saw them at V fest last year all they seemed to do was talk rather than play music. The set itself was good, and the new songs from their next album sounded very good. It wasn't anything groundbreaking though and I doubt I would go and see them again live.

What really annoyed me though is right at the end they started slagging Radiohead off, because they are playing before them at the Reading/Leeds festival this weekend, I mean they had a chuckle about it at first and then the bassist started playing the start of Paranoid Android and Ian Watkins turns around and says 'stop playing that shit haha'.

They think its clever but it all it does it makes them like complete idiots and complete dicks. They have absolutely no right whatsoever to slag Radiohead off, considering they are 10x more famous than they will ever be and contain 10x more talent than they will ever have, and the fact that 50 years from now Radiohead will still be remembered as one of the pioneering talents to come out of the UK and OK Computer still up there as one of the greatest albums ever made, no one will remember Lost Prophets that far along.

Jog on Ian Watkins...

[Yorick]

Rufus Wainwright

A friend got some tickets dropped in his lap so we drove up to Portland, Maine to see Rufus last night at an Auditorium. It was a really great show. He made a few mistakes here and there, but had a really good sense of humour about it. And, man, seeing him do Cohen's Hallelujah live is just fantastic.

And all I ever learned from love
Was how to shoot at someone who outdrew you

[staticprimer]

Mono/Maserati - 7/10

Saw them at The Local 506 in Chapel Hill, NC (thought of you ennui ;)) about a week ago. Maserati opened for Mono and while they had a couple of songs I liked, they were just far too repetitive for me to really enjoy them. Perhaps that's just their style, but it isn't mine. Mono was great, and it was a joy to finally see them live, however the music was just far too loud to be fully enjoyed. The climax parts of the songs of both bands were loud to the point that the melodies were almost completely drowned out. The venue is the size of a small bar, there's no reason to have the volume set to 11. My ears were ringing for a couple of days afterwords. I don't know who was at fault there (or even if it was just me) but it really sucked some of the enjoyment out.

[Qonfused]

Why? - 9/10

I love small venues. I feel that fact is necessary when thinking about my rating.

It was at a bar thing called The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, MI. It took us about two and a half hours to get there. It was awesome. This place had so much personality. The bathrooms which were absolutely disgusting had shit all over the walls and had trough-like urinals. Maybe this description isn't necessary but, again, the venue was really ****ing cool.

The first opening band, Dark Dark Dark, was pretty ****ing cool. It was kinda odd with no percussion through their entire set, but the combination of folky singing with a piano, accordion, trumpet and guitar was really cool. People were talking rather loud through their set which was rude and the lead singer actually made a comment regarding that. Their style was completely different than most music I've heard so it was refreshing.

The second opener was very meh. Called AU, it was a lot of noise with fast paced drumming and screaming. It really didn't hold my attention.

Then Why? took the stage. God, was it awesome. The entire crowd was in to it and it was really us just singing along with Yoni. He was laughing, making jokes in between songs. It was really homey, as if we were all just relaxing in a house, playing some music together. The set list was solid, a good mix of new stuff from their new album and older songs. They actually played a song from Hymie's Basement (which is a duo of Yoni and a DJ named Andrew Broder) which was really ****ing awesome as I love Hymie's Basement. Wolf on drums was awesome, too. His drum set includes a full xylophone which is just bad ass.

I was having a really shitty weekend, me hitting a deer and ****ing up my car among other things that happened, and Yoni and crew really took my mind off everything.

Oh, and I got a sweet t-shirt.

[dfc05]

Mono/Maserati - 7/10

Saw them at The Local 506 in Chapel Hill, NC (thought of you ennui ;)) about a week ago. Maserati opened for Mono and while they had a couple of songs I liked, they were just far too repetitive for me to really enjoy them. Perhaps that's just their style, but it isn't mine. Mono was great, and it was a joy to finally see them live, however the music was just far too loud to be fully enjoyed. The climax parts of the songs of both bands were loud to the point that the melodies were almost completely drowned out. The venue is the size of a small bar, there's no reason to have the volume set to 11. My ears were ringing for a couple of days afterwords. I don't know who was at fault there (or even if it was just me) but it really sucked some of the enjoyment out.

Awesome, I went to a Mono show a few years ago (with World's End Girlfriend opening). Everyone says they're really loud, so I was kinda confused that I didn't notice it that much. I must already be half deaf even though I've only been to like 6 concerts ever.

[MuToiD_MaN]

Ween - The Grove at Anaheim - 7/10 (http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/ween/2009/the-grove-of-anaheim-anaheim-ca-3bd78038.html)

Went to this concert about a month ago. The band is obscure, offbeat, and of the people who actually know of them, most people would respond, "They're still around!?" However, a smallish venue like The Grove still got packed fairly well as I looked around to check. I guess enough fans got the memo.

Anyway,

The performance was a bit of a letdown. Dean, the lead guitarist, goes on these long, noisy jam sessions in the middle of songs (usually doubling the length of any song he embellished) and consequently shortened their setlist a bit. There were a lot more songs I would have liked them to play. This was my primary complaint, doubled with a dose of what I can only describe as unprofessional behavior. During these jam sessions, Gene, the singer, would light a cigarette and oftentimes stroll completely offstage somewhere while Dean kept going at it. In fact, the two of them chain-smoked nearly the entire night. I thought it kinda ruined the pace of the concert.

A third of the songs they played were ones I hadn't heard before (newer stuff) but they did many of my favorites. I can't complain about their set choices; including some stuff from every album is normal.

Best highlight: Dean-lead songs which got the crowd going ("Piss Up A Rope") or I just love the energy of ("Johnny On The Spot") and Dean's always-awesome instrumental ("A Tear For Eddie"). Best audience participation, thanks to Gene, was "Booze Me Up And Get Me High," which is a great concert sing-along song.

Biggest fail: on "Don't Get 2 Close 2 My Fantasy," the singer decided to bail the group out of the final band-wide a cappella chorus for whatever reason, and moved on, leaving the crowd confused. It was like he just lost interest or something.

Hey, at least he's lost weight from the smoking.

[swan_song1973]

The Mars Volta 8.5/10

i didnt really expect much from them this tour. because of the new direction their taking, their saxophonist and rhythm guitarist were asked to leave the band, and the jamming out went with it. i saw them last year in september and they played 8 songs, most of which were jammed out. however, despite these songs being in their most basic form, the band played extremely well. cedric's microphone was a little low, but that was fixed mid performance. they played the new house of blues venue in boston which is really nice, it didnt get hot at all which i thought was a standard for a GA show (this being my first). they had really trippy backdrops which had some sort of thing where depending on what lights were shined on it, different images would appear. i thought about smoking before the show, but im glad i didnt, that shit wouldve freaked me the **** out. i wasnt right up against the rail like i wanted, but i was only a row of people back so it wasnt a big deal. in between one of the songs, the drummer snuck away behind their gong and smoke started pluming out from behind it, i got a real kick out of that. i ****ing loved it, and cant wait for them to come back next time. i took exactly a hundred pictures, but i wont flood the site and post em here. i wouldve given them a 10, but the sound problems and stale setlist hindered it a little, but it was still kickass.

Setlist:
1. Son et Lumiere
2. Inertiatic ESP
3. Goliath
4. Cotopaxi
5. Roulette Dares (The Haunt Of)
6. Viscera Eyes
7. Halo of Nembutals
8. Eunuch Provocateur
9. Ilyena
10. Teflon
11. Drunkship of Lanterns
12. Luciforms
13. The Widow
14. Wax Simulacra

[Yorick]

Damn I totally wanted to go to that show and I missed it.

they played the new house of blues venue in boston which is really nice,

Is it? I haven't actually been yet, but I was pretty disappointed with the House of Blues that I went to quite a few times when I lived in Orlando.

[swan_song1973]

Damn I totally wanted to go to that show and I missed it.



Is it? I haven't actually been yet, but I was pretty disappointed with the House of Blues that I went to quite a few times when I lived in Orlando.

the main thing i was worried about was whether or not it was going to be hot as balls, which it wasnt. other than that its pretty spacious and has two floor levels (one in front, and one raised a half a foot).

[Yorick]

Yeah, a lot of places in Boston / Cambridge (The Middle East, The Paradise) are great but get so fricken overheated.

[swan_song1973]

Yeah, a lot of places in Boston / Cambridge (The Middle East, The Paradise) are great but get so fricken overheated.

never been to the east, hows that?

[Yorick]

I really like it, but it suffers from the same overheating problem. I'm not sure how it is in the winter, but I last went in July or so and it was awful.

[soulslicer]

Mr. Big is coming to my country, man I'd love to watch Paul Gil. tear it out..

[nipples]

Them Crooked Vultures - 25/10
New York

Amazing. Simply, amazing.

[swan_song1973]

Them Crooked Vultures - 25/10
New York

Amazing. Simply, amazing.

good, its about time jpj got back out into the field.

[nipples]

Jpj was excellent. I shit my pants when he played a 12 string bass with lights in the frets.

[MuToiD_MaN]

12 string bass
I didn't even know such an instrument existed http://s88958877.onlinehome.us/misc/colon-D.gif

[nipples]

You can see it here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ayD5aZ2CBo

He didn't use the lights that night apparently.

[Ennui]

Mutoid-MaN it's cool that you like Ween, I haven't had a chance to see them live.

As for me, I saw two shows in the past two nights.

Galactic at the Cat's Cradle, in Chapel Hill NC, Oct 25 - 9/10
This is the third time I've seen Galactic (saw them in both 2006 and 2007) and definitely the best of all three shows, even though the earlier ones gave it some pretty steep competition. They were playing with a rapper as a frontman who in fact spent most of his time jamming the **** out on the trombone. He got up to all kinds of shit like soloing and wandering around the crowd (small venue, ~100-200 people there), crowd surfing etc. I generally am in the front at Galactic shows and this was no different. I don't know if it was the venue or if Galactic is just exceptionally funky this year but it was a great show. As per usual their Zeppelin cover was my favorite part.

KMFDM, also at the Cradle, on Oct 26 - 8/10
Excellent show but pretty goddamn different from Galactic the night before. First time seeing KMFDM and it was all I wanted it to be. They put on one hell of a show and I had a blast dancing with the stupidly cute girl next to me. Lucia Cifarelli is one HELL of a presence onstage and Sascha Konietzko is a force as well. They're really active and communicative with their crowd and we got them back on stage for three encores. I'd love to see them again.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t176/ennuified/398006b4002c.jpg

The venue both of these shows were at is awesome. It's tiny and personal and it's really easy to meet the musicians a lot of the time since they come out through the venue. I didn't get a chance to meet KMFDM (although I talked to the female vocalist of Angelspit, the opener, at the merch table for a minute) but I did snag an air high five from Jeff Raines, the SICK ****ING NASTY guitarist for Galactic who I was right in front of for most of the show. In the past I've talked to some of the Def Jux artists supporting El-P's tour and I'm hoping to get a chance to meet Pretty Lights or Lotus at their shows next month.

[Slacker]

Why? - 9/10

I love small venues. I feel that fact is necessary when thinking about my rating.

It was at a bar thing called The Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, MI. It took us about two and a half hours to get there. It was awesome. This place had so much personality. The bathrooms which were absolutely disgusting had shit all over the walls and had trough-like urinals. Maybe this description isn't necessary but, again, the venue was really ****ing cool.

The first opening band, Dark Dark Dark, was pretty ****ing cool. It was kinda odd with no percussion through their entire set, but the combination of folky singing with a piano, accordion, trumpet and guitar was really cool. People were talking rather loud through their set which was rude and the lead singer actually made a comment regarding that. Their style was completely different than most music I've heard so it was refreshing.

The second opener was very meh. Called AU, it was a lot of noise with fast paced drumming and screaming. It really didn't hold my attention.

Then Why? took the stage. God, was it awesome. The entire crowd was in to it and it was really us just singing along with Yoni. He was laughing, making jokes in between songs. It was really homey, as if we were all just relaxing in a house, playing some music together. The set list was solid, a good mix of new stuff from their new album and older songs. They actually played a song from Hymie's Basement (which is a duo of Yoni and a DJ named Andrew Broder) which was really ****ing awesome as I love Hymie's Basement. Wolf on drums was awesome, too. His drum set includes a full xylophone which is just bad ass.

I was having a really shitty weekend, me hitting a deer and ****ing up my car among other things that happened, and Yoni and crew really took my mind off everything.

Oh, and I got a sweet t-shirt.

**** YEAH WHY

Saw him two nights ago at the Grey Eagle in Asheville. Very small/intimate venue, the
stage is pretty much floor level so it feels like you're in a basement show. The opening act was some rapper who just rapped kind of incoherently to semi-impressive synth lines. Yoni was awesome though, he played most of Alopecia and a song or two from Elephant Eyelash as well. I'm not huge on his new CD, but the songs sounded really good live. To top it all off, I got to meet him after the show.

Also saw Black Lips at the Orange Peel on Wednesday. The Orange Peel is a pretty big venue, can hold about 1,000 people, and it probably wasn't even a quarter of the way full. They put on a killer set, and the crowd got really into it, but I wish they had played at the Eagle.

[Yorick]

A Fine Frenzy - One of (if not the best) live shows I've ever seen.

[Laivasse]

Absu (04/11/09, Academy 2, Dublin)

My first metal gig in years, so it was fitting that it was for a band that hasn't toured properly in years either, although technically the drummer's the only original member left. Great material, flawless and intense performance. They were plagued by gremlins in the works however, which, along with the infuriating 11pm inner city curfew, made me wish I could have caught them in the UK. I hear they played until 1:30am in Plymouth... that's a real ****ing gig.

Couple of clips:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R66GpZrPW6Ihttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkoysqdo994I'm microscopically visible towards the end of the second clip, as the pale-shirted fist-pumper to the far right.