Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Cash+David release a new video for When You’re Lonely, giving us more of their pop excellence!  Tegan & Sara have a new track Boyfriend, and they just released their (very mediocre) video for it.  And with their promise for releasing a video for every song - they’ve already released their second with U-Turn.

 BONUS:  Despite YACHT’s porn hacking debacle, they still released the video for I Want To Fuck You Till I’m Dead (AKA Sex Tape 2016)

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Starfucker (5/11/16)

I’m not sure what’s up with Starfucker.  They have a new single, but are touring with no word on a new album or anything yet.  But if you pair them with Com Truise, and make it a night out in Pittsburgh with friends - I’m there.  I can’t say I’m a big fan of Altar Bar as a venue (pat downs to enter??), but it was a totally fun night.

Starfucker (5/11/16)

Com Truise was a great way to start off the night.

Com Truise (5/11/16)

Starfucker has their deep catalog of hits that they played, and of course have their usual on-stage antics.  These guys are a treat if you ever get to see them.  Hopefully they’ll be back around soon - but with a full new album this time.

Starfucker (5/11/16)

Starfucker (5/11/16)

Rogue Wave (5/10/16)

I saw Rogue Wave was coming, I recognized their name, checked out their new album and liked what I heard.  Sold.  Going back to the older stuff didn’t do much for me, but this was a great night out with friends - so it didn’t really matter.  I wish I had liked the show a bit more… Nothing too wrong with it - but considering it was a weeknight, and I’d be traveling to Pittsburgh for a show the next day - it was an early night.  But I did catch a quick video of my favorite song on the new album… 

Rogue Wave (5/10/16)

Ellie Goulding (5/7/16)

For me, this show was about seeing Years & Years who I’ve been loving for some time - but Ellie is no slouch either!  While this show was supposed to be at the Wolstein Center, it was moved to Nautica (presumably for lackluster sales).  The weather wasn’t great, but this was still a pretty amazing show.  It was also a pleasant surprise to find out the Bebe Rexha was opening the show!  While I didn’t recognize the name, I definitely recognized her radio hit, Me Myself & I.

Bebe Rexha (5/7/16)

Years & Years took the stage next.  I know the entire album, so each song was basically a sing-along for me.  High energy and great hits - and some fun covers!  I can’t wait to see these guys again - as a headliner.

Years & Years (5/7/16)

Ellie took the stage with a full stage setup and dancers!  And from what I understand, this was pared down for the smaller stage.  I would have loved to seen what this show looked like with full staging.  Ellie was great - the dancing, the singing, the hits… I was surprised at how many songs I actually knew!  I’d totally see her again.

Ellie Goulding (5/7/16)

Ellie Goulding (5/7/16)

Ellie Goulding (5/7/16)

Ellie Goulding (5/7/16)

"Playing last night to close to 4,000 fans at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica (the show had been downsized from the Wolstein Center), Goulding showed off her tremendous vocal power and even displayed a certain amount of range in material. "

(Via Brit Singer Ellie Goulding Launches Summer Concert Season at Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica | Scene and Heard: Scene's News Blog | Cleveland Scene.)

Buffy Sainte-Marie (5/6/16)

I definitely have a soft spot for the progressive folk music of the 60’s and 70’s, but Buffy Sainte-Marie is one of the artists who’s name I recognized, but was not too familiar with her music.  Seeing that this was a rare Ohio performance (and a perfect reason to hang out in Kent with friends), I was all over this show. Being in her early 70’s, I wasn’t expecting as strong of a performance as she put on.  The years have treated her well.  She was as vigorous and vital as someone nearly half her age.  She played a few tracks from her new album, plus the favorites - including the timeless Universal Soldier.

Buffy Sainte-Marie (5/6/16)

Buffy Sainte-Marie (5/6/16)

Half Moon Run (5/3/16)

This was a  of last minute decision, and what I quickly heard from these guys albums was intriguing.  They’re from Montreal (as many good bands are) and they’re sound is quite diverse, from folk to electronic music.  The potential was amazing!  I wish the live show would have been though… Some sound problems early set the stage for a mixed bag of a show.  Their sound and their instruments were all over the place.  And I kinda felt like these guys were taking themselves a little too seriously.  Or, maybe I was just in a bad mood.  However, I wasn’t all that impressed, but t might try them out again sometime… 

Half Moon Run (5/3/16)

Half Moon Run (5/3/16)

Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Poliça (4/29/16)

Poliça had put on such a great show back at the Grog Shop in 2014 that I knew I wanted to catch them again.  When I saw they would be in Atlanta at the same time I would be - it was a no brainer.  Due diligence told me that MOTHXR would be opening.  I had started listening to their latest release and I was quite impressed!  Pop fun, though their live show wasn’t quite as tight as the album - but still lovely.

MOTHXR (4/29/16)

This time it was a much bigger venue for Poliça, but it didn’t feel any less intimate.  Impeccable & pristine is how I described the first show - and it still rings true for this one.  Go see these guys - you won’t be disappointed.

Poliça (4/29/16)

Poliça (4/29/16)

 This time a much bigger venue, but it didn’t feel any less intimate.  Impeccable & pristine is how I described the first show - and it still rings true for this one.