Chairlift (7/14/13)

This past Sunday night was a challenge, a dueling concert night between Oberhofer at the Beachland Tavern or Chairlift at the Grog Shop.  I was tempted with Oberhofer because they're really just one of my favorite rock bands out there right now.  However, I did just recently see them open up for Matt & Kim.  Chairlift was also going to be at Pitchfork (which is where I will see them this weekend) - but I still opted for them.  However, being preoccupied, I honestly didn't really pay much attention, and left kinda early.  But for posterity sake, I'll still post a pic and admit I was at least there… I'll see them again on Sunday.

Xavier Rudd (7/10/13)

I was on a roll this week, with fun. and Tegan & Sara the night before, and then Xavier Rudd the next night!  I also had a good friend in from out of town for this show, who I saw my first Xavier Rudd show with.  After staring off with some grilling at friends place on the lake, we made it just in time for Xavier to take the stage.  As hoped, he whipped the patchouli fueled crowd into a frenzy.  OK, maybe that's just how I sold it to my friends… but Xavier really does have a great connection to his roots, his country, the music, and the audience.  I'd put him up there with Bob Marley.  I enjoyed it so much that I never really stopped dancing to take a video… (though now I kinda wish I would have).  :-) 

fun. and Tegan & Sara (7/9/13)

So I usually stick to the shows that draw less than hundreds of people, and cost generally less than $20.  This show is one of those few times that I truly enjoy a bigger spectacle.  This sold-out show had us up in the far corner of the bleachers, but that didn't put a damper on anything.  Starting off were Tegan & Sara, my favorite Canadian twins!  It's been quite some time seeing these ladies, but they filled this much bigger stage nicely, playing almost exclusively from their new album… a little surprising, but a great showing.

fun. was just that.  Larger than life in sound & energy that had to be pouring out of the venue and into Downtown.  Of course I caught the hits… 

Yeasayer (7/3/13)

We're up to July!  Yeasayer was one of those bands, like CSS, that I'd listened to a while ago and had to reacquaint myself with their new stuff.  I just figured it'd be a good show, so I made sure to gather some people up for this one.  When they took the stage, we were met with a wall of sound.  That, coupled with some great lighting, made some chemically induced people in the crowd quite happy.  I can't say it was one of the best shows I've seen… like their albums, I find them quite enjoyable and listenable, but it kinda ends there.  Maybe some more chemicals would help… but either way - I would totally see them again.  Their so so show is miles better than many that come through town - and you can dance to it.

Cleveland Pride 2013

Not a venue for much in the way of live music at this event.  Well, I guess there is, but it's so poorly promoted and managed (no set times? really??) that's even hard to coordinate seeing them.  And of course you can have a beer while you do it either.  I did have to use some powers of deduction to figure out about the time I needed to leave the beer tent to catch Bitch, or BEACH as she's using these days, with Ferron.  Of course, you should know Ferron as a women's music icon.  I first heard of her through my record store days, finding myself strangely drawn to that quite small, but intriguing section of the rack.  I then heard of Bitch's working with her to produce an album (or 2?) and a movie.  Sounds cool enough…  Wish I could say the experience was cool - but it kinda wasn't.  

OK, it wasn't all that bad.  I guess I'm still sour that I then missed the 4 song Deborah Cox set because I didn't deduce the time correctly to leave the beer tent in time.  Here are some more pics from the day…

CSS (6/29/13)

I was at a weekend-long wedding celebration for some friends, but had to skip out for a bit to catch these Brazilian beauties.  OK, so not really my thing - but they do put on a good show.  It's been years since I'd really listened to CSS but I'd been doing a crash course with Planta in prep for this show and fell back in favor with them.  If I throw a party, I want these girls playing.  OK, maybe opening.

John Fullbright (6/25/13)

I love music recommendations… particularly they end me up at shows like this one.  John Fullbright is one of the most effortless musicians I've ever seen - the songs & music just flowed from him.  I also have no idea why he only has one recorded album, but I'd highly recommend it.  I'd recommend seeing him live even more.  Check it out below.

Opening was The Tumbleweeds (or Same Doores & Riley Downing & the Tumbleweeds).  These boys were the real-bluegrass deal.  No "alt" here.

Lakeside Jam Session

Part of what I've wanted to bring to this blog is talking about connections to music that aren't always about concerts or new releases…  Not been so great at that, but this is definitely one worth sharing.  After an excellent weekend of music, between Porchfest & Summer Solstice, we were just spending a relaxing Sunday evening by the lake.  After a dip, a neighbor invited us down to a friends "man cave" for a night of some jamming… just some guys playing around with instruments.  We took him up on it, walked down with some beers and so glad we did…

We politely declined their invitation to grab an instrument off the wall…  They wouldn't want to see (or hear) me with a tuba-like-thing… besides, they sounded way too good for those kind of shenanigans. 

Video Tuesday

 Still catching up on a backlog of videos… Some good stuff here!

Glad to see Dan Black back again… This week's bonus:

Summer Solstice 2013

Ah, it was back again.  One of the best (above board) parties in Cleveland - this year bringing in the Crystal Ark.  They also had DJ Afrika Bambaattaa in the atrium (a great space addition to the party), though the real party was outside with the Crystal Ark at the end of the night.  I was dancing' so much I only took one phone pic, but there are others…