Radiate 2016

As I’ve been really enjoying the Hot Mass dance parties in Pittsburgh, and looking forward to another year at Movement (Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival), I thought it might be fun to check out one of our local dance party / raves.  I’ve been seeing Cumulus put these things together and this was a perfect night to try it out.  I thought it would be all black lights and glow sticks - and I was right.  I wasn’t surprised to see just how young the crowd was either.  Still, it wasn’t terrible!  Not my favorite kind of dance music, but it was a still a fun experience.  Besides, it was great to get back inside the The Agora again.

Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band (2/19/16)

Seeing Carlos Jones and the PLUS Band was not originally on my radar for the night.  This was a G2H2 night, and was my first chance to see the Crop Rocks On Air Stage in the newly renovated Flats!  Well, the night transitioned from G2H2 to this performance as the kick-off night for the space.  As you should already know, Carlos Jones is a Cleveland reggae legend, and I love that he always brings together a dancing crowd.  Great space, great sound and great music.

Spoon to Spoon (2/18/16)

Another date night with Bergen!  :-) 

Ezra Furman (2/8/16)

It’d been a slow start to 2016 for shows, but this was the one I’d been waiting for.  After a somewhat disappointing venue experience at Lava Lounge, I couldn’t be happier to have him be playing at The Happy Dog.  Well, I could have been happier if it weren’t on a Monday night - but whatever.  I’ll take some Ezra Furman any chance I get.  He was his usual self, balancing this sense of confidence and discomfort.  It’s like he’s almost uncomfortable being on stage, which goes away the moment the music starts.  He’s one of the most intelligent and authentic artists I’m following these days… These guys are just amazing.

(more photos here)

Elliphant (2/5/16)

This was a show I wasn’t expecting.  Elliphant has been breaking out lately, working with Major Lazer (Diplo), Skrillex, MO, Twin Shadow, etc… So when I heard she was playing at The Spot on CWRU’s campus - I was extremely curious.  Turns out, she didn’t realize she was going to be playing in a basement dorm cafeteria either.  After coming out and playing her first song, she began an long and uncomfortable rant.  Telling us how she shouldn’t be playing there, that she dropped out of school and swore she would never step into a cafeteria again - and that we should be thankful that we’re getting to see her here.

I would tend to agree. I would have even considered seeing her at House of Blues - so to be seeing her in this space, with a bunch of young kids who weren’t even drinking - was quite unique and intimate.  Intimate especially as we got to know Elliphant’s bitchy side.  But still - it was fun.  I may have lost a little respect for her this night, but I’m not sure it even matters.  It was an enjoyable experience, which is all that matters.

The still shot on this Step Down video captures her sentiment on the night - PERFECTLY.

Michelle Malone (1/29/16)

It’s been a while (10 years!) since I’ve seen Michelle Malone.  My original statement still stands, that I’m not a big fan of her recorded stuff, but this show proved that she still has what it takes to put on a great live show. (Thanks for the free tickets Tim!)  This was my first time at EJ Thomas Hall - and it was set up backwards!  We got to sit on tables backstage, and they played on the stage - backward.  Loved it.  A great night in Akron, with great friends.

Vicki Chew (1/28/16)

I’m a pretty busy guy, and so I love to include him any chance I get.  Every once in a while we’ll go on a Thursday night date at the Barking Spider Tavern.  It’s great because I can grab some take-out and head over there for dinner & show with Bergen.  Surprise be the music.  This night was fun to have the veteran local performer, Vicki Chew.  

(Well, I’m not actually sure if she’s local - but I’ve seen her name around enough that it feels that way.)

Oh, and opening is Rob Bliss, who also went to High School with Larry!

The Suitcase Junket (1/23/16)

The Suitcase Junket came highly recommended from some friends, who were also in town that weekend for the show!  It was icing on the cake for a great weekend with these guys.  I would definitely like to catch him again in concert, but without as many distractions.  ;-) 

Gill Landry (1/14/16)

Get ready to get caught up through 2016!  It was a slow time for concerts as we've transitioned from 2015 to 2016.  That’s why I was excited to finally get out and see this Gill Landry show at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as part of their Sonic Sessions series.  Throw in the fact that he’s a former member from Old Crow Medicine Show - I was sold.  He was really pretty good, but I just wish the space was a little better acoustically.

Video Day #tzaupbeat

Grimes goes future grunge punk in her new video for Kill V. Maim.  Miike Snow gets a little bit Bond (with a twist) with the video for Genghis Kahn.   Holy Ghost says it with colors on Crime Cutz.

 

Bonus:  The Joy Formidable gets their boy voyeur on with The Last Thing on My Mind.