Beachland started getting into the pandemic concert game, with seats with big clear plastic dividers. It didn’t help the sound, but again - anything it takes. This was a wonderful night of live, and mostly local (or formerly local) artists. Both Joe Wunderle and Austin Stambaugh were really enjoyable - and of course both were backed up by the venerable Cory Grinder and the Playboy Scouts!
Another show from the Grog Shop’s pandemic series of seated and masked concerts was So Long, Albatross, with Tom Evanchuck opening. Any reader of this blog knows I’m a big fan of Tom, with him performing at my very first house concert! So tonight was really about him, and I couldn’t have asked for anything more healing in this time than his familiar sound and song.
So Long, Albatross took the stage, and was surprisingly my first time seeing them. Maybe not surprisingly actually, since they’re a little more rock than I roll usually - but always love supporting the local acts.
Creaking this door back open a bit. From the date on this post, you’ll see I’m a bit behind on posting shows… Seeing shows during the pandemic in these early days felt like we were breaking some rules, but at the same time, but I’m always happy to answer the call to support the local live music scene. Grog Shop had a series of seated, masked concerts this past Spring and Summer that were a lifeline for us avid concert-goers. It was great seeing Jenna Fournier at the Grog this night.
Two of my favorite indie pop artists (Jax Anderson / Yoke Lore) got together for Jax’s Tender. Matthew Fowler is a new discovery with a cheerful and delightful montage video of tour footage. My crush on Oberhover only continues with his new video for Let It Go.
Bonus: I’m a little late to the party on this Max Cooper video for repetition, but it’s mesmerizing.
I’ve been listening to Arlo Parks long enough enough that i’s hard to believe that Too Good is still new and now has a video! Syd just released this new video for Fast Car, and did "for the gay Black girls." Declan McKenna gets a visitor in his new video for My House.
Bonus: While this isn’t a stand-out video, I’m always happy to give some love to Basia Bulat, where here she’s asking Are You In Love?
BROCKHAMPTON has some good advice to give with their new frenetic new video for Don’t Shoot Up The Party. Duke Dumont hooked up with Channel Tres for this new video for Alter Ego. This song and video for 24 Hours by Agnes popped up on OMG BLOG and I'm appreciating their sense of style.
Bonus: I’m still a little smitten with Twenty One Pilots, and this video just keeps me riding that wave.
This Video Day is a who’s who of TZA favorites! WOODS announced a new expanded version of their latest album Strange to Explain with this video for Waiting Around For A New Me. Heartless Bastards just released this blistering new social commentary video for How Low. Xavier Rudd announced a new album with this soothing video for Stoney Creek.
Bonus: So nice to see Martha Wainwright is coming out with some new music, along with this new video for Love Will Be Reborn, off her new release on 8/20.
Starting off with something new today, this video for Darker Place by Rachel Chinouriri is excellent. Loving the new music by The Go! Team, continuing with this video for Pow. Channel Tres is everywhere these days (!) including in this new song & video for Palms with Gus Dapperton!
Bonus: Jake Shears is still working on a new album, but is dropping some retro flair with his new sing/video for Do The Television.
Well I guess it still makes sense…
"This is potentially a brilliant business move, because not only will livestreaming repeatedly capture superfans who would happily spend an evening and $120-$600 on tickets, but it will increase access for fans whose towns and budgets do not align with tours. Perhaps more critically, it will reach the many (many) semi-fans who would not tromp through crowds to see Pink, but would totally pay $15-40 to project her onto their living room wall.
Other soon-to-be-livestreaming venues range from clubs to amphitheaters. They include House of Blues locations in Chicago and New Orleans; The Filmore venues in San Francisco and Philadelphia; The Gorge in George, Washington; and Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California. So far artists including Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Brandi Carlile have performed livestreams."
(Via Live Nation is wiring more than 60 venues for livestreaming.)
YES. Yes it should.
"There are other ways venues, bands, and booking agents can build a more inclusive environment. Maja Liv Groves, the founder of Queers to the Front, a booking agency and music company 'prioritizing all marginalized people, which very much includes people with all sorts of disabilities,' has historically asked venues who host her bands to go above and beyond the status quo for disabled accommodations. 'I definitely experienced things where I would ask for a ramp to the entrance to the venue and they'd ask if I was disabled and I'd reply, 'does it matter?,' said Groves. 'If you want the show to be accessible, you should want everybody to have access to the show, not just your performer.' Other measures include asking to remove stroboscope lighting for people with photosensitivity or epilepsy, accessible unisex restrooms, and other easy solutions. 'Everybody has different accessibility needs,' said Dykema. 'What is accessible to me doesn't necessarily mean it's fully accessible to everybody.'"
(Via Live Music Should Be More Accessible For Disabled Fans.)
