Mr. Crow’s Music Blog

One of my goals with this blog was to write about the concerts that I attend.  There’s just something about seeing a band live and the experience that you take away from the musicians as they make their magic.

Andrew Bird (Spring 2007 at the Riviera)

Jen came with me to this concert.  Wasn’t very impressed by the opening act Apostles of Hustle.  But Bird’s performance was incredible.  It wasn’t as smooth as the studio cd, but still - it incredible watching him sing, whistle, play guitar, play the glockenspiel, play the violin, and play the violin like the guitar.  I was blown away when I saw him play the violin like that.  I thought it was a mandolin on the record. 

The setup was just him and a percussionist.  They used a digital mixer which looped sections of the songs to get the sound of a full scale band. 

There was one moment in the concert where he or a crew member misplaced the mallet for the glockenspeil.  When he realized it was nowhere to be found, he just played the part of the glockenspeil on the guitar.  Nothing could stop that guy from playing the song.  It was fascinating to watch music pour out from an individual like that.

Keane (Spring 2007 at the Riviera)

I have never been and will probably never again attend a concert like this.  I arrived 15 minutes into Keane’s performance and was surprised when I noticed the ENTIRE audience of the Riviera on their feet, cheering for the band as they played. 

The audience stayed on their feet the ENTIRE concert.  The lead singer at one point just stared at the crowd for 20 seconds after one of the songs.  People kept cheering and yelling and clapping.  He smiled in bewilderment, looked at his bandmates, and then looked back at the crowd.  He said, “For as long as I live, I will never forget this night Chicago.”  Neither will I.  It was like a spiritual experience - there was just this positive, awesome heartfelt energy flowing out from the crowd. 

On the way home on the El, I ended up talking with another guy from the concert that told me he’s been to 2 other concerts that have been like that.  One was a Guster concert and I forgot what the other was. 

 I was surprised at how good the band was.  I had seen clips of them live before and wasn’t impressed - it sounded as if the lead singer was off key.  But they were awesome at the Riviera.  Everything sounded great and they put on a crazy good show.

Tokyo Police Club (10-08-07 at Schubas):

The bassist is the lead singer.  He got on my nerves.  So did the pianist.  There are some guys that really feel music and they let it move them.  For some musicians it works (like Dave Matthews - that guys got good rhythm and looks cool when he moves his feet while he plays guitar).  Other musicians look like Elaine from Seinfeld.  That’s what these guys looked like.  The lead guitarist, however, was awesome.  I had always wondered how they made the wailing guitar sound.  I thought it was some type of amp or mixer, but it was just this guy moving playing the same note - moving his hand at supersonic speed on the same string.  Overall it was a good concert. 

Interpol (10-11-07 at Aragon Ballroom):

Not that great of a concert.  But it wasn’t Interpol’s fault.

The Animals opened for them.  HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE band.  They were hideous. 

Interpol was good.  But the venue was crappy.  First, I got into an argument with a guy that stood in front of me after I had staked out my space for 20 minutes.  After he moved to the side (but was still invading my personal space), I still had problems seeing the band from the floor.  The Aragon Ballroom must be great for someone if you’re 7 foot 7.  Otherwise, it’s just a crappy venue for a show. 

Sean Hayes (11-04-07 at Schubas):

Awesome as always.  And now that I’m taking guitar lessons I even figured out how to play a few of his songs.

Jenny Owen Youngs (11-04-07 at Schubas): 

She was good.  The crowd at Schubas that night sucked.  There was this woman who wouldn’t shut up, and Jenny Owen Youngs had to play referee betwen her and the people that were tired of her and vocal about it.   

Band of Horses (11-11-07 at the Metro):

There was this band from Australia that opened for them.  HORRIBLE.  Band of Horses is indie folk rock.  The other band was hard rock/heavy metal/psycho grunge.  Whoever is responsible for pairing acts sometimes should be fired.

Band of Horses was awesome.  The guys voice just works with the lyrics and the music.  Good energy too.  They might be the next Guster.

Cold War Kids (12-07-07 at the Metro):

Good show.  There was a poet that was traveling with them that complemented them well.  He went on first and was accomponied by the two brothers from CWK.  One of them played guitar while the other played piano.  It sounded pretty awesome. 

Cold War Kids played a bunch of songs, including new ones.  The new album will be good.  Their performance was high energy and spastic.  They reminded me of my students that can’t sit in one spot for longer than 10 seconds. 

It’s always interesting how a person’s appearance can differ from what you imagine them to be after hearing their voice.  I assumed the lead singer to be scrawny and slender.  Nope.  This guy looked like he could have played defensive end on his high school football team.  

We unfortuneately did not stay for the entire concert.  My throat felt sore going into the concert and by the time we left I knew I was coming down with something.  I was sick the next two weeks.