We Were Promised Jetpacks possess probably the most thematically loaded band name in the pantheon of indie rock. While FatCat label mates (and notable influences) Frightened Rabbit and The Twilight Sad also have names that emote in strange ways, ”We Were Promised Jetpacks” is practically a short story in four words; an absurdly funny/sad thesis statement for [...]
Entries Tagged as ‘Show Review’
April 8, 2010
Sleigh Bells Show Review
I want to get right into this. I don’t usually write show reviews of bands I have already previewed, but I couldn’t help myself. Sleigh Bells tore through their set at CMU’s CFA Alumni Concert Hall (not Rangos, like I originally reported) in roughly 33 minutes. They played all five songs I came to know and love [...]
February 22, 2010
St. Vincent Show Review, Diesel 2/21
I watched St. Vincent, other wise known as the saintly Annie Clark, slink up onto Diesel’s stage this past Sunday night in a dress that would be suited for a goth Jan Jetson. She weaved her way through the maze of guitars, microphones, her 7 or so pedals, a key board, a flute, a clairnet [...]
November 24, 2009
“Blood Visions, Let’s Go!” Jay Reatard, Kim Phuc Show Review
The crowd for the Jay Reatard/Kim Phuc show this past Monday night at the Brillobox was a little more, how should I say this, meaner than the usual mix of indie kids the Penn Avenue mainstay is used to. A large, enthusiastic crowd, sure, but they had a bit of an edge. It’s a welcome [...]
October 28, 2009
“That S**t is Haunting” – Nicole Atkins and The Black Sea Show Review – 10/27 Club Cafe
Yeah, I’m a novice. Nicole Atkins is one of those dark, smoldering ingenues who converts humans into disciples with no more than a fiery glance. During her live shows these humans, guys and gals alike, swoon in measured droves, pray for their favorite songs and stand mystified, religiously mystified, as Ms. Atkins seduces the stage. [...]
August 17, 2009
A Big Ol’ Summer Concert Review pt 1
I apologize to anyone who actually frequents this site for the slow down (the third of its kind) that was due to a number of factors: job transition, hesitation, and, last but not least, laziness. While my writing about music has slowed down, my actual concert attendance has risen over the past couple weeks, culminating [...]
May 1, 2009
Dr. Dog, Drink Up Buttercup Find That Primal Beat
The mic stands and drum kit at Mr. Small’s stood tightly wrapped in synthetic ivy, looking more like a fruitful product of the stage’s imaginary soil than a gaudy prop of Dionysian excess. Maybe the entire production had been grown rather than constructed. Maybe Drink Up Buttercup and headliner Dr. Dog (who both played barn [...]
April 20, 2009
Rainy Sunday nights don’t got shit on Headlights and The Love Language
The wear and tear of life on the road is a badge of courage for most bands. An endurance trial, if you will. How many blistering live shows can a group put on before their tanks ultimately dwindle to E, and one unlucky crowd is treated to a 45 minute set on autopilot? 15? 20? [...]
April 17, 2009
Diplo melts some Pittsburgh minds
So yes, the plucky women of Nakturnal, an all-female entertainment agency hell-bent on merging cutting edge night life with the corporate community, managed to wrangle one of the most important, prolific, party-charging DJ’s in the entire world to rock arguably the city’s cheesiest night club, Diesel, this past Thursday night with unparalleled results. The man [...]
