219 -- Mutemath -- Friday, September 22, 2017 -- The Fillmore -- Silver Spring, MD

It was great to see Colony House and Mutemath with Tom Swindell and ­­Chris Hartten.  We had interesting conversations before the show, and they were enthusiastic about songs throughout.  It was cool to later find out that Kim Walker was there the same night!  

The main issue with Mutemath was me.  Objectively, I recognize that they were every bit as good (or probably better) than Colony House.  Exhaustion from the work week and a lukewarm reaction to their albums prevented me from fully embracing them. 

That said, I definitely appreciate certain moments, most of which appear in the live blog below…

--- Paul Meany starts with a slick leap onto a ledge during “War.”

--- Wow, it looks like every song will feature a full-screen video backdrop.  Nice.

--- I like the lowest-piano-key burp effect halfway through “Stroll On.”

--- Awww, Tom at the start of “Used To”: “I love this song!”

--- For me, the permanent high pitch voice starts to grate.  It's kind of endearing when he squeaks words to the crowd between songs though.

--- “Noticed”!  I like how they didn't need any backdrop.  The song spoke for itself.

--- “Vitals” features a cool drum solo and ooh-ooh effect.

--- Hahahah at Tom’s fiftieth “you're going to publish the review this weekend -- this weekend.”  It never works like that, Tom, but it’ll be a faster turnaround than usual! [UPDATE, considering this is now being posted on 8-23-19: *sike.*]

--- “Spotlight”!!!  Killer hook and Meany lassoed a giant spotlight on a ledge!

--- Tom points out that they're doing a cover of 21 Pilots' "Achilles Heel."  Hahaha at his shimmy across the stage!

--- He goes out into the crowd during “Reset.”  Lol at his near handstand on a ledge.  He walks on top of the crowd on top of a rubber light-bulb mattress?!?!?! 

--- “Typical”: a worthy finale.

My bias against falsetto, electronic music, and Friday night shows prevented me from fully enjoying it.  (5am wakeup calls catch up with me no matter how good the band.)  The visuals, choreography, and sound quality were first-rate, though.  Good choice, Tom.

Grade: B+

218 -- Colony House -- Friday, September 22, 2017 -- The Fillmore -- Silver Spring, MD

It was great to see Colony House and Mutemath with Tom Swindell and ­­Chris Hartten.  We had interesting conversations before the show, and they were enthusiastic about songs throughout.  It was cool to find out later that Kim Walker was there the same night! 

The main issue with Colony House opening was I felt like the only one at the Fillmore who knew them.  This was understandable, considering they were the opener, and their second, most recent album debuted at #76 on the Billboard chart.  This was still frustrating because I really liked both albums, and frontman Caleb Chapman did all he could to sell them.  Fortunately, little by little, he won them over and made a strong case to headline next time. 

--- “Was It Me” has a catchy rhythm and a clever way of introducing band members.  Breaking up the intro fuels excitement for the song!  

--- “You and I.”  Love how Chapman wills the crowd into it at the end.  He’s got game.

--- “Lonely”!!!  Insistent smoke for days.  The strongest song this set.

--- HA at the fake slam: “If it was a bigger bridal party, he would've made it." 

--- “Moving Forward”: solo acoustic.  Strong, varied voice into...surprise trio!!  Tom: “That was great.”  Chris: “The best one so far.”

--- “Silhouettes”!!!  Awesome fake out at the end.  Tom lol’s at my excitement at calling it right before it happened.

Give Colony House a night with more songs and committed fans, and they will slay.

Grade: A-

217 -- Ed Sheeran -- Tuesday, September 19, 2017 -- Verizon Center -- DC

This Ed Sheeran concert was not the triumph the first one had been.  I’d always prefer to get problems out of the way at the beginning, so it was disappointing that the low points of the show came at the end.  That said, there were several outstanding moments, and I got to share them with Hark, so I’m glad I went.

--- “Eraser” and “The A Team” are a decent start.

--- Before the next song, his ode is way better than decent: “You're facing front -- no one can see you.”  We should swing with each other, dance, show flair, no reason to be self-conscious / care.  Great point!!!

--- “Don't.”  I think I will. Close enough to rap that I'm lovin’ in.  After a beast of a day, rejuvenation!!!

--- “Dive.”  Does the standard You're The Best Crowd lie, but does it with such specificity, I'm convinced!  He goes through the best crowds on the tour: Dublin, then Buenos Aires, then Louisville, then Chicago.  Doesn't say D.C. is the best after, so I believe him.  Well done!!!

--- “Bloodstream.”  The fiery swirl is so cool.  The visual/sonic build and then pull back at the end was incredible.

--- “Happier.”  The “no one hurts you like I hurt you” doesn’t apply, but the rest fits our relationship.  I am happier with Hark.

--- “Tenerife Sea.”  Soft and meandering, so I see why he rarely plays it, but it works for me.  Low key contrast ftw.

--- I called “Galway Girl” from the opening note!  Fun Irish energy.

--- And now, a song Google doesn't even know.  The low point of the night by far.

--- “Photograph”!!!!  Reinvention.  Hark's voice and arm the whole way.  He sings, it builds, it sways.  Whoa.

--- “Perfect” is his favorite song apparently.  “I hope I don't say that in the future.”  Heh.  Rhythmically and after all that buildup, meh.

--- “Nancy Mulligan”!!  Much better than “Galway Girl.”

--- “Thinking Out Loud.”  I think people know this one.  

--- Lackluster “Sing.” 

--- Haaaaaa at him coming out in a Wizards jersey!!

--- Lackluster “Shape of You.”

--- “You Need Me, Man, I Don't Need You.” Too-high expectations, jumbled vocals, and cheesy on-screen lyrics made it a big disappointment.  Guitar explosion halfway through was new and cool though.

Grade: B+ 

216 -- Coldplay -- Sunday, August 6, 2017 -- Fedex Field -- Landover, MD

The road to Coldplay was a rough one.  The baby-related conversations Hark and I had as we walked through Landover led to us getting literally lost on the streets.

The moment we arrived at Fedex Field, however, everything became clear.  Chris Martin knew exactly what he was doing and how to make people happy.  I wish the songs had a little more weight (and I knew more of them), but I appreciated the show for what it was: a light, bright escape from the rest of the world.  

--- “Yellow.”  Giant yellow visuals we didn't really see as we were finding our seats.  No worries -- no chance this will be the last big visual of the night…  

--- Rainbow Para-Para-“Paradise”: First time I’ve ever been given a color-changing wristband!!  The remix halfway through was awesome.  Once or twice through the straight melody, Chris Martin ran down the ramp, drums amped up, and the guitars went into an electronic tailspin.  By the time the confetti came out, that somehow felt right too.  Confetti on the fourth song?!  You've got us -- it works.

--- “Always in the Head” and “Magic” slow things down.  It's chill, bro.

--- The speech!!!!  Outstanding specificity: detailing the tolls, lines, lots, and Stubhub battles everyone had to go through to get to show.  Shoutouts to DC, Virginia, and “Mary”land.  The last time they played at FedEx Field was 2001, the 100th of what felt like 100 bands at (the Hark-approved) HFStival.  Now they're headlining.  A second after I compare him to a lighter Dave Grohl, he mentions that Dave was at that HFStival joke trashing him!!  The fact that they invite the audience to fill in the song with appropriate blanks (Syria, their neighbor, The White House) sends it to the stratosphere.  Bravo.

---- “Clocks”: Hahahah, Hark's quoting himself: “There's Hark singing again.”  He's a whole different person.  He doesn’t just sing; he beams for five straight minutes! 

--- Wooo at the “let's all stop everything and jump” prompt for “Midnight” / “Charlie Brown.”  Tear at the lackluster vocal.

--- “Hymn For The Weekend” has a catchier hook (“jumping so high so high so high”), so the stagecraft means something.  The fire, fireworks, and his leap mean more because you can make out words.

--- “Fix You”!!!  Majestic build, strong story -- for me, best of the night. 

--- A second, even bigger Hark explosion for “Viva La Vida”!  (Hark later explained his reaction was simply a tribute to Meagan O'Neill.)

--- “Adventure of a Lifetime” features literal multi-colored balls, but a bland vocal, so no real bounce.  (Love that so many kids get to take the ball home though.)

--- “Don't Panic”: Garden State nostalgia!!

--- “Green Eyes”: excellent acoustic song I'd never heard before. Hahahahah at the shameless, misguided, endearing substitution of “Redskins” at the end.

--- Wish I knew “Something Just Like This” (featuring The Chainsmokers) better.  Catchy and uplifting even for the first time!

--- Wooo at “A Sky Full of Stars.”  Oh, more accurately, wheee. Hahaha at the 18th confetti.

--- Hahaha at more Redskin shamelessness: props involving love of America and the Redskins.  I like how he circles back to HFStival and asks us to be kind to each other as we leave.  “He sounds like That Ellen Woman.”  Agreed, Hark, agreed.

Grade: B+ / A-

215 -- Roger Waters -- Friday, August 4, 2017 -- Verizon Center -- DC

Roger Waters walked out under the biggest, brightest screen I've seen at a show.  This screen was one of many reasons he was successful.  Unlike Explosions In The Sky, his epic mood tracks kept your attention.

--- Thank God for CS's welcoming, knowledgeable dad.  Verizon Center cold shoulder...meet...WARMTH. :)

--- Awww at CS’s happiness when “Breathe” arrives.  More jubilant recognition: “It's Time; it's Time; it's Time.”  Overlaying a visual of live drumming with twisting clocks is so cool!!

--- “30,000 like minded people” have power.

--- Stunning “Great Gig in the Sky” vocal -- I had no clue it was two women!! 

--- “Welcome to the Machine” off Wish You Were Here.  Hahahaha at the cultists -- flashbacks to Trailer Satan...

--- CS’s dad asks if Hark is coming.  “Time to go get a drink.  You want anything?”  Awwwww.  Politely declined, but he's the best.

--- “Picture That”: a short, subtle instrumental with no political message...

--- “Wish You Were Here” includes the second best visual of the night: two hands getting closer and closer before deteriorating.

--- CS wooo’s again with “Another Brick in the Wall.”  CS’s dad: “They look awfully happy for Guantanamo prisoners.”  Love the use of kid volunteers and opening their jumpsuits to reveal Resist shirts!!

--- Awesome, memory-sustaining intermission: REDEMPTION INTERMISSION!!!  Got to speak to AR's mom for the first time ever! We agreed that it was good that he finally got a Rock-related shirt.  AR listened intently to my album report and jumped in to point out that “Apples and Oranges” is a Pink Floyd song.  He also taught me something I'd somehow never known: Setlist.Fm updates setlists during shows!!  JS!!!  He answered my questions with genuine animation, saying he really wanted to hear “Dogs” and “Pigs.” We both wanted to hear “Brain Damage” and “The Trial”!

--- Ginormous building with smokestacks rises through the center of the Verizon Center. 

--- Killer smoky guitar solo during “Dogs.” CS's dad was spot-on in telling me to wait for it.  Love his mid-song analysis: who does that?! :)

Omg, at the Testicular Trump pics?!  The irony of the presentation is the crass, one-note approach feels like something the subject of the song would do.  “Money” continues the onslaught.

--- Nice sax solo sneaks in during “Us And Them.”

--- Lesson I wish Waters learned: The best way to deal with a boor is to rise above him, not become him.

--- “Brain Damage”/“Eclipse”!!!! Such a satisfying change in tone.  JS got his song.  Love the slow, circular crawl of the moon and the steady rise of each band in the psychedelic pyramid.  Best visual I've seen at a concert.

--- “So this is what it's like to be in Washington DC.”  HA.  JS gets up.  Heh, CS does the Resist arm cross.

--- Um, the lead guitarist looks like Constantine Maroulis.

--- Another welcome change of pace after the political onslaught: the light, lilting "Vera."  Whoa at the high note the woman hits at the end. 

--- Hahahah at CS's dad: “Just wait.  The next one is where everyone's gonna lose it.”  It's ironic given the next song’s title and vibe: “Comfortably Numb.”  Cool callback to the deteriorating hands of “Wish You Were Here.”  The hands gradually reanimate and clasp together!!!  Perfect ending.

Grade: A-

214 -- Regina Spektor -- Wednesday, July 26, 2017 -- Wolf Trap -- Vienna, VA

Regina Spektor started the show by messing up four times, followed by four apologies!  I had never seen that before, but it was endearing, as was the rest of the performance. 

--- Hahaha at "Grand Hotel."  I happened to see the 1932 Best Picture Oscar Winner of the same name last night!  Can't really recommend the movie, but I liked the song.

--- Heh, she should've done “Screwup” as the first song.

--- “The Light”!!  Elegant on the album, elegant live.

--- The next song is “Better” than usual because the audience claps.

--- “Apres Moi”: the sound system made most of the song blare uncomfortably, but the soft, breathy ending worked.

--- The dark, fiery animal imagery in “You've Got Time” was a good change of pace.

--- “The Trapper and the Furrier”: wish there had been fewer “more more more”s.

--- HA at Hark's excitement when Regina’s drummer’s name was the same as Hark’s coworker, Mathias.

--- “Obsolete” is pure -- my second favorite of the night.

--- “Don't Leave Me”: I don't love Paris in the rain.  The speakers make the jangly bounces grate.

--- Finally, a song that fully works!  “Us” has such a sure arc!! Love the inflections on “den of thieves” and “contagious.”

--- “Samson”: serviceable.  Sweet last note.

--- Ben Folds comes on stage!! Aww, guy next to me starts singing “Dear Theodesia.” 

--- “You Don't Know Me”: The back and forth between Ben and Regina is delightful.  Nice finish.

Grade: B

213 -- Ben Folds -- Wednesday, July 26, 2017 -- Wolf Trap -- Vienna, VA

It was hard to fully enjoy this Ben Folds show considering Hark and I had to arrive half an hour in, Ben had to play half a set, and that day, our president attempted to ban a group of people who helped capture Osama Bin Laden. 

To Ben's credit, though, he played well, and there was no filler in the setlist.

--- Strong songs as we entered: “Zac and Sara,” “Not the Same,” and, fittingly, “Army.”

--- First time I've see an opener have an encore -- nice!

--- A few seconds into “The Luckiest,” Hark realized which song it was, grabbed me, and said, “This was so worth it!”  Awww at Hark also playing the melody on me during the song.

--- Unexpected return to “One Angry Dwarf” from James Porter's mixed CD.  Nice ending.

Grade: B

212 -- Sister Hazel -- Friday, July 21, 2017 -- 9:30 Club -- DC

Sister Hazel was a nostalgia show I couldn’t resist.  They’re not my genre of music, but they were my first concert, so I wanted to bring back memories.  How did they sound 13 years later, after that first Sunken Gardens show?  Better actually.  They knew exactly who they were, what they wanted to do, and they got it done.

--- Prompting the crowd from the start: “Lemme see your cocktails...DC!”

--- “Mandolin Moon.”  It somehow was not on the list I listened to, but it features nice backing vocals by the end.

--- “Wait, you want more than one song?...If you can't clap your hands, stomp your foot.” HA, nice!

--- “Shame.”  Ooh, nice electric solo midway through!  Whoa, the guitarist is from Fairfax?! 

--- “Your Winter” into.......“Hey Jude”?!!!! The former is well paced and satisfying as ever -- one of the three songs I loved more than a decade ago at William and Mary.  The singer sounds so different from the record (way more bass), but soulful just the same.  Sliding into the Beatles number toward the end was wild.  Don't know how they relate thematically, but it sure worked!

--- Aww, Andrew Copeland’s kids are at the show. It's unique/cool to have so many band members do lead vocals on songs.  His vocals on “Something to Believe In” are strong! Evidently the song's about the military.

--- “Everything's gotta have something to believe in.  Can I get an amen?”  Heh, not the same crowd as last month's Rise Against show.

--- “No Kiss Without Whiskey” is catchy. Gah, apparently a lot of these songs are from a 2016 album I really should've listened to.  Ooh, keyboard solo.  Even without knowing it, it's fun.

--- “We were on a compilation with Goo Goo Dolls, Elton John, and Fleetwood Mac. My best friend Robert DeNiro said I should never name drop.”  HA! 

--- The cover of Fleetwood Mac's “Gold Dust Woman” is so different.  No need to “blame” Ryan Newell, the Fairfax guitarist -- this is awesome.  This is way more my sound.  Woooo.  He messed up the lyrics at one point, which made it better. I gotta start listening to Fleetwood Mac!!

--- I'm surrounded by people who insist on talking through Copeland's earnest intro to “This Kind of Love.”  They should be flogged.  It continues through the song.  Oh well -- they don't deserve the CLARITY of his vocal.

Sister Hazel’s mission statement: “to have you leave here a little more happy than you were when you came in.”  The song “Happy” sounds weak, but I appreciate the intro. 

--- “Run Highway Run.”  If others find this comforting, cool, but it's like so many of the songs on their records: bob, bob, bobs along.  Inoffensive, indistinguishable, bland.

--- Awwwww, they prompt everyone to high five the people around them.  I hesitate, not feeling fully connected, and six people come for me.  Good for them!

--- Intro about their Gainesville beginnings leads to “Family Tradition, “Friends in Low Places,” “Country Road,” and “Sweet Caroline.”  Shameless crowd pleasers / you can’t help but smile.

--- Awww at the guitarist coming over and smiling at the guy taking his pic during “All For You.”  Plus, the guy in front of me, who hasn't said a thing, starts singing and SPINNING the whole way through!

--- “Swan Dive” has a nice funk to it.

--- Nooo, they're about to head for the encore.  I don't think I'm going to get “Champagne High” and “Your Mistake.”  Please both!!

--- “Champagne High”!!!!!  Starts as a solo acoustic, a new person enters the stage each new verse.  I have ever seen that before.  A whole new song!

--- Aww at “Change Your Mind”’s chorus/message.  Nice job, guys.

Grade: B+ / A-

211 -- Incubus -- Tuesday, July 18, 2017 -- Xfinity Center -- Mansfield, MA

Jimmy Eat World is the reason K (Erik Kastman) and I went to the Xfinity Center that night, but Incubus kept us gripped afterward.  The performers, fans, and production values were intense, so it all worked. 

--- “Stellar”: “How do you do ittttttt?"  The crowd is enhancing every song!

--- “Nimble”: Lol at how wild frontman Brandon Boyd’s hair becomes.

--- “Anna Molly”!!!  The potential turning point in the concert.  Panic falsetto combined with Foo drive and a sickkk crowd makes it *click.*

--- Heh, “Why would we go anywhere else?  We could just stay here.”  Well played.

--- “Love Hurts”: nice smoky vibe.

---- “Megalomaniac”!!!!  I wanted it to go on for five more minutes.  It’s also funny hearing the word “Jesus” come from a guy who looks like Jesus blended with Malcolm from Survivor.  Plus, wooo at the keyboardist's mega hair flip.  Oh, and after Bush left office (the original subject), the lyrics ceased to have any political relevance...

--- “Here in My Room”: And everyone takes a breather.

--- “Wish You Were Here”: solid singalong that let me panorama the audience.  Oooh, a preview of next month’s Pink Floyd show!!

--- “State of the Art”: decent new song.  The fact that a third of the pit knows all the words is impressive.  K says, “It has a nice little swing to it.”

--- “Pardon Me”: Hehe at the record-swiping section.  Awww at K and most others singing word for word throughout.

--- Heh at “you guys sing well -- very, very well.”

--- “Drive”: I like how paint-by-numbers the rendition is.  I.E.  Get it out of the way before returning to true fan songs.  Cool guitar section near the end.

--- Modem sound leads into “Love in a Time of Surveillance.”  The “Pass The Baby (Here)” vibe returns.

--- “Pantomime”: middling.  [I take that back.  It builds well.]

--- Cool dark bloop effect during “Sick Sad Little World.”  Cool wash out section and abstract visuals.  Then a huge drum section.  Ironically, the first song in forever that I haven't smelled pot.  Keeps building!!!  Triptastic.  In the TOP THREE.

--- Lol at some guy to Brandon Boyd: “We love your abs.”

--- “Dig”: okay.  “Loneliest”: better.  Smokier.  Nice bass inflection on the last “tonight.”

--- “When I Became A Man”: oooh, SPACEY.  Transitions awesomely into “Throw Out The Map”!!  Such a simple, meaningful chorus.

--- “Nice to know you, goodbyeeeeee.”  The guy next to me's lyrics, motions, and mania added so much to the song!

--- Oooh, sitar section in “Aqueous Transmission.”  George Harrison what what.  The guy next to me FLIPS OUT.  Me, to K: “So that's what I look and sound like at a concert.”  K: “Yeah, you do.  Good job.”

Grade: A