257 -- Robert Plant and Alison Krauss -- Saturday, June 18 2022 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

--- Opener JD McPherson had a strong voice and sound, but I wish Merriweather had told me he existed. Ugh, opening bands… “Let The Good Times Roll” is super catchy. JD’s vocal clarity and musicianship makes me consider looking for them as a solo act in DC. Good for him.

--- “Rich Woman”: Danny and I hated it before the show (so listless), but it’s real smart live. A moody tease is perfect — don’t reveal too much too quick.

--- “Quattro (World Drifts In)”: patient, insistent, pro. I want more.

--- “Fortune Teller": so much better than the album! Playful, the Krauss section, the late guitar, and to quote Danny, “la voz!” This concert is going to be something else.

--- “The Price of Love”: already awesome on the album, so !!! Killer lyrics.

--- Heh at the intro to “Rock and Roll”: “It’s great to back here and on the road for the first time in a while.” Not possible to feel lonelylonelylonely during that solo!!!

--- “Please Read The Letter”: one of Danny’s favorites. A bit slight for me, but the combination of patience and insistence from “Quattro” works here too. Omg, the last two minute go into another dimension!!! Best of the night so far?! Also: Danny’s first tears.

--- “Let Your Loss Be The Lesson”: back down her earth. The strong title and voice get stuck into the midtempo muck.

--- “High and Lonesome”: who knew a quiet violin at the end would make a song? Such a cool surprise.

--- “Last Kind Word Blues”: Krauss’ voice is incredible. That’s all that’s needed here. !!!

--- “You Led Me To The Wrong”: Guy in front of us: “They sound amazing right now.” TRUE STORY. The effect of a smoke at a snail’s pace makes this one stand out. !!!! Lol, the guy says “holy shit” a second after I sent that message to James.

--- “Trouble With My Lover”: Interestingly, it was one of my favorite on the album, but it’s lackluster live.

--- HA, “that woman can sure sing the blues.” Indeed…

--- “Go Your Way”: useless on the album, rich live. Go figure!!  They complement each other so well. Gravitas.

--- “It Don’t Bother Me”: Omg, Krauss is taking a listless song and making it a mountain!!!!

--- Unknown uptempo number: it’s great. [Apparently it’s “Leave My Woman Alone,” a Ray Charles cover!]

--- “Battle of Evermore”: !!!!! “Holy shit” x 5. Yields a gradually-unfolding, involuntary standing O. I won’t soon forget it.

--- No “Searching for My Love”?! Wow, straight into “Levee.” Intense.

--- “When The Levee Breaks”: Krauss’ violin is a goddamn scalpel. Now a second violin is playing off it. UN. REAL. Everyone is holding their breath!!!!!

--- “Gone Gone Gone”:!!! Swell victory lap. The episode “Us” after “The Train” in This Is Us.

--- “Stick With Me Baby”: Chill. Wish the song order was switched, but a nice sound.

--- “Can’t Let Go” / “Somebody Was Watching Over Me”: Same comment as before. There was such a tidal wave before it though, that the show still deserves top marks. Heh, fun electric and piano in the back halves.

Grade: A+

256 -- Guster -- Thursday, June 9, 2022 -- Maymont -- Richmond, VA

--- Awesome paisaje [scenery] on the way there as Danny and I enjoy Ganging Up On The Sun.

--- Solid dinner with Kyle, Hannah, and Alex Clinch at the Dots Back Inn beforehand.

--- I hadn’t realized that this was Guster’s first show of the tour. “Don’t worry. We worked the kinks out first. We played a few songs in our hometown before you. We’ll talk more about Richmond later.” Aww at the personal touch!!

--- Love how Danny’s getting a panorama video -- drinking it all in!!

--- “Demons” takes on a new meaning with its repetition of Ted Lasso’s “belieeeeeve”!” 

--- “The Captain”!!! Love the jumping guy near center stage. As Nadine Curley Verbesey would say, “these are…” 

--- Heh, “Jesus on the Radio” with an organ. There’s a first.

--- Heh at Danny mimicking Brody’s “i’s a rainbow” during “Hello Mister Sun.” Still a weak song though.

--- Heh at “Barrel of a Gun”‘s 4, 3, 2, 1. Mindless fun.

--- “May Gay Parade” is a major upgrade! I dig the higher key at the end, and it has a lot more yearning!! 

--- Aww at Danny’s joy for “Satellite.” Woo at the spacey solo.

--- “Come Downstairs”!!!! LA BATERISTA.

--- I have no clue what it is, but I’m all about it!!! Apparently it’s “Terrified,” off Look Alive. Great lyrics, different style, insistent claps, what a discovery. “Everyone’s got it hard. Everyone’s terrified. Open up your heart.” 

--- I appreciate the falsetto and twinkly Friday Night Lights sections in “Ramona.” Given their crazy-deep catalog, it’s baffling that they continue to trot it out though.  

--- “Doin’ It By Myself”!!!!! A picture is worth 1,000 words.

--- “Manifest Destiny”!!! Awwww at Danny telling me “es perfecto.” Slightly better than a night in class at Lado… Heh at delivering the line “build a town and then secede” IN RICHMOND.

--- “Amsterdam”: They finally played it for me!!!! Never noticed the cool mini washout at the end.

--- “When are we supposed to done? 8:30? 8 minutes? Let’s hurry then.”

--- “Hang On”: I’m hanging on every word.

--- “This Could All Be Yours Someday”!!!! I PLAYED FOR BRODY LAST NIGHT. IDEAL ENDING.

Grade: A

Endnote: Visiting Geri and John Krause in Ashland afterward was the icing on the cake. There are usually few better feelings than the last day of school. This year, the night before the last day of school topped it. Guster and Geri Krause back to back. It was a long, late drive back from Richmond, but it flew by. What a trip.

255 -- Up All Night -- Friday, June 3, 2022 -- The Renegade VA -- Clarendon, VA

My first Clarendon concert felt like two separate concerts: the one the band was putting on and the one the format was allowing. Will Baskin, Dan Lyster-Mensh, and Eian Burgess sounded good throughout and tore through an impressive array of covers: everything from “Drive” to “American Girl” to “No Diggity.” 

It was sad that they were held back at times by the vibe at the venue – that focused more on drinks for bros at the bar than showcasing talent. Early on, they were reduced to a jukebox in the background. The low point was a clap prompt during “Life Is A Highway” – the equivalent of half the cameras being off during a virtual meeting.

Fortunately, as the night went on, attention grew, and people really took to the performance. As they should have, since there were genuine bursts of creativity throughout. My favorite moments included the unexpected Sublime / Chumbawamba mashup, the funk licks during “Another One Bites The Dust,” the keyboard plinks during “The Middle” / “Semi-Charmed Life,” the ‘campfirrrre’ inflection during “Sweet Home Alabama,” the electric solos during “A Thousand Miles” / “Lose Yourself,” and the realization that the setlist was one mega Carlock playlist. More than a decade later, I still recognized Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue” because of those mixed CDs.

Ultimately, I’m glad I saw the show and dig the band. It was great to meet another potential Poetry Club guest (comedian Justin Um) and to support frontman Will Baskin. Will inspired my students at Busboys & Poets and at the year’s last club meeting. The feeling was apparently mutual, as Will pledged to use students’ ideas for the second verse of his new song. He also said he left the meeting on a “artistic high.” If you haven’t heard Will’s acoustic stuff, I would definitely recommend it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Icr6epg7I  https://www.instagram.com/wfbaskin/?hl=en

Grade: B / B+

254 -- Laughing Colors -- Saturday, April 9, 2022 -- The Recher -- Towson, MD

--- What a privilege to attend with Nick, Angie, Dave, Chris Hartten, and shock of shocks, Kevyn and Lisa?!

--- Heh at ‘party check,’ ‘this is our last song,’ and Dave Tieff’s maniacal energy during “Now and Then”! There’s also zero vocal dropoff. 

--- Hahahaha at Angie dancing and RAPPING through the whole Chris-assisted “Solution”!!!

--- Wow at the drummer Will winning a Grammy and guitarist Dan playing with a prosthetic finger he made!! Chris: “Hard to get more rock than that.” True.

--- Heh, apparently I’m the only one from Virginia. When Dave finds out someone came from Massachusetts: “Why?” HA. They really should see if anyone’s from Maryland…

--- This is the first time they’ve played together in three years!

--- Aww, Angie’s so happy for “Clear Blue.” It sounds great.

--- “Shadow Child” has a cool calypso vibe. Awwww that there are other old people bouncing!!!! Gripping.

--- OMG, KEVYN BOOKED DAVE TIEFF FOR HIS 40TH BIRTHDAY JUNE 25TH?!?! 

--- “I found nothing”!!!! I am in awe of the demon calm of it all. Aww at Nick reminding me there about the dramatic pause. 

--- Heh: “I’m going to dedicate this to homeostasis.”

--- Angie jumps in during “Kashmir”: “I forgot to tell you: they play it every show.” I tell her I’m seeing Robert Plant this summer. “You ARE?!” Awww.

--- Heh, they employ space-age tech to practice a new song (“Anti Social”) with Will, who was in California.  I like the electric beast at the beginning and this chorus: “everybody’s in a hurry to get to nothing.”

--- HA: “Was that ‘f’ you’ or ‘f’ yeah’? The second has a little more pep and zest to it.”

--- “Roll Into The Light”: I dig the acapella opening line, and the fact that the Tool bassist sings during it. Plus, awww for Angie – they played her song.

--- Wow, there’s about to be a middle-aged mosh pit.

--- “Wrinkle” is solid mid-tempo. Thanks for the title ID, Chris.

--- “American Boy” has outstanding command and momentum. Reminds me of Pearl Jam’s “Jeremy.”

--- The A/C was so high Raynaud’s was flaring up in my hands most of the start of the show. The band was so high energy that they overcame it. First my nose, then my fingers; pink skin again!!!!

--- I looked at the clock for the first time. 9:02. Complete immersion.

--- Heh, Lisa disagrees that Laughing Colors has the same feel as Beach House.

--- Kevyn asks me what I think of the show. I admit I hate it.

--- “Cyrus Column.” Heh, Chris is proud he’s at 100% accuracy so far. Angie hilariously ID’s the song way late. I enjoy the acoustic change of pace. Being honest though, the back half is half-baked.

--- Heh: “this song is about one of the greatest weekends ever had in the Northeast. It’s a fungus.” Don’t insult my intelligence, Chris haha: I know it’s “Mushroom.” It’s by far the best improvement from the album. The goddamn progression!!!!  Kevyn needs that at his birthday.

--- DISTINCTION: I have never been at a show with a more diverse group of friends enjoying it in different ways.

--- The generational joy on display brings me back to Johnny and Miguel at the Dee Snider concert. Such emotion.

--- I don’t want it to end.

--- “Sunrise Highway”: Tool is back. I ran to the song this morning! Long Island, represent!!

--- “Mercy”: As lick lick licky as ever. Aww at Chris playing the whole thing on his body. “Please allow me to introduce myself” as the licks swirl. Artistic AF!!!!

--- “Hotel Room in Hell”!!!!! The high point of the night. Oh. If. He. Could. Ever. Come. To. Poetry. Club.

--- I tear up during his “all my heroes are going” intro, and when he explains the support he’s been given by his ex wife. You could hear a pin drop.

--- Perfect shift to “Sense” and its key lyric: “someday this will all make sense to me”!!!  Love how he stalks the stage – not a hint of Trans-Siberian schlock. Aww at Angie and I noticing how the disco ball literally “turn turn turns.”

--- Hahahah at the band playing “Free Bird” after giving a free bird.

--- “Big One Small One”!!! Aww, so relaxed and communal. Heh at “shut the f’ up” ad-lib after all the “shut your mouth”s.

--- Heh at the bold stance: three “f’ Putin”s at the start of Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs.” Aww at the drummer’s solo and the rather-relevant lyrics: “listen to the sound of the whole world breaking down.”

--- “Strange”!!! “We’ve been around a long time, and our paths have all to led to this. One of the coolest parts is getting to see you guys reunite who haven’t seen each other. All we can say is ‘f’ yeah.’”

--- Heh at Chris and I both calling the one-two “Light” / “Samhouse” punch at the end. Love the messages: “I can see the walls are coming down” and “it’s never too late to save yourself.”  Chris mentions their haunting rendition of “Samhouse,” complete with the National Anthem, right after 9/11. Heh at Dave Tieff grabbing a kid on FaceTime: “give it up for Bob.” The ENERGY during these last two is unreal. I don’t want to see too easy, but credit where credit is due: !!!!! 

Grade: A+

253 -- Noah Kahan -- Saturday, November 13, 2021 -- 9:30 Club -- DC

--- Wait, there’s an around-the-block line at a 9:30 Club show?! 30+ 9:30 shows, and I’ve never seen that. It was so tense waiting in line with a girl who came in from Southern Virginia and forgot her ID. Glad she got in with a school ID!

--- As we were waiting in line, a tour bus stopped and who walked off it? Noah himself! Right past us!

--- There’s NO vocal dropoff on “Troubled Mind.”

--- Heh: “let’s go, DC.”

--- The keyboard adds to “Passenger.” The song feels like folky Beatles. So many know every word. “I’m no passenger” is a strong chorus. How do I not know it?!

--- Heh, I definitely know “Animal.” Solid midtempo swing. The riffs, pauses for the audience, and the keyboard (MVP!) add to it. I’m pumped; the show has begun!!!

--- “You guys f’ing sold out the 9:30 Club.”

--- Hahahahahah: “I’ve been called a Jewish Ed Sheeran, a drippy Keanu Reeves, a sinful Jesus Christ, and…another white guy with a guitar.” 

--- “False Confidence”: the best tonight. Riffs galore, and the crowd’s all in, so it’s through the roof!!!

--- The lead single “Part of Me” has a cool washed-out sound and rhythm shift. I like the way he emphasizes the last line.

--- Hahahah: “my grandparents are here tonight, y’all.” 

--- Outstanding elongation of syllables at the start of “Hollow.” And the FALSETTO. Still number one!!!! I feel like he looked at me when I point during the ‘sir’ line, lol.

--- “Someone Like You.”  I just heard that this is now on the radio. “I’m getting closer to my dreams of becoming a complete sellout.” LOL. Wow again at the falsetto. Heh: “I tried to Aretha right there. It’s the attempt.”

--- I take it back. The crowd are not mindless squealers. They come in and out at just the right times.

--- “This is about an important lesson I learned during the pandemic. If someone around you is starting to find success, and you’re not there yet……drag them back down into the abyss.” LOL! It’s called “New Perspective.” Lovely mandolin. “Awesome, Dylan, but this is my show.”

--- *Damn* at the falsetto on “Glued Myself Shut," off an EP called Cape Elizabeth. It never gets Lusky either. There’s such ease and lilt in it, along with everything going on tonight!!!!

--- “I’m going to play you another unreleased one. If it’s depressing, you can be sure I’m going to write a song about it. Nothing depressing escapes me.” “Stick Season”!!!!! Unreal vocal clarity, imagery, and drive. Apparently he’s played it on his Instagram Live. I wonder if Gym Dan heard it. The show would have been that much better if G.D. were there to share it, but I’m grateful for the introduction.

--- “Maine”: Jesus, I need to listen to Cape Elizabeth STAT. 

--- “This song is off my first record.” The ‘Hollywood sign’ part of “Cynic” is still cool, although ironically, the song suffers a bit since I know it.

--- I can’t keep up with his wit!!! Ben Platt, much?

--- Hahahahahah at “Chug it; we’re on a curfew. The value of peer pressure: acid reflux.”

--- “Bad Luck”: Again, audience participation comes in at the PERFECT time. The way Noah barely chopped “bad luck” off at the end was expert.

--- Hahaha: “If this were American Idol, you all would be going to Hollywood, man. Those other crowds, Sacramento or something. Hollywood for all of you.”

--- “This song is Carlo Keet, my boy who I lost six years ago. Think about someone you lost. Did you find what you were looking for?” Again, this one has a completely different tone and rhythm. Expert. It connects so deeply with the WandaVision line!!!! I.E. “What is grief if not love persevering?” My arm involuntarily lifts; my voice involuntarily wails. “Carlo’s Song” catapults to top three.

--- Now I know why G.D. said, “Just wait, man. You’ll see.”

--- “Godlight”: “It worries me deeply that I would look back at my younger self and think I’m an asshole. It’s really hard to play, but I love it, so I do.” Indeed. I don’t want to keep using the exclamation points, but Jesus. Ooooh, electric guitar for the first time.

--- ***Hope for my son Brody and my daughter Riley. Could he be their Dave? Could he be their Bruce?

--- This song is about going back home. “Mess”: Brody literally says “mess” all the time!

--- “It hurts when you hurt somebody.” Now he’s throwing in calypso and a growl?!?! Wild.

--- “During the Jonas Brothers era, I felt lost and wayward. You made this happen for me. I play a lot of songs that get old, and this one never does.”

--- If he were ever to come to Poetry Club, that would be next level.

--- I don’t want it to end.

--- There will more shows. Many more shows.

Grade: A+

Endnote: On the drive home, I flashed back to drives on The Loop Parkway on the eve of college when I first discovered music -- when I wanted to keep driving and listening -- for it to never end. I hadn’t thought of those drives for years, and there I was again. Thanks, Noah. 

252 -- The Eagles -- Wednesday, September 1, 2021 -- Capital One Arena -- DC

The name of the venue may have changed from The Verizon Center to Capital One Arena, but the incredible ticket worked again. Show up the same day; get a prime ticket. No taxes, no fees, no gouging resellers: just the best seats that weren’t available for weeks at the best price?!?! 

--- “Hotel California”!!! As good as it was two days ago when it became the first rock song Brody ever embraced. Brody has been into anything I’ve sung and any ballad, but give him a guitar and a hint of grit, and out come the angry screams. Then, magically, with “Hotel California,” he pleasantly cooed to the guitar solo and said “more” at the end! May this be the first of many rock songs…

--- “New Kid in Town”: clear vocals, unclear who would find it engaging.

--- “Life in the Fast Lane”!!! Gets every age out of their seats. “Hotel California” has the sharp imagery, but that was an unexpected rip. 

--- “Wasted Time”: It’s hard to appreciate this emotional ballad when these fools behind me jabber on about how annoying their grandma is?! So strange. It was cool that The Eagles include a full orchestra with this song. Nice.

--- “Victim of Love”: The Fools (hereafter referred to as MF [Male Fool] and FF [Female Fool]) remark how they thought how the woman who came on stage for the song was a mannequin. “I didn’t think she was a real person.” …

--- “Pretty Maids All in a Row”: pretty listless.

--- “Try and Love Again” / “The Last Resort”:  FF: “They better play a hit soon.” She is apparently unaware how straight album sets work. She’s now jabbering on about how much she dislikes being the Maid of Honor in a wedding. I’d lobby for a change to Maid of Dishonor.

--- “The Last Resort” is a solid way to the end the album. They incorporate a full choir!

--- HA: “That concludes the Hotel California section of the night. We’ll take a break, come back, and play everything we know.”

--- Aww, the couple I’m next to flew in from Tennessee for the show. My ticket scheme shocked them.

--- Oooh, they’re back with a bluegrassy acoustic vibe!! Such variety. Seems like it’s “Seven Bridges Road.”

--- “Take It Easy” goes down so smooth!!! At this point, it’s what everyone needs. 

--- “One of These Nights”: Deacon Frey, the 29-year-old son of late Eagles founder Glenn Frey, has a great voice.

--- Heh: “Thanks for coming out. On a Wednesday.”  

--- As Don Henley announces that he and everyone involved has been fully vaccinated… MF: “We don’t care about politics. Just sing.” Sigh… Henley continues, “With great power comes great responsibility.” Wooo, Spider-Man reference!

--- Heh: “This is our 6th concert after sitting around for 18 months in our sweatpants.”

--- Deacon Frey gets the biggest applause. “50 years ago, his dad and I were in the Georgetown Inn playing backup for Linda Ronstadt. Then he asked to start a band.”  Wooo at personalizing for the DC audience. 

--- Heh: “Has anyone tried unplugging the United States and plugging it back in?”

--- Vince Gill also gets a huge hand. Wow, he has 28 Grammys. “Takes up his whole house. He and his wife have to sleep in the garage.” HA. He sings “Take it to the Limit.”

--- “Witchy Woman”‘s got edge -- much better than “Tequila Sunrise.”

--- Joe Walsh’s “In the City” guitar solo is glorious!!  FF: “I LOVE JOE WALSH.” First sensible thing she’s said all night.

--- “I Can’t Tell You Why” is smoky cool.

--- “Peaceful Easy Feeling” is a too country for my tastes, but that’s my issue. Aww though at the end -- what I think is a picture of young Glenn and Deacon together.

--- “Love Will Keep Us Alive” and “Lyin’ Eyes” are fine.

--- “These Shoes” pairs well with “I Can’t Tell You Why.” The best hidden find of the night. The guitar’s a snake!!

--- Lol at Joe’s loopy drunk speaking voice: “How you doin’? How are you doing?” Hahaha at him no leading the crowd through a series of Meredith Lee vocal warmups -- bass grunts and all. Btw, everyone’s now way more into “Walk Away” because of the intro. Why more bands don’t include intros I’ll never know. 

--- Cool ~Waking Life swirls on the guitar during the song.

--- Joe Walsh’s intro to “Life’s Been Good”: “It’s not as extravagant as you’d think being a rock star. You still have to do the dishes and pick up dog doo. I just happen to also have a Maserati…I’m dedicating this next song to everyone who’s never had a song dedicated to them.” Awesome.

--- The boop beeps during the song show yet another side.  The way Walsh enunciates and moves his head adds a lot. Such charisma!!

--- “Already Gone”: there’s the peaceful easy feeling the earlier song referenced.

--- Awwww, an old guy from three rows over is standing and trying to commandeer others to stand. I stand, and he pumps his arms me. We make each others’ nights!!!!

--- “The Boys of Summer” has excellent build -- like the concert itself!

--- “Funk #49” has funk.

--- “Heartache Tonight” gets everyone out of their seats. Vince Gill is solid but no Joe. That said, I can’t remember seeing such a balanced band. Everyone has their moments in the spotlight.

--- Encore 

--- “Rocky Mountain Way” has an all-hands-on-deck excitement.  Walsh’s guitar reverb!! Another new thing!!

--- Aww at “Desperado.” Henley’s moment. The orchestra returns as well.  

--- Tear at the recent death of Don Everly of The Everly Brothers and Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones. “See them while you can, ladies and gentleman.” Yes!!!!

--- Aww at the woman next to me singing “The Best of My Love.” It really adds to it. When I tell her, she says, “As much as your scream the whole night added to it.” Awww. Perfect ending.

Grade: A

251 -- Wilco -- Friday, August 20, 2021 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

--- “A Shot in the Arm”!!!! SO FITTING FOR THE ERA. 

--- “EKG”: ok, a Star Wars track is an automatic buzzkill, but hopefully that means they’re done with that album the rest of the night.

--- “Before Us”: same basic comment for this Ode To Joy, but if it was chosen because of what just happened in Afghanistan, points for that. I.E. “I remember when wars would end. Remember when wars would end? Now when something's dead, now when something's dead, we try to kill it again.”

--- “You Are My Face”!!  It speaks to how deeply Wilco’s albums are embedded that I didn’t remember the name, and I’d never heard it live, yet I recognized every note and loved it.

--- “Good to be back”: INDEED.

--- Oooh at the new ‘hello hello hello’ in “I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.”

--- Clever, seamless swirl into “Art of Almost,” which I first heard at Merriweather! Emotionally, I’d forgotten its power. I planted my legs, and it pulsed through me!!!

--- “If I Ever Was a Child” was played.

--- “Is this the first time you’ve been out to see a rock show since? Then it’s a great honor.”

--- “Impossible Germany”: awww, memories of listening to this with Rafael in the car at the start of the summer. I’d forgotten how organically it develops – and how it joins up with the rest of the band.  “Art of Almost” has pyrotechnics; “Impossible Germany” has soul!!!!

--- Awwwww, “you know I miss that.” My thoughts exactly!!

--- “Love Is Everywhere” has a nice message.

--- Heh, “now for the oldest song we’re probably going to play tonight.” I.E. “Box Full of Letters.” Awwwww: “I like to pick out one song every night from a poster. That guy had [‘Box’] on a poster.”

--- “Hummingbird”!!! By far my favorite version of it. In the past, it’s been a bit disappointing because it feels like a pandery hit. This time, he was so light with it, and the crowd seemed so light, that it felt real.

--- “Everyone Hides”!  The strongest track from recent albums. It’s both airy and insistent. Well done.

--- “Born Alone”: the lyric “I was born to die alone” is an outrageously depressing, but fortunately, the sound isn’t. Solid downward spiral at the end. 

--- HA at some guy in the crowd: “I want The Whole Love tonight.” Clever reference to the previous album.

--- Heh, “Jesus Etc” doesn’t get “Hummingbird”‘s bump. It’s still soothing on an album, rote live.

--- “Is everyone having a good time? Well, we’re getting close to running out of time. So we’re going to try to play as many songs as we can.”

--- “Theologians”!  Ooh, it’s a slightly more aggressive version. Nice.

--- Awwww, this song’s dedicated to everyone out there on the lawn. “I’m the Man Who Loves You”!  I don’t remember Jeff having such a solo at the end. Cool.

--- “Heavy Metal Drummer”!!!!  Bizarre/awesome spoken-word Doors intro and extra-energetic outro put this through the roof. Best version of “HMD” I’ve heard. 

--- “I’m Always in Love” is so damn happy -- especially with his “what can I say” riff.

--- Love that Merriweather said Wilco was ending at 10:45, and it’s 10:50, and they just started the encore!!

--- Hahaha at Nils hand prompting the crowd during “The Late Greats.”

--- “We always have a great time here. Thanks for coming out.”

--- “Outtasite”!!

--- Awwww at a tonally perfect “California Stars” finale. I swear I have not heard this washed-out electric version…..that……omg, becomes a banjo version!!!!  I wonder if they reacted to online criticism that early shows were too similar. I wouldn’t it past them adapting based on that. Personal best for “CS” as well.

--- I will now listen to songs the whole way home. YES.

Grade: A+

250 -- Sleater-Kinney -- Friday, August 20, 2021 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

To me, Sleater-Kinney’s main strength is their confidence.  They show no affectations, no pandering — they simply dive into each solid new song. It’s also cool to see a rock band led by multiple women. Plus, at Merriweather, everyone was clearly paying attention — no Opening Band blues.

My issue is, try as I might, live and on the album, most tracks leave me underwhelmed. If I could hear all the lyrics or read them, I’m sure I’d appreciate the poetry. Most of them end up getting lost though, swallowed in a midtempo malaise. To my ear, most tracks meander and then just…end. The generic crowd comments and sleepy delivery don’t help matters.

Fortunately, there were a bunch of bright spots:

--- “Shadow Town” has a lot more energy than “High in the Grass.” Love the dark vibe.

--- “It’s been a long road for all of us to come, tentatively, to create this sense of community we love.”

--- “Can I Go On”: the varied inflections on the line “my desire is contagious” is hilarious.

--- “Path of Wellness”: its drive is the strongest of any song so far. The repetition of “you can never love me enough” adds to it.

--- “This is for anyone who’s needed a little more help this last year.”

--- “Jumpers”!!  Now there’s a song!!  It has anger, restraint, and an actual arc. It can’t be a coincidence that this is the first ‘wooo’ I hear from the crowd.

--- “Bring Mercy”: a comforting message and rhythm -- what 2021 needs.

--- “Modern Girl”!! Its smooth electric vibe makes it a winner from the first note. The unlikely “sunny day” chorus adds to it.

--- “We’ve never been here to Merriweather Post Pavilion before. This place is amazing. You guys look amazing.” Better than nothing, but it’s undermined by the listless way she says it.

--- “Worry With You” has this knowing funk that makes me bob my head the whole time. Well done.

--- “Entertain” had the volume of a last song, but sadly, it did not fit the title.

Grade: C / C+

249 -- Rise Against -- Sunday, July 25, 2021 -- MECU Pavilion -- Baltimore, MD

 --- Ha, never would’ve thought I’d see a guy with a DuckTales shirt at a Rise Against show. 

--- I don’t even like “Numbers,” but the energy, lighting, and clarity DELIVERS!  If this is the start, strap in!!

--- “Heart beat pounding awayyy”!!! “Re-Education” remains amazing.

--- “How you feeling out there, Baltimore?” AMAZING.

--- “Satellite” is a great change of pace.

--- Aww at them actually waiting for hands to raise when they ask for how many is this their first show back. Such a bond.

--- “The Violence” off Wolves would probably be better if I knew it. It gives me time to catch my breath.

--- “Broken Dreams Inc”: Wow, Tim McIlrath is SO CLOSE. Oooh, sweet guitar solo. Heh at the title chanting section.

--- “Audience of One”!!  Love the change of pace and the mid-level surggggge. Also, one of my first RA songs. “Thank you, all.” Thank YOU. 

--- “Ready To Fall”!! Awww, DuckTales guy says, “That’s 100% correct” to my calves theory. I.E. The true measure of a great punk show? Sore calves.

--- I don’t see any gaps in the audience in the back. Impressive.

--- “I Don’t Wanna Be Here Anymore” off Black Market. Solid.  Cool smoky solo.  “This song is all about waking up and not being in the dark place we sometimes are. I want you to leave that place. Are you ready, Baltimore?” Awww, whole new meaning now, like “Forfeit”!!!

--- Aww they toured with Menzingers ten years ago. Full circle.

--- “Under the Knife”!  Being surrounded by pit enthusiasts is the BEST.

--- “It’s all about being able to see your faces, voices. This is for you.”

--- “Forfeit”: aww, the crowd treats it with no respect, but it was an awesome surprise on the album!!

--- “Swing Life Away”!! What a summer jam. “This is the time to soak in this moment, that we’re all here. This one goes out to everyone at the venue – and the crew.” He could have added Brody. Brody’s all about it. 

--- “Make It Stop” feels less urgent than it should.

--- “Prayer of the Refugee” feels as raw as the first time I heard it!!!

--- “Survive” has a slow build and a strong message: “That’s what makes us who we are.”

--- “We get to share the stage with legend, without whom we would not be here today.” Wow, this is The Descendants’ first tour in 20 years.

--- The whole pit loves “Worth Dying For,” and I barely remember it.

--- “Savior” slays. SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN A ZOOM CALL.

Grade: A

248 -- Guster -- Sunday, July 25, 2021 -- Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater -- Morrison, CO

 --- I’m about to see Guster at Red Rocks with James Porter. That’s three bullseyes, for my first concert in 543 days. Rock on.

--- The opening band, The Lone Bellow, sounds great. Make sure to check them out at the 9:30 Club on November 20. [Edit, a year later --> and . . . there was another shutdown. Oh, Covid.] 

--- “Do You Love Me”!!!!  Unexpected rushhh at hearing the first live song in forever. Heh at “wake you from you dream.” Guy in the crowd: “WE DID IT!” I played this song for Brody three days ago! I’m also surprised how nostalgic the act of typing notes in my phone feels. Frontman Ryan Miller: “I think this may be the first time in my life I’m at a loss for words.”

--- “Demons” is a great change a pace.

--- Hahaha, “we added wind noises in for dramatic effect. Red Rocks 2021.”

--- “Diane” is fine, but I hope this doesn’t preclude playing the far-superior “Amsterdam” from the same album.

--- “The Captain”!!!!  Rhythmmm, winddddd!  The screen is about to fling into the crowd.

--- Wow at the giant Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Heh, they ask “Yuni the badass head woman” if she can “play that a note over the hurricane thing maybe?”  Omg, the conductor’s name is Christopher Dragon. He’s “the coolest cucumber in Colorado.”

--- “Ramona” took the place of another worthier song.

--- “Long Night” is from the 2015 Evermotion album that I somehow missed! 

--- Aww, cool ukulele vibe shift with “What You Call Love.”  Adam trumpet time! Ooh, I get to rescue someone else’s phone!

--- “Two Points for Honesty”!! It starts out amazing --> I played it for Brody this week, it’s from James’ college CD, and it surges so much as a song. Then my spirit is crushed. The angle of the seats prevents me from dancing because it limits the view of the guy next to me. The guy is nice about it, but in the moment, it’s brutal. Not being able to move beyond a straitjacket sway at a rock show?! Tearrrr.

--- “Mind Kontrol” features the lines “come get me out of this hole.” I can relate…..

--- “Dear Valentine” is fine.

--- They talk about the last time they played the Fox Theater in Colorado. Aww, specificity.

--- Hahahaha at when Dragon’s excited. His bald head gets radiant, and it’s like the bouncing ball Ryan Miller saw as a kid.

--- “Lightning Rod”! The awesome moodiness of the song brings me back a bit.  Woo.

--- Hahaha, “it’s so fun to play it Red Rocks. When I said ‘ohohoh’ a minute ago, that was like a 12-year-old cream dream. Sorry, children. My children.”

--- Heh at acknowledging no one wants new songs. “Witness Tree” has this interesting…Russian…vibe?

--- First ever Climate Positive concert at Red Rocks.

--- “There’s No Way to Get to Heaven” was played.

--- “Fa Fa Fa”: aww/hahah at the drum solo is accent at the end. Go, conductor!!

--- “Hello Mister Sun”: heh at the rainbow hats, meh at the song. Going for a Sgt. Pepper’s thing. 

--- Awww, he comes out in the crowd for “Doin’ It By Myself” — he swings the mic as the crowd mass waves!

--- “Either Way”: amazing breeze, tender wonder. The orchestra makes is so much better. Newfound appreciation. I’m officially back!!!!

--- “Satellite”: orchestra FTW!!

--- “Come Downstairs and Say Hello”!!!!! The conductor was a MANIAC. Gotta look it up on YouTube.

--- “Julio Down By The School Yard”!!!! So raw.

--- “We’re able to grow old with you together. Well, maybe not old, but older than we were when we were sang it for the first time in a dorm room 29 years ago.” [!!!]

--- “Hard Times”!! So piercing and well sung. The opioid subject matter fits the melancholic tone.

--- “Hang On”: good message to end on.

--- HA, they’re wearing big heads. “Maybe you shouldn’t follow up on ideas when you’re high.”

--- “Barrel of a Gun”!!

--- Secretly coming out to the center of the center of the crowd for a second encore with “Jesus on the Radio” was awesome. Never seen that before!!

Grade: A- / A

247 -- Foo Fighters -- Saturday, November 14, 2020 -- The Verbicar House, The Peterson House, The Internet -- Annandale / Fairfax, VA

A living room Foo Fighters concert cannot compare to a live one -- not even close. It was better than nothing at the height of Covid, though, and I’m glad Sharon, Chris, Hark, and I got to share it. It was particularly satisfying because Sharon initiated it! I’ve enjoyed aspects of every class at Frost, but occasionally, IAs are window dressing – no introduction, no name the first day of class. That’s never been the case with Sharon, who saw the value of including from the beginning and asked to get together outside of class!

Once we worked through tech issues, there were a bunch of memorable moments: “All My Life,” “Rope,” “Walk,” and Dave’s speech about the importance of coming together. It was also funny to see Sharon’s son (my former student) bust out a TikTok dance (Lil Massive’s “Renegade”) halfway through. The best part of the concert, ironically, was afterward. The band played a lot fewer songs than usual, so we decided we’d play whatever songs we wanted!  Hark sang “Learn To Fly,” 1000 Italian musicians sang “Learn to Fly,” and both houses sang “Everlong” – all strong memories.   

Grade: B+