Tuesday, July 2, 2024

292 -- Alanis Morissette -- Saturday, June 29, 2024 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

--- Alanis walks out on stage. Here comes the applause! Oh, wait, it’s a dog...

--- “One Hand in My Pocket”: *slightly* bigger reaction than for Joan Jett… Love the harmonica section!!

--- “A Man” includes on the screen harrowing stats about continued violence towards women. Good for her.

--- “Reasons I Drink” leaves me without a buzz.

--- She starts to play guitar on “Hands Clean” — nice!

--- Solid dark vibes but very little to connect with.

--- Crowd returns for “Hand Over Feet.” Woo, harmonica’s back too!

--- “You Learn”: Aww at all the audience singalongs!!

--- Angie has a CrossFit competition in the morning, so she has to leave a bit early. It’d be ironic, in the Alanis sense, if she started playing “Ironic” right as she left. “That’d be Perfect,” Angie quips. Clever!!

--- Angie: “I forgot about these songs!” As soon as we sit down, Alanis launches into favorites, so time to sit…










--- Alanis just spun an ice-skater circle for a solid minute!!!

--- “Rest”: the best pure vocal of the night!!! I dig it as a ballad and because it probably means a high-energy rocker next. In a moment of actual irony, I realize it’s the song I was most awake for! Angie: “That was beautiful.”

--- “Mary Jane”: even better — she held out that note forever!!! I wonder if she starred in Jagged Little Pill, the Broadway musical.

--- She plays the flute. Who knew?

--- “Ironic”: the first verse was sung by an eight-year-old on stage!!!! The whole thing was an unexpected rush.

--- “All I Really Want,” a Jagged track, pumps them up. Love the harmonica-guitar battle at the end of the next one.

--- Do not love that she did not personalize a single thing the entire night. She oughta know better. That said…

--- “You Oughta Know” RIPPED!!!!! Merriweather’s wall shook — and Merriweather doesn’t even have walls. Awww at the awesome woman in front of me motioning to me to fist bump — for a mighty fist bump at that. So satisfying.

--- Lol at her skipping off for the encore.

--- Wow, “Uninvited” is a completely different triumph. Piercing, spare, and ends with another literal spin?!?!? Evanescence, but better.

--- Awww, I take back part of what I said about the personalizing since has thankful tweets from fans to loved ones in the background during “Thank U.”

Grade: B+


291 -- Joan Jett -- Saturday, June 29, 2024 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

--- Surprise… In a rare last-minute decision, Angie joins me for the Joan Jett / Alanis Morissette concert! 

--- Angie appreciates the Columbia Central Library parking lot secret. As at Hozier, the Merriweather crowd is packed, yet barely anyone is parked at the library, one hill away from the entrance! I appreciate Angie’s water bottle in the heat. I’m shocked Merriweather allows people to bring bottles. I’d assume one would be $89, to match the temperature. They wait for us to walk in to start the show…









--- “Victim ofCircumstance,” “Cherry Bomb,” “Do You Wanna Touch Me,” and “You Drive Me Wild” don’t drive me wild, but they’re solid.

--- “If You’re Blue,” a new single, is top so far — more breezy and upbeat.

--- Love that Jett includes that she got her musical start in Rockville, where she lived from 8 to 13! Wish I could understand almost anything else she said, as the microphone (or her lack of enunciation) seemed to swallow every other word.

--- “Different” basically sounds the same as the opening numbers — until a mini electric riff at the end, which was cool.

--- Clive Davis’ apparent cousin on the keyboard explains that they couldn’t get a record deal for years with a female guitarist as their lead. Hence the song “Fake Friends.”

--- Angie informs me Joan Jett is 65! So, compared to Bruce Springsteen (74), Paul McCartney (82), and first-time lead actress June Squibb (94), a spring chicken!

--- “Androgynous” has intriguing queer lyrics! Wish they weren’t lost in Mumble Land…

--- “Everyday People” (AKA the song from the Toyota commercial) is my favorite so far. Catchy rhythm and instrumental the middle — woo.

--- The crowd gets (justifiably) loud for “I Love Rock and Roll” — it’s fun!

--- “Crimson and Clover”: What?!?! My mind is blown as the best part of one of the my 100 favorite songs, Jimmy Eat World’s “A Praise Chorus,” was stolen from Tommy James and the Shondelles.

--- “I Hate Myself ForLoving You”: strong crowd song.

--- “Bad Reputation” makes me bounce and bounce and bounce. So many great Danny Ibanez Freaks and Geeks memories!!!

Grade: B/B+

290 -- Ben Platt -- Sunday, June 23, 2024 -- Wolftrap -- Merrifield, VA

--- Hark and I started the night with Inside Out 2, so far the best film of 2024. Then, as we walk to our stage-side seats, we run into Nathan Koterba and Senani Fernando! 










Can this night get any better? [Update: just wait…]

--- Heh, the guy in front of has a Ben Platt trucker hat.

--- “Right Kind of Reckless”: good title, mediocre opener.

--- “American Queen”!!! Best new song I’ve heard in a while. From the first time I’ve heard it until now.

--- “Thank you for bringing the heat. Your fans look gorgeous actually. Everyone has a beautiful glow.” 

--- So, I was brought up gay…~Sorry for the tangent. Back to being sad and queer.”

--- All the unrequited loves combined into “Andrew.” 

--- “My new album, Honeymind, has been out a month, so if you have heard it, you’re already off brand. There are cameras here, so they’re watching and judging you.”

--- “I wanna love you, but I don't’”!!! So much better with his hilarious, earnest intro. Better vocal range than “American Queen” as well. The concert has officially started. 

--- “Rain”!! Somehow I don’t remember it from the first album, but it’s awesome. Such a different rhythm. Love the variety. 

--- “Share Your Address”!!!!

--- “If you’re here, you’re either gay or anxious. If you’re both, you win a prize. I win a prize.” Hark: “You know about anxiety,” right after we’d seen Inside Out 2. I yelp “Inside Out 2” to the crowd because, of course I do.

--- “Ease My Mind”!! I’m glad he invited me and the audience to join in, but his range is better than mine.

--- “Grow As We Go”!!!! It’s been so long since I’ve played Hark’s arm as a guitar. Clearly this one was acoustic guitar. So smooth.

--- “Shoe to Drop”: Brody, Riley, and Raffi!!!

--- James Taylor’s “Your Smiling Face”: “This song was the soundtrack to the Camp Friends section of my sister’s bar mitzvah.” Awww at him literally running off so the electric guitarist, drummer, and accompanist could take literal center stage!!!!!

--- Joni Mitchell’s “River” is haunting AF!!!! If he wanted to, I think he could make it on Broadway. Move over, Bruce, I now have two “River” songs.

--- “Shall we go and sing this in our ‘Treehouse”?” Yet another facet. He and Brandy Clark are exquisite!!!! I wonder if I could get them to come to Busboys next year…

--- “Cherry On Top”: Technically, strong as usual, but it’s midtempo, so it gives me a breather. That is about his fiancĂ© Noah.

--- “Need You Like This”: Aww, the guy in front of me is the air in my lungs, as he is loving every moment!!!! Love that Ben Platt went for it, in the song and life. Brought me to Lukas’s dad after my A Few Good Men scene at Busboys.

--- Hahaha at his Liza Minelli’s “Maybe This Time”!!!!! I have never seen an involuntary, collective ovation – like an unplanned ovation flash mob. Hehe at “See you next time” — like Riley. 

--- Awww at Hark grabbing and kissing me during “Loved You Before I Knew You” before I was about to go for it!!!! Heh at me referencing the website and the other dates.

--- “Imagine”: Not a closer, but points for the “Buddy Holly” / “Monkey Wrench” pause.

Grade: A+

289 – Wilco – Thursday, June 20, 2024 – Wolftrap – Vienna, VA

--- “Misunderstood”!!!! How do you start with that?! Immediate buy in. 

--- “Forget The Flowers”: I have no use for the song, but I love that they have two Being There tracks to start with! The women who have seen them since the 90s love it too.

--- Heh, the guy next to me thought “Handhake Drugs” was off Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. He also choked when he found out I was born in 1985 -- he graduated high school then. The actual song is dynamite of course!!! Love Jeff’s precise feedback solo; I swear it’s new.

--- “At Least That’s What You Said”!!!!! They actually played it -- for me! I end up yelping this to the world, and happy laughter could be heard from the rows in front and behind me. At this point, they have hundreds of songs, and they played that one. Woo. They also added piano, which it’s never had before. The piano may have taken a little away from the transition from spare to fierce, but it was worth it.

--- “I Am My Mother” and “Cruel Country”: The lyrics stand out, so it makes sense that they’d play them. Their new stuff is often indistinguishable, but I enjoy hearing the songs live.

--- “How are you all doing?” Heh, he needs to talk more, but anything is appreciated.

--- “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart”: hahaha at him mirroring the guy in the crowd with the touchdown motion. Not coincidentally, the crowd virtually all starts to stand!!!

--- “Meant To Be”: validation: this one did stand out on their most recent album, Cousin! Its insistent and upbeat. Heh, “I just sang, ‘Each day is longer than the day before.’ If I sang that tomorrow (June 21st), it wouldn’t be true anymore.” Hee!

--- “If I Ever Was A Child”: box checked off for Schmilco.

--- “I hear you when you say ‘I love you.’ I’m not ignoring you. I get it.”

--- “Theologians”!!!

--- “Cousin” has drive, but it needs variation.

--- “You guys look amazing. Earlier, when the sun was fading, it looked like the back of a Meat Puppets record.”

--- “Bird Without A Tail / Base of My Skull”: !!!!! Ironically, I stated to pre-write that the title was much more memorable than the song. Well! From there on out, it grew and grew and blew me away. I’d never even heard the song. It cut off right as I finished my run, and I’m glad it did. I could experience it first live. A minute in, I could tell it was way better than the one-note norm for most of the new albums. Then this swirling electric wormed its way in, and it was off to the races. The best part is it didn’t just throttle, which is inherently powerful live. It went in all these nuanced, comforting places that felt right. Discovery, man, there’s little better.

--- “Every once in a while, you have to ask the audience how they’re doing. Otherwise you don’t know. It’s in the rule book…[We love you, Jeff.] Thanks for loving.”

--- Aww, “Hummingbird”! I think they know it.

--- “Evicted” has a cool recurring plink. “That was a single off our last record. This is a single off our first record.” Nice! The 90s women next to me are so excited for “Box Full of Letters.”

--- Hahaha: “This is a song off our second record….[checks with the band]…our third record.” Lol! “I’m Always In Love”!! I’m not sure I’ve actually heard it live, but it’s so fun.

They need to play for another two hours!!!!

--- “Impossible Germany”: awww, the 90s woman gives me a high five at the start. Her song came! Oooh, I swear Nels switched it up. The plink is slower and smokier -- and now it goes to the moon -- and the band joins in -- wheeeeeee!!!!!

--- “Heavy Metal Drummer”: woo.

--- “A Shot In The Arm”: Seconds before I plead they play it, they PLAY IT. Fogies who wouldn’t get up earlier are nearly doing a mosh pit!!!!

--- Aww, “California Stars,” an ideal warm table-setter after the encore. Cool new piano and ghost electric as well.

--- Ha, pretty bold putting “Falling Apart (Right Now)” this late. At least they’re not pandering and are playing something they presumably like. It actually has a fun cowboy vibe — especially when the other guitars get involved.

--- Woo at “Via Chicago” — with Jeff’s son seemingly drumming!!

--- Wait, why is Jeff bringing out electric for the first time all night? It couldn’t be. It’s already super late, the song is super long, they don’t often play it, and yet again, I requested it. Yet…there it is…”Spiders”!!!!! Lawn, balcony, orchestra, and the band in a first-time call-and-response complete with a shout out to a guy lifting his crutches. Unreal.

Grade: A+


288 -- John Legend -- Thursday, June 6, 2024 -- Wolftrap -- Vienna, VA

--- I missed “Save Room, “Tonight,” and “Take My Hand, Precious Lord,” but I walk in on him referencing his school’s spelling bee – which he apparently won!

--- “Bridge Over Troubled Water” intro involves his grandma, who died when he was 10: “Music helped me navigate troubled water. One of my biggest regrets is she never got to see most of this. I have to think she’s looking down now.”

--- He started high school at 12! College at 16!

--- Whoa, John Legend is from Dayton! His first concert was a Star Search at the Dayton mall. He won a $500 shopping spree to the mall, but Ed McMahon didn’t turn his chair for me. “That’s okay; I can turn my own chair now…”

--- This Stevie Wonder song is not strong.

--- Heh: “Disclaimer, I’m going to be dropping some names tonight.” 

--- At his wedding, Stevie randomly played the song he’d been playing on the piano since he was 13!! “My friend Kanye played too”: lllllonnnngg awwwkward pause.

--- “I was number two in my high school class, but going into University of Pennsylvania, I’d never even been on a plane, and I felt like the poorest/non-whitest.”

--- On his John R. Stephens piano credit on The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill: “I asked for $500. Y’all laughing like you know how much you’d ask for.” “They started calling me Track 13.” 

--- In Philly, he went to a lot of open mic nights – like the one I managed at Busboys the night before, where I referenced him!!!

--- Heh: “I was a management consultant for three years out of college. I created value for our clients -- you might refer to it as BS.”

--- “Stay With You” is no crescendo heading into intermission. Odd…

--- The mood after intermission is night and day: everything’s great!!! The acapella opener and the moody version of “Dancing in the Dark” is haunting. Bruce!!!

--- He was featured on Jay-Z / Linkin Park’s “Numb,” Alicia Keys’ “You Don’t Know My Name,” Estelle’s “American Boy,” and Kanye’s “Jesus Walks”!!!

--- Heh, he got turned down by the record label he’s on now. “The same music they’d heard.” 

--- “How am I going to call myself a legend when I don’t even have a record deal yet?” I’ve gotta live up to it! No backup plan. F’ it; I’m going to call myself John Legend. Hahaha, him having to distinguish himself from rockabilly musician and adult-film producer Johnny Legend!!!

--- Wow at his process Ă  He mumbles his melodies first and then adds lyrics!!! 

--- “Ordinary People”!!! A masterclass in mood, pacing, and by the end, vocal jungle gym. “Pretty glad I kept it for myself.” Can’t wait to re-listen after seeing the film.

--- Hahaha: “I knew I’d made it in 2005 when Magic and Oprah called me on the same day. I’d never spoken to them before. The who’s who at Oprah’s Legends Ball was off the charts!”

--- “Redemption Song” by Bob Marley: love how it didn’t try to do too much. Spoke for itself.

--- “What’s Goin’ On” felt the opposite. Big choir, way too busy. Whoa at Marvin Gaye being from DC though.

--- “Glory”!!! Startling example of how important all elements of a song are, as it really misses the verses by Common. That said, with the McDonald’s Civil Rights essay intro, the choir (this time majestic), and his instrument, it still soars.

--- “Free” is a meandering misfire. The end is interesting, but overall, meh.

--- “All of Me” intro, about his wife Chrissy Teigen: “She’s the fire to my ice. And she can cook too…She knew it was her from the first lyric: ‘What would I do without your smart mouth’: LOL. The actual song: exquisite!!!

--- Omg at the masses leaving early!

--- “The definition of being cool is being able to be yourself in any circumstance.” Quincy Jones 

--- “Memories” is not the song to end on, but I’m glad he went for it if it really spoke to him. Dig the silky electric accompaniment. Aww at this Indian family taking a selfie at the end. He does bring people together. I have legit never seen a concert more of a mix of rages and ages. Fascinating. I take back my dismissal of “Memories.” Fittingly, by the second half, it slays! Falsetto city!! Melody first, lyrics later!!! Introduced everyone by name and lets them be the last ones on stage!!!!

Grade: A+

Monday, July 1, 2024

287 -- Hozier -- Friday, May 17, 2024 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

 --- The first time he ever played in the states was at Merriweather! Apparently he was “as green as the grass on the lawn out there.” Individualizing from the start!!

--- Omg, I’ve never seen this place so packed. There’s no room on the LAWN. Now they’re telling me there’s no room in General Admission?! A manager had to get me in?!

--- Hozier is genuinely moved by the guy in the front with the Free Booze t-shirt. “Did you actually know that was the name of my dad’s band? He’s going to get such a kick out of that.” Aw!!!

--- The first ten songs are solid and varied, though, like on the albums, they drift for me and rarely land.

--- “Wildflower and Barley”: First music he got to share with Allison Russell. He wrote it during the pandemic.

--- “Movement” has dark excitement — woo! 

--- “Too Sweet”: it’s no Will Baskin on Google Meet, but it’s aight… In reality: !!! The crowd energy makes it soar. “A sincere thank you to anyone who’s been playing that or streaming it. It’s been the first number one of my career. It’s been nice.” 

--- Love the twinkly calypso in “Almost (Sweet Music).”

--- “Would That I” is way better live. He includes so many instruments and vocalists to go with the falsetto. For the first time, I involuntarily cheer!

--- Heh, I think they know “Take Me To Church.” I don’t have much connection to it, but the familiarity and the crowd make it rip.

--- Awww at him moving to a stage right next to the lawn and him addressing them!! The acoustic “Cherry Wine,” on the first songs he ever wrote, has a purity that has been missing for me amidst all the midtempo.

--- Aww at the woman next to me: “He’s really doin’ it.” 

--- “Nina Cried Power”: Awww at Mavis Staples turning 85. “The small things we do can have a lasting impact.” He connects Mavis’ protests songs to protests in Northern Ireland, products in South Africa, work hours, pensions, reproductive freedom, lgbtq, and Free Palestine. [Wow at the thunder for Free Palestine.] There has been no revolution without poetic expression.” He then connects it back to Mavis Staples and Allison Russell. The actual song is fine, but the urgency is !!!! 

--- Awwww, he thanks by name security and the CARPENTERS!!! That’s a first and strong symbolism. 

Grade: B+/A-


285 -- Nighthawks -- Sunday, August 12, 2022 -- Burke Lake Park -- Fairfax Station, VA

--- On “Save The Last Dance For Me,” Heather Shue hits much lower notes than she did during her virtual concert. Impressive range. Aww at the couple dancing during it. Good for them.

--- “All of Me” by Billie Holiday. Now we’ve gone all the way the other way -- high notes aplenty. She contains multitudes.

--- “Natural Woman” brings me to Melinda Doolittle. Any memory of Melinda is a good memory.

--- Wish I could highlight the other members of the band, as there were some legitimately enjoyable solos. Hard not to talk to Annelle, Barb, Randy, Therese, Katie, Mike, Pam, and Mama Purcell.

--- “Respect”: Mama Purcell says without prompting, “Wow, she’s good.” Her clarity, power, and *ease* was remarkable. I ask Randy and Annelle why this one stands out from the others. Randy’s reply: “She has been drinking wine.” If I drank wine, I’d sound like a duck. She sounds divine. 

Grade: A-



286 – Jazz Trotters – Sunday, April 14, 2024 – Commonwealth Brewing Company – Fairfax, VA

Every Heather Shue show has been a good one, so I really should not have been hesitant this time. My hesitation was that we barely had any time. Brody and Riley had to go swimming not long after the morning concert started, so was it worth going?

As it turned out, absolutely! “The Girl from Ipanema,” Norah Jones’ “Don’t Know Why,” and Ella Fitzgerald’s “Blue Skies” each had different vibes and sounded great. The fact that there were “nothing but blue skies” for us to see on Commonwealth’s outdoor deck added to it. Hearing about all of all of Ari Morrobel’s music-store stores, and she and Ana generously offered us breakfast did as well. 

Plus, on Main Street, which rarely ever has parking, we got a spot right next to our table. What’s not to like?!    

Grade: B+/A-































284 -- Taylor Swift -- Friday, October 13, 2023 -- Angelika Mosaic -- Merrifield, VA

 --- There goes the inevitable “Mr. Verbicar?!” gasp as I walk in. The funniest part: pretty sure the kids assume Joe Kessler is my husband. #BrotherhoodREALLYRedefined

--- Smart to make “Heartbreak Americana” shorter. Makes for a smooth transition.

--- This version of “Cruel Summer” with a 40,000-fan panorama was much more effective than the one I heard on the treadmill…

--- She has eerie Kownacki mannerisms!!!

--- The wordplay and relevance made “The Man” my favorite song of Lover. Joe informs me the video’s also cool.

--- “Shame never made anybody less gay”: true story.

--- Surprise: “Fearless” is by far my favorite so far. Lyrically and melodically, there’s not much to it, but it has a soar and believability I hasn’t realized the Lover tracks lacked.

--- “You Belong With Me”!!!!! I fling my seat back and forth throughout. I am not the only one. 

--- “Love Story” continues the happy unity. [Since the concert, its use in the "Forks" episode of The Bear may be my favorite use of music in a show ever -- well, second to this one!!!!!!]

--- Heh at the “like a 90’s trend” line in “Willow.” The lighting, costumes, and set design are on point. It’s not cheesy Halloween. It’s elegant.

--- Love the “clever/kind” balance and the overall vibe of “marjorie”!!

--- Aww, this is the last city of the tour. Heh, Joe: “Would you describe it as being like an old cardigan?” 

--- Wow at the moss piano beneath an impressively knotty tree. This set design is something else.

--- “Champagne Problems” has way more weight than I remembered. Not a moment forced.

--- “Tolerate It”: pacing!!

--- Heh at the Reputation snake. Kids flipping out for “Ready For It” and “Delicate” is rather disturbing. LOL at the tween chorus of “1, 2, 3, Let’s Go B.” To be fair, Adam Sandler’s car song was a thrill during my era, so it makes sense.

--- “Don’t Blame Me” is entertaining.

--- Hahahaha at the theater screaming “because she’s dead” during “Look What You Made Me Do.” It is a memorable line. 

--- Joe informs me that "Enchanted" is about her relationship with the frontman for Owl City.

--- I had to pee but didn’t want to miss the start of “22”: a good sign!! 

--- Hahahah, bedlam for “22” when I come back!!! Almost better coming in to it than having stayed.

--- “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” is hilarious!!!

--- “I Knew You Were Trouble”’s beats and repeats are crisp.

--- “All Too Well” didn’t merit ten minutes. It’s good and in my wheelhouse, though, so I liked it. I think my slight reservation is its rhythm echoes Kelly Clarkson’s “Sober,” but it can’t measure up to it. If you haven’t heard “Sober,” pause, take a few minutes, and listen. In spirit, Dan O’Hara and James Porter will thank you.

--- Not sure how someone could claim this was a bad concert or film. Mileage may vary based on fandom, but it’s *really* well done.

--- Hahahah, Joe points out that there are now kids dancing directly in front of the screen -- and a few trying to literally touch Taylor.

--- I’m not a great person to judge “Betty.” It’s so rare I like midtempo.

--- “The Last Great American Dynasty” benefits from a shouted line in the middle and more outstanding visuals. Honestly, the best set design of any concert I’ve seen.

--- Wish “Mirrorball” and “Peace” made the folklore cut.

--- 4 F’s so far: for a PG-13?!

--- Maybe her best song title, “My Tears Ricochet”! Solid song too.

--- Joe and I try to remember the acoustic sleeper album coming up. I think it’s 1740; Joe thinks it’s 1492. Apparently it’s 1989

--- “Style” soars more than I remember. 

--- Heh, nice reflection on “nightmare/daydream” during “Blank Space.” Hahaha at the Tron getups and golf clubs.

--- “Shake It Off”!!!! “Bad Blood”: underrated!! The two songs flow into each other so well

--- “Our Song”!!!! Awwwwww at Joe. Singing every single word, slapping his chest, reliving his first Taylor track. It stood out to me by a mile on the first album. “Pen/napkin” is an underrated rhyme.

--- “You’re On Your Own, Kid”: love how smooth it is. If it were an Idol audition song, she’d sail through.

--- The pool dive!!! Joe questions whether she’ll make it through. She does.

--- Hahahah at the chest stroke during “Lavender Haze,” another strong song title.

--- “Anti-Hero”!!! The verses and chorus are so well balanced. Underrated.

--- “Vigilante S---”: uncomfortable, considering the children, but it nails the vibe.

--- Hahahah at the extra credit / grading on a curve in “Bejeweled.” Love the audience participation and the way she says “shimmer.”

--- Haaaaa at the “Knights of Cydonia” intro to “Mastermind.” Joe agrees it fits, as does, in spirit, Mike Vance and Mike Erickson.

--- The credits says the Music Supervisor is David Cook, and the choreographer is Mandy Moore?! (Update --> Apparently they’re definite people haha.)

--- Thank God for “Long Live” off Speak Now. Way better to end on than Midnights.

Grade: A


283 -- The Postal Service -- Wednesday, September 6, 2023 -- The Anthem -- DC

--- “The District Sleeps Alone Tonight”: Heh at the all-white costume change. Interesting that there’s a female co-singer and that the crowd seems more hyped for Postal Service than Death Cab. Hahahahah at everyone flipping out for “DC sleeps”!!! 

--- “Such Great Heights”!!!! Wow, this is straight up better. Remarkable, as the reverse is true on the album. Electronic is superior live.

--- “Sleeping In” / “Nothing Better”: Hahahah at the bass-voiced drummer coming in during “don’t wake me, I plan on sleeping.” The crowd goes wild. The female singer commands the stage. So many different sounds. No lack of color here!!!

--- “Recycled Air”: gah, backslide. Cool autotune riff at the end though.

--- “Clark Gable”’s got a groove back -- slick! Wow, Ben Gibberd is throwing DOWN. Not the guy I remember!!! Love the bonus thumps afterward.

--- “We Will Become Silhouettes”: oooh, cool Chariots of Fire intro music. Wow at the contrast between the guttural and ethereal. Plus the swirl at the end. Whee!!!!

--- “This Place is a Prison”: heh, and now time for a crackly funeral dirge.

--- “Brand New Colony”: “This is a song of unrequited love.” HA, cue plinky Mario music. He then leads the crowd in three earnest coos of “everything will change.” Such layers?!!!

--- “Natural Anthem”: and now they’re blowing the discordant roof off the place. Wild!!

--- During the wait for the encore, a guy shouts “One More Album! One More Album!” HA!

--- “This is a song that Sam Beam stole from the Postal Service. We’re stealing it back.” Awww at the acoustic “Such Great Heights” duet. Beautiful!!! Plus a perfect shift on the last note! HA, he throws his towel in addition to his pick.

--- They end with Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence”: I don’t know the song, but I salute the tribute. Feels right. Lynda Hensley, this one’s for you.

Grade: A+


282 -- Death Cab for Cutie -- Wednesday, September 6, 2023 -- The Anthem -- DC

 --- Wow, the most crowded I’ve ever seen The Anthem. Three levels of packed! 

--- Oooh, "The New Year” has a polish, color, and energy I don’t remember. Everyone’s got electric guitars: another surprise.

--- “Lightness” is back down to earth. It’s one squeaky voice warbling through a song more suited to an album. “How’s everyone doing? Our name is Death Cab for Cutie…Let’s start again. Let’s make this f’ing great.” Hahaha, didn’t see that coming, and it makes the back half of the song rock!!

--- “Expo ‘86”!!! Underrated. Great balance of catch and release. 

--- “The Sound of Settling”: Seth Cohen ftw!! As ever, the disconnect between the rhythm and message is hilarious.

--- Crowd check-in --> I’m about to murder the jabberers to the left of me, woo to the hype man and lyrics woman behind me.

--- Omg, I cannot escape the jabberers. Why did they bother coming? Rage… 

--- WAIT, I escape, slip through several people, and am free of the morons! Just in time to enjoy the rest of…“Transatlanticism” / “Passenger Seat”!!!! The former has more muscle and movements than I remember, and the latter sounds better than ever. In the past, I’ve barely appreciated “Passenger Seat,” but back-to-back, it’s haunting. Well done.

--- “All these songs on the album are little movies of my life, but this next song is about an actual movie: ‘Death of an Interior Decorator.’” Gibberd should probably stick with his own life, as this is a big step down. 

--- Shoutout to opener Lauren Mayberry. “I’d say this is song is dedicated to her, but that’d be kind of f’d up. This is hard record to dedicate songs to.” HA.

--- “We Looked Like Giants”’s got drive! With a tender end. 

--- “A Lack of Color”!!!! I’d always liked the song but never loved it. This time, I LOVED it. The lyrics, flow, and delivery were beautiful. Plus, maracas?! Who knew. I’d worried about ending on what I thought was an uneventful song. Glad I was wrong.

Grade: B+/A-


Friday, June 28, 2024

281 -- Goo Goo Dolls -- Tuesday, August 8, 2023 -- Saratoga Performing Arts Center -- Saratoga Springs, NY

--- HA at John Rzeznik’s immediate “I knew you’d come through” when the audience finishes a line during “Broadway.” Apparently the line about a young man in an old man’s bar is relevant. Hahahahaha: “I might have to sit down for a bit. I hurt my foot. How did I hurt my foot?” Helluva start!!!

--- “Over and Over” is infectious!! This could be a special night.

--- Hahahaha at “so you know this one” for “Slide.” “You’ve gotta sing it with me.” Awww at a couple putting their arms around each other at “put your arms around me.” His voice is atrocious, which goes to show how that’s far from the most important thing for a live performer. It’s about the same as vast content knowledge is for a teacher. 

--- HA: “You all give me hope. The other night in Woodstock, man, they must’ve been on the brown acid, ‘cause they were bumming me out…Get off that phone. Stop ratting me out…Let’s enjoy ourselves for an hour.” More than an hour!!!

--- Aww: (1) The pink-haired guitarist comes over to us during “Big Machine.” (2) Rzeznik’s simple “thank you” when we recognize “Here Is Gone.” (3) The black balloons for “Black Balloon.” Way more than “Poker.” Hahahaha, he ends flinging a balloon!! “Saratoga, come on.”

--- Cool change of pace with Pink leading “January Friend.”

--- “Yeah, I Like You” is a nice breeze song. It doesn’t require Rzeznik to strain his voice, which really helps. Lol at Pink randomly flinging his hands up. He’s got such good vibes.

--- Heh, “Going Crazy” is one of their calmer songs. It continues the positive trend vocally. Really cool rhythm shifts in the back half. My favorite discovery so far!!! HA: “that was a good time.”

--- “Lucky Star”: “this one is super old.” From 1993.

--- Heh, after Pink’s even-worse vocals the previous song, Rzeznik sounds great.

--- “Miracle Pill” has cool keyboard and cackle sections. The second effort after the song and the Johnny Depp charisma kills!!!

--- “So Alive”: totally different kind-of-R+B vibe, and he sounds great?!?!

--- “Sympathy”: HA, “we figured we’d bore you with an acoustic in the middle of a rock show.” NOT BORED!!! 

--- “Lost”: “So I’d like to discuss the future of music. F AI……I’m a hypocrite though because I have this old school AI where we can hear percussionist without having to pay them.” Grateful for the reset towards the end. Heh, “ladies and gentleman, let’s hear it for Tapey.”

--- “Come To Me” has a satisfying insistence to it. An earned arc!!!

--- “Name”!!!! ALIVEEEEEEE. Hahaha at “I’m soaking it all in,” all the interruptions, the instruments, and the sincere soar through the melody.

--- “Long Way Down”: perfect hard-rock counter after “Name.” Has cred.

--- “Run All Night”: HA: “We’re going to do a new one for you. Just pretend you know it.” Solid ballad -- especially the lyrics!

--- Awww: This girl clearly knows this song most others don’t, so he throws his pick at her mid song without losing a kick of momentum!!!! “Well, now you know it.”

--- “Dizzy [Everything You Are]”: ooh, I think it’s different than the album version!!

--- “Life’s A Message”: Heh: “This is a song about life.” Ooh, Pink’s vocals are much better than previous songs. 

--- Same goes for “Bringing on the Light.” Good for him! “It was a place we used to go, right up the road from Buffalo”: awww, in spirit, for Michelle Maxey!! 

--- Sax Jerry from O.A.R. joins for “Give a Little Bit.” These two girls nearly on the lawn giving it their ALL.

--- Heh: “You guys know me and Rob, so we don’t have to play that game.”

--- Thank you for making today a “Better Day”!!! CRESCENDO. Sounds great.

--- “Let Love In”: HA at Rob’s sincerity. Woo at the chorus and the build. The fact that he can make fun of stepping up on his Good Charlotte emo bar” mid song without breaking stride or momentum is incredible!!!!

--- “Won’t Back Down”: I want the night to continue.

--- “Iris”!!!!! Does. Brody. Proud.

Grade: A+


280 -- O.A.R. -- Tuesday, August 8, 2023 -- Saratoga Performing Arts Center -- Saratoga Springs, NY

 --- “Love and Memories”! Them being the opening band and not being in Maryland is depressing. It’s impossible, however, to have “LAM” without at least one exclamation point. 

--- “Gotta Be Wrong Sometimes” is a brilliant way to counteract the opening band blues!! Pick a lesser-known song that draws everyone in. Make it all about the music. I APPROVE. The sax is so light and breezy. Perfect for a 71-degree summer night in Saratoga Springs.

--- Awww, Marc Roberge reps Rockville, MD and seems to look at me when I mega point!!

--- Wooo, some people across the way know “Night Shift” lyrics -- I’m not alone!! Cool dueling electric solos. I haven’t seen them do this version before.

--- “I Go Through”: another smooth, moving song I’ve somehow never heard?! Love the intro in which he explained that they built their way up in 8th grade playing original music like this in the school cafeteria! Brief sweet vocal harmony with the saxophonist.

--- “Shattered”!!! Yes, awesome Rockville-worthy guy in front of me who’s seen them four times before, they do in fact “kick f’ing a--.” I’m tempted to text James about how underrated they are. Please play The 9:30 Club. Soon.

--- “Architect” is eh.

--- “Black Rock”: Aww at Roberge casually putting his hand on one guitarist’s shoulder before a solo and chatting up the other mid song. Connection.

--- “On My Way”: the first half is lackluster; the second half SHINES. It comes to a stop, adds an acoustic plink, and goes from there!!

--- “I feel like this song is good for a horse race. You’ll see what I mean in a few minutes.” He individualized for Saratoga!!! Heh, fitting for the title “This Town.”

--- Aww, shoutout to the lawn and the historic venue.

--- “Peace” should have been placed after a wilder song to have a greater impact.

--- “Heaven” fared better because it has more energy, a cool keyboard section, an extended last note, and the best sax of the night!!

--- “Hey Girl”!!!! The first song they ever made a video for, for about $7, appeared to be the first video ever made by a band…….and they’re able to make it new. Solos from the sax, keyboard, and TAIKA WAITITI ON THE MANDOLIN add new life.

--- A hilariously puny deck of cards can’t stop “Poker”!!!

Grade: B+/A-


279 -- Jason Isbell -- Wednesday, August 2, 2023 -- Wolftrap -- Vienna, VA

--- Plinky, moody opening with “Save The World,” a track that stood out on the new Weathervanes album. Nice choice.

--- Surprisingly, the documentary Running With Our Eyes Closed made me less into Isbell into heading into Wolftrap. Fortunately, the gorgeous weather and jog through the Barns immediately made up for it. Also, great title.

--- “King of Oklahoma” is enhanced by a quick electric riff halfway through. Then by a bigger one that definitely wasn’t on the album!!

--- “Dreamsicle”!!!! The song itself is a triumph: clear vocal, piercing lyrics, and the best backstory from the documentary. It’s enhanced by the Captain America I’m sitting next to tapping ME to tell me he usually doesn’t improv this early. Toto, I’m not In Chaminade anymore…

--- Hahaha: “Kenneth hits the gong. He only does it once because if he does, he’s hitting the gong. If it’s more than once, he’s playing the gong, which you definitely don’t want to do.”

--- “Death Wish” is a satisfying red rip. The streak continues.

--- “Strawberry Woman” is a step down, though I dig the Baltimore accordion.

--- “Last of My Kind”!!!! Exquisite first half. The sound, lyrics, and story need no adornment. Everyone embraces the jam in the second half, a beautiful descent into silence. So tender. 

--- “Stockholm” should have stayed in Sweden.

--- “White Beretta” references Memphis. That’s its only woo.

--- “Middle of the Morning” has a vocal power the last two lacked. Legit woo!!

--- Non-Marvel guy to my right is most looking forward to “Honeysuckle Blues.” My wish list is “Alabama Pines” and “24 Frames.” I’ll probably only get “24 Frames.”

--- “Overseas” has an edge from the start. Not spectacular, but yes.

--- “Good job, Chad. Good job on the drums. Gotta be specific.”!!

--- “Alabama Pines”!!!! Simple, thrilling – especially since Non Marvel said “there you go” immediately, for me, for the concert.

--- “Elephant” is super intense lyrically, and I have to look it up after!! The insistent acoustic plucking halfway through adds to it. Could Isbell become a poor man’s Wilco for me? Not quite, but miles better than the doc.

--- Love how he introduces each band member right after a song. Not just dumped together. Everyone gets their due. Speaking of…

--- “Honeysuckle Blues”!!!! Different vibe, unrestrained rock. KILLED IT.

--- Speaking of a different vibe… “Cast Iron Skillet”: the crowd doesn’t know this new acoustic number, but the vocal is *crisp.* There’s a little guitar lilt underneath that improves the sound.

--- “Miles”!!! Stood out in one listen on the album. Gets a deserved BELLOW here. Love the shift in and out of Zeppelin.

--- “Cover Me Up”!!!! An outstanding song. Made more so by, fingers crossed, his stable recovery. Glad he listened to Cap.

--- “24 Frames”: surprisingly midtempo, but “if God was an architect” is a strong hook, and “glad you got that”(!!!)

--- “If We Were Vampire”: LYRICS, BRO. Wow.

--- Aww, I hadn’t noticed an ASL interpreter. Nice.

--- “This Ain’t It”: not necessarily a final song, but enjoyable. HA at the guitar chat towards the end.

Overall, way better than expected. Also love that people are talking about albums on the way back!

Grade: B+/A-


278 -- Dispatch with National Symphony Orchestra -- Friday, July 21, 2023 -- Wolftrap -- Vienna, VA

 --- This half empty pit on a Friday night is weird -- as is seats in a pit in general. Wolftrap gives most of its members seats automatically, so . . . the pit should be its own thing.

--- Um, how do you start with “Windylike”? Weak.

--- At least the couple next to me is cool. They’re about to see Bruce for the first time ever, and they saw The Avett Brothers at Red Rocks for three straight nights.

--- “Curse + Crush” is better. Cool falsetto section from the other guitarist.

--- Yay, reggae finally gets people out of their seats!! “Other Side.” Hahaha, I wonder if the limp openers were a slow play. Jamming with the orchestra now sounds amazing. “How about that orchestra?” Indeed.

--- “Only the Wild Ones”!!! So smoooooth.

--- “Rice Water”: I’m shocked they’re picking so many songs from one album, not even their most recent album. I like the song, but it’s curious that they’d include another one like this, as there will clearly be many superior ones they’ll leave out.

--- “Thank you for supporting us all our career. Being surrounded the past few days by the National Symphony Orchestra reminds us how truly important the performing arts are.”

--- “Came for the Fire” is intriguing. It’s off Location 13, a 2018 album I somehow missed! The song has solid drive and echoey vocals. 

--- Hahaha, from the crowd: “Woo, bongoes are out.”

--- “Past The Falls” / “Seasons: Movement 3”!!! Perfect choice for an orchestra. Some might be bored; I’m thrilled.

--- “Walk With You” has quiet power, given the history!!! Brad’s voice also sounds crystal clear. “He wrote for his senior thesis. He needed a flute solo. This is the first time we’ve performed live since 1996”!!! 

--- “We’d like to acknowledge the Piscataway tribe, for their cultivation of this land.”

--- “Flag,” another song I barely know, is excellent. Such command of the vibe!! Heh at the trumpet soloist Josh Coughlin being such an introvert. 

--- Heh: (1) Just realized Chad and Brad are both in bare feet. (2) “Playing in front of 50 musicians off this caliber…is intimidating.” 

--- Aww, shout-out to music teachers — and teachers in general. “It’s been a tough few years for you.”

--- “Out Loud”!!!! SO LOOSE. Brad’s hit a helluva note, and I love JR Reilly, the new Dave Grohl.

--- “Bang Bang”: awwwww, Mama Stokes is singled out in the crowd three rows from me. She has more Dispatch cassettes than anyone in history. Lol at Brad trying to lead the crowd in snaps. Oooh, cool weaving in and out of The Grateful Dead’s “Friend of the Devil.” They’re playing multiple instruments on their own — their own orchestra!!!

--- “This is one of the most beautiful venues we’ve been to. For people that call it your backyard, you’re lucky.”

--- Clever transition to CCR’s “Looking My Back Door.” “This goes out to everyone on the lawn.” *Chad messes up.* “This still goes out to everyone on the lawn.”

--- “Flying Horses”!!!! New appreciation for Brad’s harmonica. 

--- “Skin The Rabbit”’s got swagger. Oooh, full-on electric at the end!!

--- “All This Time,” off their new Break This Fall album: “Here’s a song we have never played live ever. Why not debut it with a 70-person NSO?” Mostly midtempo, but I like the slow transition sections, and I’m glad they made someone’s day by putting it out there. Dark finish.

--- “Thoughts and Prayers” song is haunting. “We honestly wish we never had to write this song.” They’re closing their eyes like me!!! Numbers on the ground at the end.

--- “The General”: hahaha at the guy in the crowd who’s been tame the whole time who’s flipping out. Wooo at all the changes and the NSO conductor conducting the crowd!!! 

--- Awwwww: (1) “I’d like to thank my parents for staying the whole time.” (2) “We’ve been playing music for a long time, and for us to have a first [playing with the NSO], it makes us want to start playing music all over again.”

--- “Letter to Lady J”!!!! Brad’s dancing — and jumping — at my height?! Wild mix of grave message and sparkly sound?! So memorable.

--- Hahaha: (1) Them covering “Crazy Train.” (2) The difference in Chad and Brad’s expressions: so light and heavy. (3) The two of them sitting on the ground leaning in to listen to the bass play. (4) This being the first time Ozzy Osborne ever had a NSO violin solo!!!

Grade: A-