264 -- Broken Social Scene -- Friday, October 14, 2022 -- 9:30 Club -- DC

It was great to see Ben Marzouk in person for the first time in a while – and to finally meet Wes. I loved hearing how much Broken Social Scene had meant to Wes over the years. 

Below are some live reactions… 

--- In my many 9:30 Club shows, I’ve never been on the left side before. It’s not a huge difference, but it was cool to discover the massive album collection they have in the back left. 

--- I recognize “KC Accidental” immediately. It’s a smart start: driving, upbeat, with a melody. As Ben points out, the trumpet and trombone make a difference.

--- “Stars and Sons”: weakkk vocal, strong instrumentals, especially the extended multi-instrument riff at the end.

--- “Almost Crimes”: including female vocals make it a whole new ball game!! Love how she holds out the mic. I can’t believe I thought this was lackluster on the album. The extended dark electric riff contrast so well with her vocals. Could be renamed “Mrs. Brightside.”

--- “Looks Just Like The Sun”: At first I thought it was sleepy. It works really well though: the trumpet, the woman’s autotune, and as Ben said, “the layering.”

--- “Pacific Theme”: Heh, the trombone steals the song. Love how the electric guitarist points to him like, “Dude’s got it.”

--- “Cause = Time”: solid, spacy swirl. I like the way it keeps moving in and out. Chill.

--- “7/4 [Skyline]”: “One of the best things in my life is when I get to sing this is with her -- friends since summer camp back in the day.” She’s clearly the secret weapon. Ben: “I love the way they layer in her voice.”

--- “Fire Eye’d Boy”: stays in the same basic spot, but it’s a good spot.

--- Ooh, I like the shift to plink. “Shampoo Suicide”!!! Never heard of it, friggin’ love it. The simplicity of the vocal: haunting. “All the lights we were.” Now it’s video game boops and beeps?!  Drags on a bit, but still a high point.

--- “I’m Still Your Fag”: interesting intro, excellent contrast, quiet trombone FTW.

--- Aww, nice shout-out to 9:30 and all they went through during the pandemic.

--- Heh, I think they’re mocking the idea of them having to trot out “Sweetest Kill,” a hit. If that’s what they’re implying, I agree. Doesn’t go much of anywhere…

--- Awww, the band just took a selfie for someone in the front row.

--- Ummm, this psychopath in front of Wes chided him for quietly talking about a film in between songs. I’m the first person to get angry when people are jabbering on about the weather mid songs because they think anything slow or quiet is boring. This was between songs though, and from her distance, he was straight-up whispering. Nuts. Plus, she expressed it in this aggressive, entitled, disgusted manner that in no way fit the ‘crime.’ Some people…

--- “Lover’s Spit”: outstanding spare keyboard intro and BUILD!! Ben’s bouncing. The trombone’s slidddding. Ben nails it again: “love when songs meander like that.”

--- We can’t hear something from the crowd that was repeated. Hard to hear over all of Wes’ shouting…

--- “It’s All Gonna Break” is an apparent rarity that’s loud without a clear melody. I did like unexpected drum blasts near the end.

--- To me, the slight “Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old” is an odd choice for a closer. Overall, though, I enjoyed the show and the chance to bond.  

Grade: B+

263 -- The Killers -- Monday, October 10, 2022 -- Capital One Arena -- DC

--- “My Soul’s Warning”: a confetti cannon on the first song? Well, that’s a first!! Not my favorite song, but woo at the way he bellows “I just want to get back to where you are.” Plus, the place he inserts “DC” is perfect. Danny’s arms are everywhere.

--- “When You Were Young”!!!! The place is vibrating. And we’re on song two.

--- “The Way It Was”: a step down, but I love the way Brandon Flowers is having a dialogue with an arena. He’s workin’ it, all Bavoso sweat, spurring the crowd to join him lyric for lyric on a lesser-known song.

--- “DC, how the hell are you? The leaves have begun to blush. Damn right, you’re alright. Service to others is the way to get to heaven. And I don’t know about you, but that’s where we want to go.” Well that was an interesting mix of vibes, lol.

--- “Smile Like You Mean”!! HA, Danny is videoing every song. The song’s simple drive is effective.

--- “Shot at the Night”: aww, he’s now leading the crowd in waves.

--- “Cody”: eh.

--- “Human” / “Spaceman” / “Somebody Told Me”!!!!! First, “Human” is a technical marvel. The use of a giant human-dancer Advent calendar was inspired. Superb choreography. Next, the pace of “Spaceman” is go-for-broke. Such power. Finally, the faith in “Somebody Told Me” is justified. No pyrotechnics needed, it’s that strong. Love Danny’s tearful lies. She said earlier in the night she wouldn’t yell to preserve her throat. #Nope :)

--- Awww at my conversation with a guy across from me: “I like your energy. It adds to it…I like your energy. It adds to it. I saw you closing your eyes earlier, and it made me smile.” !!!

--- “Fire in Bone”: the second orange confetti is lackluster and feels desperate.

--- “Boy,” their new single: I dig its insistent electric.

--- Heh: “Some of you may not know that over Covid, The Killers made a country record. Hear me out though, hear me out.” Nice.

--- “A Dustland Fairytale”: back in business!!! Aww: I say “here we go” to Danny at the rhythm change. I then realize that Brody says the same thing!

--- “I First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack: wow, Flowers’ voice is so clear.

--- “Runaways”!! His energy corrals the crowd – as does the slow to a crawl at the end.

--- “Read My Mind”: underrated -- so smooth!!! Plus, the guitar solo, backdrop, and random “Lean On Me” insert.

--- I like “Dying Breed”’s racing-through-Vegas visual, and that’s one of my favorite titles. “Caution” continues the cool-title trend: i.e. “throwing caution to the wind.” Oooh, sparklers.

--- “All These Things That I’ve Done”!!!! That confetti cannon was EARNED. The number of ways they playyyyed with the chorus was inspired. They may not find it fun anymore, but they sure made us believe they did.

--- “Just Another Girl”: heh, switches to a satin green shirt for the encore.

--- “It’s my favorite part of the night. I get to welcome Johnny Marr out on the stage.” Wow, from The Smiths!!! “You Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby.” Yeah they have.

--- The “Mr. Brightside” fakeout for the ages!!!!! Brandon Flowers punk’d everyone with this plinky, artsy, disco version at first. If that had been it, it would have been understandable, a way for band members to branch out and not feel rote.

It wouldn’t have satisfying though. By including both and pretending to leave right after the first one, they BLEW THE ROOF OFF. I can’t think of a more ferocious moment at an arena. I’d seen Rage Against The Machine there days earlier, and this felt fiercer.

--- Danny, unprompted, in the metro parking lot afterward: “I could not have imagined this. If you had told me when I first heard ‘Human’ in Oaxaca that I would have experienced what I did tonight, I would never have believed you. It’s a dream come true.”

Grade: A+

262 -- O.A.R. -- Friday, August 26, 2022 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen many concerts -- including a fair number of A+ shows.  I have never seen a more balanced, two-equal-partners extravaganza than the one Dispatch and OAR put on this night at Merriweather. 

Danny and I started as huge Dispatch fans. We were really anxious about O.A.R. because, on albums, Danny hadn’t liked their sound. 

We left in awe of both bands. It may have been the best memory we shared during her year-and-a-half in the United States.  

Adding to the euphoria was the guy in front of us. He was dancing, jumping, having the time of his life – in what was the only his second concert ever?! His first concert, just days before? Pitbull! Talk about variety! In 260 previous shows, I’ve never asked to follow up with someone after a show, but it only felt right here. The bond was that strong, and the site seemed to offer genuine value to him, at the start of the concert life. He agreed and added his Instagram.

So, without further ado, Jo, Danny, and everyone else, here’s the live blog of the O.A.R. set:  

--- I’m about to murder those who jabber through the bands’ video on mass incarceration. No respect.

--- “Inside Out”: lackluster start. His voice remains crystal clear though.

--- “Black Rock”: lol at the trumpet guy dancing. Lol at the cocky, gum-chewing electric guitarist. Heh at the ‘tough’ repetition of ‘rockkk.’ Fun.

--- “Revisited”: The most unified and moving of their songs so far. I like how every band member sings parts. They believe.

--- “About Mr Brown”!!!  Absolute unity. 

--- “Destination" [including "Fire on the Mountain" by The Grateful Dead]: Sickkk trumpet solo.

--- Awww, “I want to talk to you all, but I also wanna just play music.” That’s the tension, man.

--- “About An Hour Ago”: The first song they ever recorded. I am currently jumping for a keyboardist!! It’s also satisfying that they recorded it in Kensington, MD, site of my 70-plus surprise proposal!! 

--- “Shattered”!!!!! The largest crowd I have ever seen at Merriweather giving it their ALL. No one person has the same reaction.

--- “Miss You All The Time”: super tender. The trumpet man SINGS. I honestly can’t remember this many solos and this much interaction by a band before.

--- “Look at this crowd. Look at what’s been done to Merriweather. Congrats, man.”

--- “It’s great to be with G Love and Dispatch, just hanging out and playing music.”

--- “Ring of Fire”!!!! I scream for Annelle. 

--- Hahahahahaha at a random blue-shirted gray-haired man wandering in with a guitar during “Hey Girl” and killing it. Then the charge across the stage and trumpet solo of all time!!!!! Even he’s tired after. Heh, appreciate the attempt, saxophonist. 

--- “All Because of You” is a nice chance to breath.

--- “Love and Memories”!!!!! Top-shelf adaptation. Just as catchy, wildly inventive.

--- “Night Shift”: Jesus, more newness. The darkness from the bassist is a total surprise. Hahahaha at “3am and I’ve gotta go to bed.” FEELS THAT LATE. In the best possible way. His voice is…*regal.* Danny compares it to the band Magic otra vez. Don’t take my lack of exclamation points as a lack quality. It deserves at least three.

--- Awww, an obscure request from a fan, “We’ll Pick Up Where We Left Off.” Fitting as life comes back after Covid. Ideal palate cleanser before “Poker.”

--- “Peace” into “Poker”!!!! Calm. Madness.

--- In the words of Nadine Curley Verbesey, “these are…” Yep, mom, these are the good times. 

--- Then the roar heard round the world – or at least 2,500 miles away in Oaxaca. I realize they’re playing “With Or Without You” before Danny does. (Thanks, Americans.) The second she realizes they’re covering her all-time-favorite band, she ROARS. It’s a scream, a cry, a collapse, a flashbulb memory!!!!! 

--- So glad, Danny, Jo, and thousands of others were able to experience this night. To borrow from O.A.R.’s final cover, if this were the end of the world as we know, I’d…feel…fine.

Grade: A+

261 -- Dispatch -- Friday, August 26, 2022 -- Merriweather Post Pavilion -- Columbia, MD

Over the past 15 years, I’ve seen many concerts -- including a fair number of A+ shows. I have never seen a more balanced, two-equal-partners extravaganza than the one Dispatch and OAR put on this night at Merriweather. 

Danny and I started as huge Dispatch fans. We were really anxious about O.A.R. because, on albums, Danny hadn’t liked their sound. 

We left in awe of both bands. It may have been the best memory we shared during her year-and-a-half in the United States.  

Adding to the euphoria was the guy in front of us. He was dancing, jumping, having the time of his life – in what was the only his second concert ever?! His first concert, just days before? Pitbull! Talk about variety! In 260 previous shows, I’ve never asked to follow up with someone after a show, but it only felt right here. The bond was that strong, and the site seemed to offer genuine value to him, at the start of the concert life. He agreed and added his Instagram.

So, without further ado, Jo, Danny, and everyone else, here’s the live blog of the  Dispatch set:  

--- Pre-show: HA at the ticket taker telling me my shirt was giving him “Green Lantern vibes.” Was he talking about the comic book character or Taylor Howard’s DC haunt? Probably the former, but his own vibe suggested it could be the latter… 

--- “Passerby”: “It’s been too long since you’ve been around.” Clever choice of lyrics to welcome us back. Awesome new earth section. Heh, now it’s guitar battle. And Danny immediately smiles when I mention ‘reggae.’  Great start!

--- “Break Our Fall”: a genuinely strong new strong. Heh, Chad’s little kick is infectious — as is the song!

--- Awwww at this woman telling me “you must be a Dispatch fan; I like you”!!! The crowd is super stacked towards O.A.R., so this is great to hear. She was jealous of my MSG Last Dispatch experience: my third show ever! She and her husband have been listening to them since the late 90s. They couldn’t afford the concert during the Zimbabwe era – plus they had young kids. Now they can go!!!

--- “Open Up” is a step down. Strong story, not-as-strong rhythm.

--- Wow, Tommy, the subject of “Only The Wild Ones” was in the mud lawn at Merriweather last time they performed here?!

--- “Painted Yellow Lines” is a waste of a song given such a deep catalog. To be fair, in the moment, though, I dug it.

--- “Bang Bang” is super silly fun!! HA at the laid-back rhythm, rapid-fire rap, and guitar jam this time. Wooo at the crowd being so into it.

--- “Beto”: Wow, a song I’ve somehow never heard. Features Spanish. “Beto la Pura.” Dedicated to his sister in Denver for her 50th birthday.

--- “Flying Horses”!!!! Immediate transportation back to MSG. Bounce bounce bounceeee.

--- Creedence Clearwater Revival is an inspired choice for the people on the lawn i.e. "Looking Out My Back Door."

--- “Elias”!!!!! Sym. Bi. Osis.

--- “The General”!!!!! They just transformed it into a completely different song. The trumpet man is on a goddamn mission. Unreal.

--- “Letter to Lady J”!!!!! Pure joy. The lyrics, the livvvveneas of it all. Cojo dolores de la cabeza. Danny jumps; I plant; the world spins.

--- These were O.A.R. fans. Who became Dispatch fans.

--- I have no words for five minutes. This is Bruce territory. 

--- How is this your second concert ever, Jo? Thanks for adding to the greatness.

Grade: A+

260 -- Franz Ferdinand -- Friday, August 12, 2022 -- 9:30 Club -- DC

--- “Lucid Dreams” adds unexpected lights; “Jacqueline” adds Alex Kapranos’ full-body kicks! 

--- “Always Ascending” never ascends.

--- “I love playing The 9:30 Club.” We love you playing here. Well, Danny doesn’t, since it’s far from her favorite band, and she can barely see the stage. [Should have realized the height issue months later when prepping for Noah Kahan…]

--- “Evil Eye” features a ton of funky, playful call-and-response light work. Somehow it’s my favorite so far?!

--- THE FIGHT!!! There’s literally a fight in the audience, and the band stops the whole show. That’s a first. The band isn’t thrilled by the fight, but it’s a huge boost for the next song. When they restart, “Do You Want To” EXPLODES. So high-energy!!! Woo at the “lucky lucky” response section.

--- “Dark Side of the Matinee” loses a bit live. Brilliant song though. 

--- “Walk Away”!!! So well-paced. A rare song tonight that I leave with *more* appreciation for.

--- “Billy Goodbye”: At least Danny liked my Brody-esque “what is DAT” to the clangy malaise of it all.

--- “Love Illumination”!!!! It fully survives any stress. So damn good — especially the hammy two-guitar interplay. DANNY CLAPS. “The Fallen” keeps the energy going.

--- “Take Me Out”!!! The core lick and the crowd are killers. Unprompted applause from Danny.

--- “Michael” has a cool auto tune effect this time. And a killer jag that gets Danny swaying -- also a laugh at “el mismo del album.”

--- “Stand on the Horizon”!!! Love how spacey and different it is -- and that we actually prepped it on the way here. Danny claps longer than I do!

--- Random drum session?! Lol. Again, Danny with a more vocal reaction.

--- “Ulysses”: solid.

--- “This Fire” is fire – and Danny appreciates it!!!

Grade: B+

259 -- Rage Against the Machine -- Thursday, August 3, 2022 -- Capital One Arena -- DC

--- Looking into upcoming concerts at the box office before the show was brutal. Every ticket was a billion dollars and/or unavailable.

--- Surprised to see a former coworker walk past me in the upper deck and genially curse me out when I ask him if he’s seen Rage before. I should have expected it from him, and he meant it to be a joke, but still…

--- Heh, there’s a “Public Service Announcement” about something burning. 

--- The passion from the band and crowd is amazing. And yet…….the rhythm, delivery, and profanity is so monotonous, I can’t connect.

--- The same issue for the second song. Serious props to the Upper Deck crowd though -- they are killin’ it. Moving and pumping at everything.

--- “Bulls on Parade”!! Infinitely better rhythm, infinitely better song.

--- “Bullet in the Head”!!!! What I said for “Bulls”…but DOUBLE. I’m involuntarily launched from my seat. Outstanding variation. Omg, the guitarist is playing the guitar with his teeth. Who is he, Hendrix?!

--- “Testify”: smart change of pace. The closest they get to funk -- and restraint.

--- “No Shelter”: back to forgettable.

--- “Take The Power Back”: greater vocal clarity -- and awesome escalating feedback halfway through!  Oooh, a genuine downshift with “no more lies” pays such dividends!!! Makes the “take it back” finale electric. 

--- “Guerilla Radio”: Mike Vance memories!! https://share.icloud.com/photos/05393FjUy0bgpHoJQwInE_Jag

--- “Down Rodeo”: Intriguing jerk-motion sound and cool slow-down.

--- “Know Your Enemy,” “Calm Like A Bomb”: solid. 

--- “So many people coming together from different backgrounds. We’re in for the fight of our lives.” Disappointingly, he only mentions neofascists and child labor. Does he not want to alienate certain fans?

--- Tearrrrr at this version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Ghost of Tom Joad.” It’s so sad because the Bruce / Tom Morello combination is incredible -- better than Bruce’s original! This version indistinguishable from most of their other songs. Instead of a thoughtful, layered escalation of anger, we hear sonic sludge. So disappointing.

--- “Killing In The Name”!!! Back to form. EVERYONE GOES NUTS. [Including, in spirit, Meagan O'Neill.] Wild guitar solo as well. Whoa: LIGHTS ON. Great way to end. https://share.icloud.com/photos/064DMuJE5zyeF-SrbDaKp98Dg

Grade: B+

258 -- Dave Tieff -- Saturday, June 25, 2022 -- The Allgeier Backyard -- Baldwin, MD

 --- “Solution”: I’m shocked how few people are paying attention. I can already tell though; this will be great. The way he’s…scratching?...the guitar grabs me. By the end of the song, people are falling in line. Legends build their own arenas. 

--- “When you’re done doing her, can you come hook a brother up?” HA.

--- “Clear Blue” has such soul. The stop-and-starts a la “Buddy Holly” have a real kick.

--- Hahahaha at Angie requesting “All Day Long” and Dave Tieff not knowing it.

--- Heh at his “Country Song.” Solid inflection on “my balls” and creative cluck-cluck section. “But she could suck a possum through ten feet of garden hose.” Lol.

--- Backup singer Dave Tieff did a solid job on “Roll Into The Light” -- especially the low, quiet section halfway through. It’s undeniable though: Angie Bryl owns the song.

--- Hahaha at Daryn showing him “All Day Long” on the phone. Still nothing lol. He says not knowing makes him look bad, but to me, it’s endearing.

--- “Head Wide Open”: Kevyn’s request. Such a tender rendition.

--- “Isn’t he so charismatic and talented?” “Yeah.” “I want to get inside you. You’re so bizarre.”

--- Angie requests 90s alternative, which leads to…“Jumper”! Aww, Hark and every last person there is singing. Good choice, Dave. 

--- Something new for me: “Plush” by Stone Temple Pilots.

--- Alice In Chains request, from Kevyn: “I find it repeating in my head.” Who knew he had that falsetto?!!!

--- I ask Dave and the crowd, “Is this Kevyn’s 40th birthday or my 38th?” Well, glad I know what I’m doing when I’m 40!!!! [Update: the hourly rate and travel rate to book Tieff for a party makes it unlikely I’ll book him for my own 40th birthday. I’m thankful though that Kevyn and Lisa invited me to this show!]

--- The way he says “You’re asking me to try I am” breaks me into pieces. Hahahaha at the muted “shut your mouth.” Nick Oben would be proud! Solid progression to high energy halfway through.

--- Heh at all the acronyms in “Don’t Tell The CIA.” Laurie Keith declares, “This is a fun one.” I agree. 

--- “Do I have to do the other version? No. Well, I’m going to do it anyway.” He lives to serve.

--- I told Dave of my Poetry Club deadbeats and how he was a talentless hack. It went well. :)

--- Another full-yard chorus for “Wonderwall.”

--- Awww at Angie and Tom in sync for every word of “Ten Thousand Miles”!! Heh at Dave pausing to ask “how’s the cake?” and then shifting seamlessly back to sincerity. Pro!!!!

--- Hahahaha at our topical Tipper Gore riff, “we don’t need no education,” and “another 12-15 years, Orioles will be right back in this.” 

--- Now he’s on a hilarious/meaningful riff about taking risks and experiencing things for yourself. Amen.

--- All the singers come out --> Hark for Buffalo Springfield’s “Stop Children, What’s That Sound,” Tom for the start of “Sense,” and Tom and Angie together for the back half!!!! 

--- Sublime’s “What I’ve Got” and “Cyrus Column” are worthy finales. 

--- Best night in a backyard since camping at Welch’s house in West Virginia – since college.

Grade: A