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?!
--- 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.
--- 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.
--- “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.
--- 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.
--- “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.
--- “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.
--- 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.
--- “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.
--- 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.”
--- “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!!!!
--- “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.
--- “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”!!!
--- 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.
--- 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”(!!!)
Wilco, The White Stripes, Dispatch, Muse, The Shins, Guster, Jimmy Eat World, Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Ok Go, Foo Fighters, The New Rockers, Bruce Springsteen, Lifehouse, Nada Surf, Death Cab for Cutie, Modest Mouse, REM, Alkaline Trio, Alkaline Trio, Bruce Sprinsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, The Offspring, Jack Johnson, Foo Fighters, Counting Crows, Ben Folds, Weezer, Cake, Alkaline Trio, Rise Against, Coldplay, The Who, Smashing Pumpkins, AC/DC, Oasis, The Killers, Kings of Leon, Jimmy Eat World, Ben Kweller, Tokyo Police Club, Girl Talk, Modest Mouse, Flogging Molly, David Cook, Death Cab for Cutie, Kings of Leon, Sister Hazel, The Decemberists, Alkaline Trio, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Tv on the Radio, Wilco, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp, Willie Nelson, Blink 182, Weezer, Taking Back Sunday, Rise Against, Green Day, Jet, The Bravery, Blink 182, Weezer, Ben Folds, U2, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, The Get Up Kids, Bob Dylan, The Pixies, Weezer, Rock and Cole, Rise Against, Arctic Monkeys, Muse, Alkaline Trio, Spoon, Ben Folds, Nada Surf, Vampire Weekend, The Protomen, Phoenix, Weezer, Arcade Fire, Spoon, The Presidents of the United States of America, Live, Naughty by Nature, Everclear, Third Eye Blind, Billy Idol, Rock and Cole, Wilco's Jeff Tweedy, Gogol Bordello, Girl Talk, Jimmy Eat World, Bon Jovi, DJ Pauly D, Carbon Leaf, Dropkick Murphys, Girl Talk, The Strokes, Lupe Fiasco, Rise Against, Alkaline Trio, Jack's Mannequin, Guster, Wilco, Smashing Pumpkins, Givers, Ra Ra Riot, Wu Lyf, Foo Fighters, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Rock and Cole, O.A.R., The Black Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Nada Surf, Guster, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Wilco, Motley Crue, Kiss, Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, Bruce Springsteen, Alabama Shakes, Nas, ZZ Top, Jack White, Nas, Skrillex, Dispatch, Passion Pit, Of Monsters and Men, Rock and Cole, Fun., Mumford and Sons, Elliott Yamin, Crystal Bowersox, Rockapella ft. Carmen Sandiego, Alkaline Trio, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Grizzly Bear, The XX, Bruno Mars, Beyonce, Guster, Ben Folds Five, BN Ladies, American Idol Season 12 Tour, Jimmy Eat World, Imagine Dragons, The Flaming Lips, Franz Ferdinand, Alkaline Trio, Alkaline Trio, Elton John, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Kanye West, Rock and Cole, Rebelution, Young The Giant, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Alabama Shakes, Ben Folds, Queen ft. Adam Lambert, New Politics, Paramore, Fall Out Boy, Phillip Phillips, OAR, Arcade Fire, Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band, Black Keys, Carrie Underwood, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen, Rihanna, Eminem, Taking Back Sunday, Ben Folds, Dave Matthews Band, Mumford and Sons, Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Rise Against, OAR, Christina Perri, Ed Sheeran, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick Lamar, Givers, Straight No Chaser, Melinda Doolittle, Muse, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Guns 'n Roses, Paul Simon, Panic! At the Disco, Weezer, Tony Bennett, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Weird Al Yankovich, Bruce Springsteen, Adele, Jimmy Eat World, Green Day, Explosions in the Sky, Wilco, Rise Against, Dispatch, Jimmy Eat World, Incubus, Sister Hazel, Regina Spektor, Ben Folds, Roger Waters, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Colony House, Mutemath, Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Haley Reinhart, Dispatch, Franz Ferdinand,U2, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Eat World, Game of Thrones: Live Concert Experience, The Pixies, Weezer, Gary Clark Jr., Muse, Snow Patrol. Ben Platt, The Rolling Stones, Ra Ra Riot, Jimmy Eat World, Third Eye Blind, and The Mountain Goats, Sonic Castaways, Jeremy Eliot, Norah Jones, Mavis Staples, Katy Perry, Wilco, Nada Surf, Jazz Trotters, Foo Fighters, Guster, Rise Against, Sleater-Kinney, Wilco, The Eagles, Noah Kahan, Laughing Colors, Up All Night, Guster, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Dave Tieff, Rage Against The Machine, Franz Ferdinand, Dispatch, O.A.R., The Killers, Broken Social Scene, 'Bruce Springsteen' at Paul Verbesey's 'Surprise' Party, Arcade Fire, Noah Kahan, The Struts, Spoon, Jimmy Eat World, Straight No Chaser, Van Morrison [Newmyer Flyer], Bruce Springsteen [Newmyer Flyer], Colony House, Bruce Springsteen, Bruce Springsteen, Lauryn Hill, Dispatch, Jason Isbell, OAR, Goo Goo Dolls, Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, Hozier, John Legend, Wilco, Ben Platt, Joan Jett, Alanis Morissette, The Doors, David Bowie, Grateful Dead, Talking Heads, The Hives, Foo Fighters, Fitz and the Tantrums, O.A.R., Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Dinosaur Jr., The Flaming Lips, Weezer, Tonic, Violent Femmes, Girl Talk, Jimmy Eat World, Liz Phair, Dispatch, Rise Against, Bob Dylan, Laughing Colors, AC/DC, Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band. [Recaps still to come for Dashboard Confessional, Goo Dolls, and James Taylor.]
Upcoming Shows
Ian Tongi (Saturday, November 1, The Hamilton – DC). [There's literally never been a single entry on the Upcoming Shows list. If you have a good one in mind, lemme know.]
