I love going on a music related vacation. My trip to NOLA was long overdue and the music part of my vacation was really just the icing on the cake. Here’s my breakdown by day.
Friday, 10/24
(Mars Volta from Main Stage)
Didn’t get there until later in the day - I had seen a bunch of the bands on the schedule so no one we were dying to see. Started off at the WWOZ/SoCo stage (after getting a Sparks* - hey, better than crappy Miller Lite). Caught a bit of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals and then Reverend Horton Heat. Then headed towards the main stage and caught some of TVOTR before heading towards the 2nd main stage to see Devotchka, who I can best describe as gypsy music for indie rock kids. Not a bad thing at all. We did stick around for Stone Temple Pilots, but Weiland was not at his best so we bailed. We ended up meeting people who stayed for their entire set and they told us STP got better, but I somehow doubt that.
Saturday 10/25:
(Andy from Manchester Orchestra)
Because the Dungeon is evil, we were less than motivated to hang out to listen to music on Saturday. But I wanted to see Manchester Orchestra. They did a lot of new material from their forthcoming album. Good stuff. But there was a surprising amount of people singing along with me when they played “Wolves at Night”, “Golden Ticket” and “Where Have You Been”. After their set, we found some shade to sit in stuck it out through the rest of the day before NIN. Caught most of the day’s performances from the big screen (Thievery Corporation, Mars Volta) - nothing too earth shattering. And I don’t get Ghostland Observatory.at.all.
(NIN during the Ghosts portion of their set)
I already wrote about the NIN show - you can check out that review here.
Sunday 10/26:
(Chris from Dashboard Confessional)
Another day where other things took priority in the morning. But there was no missing Dashboard Confessional or Panic at the Disco. I needed an emo sing-a-long and neither DC or P@TD disappointed. I only half-heartedly took notes during Dashboard, mostly because I was singing. Of course, the crowd loved the older material - a good back to back was “The Good Fight” (I begged you not to go/I begged you/I pleaded) and “Saints and Sailors”. The epic “Screaming Infidelities” with “Again I Go Unnoticed” were also great. Then they had some fun - first, they covered Weezer’s “El Scorcho”. I had heard them do that when Chris toured “unplugged” and really enjoyed it. A couple of songs later, they covered Pink’s “I’m Still A Rock Star” (thanks to Lushy for filling me in on that one, cause I was clueless). They ended their set with “Vindicated” and of course, “Hands Down”, where all the emo kids and I had a moment together singing along at the top of our lungs.
During our break between the bands, we got more Sparks. So we were sooooo ready for some Panic. I have to say I am really enjoying their live sets these days. They seem more relaxed up there and are having fun, which is good. Ryan (who writes the lyrics to the songs) seems to be more active in their live set than in the past and does quite a bit of singing along with Brenden. Their set list was pretty tight (full list if you rawk on). The new material from Pretty.Odd fits right into classics such as “Lying”, “Martyrdom” and “Sins”. But they pretty much brought the house down by covering “Shout”. No, not Tears for Fears.....you know you make me want to “shout”!
We didn’t stick around for R.E.M...had some eating and drinking to do to finish off the weekend. I did take a few more photos - you can view here.
*evil alcohol tinged energy drink in case you were not in the know - tastes like fanta
Panic at the Disco
Voodoo Music Experience in City Park
New Orleans, LA
10/26/08
We're So Starving
She's a Handsome Woman
Lying Is the Most Fun a Girl Can Have Without Taking Her Clothes Off
That Green Gentlemen (Things Have Changed)
Camisado
Middle of the Summer
The Only Difference Between Martyrdom And Suicide
Northern Downpour
But It's Better If You Do
I Write Sins, Not Tragedies
Pas de Cheval
Behind the Sea
I Constantly Thank God For Esteban
Nine in the Afternoon
Mad as Rabbits
Shout (Isley Brothers cover)
I raved about Missiles, the new album that was released by The Dears last week here. And you have the chance to decide for yourself since they are coming to our fine town on Saturday 11/1 at the Belly Up, opening for the Secret Machines (no slouches themselves). I’ll be at Jenny Lewis, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t go see The Dears. Especially since I have a pair of tix to give away. Hit me up in comments or e-me if you want in.
In the meantime, check out the vid for “Money Babies”:
So, yes, this was my third NIN show of the year but the first in a festival setting. It was the furthest back I’ve been thus far which has it’s good points - mostly that you really get to see the awesome visualizations. Let’s get to the set list and then I’ll make my comments.
Nine Inch Nails
Voodoo Music Experience at City Park
New Orleans, LA
10/25/08
999,999
1,000,000
Letting You
Discipline
March of the Pigs
Head Down
The Frail
Closer
Gave Up
The Warning
The Great Destroyer
Ghosts 5
Ghosts 25
Ghosts 19
Ghosts Piggy
The Greater Good
Wish
Terrible Lie
Survivalism
The Big Comedown
Ghosts 31
Only
The Hand That Feeds
Head Like a Hole
Encore:
Echoplex
The Good Soldier
Hurt
In This Twilight
First of all, I think there should be an admission test to all NIN shows. If the only song you can sing is “Closer”, especially the eff you like an aminal lyric, YOU SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED IN! Sorry for screaming at ya, but god damn those people bug me.
(ghosts 31 - courtesy of nin.com)
The show, of course, was incredible. This incarnation is really one of the best touring bands that Trent has ever had. I’m glad I got to see Josh Freese one last time. His drumming is so solid and really sets a level of intensity for the show. From where I was standing, I was having a hard time feeling the crowd vibe (except for the aforementioned d-bags) but I know I was into it. While there were no surprises for me, I can say that for the uninitiated, it must have been incredible (from the voodoo twitter feed “the nin screens are sick”. ) Trent wasn’t that talkative, but before “The Good Soldier”, he told the crowd it was good to be home and that NOLA is still home for him and he loves it here. Awe. I’m with you Trent. Thanks for yet another great show.
P.S. I’ll post more about the Voodoo fest when I am back home.
I’m posting this earlier than usual because the rest of my posts for the weekend will be NOLA and Voodoo Fest related. I thought about skipping a post but there is so much good stuff coming out this week!
In Stores 10/28:
Bloc Party Intimacy
The single “Talons” is way dancy. (You can check it on their myspace.) Not sure if I am digging it that much, but I will listen to this album at least once.
The Cure 4:13 Dream
Ack. I used to be such a fan, but I cannot get excited about this.
Eagles Of Death Metal Heart On
I’m so all over this. Check out “Wannabe in L.A.” on their myspace.
Funeral For A Friend Memory And Humanity
There are definitely moments when I like this band. You can check out the album on their myspace.
Kaiser Chiefs Off With Their Heads
You can listen now at their lastfm.
Lovedrug The Sucker Punch Show
I loved their last album. Check out tracks on their myspace. I’m gonna try to catch them at the El Rey when they play there on 11/11 as I’ll be in L.A. that week for work.
Snow Patrol A Hundred Millions Suns
Can’t wait to hear all of this album. Check out the single “Take Back the City” (#2 on the triple a charts!) on their myspace.
Tom Gabel Heart Burns (EP)
The Against Me! frontman strikes out on his own. He’s been releasing a video a week on his myspace. You can listen to the entire EP on purevolume. Also, he will be at the Casbah performing the new material (and maybe some Against Me! faves) on Sunday 11/2.
Impacting on radio:
(alt rock)
Alkaline Trio - Over And Out
Ludo - Go-Getter Greg
Michael Franti & Spearhead - Say Hey
Rev Theory - Light It Up
Stereophonics - My Own Worst Enemy
Tom Gabel - Anna Is A Stool Pigeon
(triple a)
Rachael Yamagata - Sidedish Friend
Tom Gabel - Anna Is A Stool Pigeon
Verve - Valium Skies
Artist: The Dears
Album: Missiles
Recommended if you like: “orchestral dark pop”
From the press kit:
“Harking back to their beginning, the forthcoming album is steeped in the band’s signature sound yet embellished with contemporary flavor, charting into new territory. The exquisite and often complex arrangements serve as the springboard for the urgency in Lightburn’s lyricism. His blatant storytelling swirls through epic instrumentation, raw with emotion and dramatic pauses, playing out like a cinematic romance with moving interludes.”
Standout Tracks: “Berlin Heart","Crisis 1 & 2”
Worth a second listen?:
This album is out on Dangerbird which quite honestly has never led me astray. No disappointment here either. I want to compare it to JAMC but with no guitar feedback. Or even (dare I say it?) My Bloody Valentine. That’s a ringing endorsement from me, for sure.
More info: myspace
Listen: “Money Babies”/“Berlin Heart”
I am too busy to find info on these new albums so you just get the list this week. Probably the same for next week unless I find some free time when I am in NOLA.
In Stores 10/21
AC/DC Black Ice
(Isn’t this only available at the evil Wal-Mart?)
The Dears Missiles
I’ll review this later in the week.
Electric Six Flashy
Matisyahu Shattered (EP)
Of Montreal Skeletal Lamping
So excited about this one.
Sebastien Grainger Sebastien Grainger And The Mountains
Impacting on radio:
(alt rock)
Paramore - Decode
(triple a)
Adele - Right As Rain
Butch Walker - The Weight Of Her
Switchfoot - This Is Home
I know, I go to the most random places for work. But sometimes, these little towns really surprise me and I actually enjoy my time there. Ft. Wayne, Indiana was one of those towns. I met my friends/co-workers from TX and we stayed downtown in the Hilton for the week. I didn’t really have time for sightseeing, but we kept driving past these cool old buildings so I walked around this morning before I left and took photos.
I loved the County Courthouse. It takes up a whole block and I got photos of three sides of it.
(south side)
west side)
Across from the courthouse was the Tower building.
This building reminded me of buildings in NY - with the art deco entrances.
This was the block across the street from the hotel. Every single one of those buildings were in the National Register of Historic Places.
Not surprised that there were a ton of churches in Ft. Wayne - from my hotel window I could see this one - The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception.
Lyn is always rawking to the song in her head, which she would be happy to sing to you. Just ask.
Music posted is for sampling purposes and is only available for a limited time. If you like what you hear, support the artist and buy the album or go to a show.
Where in the world are Minnie and Ox?
Houston, TX
Next stop on the tour:
San Diego, CA
Upcoming stops:
Dallas, TX
Honolulu, HI
Kona, HI
(latest photos here)
m ward has dominated my ear for years, i think he’s a libra too or something: i just love his work et al [he works With: turning me on to a few others’ work also; i think he’s a rare bird]! i think i can ‘see’ his chi!! So cool he be, lol.
... i only clicked or comment because one ‘n’ is rare also :D
