Archive for Reviews
RECAP: Stevie Wonder, Gary Clark Jr, and Janelle Monae @ The Bud Light Hotel, New Orleans, LA 2/2/13
When Rolling Stone and Bud Light join forces to throw a Super Bowl party, you can expect it to be a little more exciting than the usual chips and salsa affair at your neighbor’s house. What you don’t expect is the chance to see three top notch performers keep... more
PHOTOS / RECAP: Great American Taxi @ Aggie Theatre, Fort Collins, CO 1/31/13
“Americana without borders” is how the band describes their music and the lyrics say it all. It’s always best to see a band in their neck of the woods and judging by the performance Thursday night the band was in top form. Teetering somewhere between jam, bluegrass and folk rock, Great... more
PHOTOS / RECAP: Billy Cobham’s Spectrum 40 @ The Mint LA 1/26/13
Mahavishnu Orchestra is in the pantheon of jazz fusion pioneers replete with black hole density, volcanic intensity and ridiculous virtuosity. I had never heard anything quite like John McLaughlin’s searing fretwork, Jan Hammer’s prog-funk sounds and Jerry Goodman’s violin thrown to the front of what truly seemed to be an... more
CONCERT RECAP: El Ten Eleven @ The Central S.A.P.C., LA 1/25/13
Without having to beat around the bush too hard with swirling adjectives, profound thoughts, or varied comparisons, the words "just check ‘em out" really comes to mind if I were ever asked about El Ten Eleven. Honestly, both shock and acceptance would sink in if I was told they had... more
PHOTOS / RECAP: Local Natives, Superhumanoids @ El Rey Theater, LA 1/29/13
Perhaps what stood out the most about the Local Natives' show on Tuesday night at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles, was how personal and heartfelt their music was. In the middle of a crowd that cheered and screamed in a way that resembled "Beatle-mania," they delivered a powerful... more
PHOTOS / RECAP: Calexico, Bahamas @ One Eyed Jacks, New Orleans 1/24/13
Thursday night was a homecoming of sorts for Tucson based Calexico, as they returned to the city where they recorded their most recent work, Algiers. Being so close to the city, yet far enough away as to not to get completely engrossed seemed to be the right mixture of... more
PHOTOS / RECAP / SETLIST: Lotus @ House of Blues, Boston 1/25/13
Lotus stopped by the House of Blues in Boston on a cold and snowy Friday night to play the second show of their winter tour, and I was there to take it all in and grab some photos. After a sold out night in Burlington, they played to an equally... more
CONCERT RECAP: Dickey Betts & Great Southern in Ridgefield, CT 1/11/13
Photos and Words by Craig Sandor The name Dickey Betts is pretty much synonymous with The Allman Brothers Band and while he hasn't been a member in quite some time, the man's guitar playing and long improvisational solos prove that his sound was vital to their growth and maturity over the years... more
Nels Cline and Mike Watt join Eric McFadden and Melt the Mint – 1/16/13
Words by Aaron Fortin and Wesley Hodges *Download or stream the show courtesy of MacDaddy at Archive.org. Thank you tapers! Last night as part of Eric McFadden's month-long, five-show Wednesday Residency @MintLA, Guitar God Nels Cline (Wilco) and bassist Mike Watt (Banyan/Minutemen/Stooges) joined in alongside Seth Ford-Young (bassist - Edward Sharpe... more
REVIEW / PHOTOS: Gregg Allman @ Royce Hall, Los Angeles, CA 1/11/13
Gregg Allman’s life is a road well traveled for sure. As much thrive-r as survivor, his blues have the resume to match (40+ years on the road and hard knocks you wouldn’t wish on anyone). Last year’s T-Bone Burnett produced “Low Country Blues” is a seminal record that embodies the... more
PHOTO RECAP: Jam Cruise XI
I've been beaming for days and I've got a serious case of sea legs, which can only mean one thing: Jam Cruise was last week. I'll have a full recap in a few days once I've been able to fully digest everything I witnessed, but for now I wanted... more
CONCERT RECAP: moe. @ The Palladium, Worcester MA 12/28/12
Just a few short weeks ago, moe. was getting ready for the start of a four evening run leading up to the new year. It was my absolute pleasure being witness to the first two shows of the run at The Palladium in good ole "Worcestah!" When I had first... more
CONCERT RECAP: Black Stars @ Yard’s Brewery, Philadelphia, PA 11/21/12
Philly locals Black Stars are not the kind of band you expect to stumble upon at a craft brewery. The Philly four piece has been steadily gathering buzz around town in the wake of high energy shows, and their Thanksgiving Eve show at Yards did not disappoint. With pints of... more
RECAP / PHOTOS: Lotus @ Ram’s Head, Baltimore, MD 12/30-12/31/12
Hitting all five nights of the Lotus NYE run last week seemed distant even up until the last second, but soon became anticipation became reality. Starting out in Chicago (the city I grew up in) then flying to Pittsburgh and then driving to Baltimore to catch the shows was one... more
PHISH FRIDAY: A NYE Runaway Golf-Cart Garden Party
Oh what a difference a year makes! Word spread of a photo leaked on the morning of 12/31 of Madison Square Garden's floor covered in fake grass. The rumors had some fans (including much of my crew) going on a social media blackout, worried they'd catch wind of what Phish... more
CONCERT RECAP: Galactic @ Tipitina’s Uptown, NOLA 12/31/12
Photos by John Stephens / LMB NOLA To close out a monster year, Galactic rang in 2013 in the familiar, friendly and legendary confines of Tipitina's Uptown with a covers-heavy marathon show that took the packed house deep into the New Year after the ceremonial balloon drop. Right out of the... more
PHOTOS / SETLIST: Phish @ Madison Square Garden NY, NY 12/28/12
Phish kicked off their final shows of 2012 and the first of a four-night run at Madison Square Garden in New York City last night. The band took the stage a little after 8:15pm and opened with 2009's "Stealing Time From the Faulty Plan." The band was in... more
CONCERT RECAP: Grace Potter and the Nocturnals @ 9:30 Club, Washington, DC 12/7/12
Review and photos by Traci Brooks / ChunkyGlasses Move over Cinderella – Disney has a new princess, and her name is Grace Potter. Bringing fierce vocals and sassy dance moves to the 9:30 club for a four-night stay, Potter had the venue swaying and screaming along to her smoky, energetic performance... more
CONCERT RECAP: The Mountain Goats @ Hollywood Forever Cemetery’s Masonic Lodge 12/12/12
The Masonic Lodge at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is one of the most intimate, special venues in Los Angeles, if not anywhere. John Darinelle possesses an ability to connect with his fans unlike any other performer I've seen. By the transitive property, then, The Mountain Goats show last... more
CONCERT RECAP: Dragon Smoke @ The Mint LA 12/12/12
Certain celestial alignments skip decades, if not lifetimes, or at a minimum, involve covering great distances at greater expense. Think solar eclipses, Comet Hale-Bopp or if you get around, the aurora. Even then, there is the unexpected cloud cover that can scotch the most anticipated and well-planned events. While the... more
PHOTOS / SETLIST: Leonard Cohen @ Wang Theatre, Boston, MA 12/15/12
Last night legendary singer/songwriter, Leonard Cohen took the Stage at the Wang Theatre in Boston. The 78 year old Cohen played his first of two Boston shows (the second is tonight) on Saturday, putting on a nearly four hour. The sold out crowd gave Cohen a warm welcomen and were... more
CONCERT RECAP: Dopapod @ Olives, Nyack, NY 12/8/12
Dopapod hits Olive’s like a Freight Train. Words: Peter L Spadaro III Photos: Nick Irving, Shane Weber Dopapod finished their huge 4 month tour barreling into Nyack like a freight train (more on that later). Dopapod hit the road on September 4th in Morgantown, WV Going as far north as Burlington, Vt and... more
CONCERT RECAP: Ryan Montbleau Band @ Arch Street Tavern, Hartford CT 12/1/12
Ryan Montbleau began a solo career back in '99 performing in and around the New England area. In 2006 the aptly named Ryan Montbleau Band was born and they started spreading their sound not only throughout New England, but all over the country. When I think back to some of... more
CONCERT RECAP: Dark Star Orchestra @ The Dome at Oakdale Theater, Wallingford, CT 12/7/12
Photos and Words by Craig Sandor Ahhh some good ol’ Grateful Dead music always played to its finest! This ensemble as most fans know has been around for 15 years plus now and they keep growing stronger and stronger. They aren’t a cover band; they are the exclusive Grateful Dead tribute band... more
CONCERT RECAP: Punch Brothers @ Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, CA 12/2/12
In front of a sellout hometown crowd, mandolin vitruoso Chris Thile returned to Solana Beach, California’s Belly Up to showcase the talent cultivated within his musical supergroup - Punch Brothers. Ushered in by the minimalistic-yet-fully-refined harmonies of the Los Angeles-based Milk Carton Kids, the Brothers took the stage to... more
CONCERT RECAP: Lotus @ The Electric Factory, Philadelphia, PA 11/30/12
Lotus returned to Philly for one last massive 2012 hometown show, bringing a tasty couple of sets to the ears of a packed E-Factory. Getting the warehouse party moving with a delicious, jazz-induced 14 minute "Flower Sermon", a fan favorite and perfect tune to get people in the proper state... more
CONCERT RECAP: Simian Mobile Disco @ Fonda Theatre, Hollywood, CA 11/30/12
Header Photo © Oliver Walker for fyfpresents.com Following a memorable set at FYF Fest 2012 in September, Simian Mobile Disco returned to L.A. over the weekend with a performance at the Fonda Theatre in Hollywood. Playing to an energetic Friday night crowd, the British DJ duo used the cavernous, 31,000-square-foot historic... more
PHOTOS / VIDEOS: Bear Creek 2012 Friday (Dap-Kings, The Werks, Heavy Pets and More)
Friday we saw The Sugarman 3, then caught part of the Heavy Pets (with Roosevelt Collier) jam session! After that, we watched the beginning of Bright Light Social Hour and the end of The Werks set. The highlight of the night was definitely Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings featuring the... more
CONCERT RECAP: Soundgarden @ Fonda Theatre, Hollywood, CA 11/27/12
What can be said about Soundgarden, one of the pioneers of grunge and hard rock, returning to the stage with new material for the first time this century? Supporting their new record King Animal, the legendary Seattle quartet played the Fonda Theatre last night as part of a five-night... more
CONCERT RECAP: Big Gigantic w/ Crizzly @ House of Blues NOLA 11/16/12
Big Gigantic. What’s in a name? What does a name mean? It didn’t take long for Dominic Lalli (Saxophone/Producer) and Jeremy Salken (Drums) to provide an explanation as the House of Blues turned into an LED infused wonderland. The Boulder based duo asked the crowd to do it big... more
PHISH FRIDAY: A November (’09) to Remember
For today's Phish Friday we've opted to skip the usual passover of anything in 3.0 as "relevant" to talk about during a column dedicated to the absolute BEST that the band has ever had to offer, because well, if we can all just spend a minute or two today to... more
