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Highbench played their first show in like....well at least a few months...at Montana Studios Thursday. It was a solid, 5 song performance celebrating the release of their new EP. Lead singer Dave Western is the heart of the band and seems to have a direct channel to Bono's stage presence.
I'm in awe of Daniel Johnston. Wednesday night's private performance at Mad River in Soho was simply fantastic. Like last week but more intimate....and with some of his art on display. The whole evening just felt....special.
Daniel Johnston is, well, an artist. He's got a story to tell - usually about unrequited love, life, and occasionally Satan. His lyrics are very moving - they are filled with honesty and a sense of pureness. Dan told his "stories" last night to a sold out house at the new Highline Ballroom as part of David Bowie's Highline Festival. We didn't get two sets and two encores like the previous night in Brooklyn but that's okay...he played my favorite "True Love Will Find You In The End".
Dan seemed in good spirits, smiling widely on occasion and kept the banter to a minimum (no Nazi talk thank g-d). He would acknowledge the crowd's ecstatic cheering with a quick hand wave and a nod.
Dan is off to Europe for a few dates then back in NYC next week for a private showcase.
Poison...yeah, that Poison...are getting ready to release an album of covers, Poisn'd, due out on Capitol in June. I was on hand for the first single's video shoot. The first single is going to be the Romantic's "What I Like About You".
Listen to four tracks on the band's myspace
View the rest of my pics here
Arcade Fire night two for me Wednesday. Pretty much the same setlist I think but who cares, its Arcade Fire and it's the hallowed Radio City Music Hall - my favorite NYC venue outside of the Bowery Ballroom.
Highline curator, David Bowie, was there but did not join his friends on stage as many anticipated. As Win did the night before, he encouraged the fans to come dance in the aisles...something the RCMH security didn't appreciate. Security swarmed and seemed highly pissed. Didn't faze Fresh Bread though....ha.
The National opened again. They were solid as a rock.
Last night's Arcade Fire show at the waaaaaaaaayyy up town United Palace Theater made me so pissed off....even more pissed off than I've been in such a long time. I can't believe I missed the epic fun that was 5 nights at Judson back in February. Damn you virtual waiting room!!!!!
It was sooooooo good. Admittedly, my first show of theirs is an all time favorite and probably not toppable but Tuesday night came pretty damn close. The Arcade Fire is...well...on fire right now and I'm pretty sure they will have world domination at some point.
My favorite off the new album, "Ocean OF Noise", was the set's highlight for me. It was very cool for the audience to connect the end of the set and the encore. The crowd sang the vocal melody towards the ending part of "Rebellion (Lies)" as the band walked off the stage and continued until the entire band returned. In the encore, Win invited pretty much the entire audience to join him and the band on stage. Win finished the show off by walking straight up the center ailse all the way out on to Broadway.
Tonight, I'll do it all over again at Radio City where they kick off the David Bowie-curated Highline Festival.
The National opened and proved to quite good. It's kind of like the working man's indie rock band. I can see why Springsteen would be a fan (he is).
Contender for show of the year. Quite possibly the most fun at a concert in NYC since I moved here in Nov '04. Beirut completely rocked my musical socks at the Bowery Sunday night.
Maybe it was the fact I've missed every other NYC Beirut show due to a slew of misfortunes. Or possibly just how much I loved 2006's Gulag Orkestar. The crowd was lively and respectful while the band was the same way.
Maybe it was because four members of the Arcade Fire came out for a very, very special encore. yup, that might have something to do with it. The stage looked cramped when Canada's finest (outside of my finacee) joined Beirut and co. for a raucous version of "The Gulag Orkestar". Sick. Opener, Final Fantasy, joined in on the fun playing violin on a couple songs.
Brooklyn Vegan has more pics and a video of the funThe setlist (pictured below) was chock full 'o goodies:
Owen Pallet / Final Fantasy was a great opener. A one man Classical Rock Band. He's a looper...and a damn good one. Owen's set was very enjoyable.
Final Fantsy + Beirut
Peter, John, Heather, and friend (??)
The second of two nights at Webster Hall was like the second verse of "Henry the VIII" - pretty much the same as the first. Still good...really enjoyed them. The crowd overall was better than the first night.
Heather from opening band, Au Revoir Simone, again joined PBJ for "Young Folks". A friend of the band (who's name I can't remember) happily banged on a couple bongos during "YF" and "Up Against The Wall".
