Thursday night Halloween weekend was kicked off early with a hardcore electronic set from the rising stars of Big Gigantic and a worthy opening act by Alex B. The opener's electronica accented by thumping bass and hip-hop stylings got the crowd warmed up with a short first set before the headliner came on stage.
The Granada had a healthy, big audience was already filling the dance floor and lining the bar. Everyone was thrilled and a little confused to see Big Gigantic come on so soon, but Alex B explained how the night's multiple sets were going to work.
One interesting, unique thing about this show was how the opener and headliner took turns on stage, switching places twice before both the members of Big Gigantic and Alex B played together for the final set of the night.
With barely a pause in the music, Alex B and Big Gigantic switched places on stage to keep the dancing and cheering. Everyone at the show was smiling, laughing and getting down perpetually, from one set to the next.
Alex B's electronic mixes had a wacky, experimental flair that did not always stick with a dance-able beat, but the beat-intoxicated audience hardly paused in their gyrations through the long, changing songs.
Big Gigantic's hardcore electronica is backed by wild, energetic drums and smoothly blended with saxophone to create a funky, jazzy techno mix that you cannot find anywhere else. Their heavy bass and drums gave the songs their dancing beat, and kept everyone entranced throughout each of their sets. Big Gigantic has a knack for changing keys within a song, completely switching the sound of the song, without giving up the beat and the flow of the music.
The band impressed this reviewer when they opened for STS9 at Liberty Hall last year, and proved themselves more than capable of satisfying a big crowd all on their own, with some help from opener Alex B. The Granada's full house was thoroughly impressed by last night's set, and showed their appreciation with constant cheering and a demand for an encore. The last set ended at 1:15 a.m. with a final jazzy encore lasting until 1:30. Alex B joined Big Gigantic with a bass guitar, and the three musicians combined their jazzy electronic skills to make a smooth, funky finale that left everyone fully satisfied.
Hopefully Big Gigantic and Alex B will both be back in town before long!
Now for Previews:
On top of all the epic shows that already came up this week, and those due to come this weekend, there are more great shows on the way next week, so be sure to sober up after Halloween so you can get back downtown!
There's the Mudstomp Monday Bluegrass at the Granada on November 1st
Then Neon Dance Party Thursday night at the Jackpot Thursday, November 4th
Finall, Mouth will be playing at the Jazzhaus Friday at 9 p.m. with Blue Martian Tribe! This show is sure to be a great party, so come ready to rage it!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Scary awesome shows coming up around Halloween!
It's one of the best times of the year for terrific concerts of all kinds and sure enough Lawrence is hosting some of the best shows you can find to celebrate Halloween at. Starting this weekend and leading up to the holiday itself, there's too many things to list here. The following are just highlights of the most exciting shows in town.
Friday the Cosmopolitics will be getting funky at the Jazzhaus at 10 p.m. The progressive, fusion jam band should have a good crowd on a Friday night, so come out if you're in the mood to party!
Saturday there are a couple of fantastic shows:
Of Montreal will be playing at Liberty Hall at 7 p.m. with Janelle Monae. For any fan of indie pop this is a must see show. Tickets might seem a little expensive, at $21, but it's worth it if this is your scene.
The same night Big Smith will be playing the Bottleneck at 9 p.m. with Shannon McNally and Hot
Sauce, and That Damn Sasquatch. The price isn't listed on Lawrence.com but if you're a fan of folk rock this is the place to be Saturday night.
Things REALLY heat up Monday night, when Bassnectar will be playing at Liberty Hall. This show promises to be so epic tickets have already sold out. Bassnectar threw down a sick show at Liberty Hall last Fall, and the Fall before that at the Granada. His sets are so great he is often a main act at major music festivals like Summer Camp and Wakarusa. If you're incredibly lucky you already have tickets, but if not, you might just find someone with a spare outside around 9 p.m.
Then, it's just a few days until Big Gigantic plays with Alex B at the Granada at 9 p.m. on Thursday night for $13-15 according to Lawrence.com. Big Gigantic did a fantastic job opening for Sound Tribe Sector 9 the last time they played in Lawrence, at Liberty Hall. This should be a great pre-Halloween weekend show.
Friday, the 29th, Gogol Bordello will be playing at Liberty Hall at 9 p.m.. The gypsy punk band has a cult following of their own, and gave a fantastic performance opening for Primus at the Uptown Theatre this last August. For between $26 to $28 this is sure to be a wild concert. Gogol's weird, wacky, stomp-along songs will be a hoot on Halloween weekend.
But if Gogol isn't your cup of tea, check out Chicago Afrobeat Project playing at the Bottleneck at 9 p.m. with Hearts of Darkness. This dance party will have funky jams going all night long, perfect for folks who are ready for a raging weekend.
Then perhaps the most exciting concert of the weekend will be inconveniently scheduled for Sunday, the 31st, when Eoto will be playing with Future Rock at the Granada. Eoto's bass-thumping, drum-rumbling electronic jams are so intricate, addictive and exciting you won't ever want to stop dancing once you start. Future Rock threw down at Summer Camp Music Festival this last May, and will no doubt make a fantastic opener for Eoto. Be advised, you might miss work or school the next morning if you attend this show.
Remember, Halloween is awesome, so have fun, and be safe so you can celebrate it again next year!
Friday the Cosmopolitics will be getting funky at the Jazzhaus at 10 p.m. The progressive, fusion jam band should have a good crowd on a Friday night, so come out if you're in the mood to party!
Saturday there are a couple of fantastic shows:
Of Montreal will be playing at Liberty Hall at 7 p.m. with Janelle Monae. For any fan of indie pop this is a must see show. Tickets might seem a little expensive, at $21, but it's worth it if this is your scene.
The same night Big Smith will be playing the Bottleneck at 9 p.m. with Shannon McNally and Hot
Sauce, and That Damn Sasquatch. The price isn't listed on Lawrence.com but if you're a fan of folk rock this is the place to be Saturday night.
Things REALLY heat up Monday night, when Bassnectar will be playing at Liberty Hall. This show promises to be so epic tickets have already sold out. Bassnectar threw down a sick show at Liberty Hall last Fall, and the Fall before that at the Granada. His sets are so great he is often a main act at major music festivals like Summer Camp and Wakarusa. If you're incredibly lucky you already have tickets, but if not, you might just find someone with a spare outside around 9 p.m.
Then, it's just a few days until Big Gigantic plays with Alex B at the Granada at 9 p.m. on Thursday night for $13-15 according to Lawrence.com. Big Gigantic did a fantastic job opening for Sound Tribe Sector 9 the last time they played in Lawrence, at Liberty Hall. This should be a great pre-Halloween weekend show.
Friday, the 29th, Gogol Bordello will be playing at Liberty Hall at 9 p.m.. The gypsy punk band has a cult following of their own, and gave a fantastic performance opening for Primus at the Uptown Theatre this last August. For between $26 to $28 this is sure to be a wild concert. Gogol's weird, wacky, stomp-along songs will be a hoot on Halloween weekend.
But if Gogol isn't your cup of tea, check out Chicago Afrobeat Project playing at the Bottleneck at 9 p.m. with Hearts of Darkness. This dance party will have funky jams going all night long, perfect for folks who are ready for a raging weekend.
Then perhaps the most exciting concert of the weekend will be inconveniently scheduled for Sunday, the 31st, when Eoto will be playing with Future Rock at the Granada. Eoto's bass-thumping, drum-rumbling electronic jams are so intricate, addictive and exciting you won't ever want to stop dancing once you start. Future Rock threw down at Summer Camp Music Festival this last May, and will no doubt make a fantastic opener for Eoto. Be advised, you might miss work or school the next morning if you attend this show.
Remember, Halloween is awesome, so have fun, and be safe so you can celebrate it again next year!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Cornmeal mashes up the Bottleneck with the energy of a music festival
The night that Fall Break began, Cornmeal, a nationally renowned bluegrass jam band stopped by Lawrence on their way to Mulberry Mountain for Harvest Music Festival. Even though a lot of folks had already left Lawrence for the festival and other Fall Break trips, the Bottleneck was still alive with energy and a crowd that was hungry for music. Cornmeal satisfied the audience with a mind-blowing set that left fans gaping in awe.
The opener, Head For The Hills was great, according to early-birds who arrived before the time Lawrence.com said the show would start. By 10:30 the opener was already done, but the night had only begun.
When Cornmeal came on stage, a crowd of eager music-lovers filled the dancefloor and began to cheer. Everyone whose ever heard Cornmeal knows how epic their live performances are and it's a rare treat to catch the five-piece band in a small venue like the Bottleneck.
The harmony of the banjo, guitar, fiddle and stand-up bass makes every song an intricate, balanced, piece of bluegrass bliss, backed up by the brilliant drummer's pumping beats. The crowd immediately began to swing and dance around in front of the stage, while the band performed a wide range of jams and cover songs. It was a mixed crowd of young and old, hippies and hipsters, but everyone was family that night, in the happy, drunken party that was a Cornmeal chow.
Cornmeal's musical roots go deep and reach wide, taking inspiration, influence and cover songs from all kinds of bands, from country kings like the Allman Brothers, rock gods like The Rolling Stones, and jam band legends like The Grateful Dead. Within a single song, Cornmeal switched from fast-fingered bluegrass brilliance to psychedelic improvised jams that took the audience on a whiskey-spun trip to the sound and feel of a raging music festival.
Dancers crowded to the front of the stage and spread back from there, completely carried away by the long, fun, passionate songs. The band's energy was so intense, their tempo so fast, but melodic, it took the crowd's breath away and left them panting before the encore.
Cornmeal has a power like no other bluegrass band. The musicians have such a ridiculous talent that they each seem like the fastest, most accurate banjo, guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, and drum players you've seen. Together they blend their instruments and vocals to turn out a wide range of songs that are all well-practiced, yet different during each jam.
The last time Cornmeal came to Lawrence they headlined the L Town Throwdown and tore it up, but this show may have topped that one in terms of sheer energetic force, which is saying a lot. It may be another 6 months before the band is back in town, so if you want to see them, make a trip to their home-base of Chicago, but everyone here in Lawrence is praying to see them come again soon.
The opener, Head For The Hills was great, according to early-birds who arrived before the time Lawrence.com said the show would start. By 10:30 the opener was already done, but the night had only begun.
When Cornmeal came on stage, a crowd of eager music-lovers filled the dancefloor and began to cheer. Everyone whose ever heard Cornmeal knows how epic their live performances are and it's a rare treat to catch the five-piece band in a small venue like the Bottleneck.
The harmony of the banjo, guitar, fiddle and stand-up bass makes every song an intricate, balanced, piece of bluegrass bliss, backed up by the brilliant drummer's pumping beats. The crowd immediately began to swing and dance around in front of the stage, while the band performed a wide range of jams and cover songs. It was a mixed crowd of young and old, hippies and hipsters, but everyone was family that night, in the happy, drunken party that was a Cornmeal chow.
Cornmeal's musical roots go deep and reach wide, taking inspiration, influence and cover songs from all kinds of bands, from country kings like the Allman Brothers, rock gods like The Rolling Stones, and jam band legends like The Grateful Dead. Within a single song, Cornmeal switched from fast-fingered bluegrass brilliance to psychedelic improvised jams that took the audience on a whiskey-spun trip to the sound and feel of a raging music festival.
Dancers crowded to the front of the stage and spread back from there, completely carried away by the long, fun, passionate songs. The band's energy was so intense, their tempo so fast, but melodic, it took the crowd's breath away and left them panting before the encore.
Cornmeal has a power like no other bluegrass band. The musicians have such a ridiculous talent that they each seem like the fastest, most accurate banjo, guitar, fiddle, stand-up bass, and drum players you've seen. Together they blend their instruments and vocals to turn out a wide range of songs that are all well-practiced, yet different during each jam.
The last time Cornmeal came to Lawrence they headlined the L Town Throwdown and tore it up, but this show may have topped that one in terms of sheer energetic force, which is saying a lot. It may be another 6 months before the band is back in town, so if you want to see them, make a trip to their home-base of Chicago, but everyone here in Lawrence is praying to see them come again soon.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
The Raveonettes finish Scion Garage Fest with a perfect set + Previews!
One of the rarest acts to ever come through Lawrence, The Raveonettes of Denmark came to add to the headliners of Scion Garage Fest, an indie music festival held within four of the best venues downtown. Saturday there was a reinforced army of indie kids patrolling the streets, including travelers from places as near as St. Louis and Colorado, and as far as Toronto, all in town for a free show including over 20 bands from every sub-genre of indie rock. Many folks were left wondering how any of the bands or venues made any money at all, when the tickets for this huge festival were given away for free to anyone who RSVPed for the event, but nobody was complaining, even waiting in a line an entire block long to get their free ticket.
With between five and ten bands in lineups at the Jackpot, the Bottleneck, the Granada and Liberty Hall, the festival never felt too crowded. In fact, The Raveonettes set at 11 p.m. at Liberty Hall was surprisingly empty, the largest venue in town was only one third full. But having the crowd spread out between four bars made the show feel all the more intimate for the dedicated fans willing to miss other great sets to catch their favorite band.
The Raveonettes have a unique style of indie rock based on old 50's and 60's pop mixed with dark, energetic guitar riffs and noise. There's really nothing else to compare it to, you just have to hear them for yourself. In their live sets the band really lets loose with lengthier jams and openings and endings to their songs not normally heard in their records.
The crowd, small though it was, got down to the bands' more energetic, upbeat tunes, and cooled off during their slower, more melancholy pieces. The Raveonettes sounded grateful and happy to play for their loving fans, and played a full hour set, including this reviewer's three favorite songs, Last Dance, Aly, Walk With Me, and Lust. Other awesome hits included Blush, Dead Sound, and Let's Rave On. Between oldies like Love In A Trashcan, and newer songs like Gone Forever, the band reminded the audience of why they are so awesomely addictive.
Even with a small fraction of the crowd they deserved, the band still came back out for a 2-song encore, for their dedicated followers, leaving the crowd on the upbeat note of That Great Love Sound. The Raveonettes really know how to show love for their fans!
It may be a long time before this band is around these parts again, but if you ever get a chance to catch them, don't miss it! The Raveonettes are a creative, musical force everyone should hear.
Now for Previews:
If you didn't get enough Indie rock yesterday, The Mountain Goats will be at the Bottleneck with Wye Oak at 8 p.m. The Mountain Goat's indie-folk blend is a melodic journey of catchy choruses and diverse sounds in each song. The show is set to cost $15 according to Lawrence.com.
But for the more thrifty music-lovers, don't forget about Mudstomp Mondays at the Granada at 9 p.m. For just $2 you can catch some local acts that are just starting to show off their new stuff in their first live performances, as well as great, experienced bluegrass acts like Deadman Flats.
Then Tuesday, Trampled by Turtles will be playing at the Bottleneck at 8 p.m. for $11. One of the most catchy, folk/bluegrass acts in the nation, Trampled by Turtles are always a great time, so if you can afford it, this show will be well worth the cost.
With between five and ten bands in lineups at the Jackpot, the Bottleneck, the Granada and Liberty Hall, the festival never felt too crowded. In fact, The Raveonettes set at 11 p.m. at Liberty Hall was surprisingly empty, the largest venue in town was only one third full. But having the crowd spread out between four bars made the show feel all the more intimate for the dedicated fans willing to miss other great sets to catch their favorite band.
The Raveonettes have a unique style of indie rock based on old 50's and 60's pop mixed with dark, energetic guitar riffs and noise. There's really nothing else to compare it to, you just have to hear them for yourself. In their live sets the band really lets loose with lengthier jams and openings and endings to their songs not normally heard in their records.
The crowd, small though it was, got down to the bands' more energetic, upbeat tunes, and cooled off during their slower, more melancholy pieces. The Raveonettes sounded grateful and happy to play for their loving fans, and played a full hour set, including this reviewer's three favorite songs, Last Dance, Aly, Walk With Me, and Lust. Other awesome hits included Blush, Dead Sound, and Let's Rave On. Between oldies like Love In A Trashcan, and newer songs like Gone Forever, the band reminded the audience of why they are so awesomely addictive.
Even with a small fraction of the crowd they deserved, the band still came back out for a 2-song encore, for their dedicated followers, leaving the crowd on the upbeat note of That Great Love Sound. The Raveonettes really know how to show love for their fans!
It may be a long time before this band is around these parts again, but if you ever get a chance to catch them, don't miss it! The Raveonettes are a creative, musical force everyone should hear.
Now for Previews:
If you didn't get enough Indie rock yesterday, The Mountain Goats will be at the Bottleneck with Wye Oak at 8 p.m. The Mountain Goat's indie-folk blend is a melodic journey of catchy choruses and diverse sounds in each song. The show is set to cost $15 according to Lawrence.com.
But for the more thrifty music-lovers, don't forget about Mudstomp Mondays at the Granada at 9 p.m. For just $2 you can catch some local acts that are just starting to show off their new stuff in their first live performances, as well as great, experienced bluegrass acts like Deadman Flats.
Then Tuesday, Trampled by Turtles will be playing at the Bottleneck at 8 p.m. for $11. One of the most catchy, folk/bluegrass acts in the nation, Trampled by Turtles are always a great time, so if you can afford it, this show will be well worth the cost.
J-Wail warms up the Jazzhaus for Mouth to go wild with an improv set
Friday night there were several great shows downtown, but Mouth's army of loyal fans still packed the Jazzhaus for an epic concert of improv renditions of some of the headliners' best hits. Dirtfoot was at the Bottleneck for all the bluegrass lovers, and The Spook Lights were at the Replay Lounge for all the psychedelic surf rockers, but for a funky dance party, everyone in town knew to go to the Jazzhaus for a wild good time.
J-Wail of Denver put on a lengthy set of electronic jams, with a drummer throwing down a hot beat behind the synthesizer. The set was not bad, but hard for folks to get down to. Surprising, considering the quality of the DJ's songs on his website. The crowd was still coming in while the opener warmed things up, but even so, only a few brave or drunken souls hit the dance floor for the electronica. The music felt a little too repetitive and simple to hold an audience's attention, many people packed the smoking patio and filled the tables while the opener played background music. But before Mouth was half-done setting up a thick crowd of eager music lovers was filling the dance floor, ready to party.
As always, Mouth's set was different and exciting for new-comers and regular fans alike. A loving horde of dancers trying to get down packed the front of the stage, overflowing into the spaces between tables. Mouth started off telling everyone that their set would be a lot of improv and jams, and they delivered. Incorporating some of the fan favorites, the band turned out a unique set of jams that kept everyone dancing and cheering.
You know it's a great jam band when they can play original sets that still hold the familiar quality and style of the band, keeping a full dance floor happy. Indeed this was a party of epic proportions at the Jazzhaus, so overtly fun that nobody wanted it to end. Even after the bar was closing, the band members and their most excited fans went on to after-party into the early hours of the morning.
If a show's quality is measured in how much fun the crowd has, this show was grade A perfection. In terms of music, J-Wail left something to be desired, but Mouth more than made up for it.
If this column hasn't made it clear before: Mouth is where it's at. Their shows are fantastic, with great music, party people and good vibes. Don't miss the next chance to be at the best show of the night!
J-Wail of Denver put on a lengthy set of electronic jams, with a drummer throwing down a hot beat behind the synthesizer. The set was not bad, but hard for folks to get down to. Surprising, considering the quality of the DJ's songs on his website. The crowd was still coming in while the opener warmed things up, but even so, only a few brave or drunken souls hit the dance floor for the electronica. The music felt a little too repetitive and simple to hold an audience's attention, many people packed the smoking patio and filled the tables while the opener played background music. But before Mouth was half-done setting up a thick crowd of eager music lovers was filling the dance floor, ready to party.
As always, Mouth's set was different and exciting for new-comers and regular fans alike. A loving horde of dancers trying to get down packed the front of the stage, overflowing into the spaces between tables. Mouth started off telling everyone that their set would be a lot of improv and jams, and they delivered. Incorporating some of the fan favorites, the band turned out a unique set of jams that kept everyone dancing and cheering.
You know it's a great jam band when they can play original sets that still hold the familiar quality and style of the band, keeping a full dance floor happy. Indeed this was a party of epic proportions at the Jazzhaus, so overtly fun that nobody wanted it to end. Even after the bar was closing, the band members and their most excited fans went on to after-party into the early hours of the morning.
If a show's quality is measured in how much fun the crowd has, this show was grade A perfection. In terms of music, J-Wail left something to be desired, but Mouth more than made up for it.
If this column hasn't made it clear before: Mouth is where it's at. Their shows are fantastic, with great music, party people and good vibes. Don't miss the next chance to be at the best show of the night!
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