Category: Concert Review

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Concert Review

Black Lips storm the Cradle

If you’ve never seen Black Lips live, you owe it to yourself to do so the next time they are in town. This being my third time seeing them at the Cat’s Cradle this weekend, I can say with 100 percent certainty that they put on one of the best rock shows out of any touring band playing now.

After a mediocre opening set by the band Box Elders (think Black Lips minus any hooks), the Lips took the stage at full throttle and never let up. “O Katrina” and “Short Fuse,” two of my favorite Black Lips songs, popped up early in the set, along with Beatles-esque crowd-pleaser “Dirty Hands.”

One of the most entertaining parts of a Black Lips show is watching guitarist and singer Cole Alexander flail around the stage. While I’d seen him pull the spit-straight-up-and-catch-it move before, he had a new trick this time which involved spitting on the back of his guitar and raising it up to catch the drip. All this while never missing a note.

A lively crowd who bounced the whole show and a light mosh pit only served to add to the energy being exuded from the stage.

Black Lips are truly the definition of a great live rock show.

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Concert Review Local Music

2/25 LBLB Photos

Photographs by WKNC photographer Katie Hill

Starmount

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The Jackets

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Small Ponds

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Concert Review

Annuals, Gray Young and Bright Young Things concert review

Halfway through the Annuals set on Friday night I had the thought, “if you aren’t at the Pour House tonight, you’re missing out.” The thought came as Adam Baker thanked the crowd for choosing the Pour House over wherever the Black Eyed Peas were playing at on Friday night. It’s true – -if you weren’t there, you did miss out. Annuals destroyed it, but who wasn’t expecting that? Let me tell you about what you missed that you might not would have expected.

Just before 10 p.m., bright tones began to sound from hollow body electrics and classic tele’s. Though the atmosphere was thick with loud anticipation of the upcoming night, the subtle pitches of the tuning process let the audience know that Bright Young Things was about to start an incredible night. I was still at the bar ordering a sweetwater, cold, off the tap, when the sound of a pure American style rock band began to change this bar atmosphere into a rock and roll music show. Bright Young Things kept it high energy, played a tight set, and before it seemed any time had passed, had to wrap up their set to let the next act come on.

By the time the set was over, I had slithered my way through the crowded bar to about 10 feet back from the stage, middle. I didn’t want to lose my spot (to ensure you a great blog entry, of course) so my friend stepped to the bar in the back to refresh our beverages while I held tight. A fellow concert goer that I had never met before noticed I was standing there alone. After the usual “whats up man,” he asked if I knew who was playing tonight. I smiled a little bit, just knowing how lucky my new friend was, and told him Gray Young was up next and then Annuals were taking the stage. He asked the likely question: “well, are they good?” Response: “Well, everyone like Annuals man, but if you listen to rock music (I could tell he did), get ready for Gray Young. Its just a loop pedal and hard rock, you’re going to like it.”

The conversation ended soon, but I later found my friend in the bathroom line after the show. I asked him what he thought. His only response was, and I quote, “you were right man, Gray Young (expletive deleted)ing rocked.” We were both right, Gray Young drove a rift through the room with an explosive resonance sounding from the striking of the first chord. The bombardment of sound, full of rhythm and tone-hope and a touch of longing, didn’t stop until the stage had to be set for what was to come.

I’m not sure of the time, but I know the moment that Annuals began to trickle out onto the stage. Suddenly everyone in the room began to notice that one of Raleigh’s favorite children, the very one that welcomed 2010 into our realm at the downtown new year’s party, was taking the stage. Ears were treated to Nick Radford taking shots at his drumheads, checking the tones. For the eyes, there was the beautiful Anna Spence checking her patches and keys while Kenny Florence operated his tuning pedal. The taste of cold brew for the mouth and for the nose the smell of spring only days away and a thick room already subjected to great local rock. Nothing immediate to the touch, instead hands and minds were reaching out to moments later when the music would start. The set list began and seemed to end before I knew what had happened. Annuals destroyed the room , like we all knew they would, but few would have called that the entirety of the room would know all the words – that the crowd would be so energetic that the band would exclaim again and over again that “this is (same expletive as before)ing awesome!”

The point to all of this? Friday night was a great display of local music in Raleigh. If you weren’t there, you missed out. It was an eclectic night with elements of alt. rock, post rock, indie, folk, and so much more. If you did miss out, don’t fret don’t sweat. It happens every week somewhere here in the triangle. The local music scene is exploding around this town, you should get there. Maybe I’ll catch you in the crowd next time.

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Concert Review

It’s always better in a Christmas sweater

Trekky Yuletide Orchestra and local friends took the stage at the Cat’s Cradle on December 15.

Last evening, DJ Nicole and DJ Cioffi, made the voyage to Chapel Hill to see some of the greatest acts take the stage to pay homage to the greatest holiday ever,  Christmas.  Hosted by the able bodied host Billy Sugarfix, we were delighted to see not only The Trekky Yuletide Orchestra, but Dexter Romweber, Stuart McLamb and Missy Thangs (of The Love Language), Des Ark, Whatever Brains, Organos, Veelee, Birds and Arrows, Mount Weather, and the last minute addition to the lineup, Lonnie Walker.

In the 4th annual Christmas at the Cradle, each band gave their interpretation of classic Christmas carols, as well as performed their own Christmas compositions. All acts were outstanding. Their songs ranged from classic ballads such as “Silent Night” performed in a distorted fashion by Lonnie Walker as well as the hilarious rendition of the holiday song, “I’m Gettin’ Nuffin’ For Christmas” which was performed by Organos. The bands’ songs Veelee covered, all featured stand-up drummers. So, for Christmas at the Cradle, Veelee’s Ginger performed standing up. The stand-up drumming was of great value and made us happy.

All in all, The Christmas at the Cradle show exceeded our expectations and filled our hearts with Christmas cheer.

Hope you will join us next year at the fifth Christmas at the Cradle.

Enjoy our pictures!


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Concert Review

Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…Pt II Tour feat. Raekwon the Chef

During a year in which hip-hop seems to be coming back into the hands of actual emcees and leaving the hands of industry-supported artists, an album was dropped on September 8, 2009. An album that many, after 14 years, thought would never see the light of day. That album was the highly anticipated sequel to Raekwon the Chef’s Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…, the album said to introduce the mafioso aspect to hip-hop back in 1995. Definitely being one of the hip-hop albums released this year, and in a very long time, it was only fitting that the Chef go on tour to promote his album. After a month or so in Europe, he finally hit the States and landed in the middle of North Carolina on December 6, 2009 at Carrboro’s Cat’s Cradle, when Raekwon, with the help of two special guests, put on a show just as equally dope as the album.

Of course, before getting to the main show, it must be brought to the attention that not all things started off with a bang at Cat’s Cradle. One of the opening acts, recently signed by Raekwon’s Ice H2O Records, came on stage for their performance. Having been to quite a few shows at Cat’s Cradle now, this was by far the worst performance I had ever seen. The name of this group is easily forgotten, as was their performance. Five guys bouncing on stage, bringing rhymes that you would hear from Gucci Man or Lil Wayne – and they were straight from North Carolina. Definitely not a great way to start the night. But thankfully, Raekwon’s arrival on stage pushed away all the horrible memories of that performance.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to see the God MC on stage, kicking a hole in the speaker, pullin’ the plug and then jetting. And I thought that was the greatest show I had been to. And while Rakim will always be the greatest rapper in my opinion, Raekwon destroyed the live show. The hunger was there – the drive, the passion. It was like watching a ghost from the past. And it reminded you why the members of the Wu-Tang clan still have the one of the biggest followings of any rap group in the world.

Without even saying a word,  the presence of Raekwon on stage was enough to send the crowd in a frenzy. The Chef had arrived and the symbol of the Wu-Tang Clan had immediately gone up, with choruses of “Wu-Tang!” echoing through the venue. And then the saga continued. From the legendary joint, “C.R.E.A.M.” to “Da Mystery of Chessboxin’”, Rae kicked it off properly with joints from the classic Wu debut, 36 Chambers. And then, getting the crowd pumped up and talking about bringing real hip-hop back to the scene, Rae went straight into Cuban Linx I, grooving on stage to the song sampled in “Ice Cream” before launching into the actual song, accurately taking on verses by both himself & Wu-Tang brother, Ghostface Killah. Then it was on to the next one, ripping apart the song, “Criminology” and takin’ us back to “the good ol’ days”. But the Chef, already down with a cold and slowly losing his voice, decided to take a brief intermission and introduced to special, special guests on to the stage…

CNN. Capone-N-Noreaga. Bringing us a special “War Report”, and serving us up with classic tracks, including the amazingly dope cut, produced by DJ Premier, “Invincible.” For about 10 to 20 minutes,  CNN tore up the stage, leaving none in their path. And you could tell they were going hard. Capone came back on stage for a brief minute to talk about iPhone apps, of all things, and could barely speak above a whisper because he lost his voice from the performance. And for all of you looking for the next CNN album, keep on the lookout for The War Report 2, due out on Ice H2O records sometime in early 2010.

Of course, after the brief intermission, the Chef came back up to the front and got right back in the swing of things, giving praise, respect and love to his brother, Ason Jones, also known as Ol’ Dirty Bastard and then destroying track after track after that was on the Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II, from “House of Flying Daggers” to “10 Bricks” and “Black Mozart”, Chef ended the saga with a bang, effectively closing up the sequel and conclusion to the original Cuban Linx album.

by DJ Wise

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Concert Review

Concert Report: Amanda Palmer

Normally, as Sweet Annie Rich, I’m known for handpicking sweet Americana tunes to play on Saturday mornings. The thing is, I have other musical interests too, and jump at the chance to see live acts that I know will be amazing.

Take, for instance, Amanda Palmer. I’ve been a fan of Ms. Palmer since I was a freshman here at NC State via The Dresden Dolls. The Dolls’ first two albums were powerful to me and great ways to help my transition from high school to college. When Amanda recorded a solo album, I was all over it. It’s just an added bonus that this album was produced by well-loved local Ben Folds.

I saw Amanda Palmer solo last March at the Arts Center in Carrboro. As an intense fan it was huge for me, even though she was completely alone and having to carry the weight of the show without the backing group she’d started the tour with. I could barely speak to her after the show, I was in such awe. This time around the atmosphere was electric and lively.

Nervous Cabaret was both the opening and backing band, and they injected the craziest energy you could imagine into the show. All I have to say is, if you weren’t at this concert last Friday night, you missed out.

Oh yeah, and I managed to snag a spot on the stage. Not in front of the stage. I was sitting on the edge of the stage. I’ve never been more excited in my young life.

Nervous Cabaret’s sound is so hard to describe, which might be what I loved about them. It’s rock, it’s blues, it’s eldritch and dancehall all at once. Frontman Elyas Khan has a voice that will send chills up your spine.

The night was also full of snark and jokes. I love it when musicians interact so much with one another and with their audience at the same time. This show had moments that can never be truly re-created even in fevered retelling.

One thing I love about Amanda’s live shows is that she throws all of her energy into what she’s doing. She goes from lady behind a piano to a wild force of nature.

At one point, she read from her book collaboration with Neil Gaiman, Who Killed Amanda Palmer? Even in this reading she kept the audience engaged and I don’t think there was a reaction that was off beat.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself that night. It was completely worth losing my voice as I screamed out the words to every song. It was worth getting next to no sleep just to stay after and get an autograph, a picture, and a little time to just talk to this artist whom I’ve never grown tired of.

Punk cabaret forever.

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Concert Review

Fridays on the Lawn Round 2: Success!

After taking shelter from the rain for the first Fridays on the Lawn back in September, many KNCers were concerned when they saw some ominous gray clouds in the sky late Friday afternoon. The stage, lights, and extra pizza were all ready, however one question remained: would students come out for the event? One of the benefits of Harris Field is its centrality to student life on campus. The grassy lot by Witherspoon Student Center serves as a visible hub, perfect for catching the unaware passerby headed out for early Halloween festivities. While the event was open to the public, the WKNC staff wanted to tap more into its student population at N.C. State. In order to generate interest, fliers were posted everywhere on campus, D.H. Hill Library e-boards and dining halls displayed posters for the event. WKNC staff even requested time to speak in front of their classes to publicize the concert series.

Max Indian and Schooner certainly did draw a noteworthy crowd. This is evident because students stuck around even after the free pizza and t-shirts were long gone. Mike Alston, WKNC’s General Manager, mentioned that  "UAB, IRC, Student Government, and WKNC are all supported by student fee money, so we felt it important to do something free and big for the students who help pay our bills.  Ultimately, we just want it to be a fun time for everyone involved while helping expose some great local music to otherwise unaware students.“

WKNC expects to see even more students at the final hip hop based installment of the concert series November 20th, featuring Kooley High and The Beast. This show, however, will not be taking place on the lawn, but instead will be hosted in Wolves Den underneath Talley Student Center. Needless to say, many hope that Fridays on the Lawn will become a staple for the Wolfpack community.

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Concert Review

XX Merge Night One: July 22

I arrived to the Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro about ten minutes after the 7:15 pm start time of the first night of Merge Records’ 20th anniversary music festival, aptly named XX Merge. Walking into a already-packed Cradle, a trio of bass, drums, and guitar greeted me with a mixture of Pavement melodicism, Pixies-like noise, and the tightness of bands like Slint. Being one of the few Merge bands I didn’t recognize by appearance, after their set, I asked a guy next to me who just played. “Pure,”  he responded. Pure, a band from Asheville who released just one 7" single on Merge Records in the early 90’s before disappearing, provided the absolute perfect kick-off to what was sure to be a night of great music and immediately turned me into a fan (anyone got a copy of that 7"?)

Nearly right after Pure’s half-hour set, I noticed Lou Barlow, of Dinosaur Jr. and Sebadoh fame, take the stage to begin setting up for his set as Pure was tearing down. Barlow, who released an album of understated folk-pop titled Emoh on Merge in 2005, played a quiet, acoustic set, treating us to a couple songs off of his next album for Merge, Goodnight Unknown, due out this fall.

Next up was the country-tinged indie rock of newer Merge signees Oakley Hall. Seven members strong on stage, the group played a sometimes raucous, sometimes poppy set of songs that felt like a 70’s AM radio station’s signal interfering with a college station’s.

The Clientele were the next band on the bill. One of my favorite Merge acts, The Clientele played a set of their signature twilight indie rock that was as pretty as violinist/keyboardist Mel Draisey, ending with a driving performance of “Bookshop Casanova” that had the entire crowd moving.

I may be one of the few people who thinks that The Magnetic Fields live are superior to The Magnetic Fields on record. Don’t get me wrong, I love the records, but live, playing all acoustically, the songs take on an intimacy and beauty that just isn’t quite as strong on record. With a mere 40 minute long set time (this is a band that played two sets with an intermission last year at Raleigh’s Meymandi Concert Hall), the band played crowd favorite after crowd favorite, including “California Girls,” “The Book Of Love,” and my personal favorites “I Don’t Believe You” and “Papa Was A Rodeo.” Singer Stephin Merrit’s deadpan humor was present as ever, trading quips with pianist/vocalist Claudia Gonson. When told they only had a minute left, they decided to play the humorous minute-long “Punk Love” to close out the set. It was a fitting exclamation mark to a fantastic set.

Coming on next were Raleigh’s own Rosebuds. If you’ve never seen The Rosebuds live, you owe it yourself to catch them sometime. I’ve seen them more than a few times and they’ve never put on a less-than-stellar show. Opening with one of my favorite songs (and the song I had stuck in my head prior to their set), “Drunkards Worst Nightmare,” the band charged through a set full of songs from all four of their long-players, from the dancey synth-pop of “Get Up Get Out” from Night of the Furies to the hauntingly beautiful set-closer “Nice Fox” off the recent Life Like (including, as always, audience participation on the refrain “And it don’t mean nothing at all.”)

From the merch table in the back selling Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band shirts to the drum kit with the words “The Mystic Valley Band” emblazoned across the kick drum, it was apparent who the night’s headliner was from the moment you stepped into the Cradle. These days, instead of playing confessional folk songs, Oberst is busy playing raucous country-rock. Backed by a five-piece band, Oberst took the stage in a wide-brim cowboy hat that wouldn’t be out of place in an old western. Oberst played a generous hour-and-a-quarter long set consisting solely of material from his two Merge albums, last year’s self-titled record and the newly-released Outer South. Backed by a five-piece band, it was a nice way to end the first night of XX Merge’s festivities and get people excited about the remaining four nights.

More coverage and photos of the other four nights are on their way, so check back soon!

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Concert Review

NIN|JA, A tour which left a hole

Trent Reznor has decided to hang up the Nails. After 20 years of touring and making music, on the twentieth anniversary of Pretty Hate Machine, Trent has decided that it is time for Nine Inch Nails to stop making music and touring. Before embarking on the aptly named, Wave Goodbye Tour, he said, “It’s time to make NIN disappear for a while. What this tour meant to me, was one last hurrah.”

The emotion and energy shown by Trent was astronomical. He, and the rest of the members of the band made it a show I will never forget. From me screaming at the top of my lungs, and dancing in my seat to songs like “Wish,” “Survialism,” and the epic closure “Head Like A Hole.” I will never forget the goosebumps I got upon hearing “The Fragile,” “Le Mer,” and the haunting but beautiful “Hurt.” It’s a sad day to see them go, but hopefully they will grace us with their presence sometime down the road with an album that will blow us away, and show us why Trent Reznor is one of the greatest musicians of all time. Until that time comes, I will always remember the show, and the pain in his voice as he sang “You can have it all, my empire of dirt. I will let you down, I will make you hurt.” As NIN left the stage, I was still in awe of their show and all I could do was wave goodbye.

Setlist:

  1. Home

  2. Somewhat Damaged

  3. Wish

  4. March of the Pigs

  5. Piggy

  6. Metal (Gary Numan cover)

  7. I’m Afraid Of Americans (David Bowie cover)

  8. Head Down

  9. Burn

  10. Gave Up

  11. La Mer

  12. The Fragile

  13. Non-Entity

  14. The Downward Spiral

  15. Survivalism

  16. Suck

  17. Hurt

  18. The Hand That Feeds

  19. Head Like A Hole (with Eric Avery)

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Concert Review

Band Together, June 6

As someone who has worked more than a dozen on-air fundraisers, practically begging for the telephone to ring, I wholeheartedly agree that the best way to raise money is through a rocking concert. WKNC does it through our annual Double Barrel Benefit and so does Band Together NC, a local non-profit whose mission is “to raise funds and awareness for select charities through events that showcase and support musical talent.” Since its formation in 2001, Band Together has raised more than $635,000 for Triangle charities.

Band Together’s latest effort took place Saturday, June 6 with Chatham County Line, The Rosebuds and Rusted Root performing on the Lincoln Theatre Street Stage. Band Together alumni HOBEX closed out the evening with a set inside the Lincoln. MyNC.com reports the Band Together committee presented a $108,000 check to the Lucy Daniels Center for Early Childhood just before Rusted Root took the stage.

Chatham County Line performs at Band Together, June 6, 2009. Photo by Jamie Lynn Gilbert.

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Chatham County Line took the stage at 6 p.m. I could hear the beginning notes of “The Carolinian” as I rushed to the blocked off area of Cabarrus Street between Blount and Wilmington in downtown Raleigh. The Lincoln Theatre street stage was against the Wilmington Street side, with the Silent Auction area, requisite Budweiser beer line and Southern Season Catering trailer leading to Blount.

With the banjo, mandolin and guitar players crowded around the microphone and the bassist two steps behind, the mic stand could have just as easily read WSM as Chatham Co Line. The Raleigh-based quartet makes appearances on Americana, Blues and Co. as well as during our daytime format, with their album IV. The set list included newer tunes “Chip of a Star” and “Whipping Boy” and older ones like “Route 23.” The crowd was a little thin when the band began, but filled in as the set wore on, prompting one of the band members to compliment the crowd for being much better than the one there 15 minutes prior.

The Rosebuds on stage at Band Together, raising money for the Lucy Daniels Center. Photo by Jamie Lynn Gilbert.

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Indie pop rockers The Rosebuds were the evening’s second act. Guitarist Ivan Howard led the crowd in a sing-a-long on “Nice Fox,” encouraging the crowd to yell so loud they could be heard in Fuquay. The decibel level didn’t get quite that high, but the crowd seemed genuinely engaged, swaying as they repeated “and it don’t mean nothing at all.” The Raleigh duo has a sparse performance schedule this summer, but will be at the Duke Gardens this Wednesday, June 10th.