Seeing Double

This past week I managed to get a double dose of what were fantastic live shows. These two acts couldn't have been more different if they'd tried--but were, nonetheless, both amazing!

It all started with Tuesday's...
Mercury Lounge show of The Go! Team. A british sextet I could best describe as a cross between 80's old school, The Jackson Five, 60's Pop, backed by (what a friend of mine referred to) as "Sonic Youth guitars". Mercury Lounge was definitely packed to capacity; my friend and I, feeling the growing excitement behind us (we were at the very front). Out came two girls, that quickly placed themselves behind the two drum kits that'd been set up on stage, followed by a trio of young chaps--guitars in hand. I believe they started with the instrumental piece "Junior Kickstart"; the crowd cheered and as the song came to an end, the female front vocalist/MC came on stage to really get the party started. From then on, it was a series of cheers, hand swinging and dancing--I hadn't perspired that much at a show in ages. The band itself was having an great time on stage doing their thing (sans the smugness of most indie rock bands these days). How refreshing! I left the show absolutely elated & ready to do the double dutch. It was that kinda' show.

The following night...
I found myself surrounded by the sophisticated & more serene setting of Joe's Pub. Myself and a few friends managed to grab some decent seating for the 9:30 Feist show that had been added last minute due to the overwhelming response to the first show. Feist is responsible for what was one of my "Top Albums of 2004", so needless to say my own anticipation was extremely high (but i was certain there wouldn't be any "handswinging" involved with this particular show). As the lights dimmed, the long frail singer took the stage. What came next, even my intimate knowledge of the album couldn't have prepared me for. The only phrase that comes to mind is "out of this world". If I even tried to explain to you the depth, beauty and talent that uttered from Feist under the glimmering lights of Joe's Pub, I would fail. Feist left me intoxicated (which was more than I could say for my glass of white wine). I walked out of there still somewhat speechless, and when I got home I put Let It Die on repeat. It was that kind of show.

For more on these incredible up and coming artists go to:
www.thegoteam.co.uk
www.listentofeist.com


[mm]

np. I've Got You Memorized, Ivy

Stars Over New York

Five years ago I went to my first Stars show at the Knitting Factory as they toured in support of their first album released on Le Grand Magistry. I couldn't have known then--though their brilliance was clearly apparent--that the little band from Canada (whose NYC fans were made up of the approximately 30 people in the room with me) would be selling out Mercury Lounge and playing Bowery Ballroom 4 years later. The fact is, I fathomed it would happen much sooner. Progress amongst the "indie rock revolution" for a band like Stars is slow to be sure.

Fast forward 2005...
I walked away from the Stars sold-out Mercury Lounge show last week with a smile on my face and my "Soft Revolution" t-shirt in hand. Except for the unexpected lack of encore and the newly added guitarist (whom I found incredibly distracting), Stars once again managed not to disappoint. It's interesting though, that in reflecting back on that very first show and all of the NYC Stars shows that followed--this was one of my least favorite. Why was it? Was it the sound? The overall performance? The oversized new bandmate? Or was it simply, I wonder, the fact that my little Stars were all-grown up now and the secret was out. Maybe as much as I prayed for their successes, I secretly coddled the preciousness of their obscurity....

[mm]

np.Counting Stars On The Ceiling, Stars