Edgefest 24 - Concert Review

I had a blast at my first Edgefest, Edgefest 24.  When I heard the line up, I knew I wanted to be there.  The Edge, 102.1, is a Dallas radio station.  I guess you would say alternative music. There were fourteen bands four of which where on my want to see and one on my must see list. 

My absolute must see was Beck.  It was my first time catching in him and he did not disappoint. I would say that he did a greatest hits show.  I loved his new album, Morning Phase, but it's so chill that I worried it might not be the greatest live show.  He only sang one song from Morning Phase, Blue Moon.  Funky, white boy Beck was in full force.  I love Beck's weirdness.  I think that's what makes him so creative and different.  I was a little disappointed that so much of the crowd cleared out for Beck's awesome show.  It was a young crowd and I'm sure many of them did not have a great appreciation for Beck but I think those that stayed were won over. 

Also high on my list was the Avett Brothers.  I love the Avett Brothers.  I love their heartfelt lyrics that I thought they might get a little lost in an event like this.  I'm glad they were included because they're one of my top three bands but it surprised me from the Edge because I've only heard ONE of their songs played on their radio station and that was after they had been added to the line up.  I think many of the regular Edge listeners were probably not familiar with the Avett Brothers.  There were actually more people waiting for Cage the Elephant on the second stage than were watching the Avett Brothers on the main stage.  Still they put on their usual high energy show.  I really wish they would retire Talk on Indolence from the lineup.  It's just too much for me but they seem to love performing it.  Seth did some crowd surfing which was great!  I want to see Avett Brothers whenever they come to DFW. 

I think Cage the Elephant was the most popular band at the Edgefest.  They had a great crowd and there was crowd surfing galore.  I love Cage the Elephant just because they try to many different things and don't follow any narrowly defined genre.  Some of it works great some things are a little out there but the result is always creative and interesting.  Matt Shultz absolutely has moves like Jagger.  He was all over the stage dancing and just so much fun to watch, loads more fun than the stand there and sing bands.  I hope they just continue to grow in success and stay the unique creative band that are.

The Neighbourhood was another band that I wanted to catch.  For some reason, I thought they were a British band but I was wrong.  This was the band that I most wanted to give a make over.  If you don't know the Neighbourhood, there most popular song is Sweater Weather.  I love that song and Afraid.  The singer looks like he should be signing in a heave metal band.  he was wearing all black and has all kinds of tattoos.  He looks like you would expect him to since Papa Roach songs but nope, not their music at all.  I will offer my skills as a stylist to the singer free of charge. 

I also wanted to see MS MR but only got to hear them as I was waiting to get in the gates.  I should  have left a little earlier.  They did sound great. 

 

 

My biggest surprise was the Kongos.  They were one of my favorites of the day.  They just have great driving beats in their songs.  There's something about that tribal drumming that brings out our primal instincts.  I also think you can't go wrong with a band that rocks out with an accordion.  It's so unexpected.  

Other random thoughts, Grouplove's Hannah Hooper wins the prize for most interesting ensemble for her blue body suit.  Matt Shultz of Cage the Elephant looked sharp in all white.  I love that the venue had clean bathrooms, not to be under appreciated at a music festival.  Still I prefer grass under my feet at a festival.  The teenage girls seemed to love Bastille the best or more particularly singer, Dan Smith.  A big thank you to the weather for not being too hot and sunny but it was very, very windy. 

Zane Williams at Billy Bob's Texas

Urgh!  I hate that I didn't get a good picture last night.  Next time I will walk right up to the stage and snap one.  So this is not a pic of Zane Williams at Billy Bob's.  It is actually a still from his video for Overnight Success which I posted below.  Last night was his first headlining performance at Billy Bob's and my first time seeing him.  If you aren't familiar, Zane Williams is a Texas country performer and HE IS AWESOME!  Okay, I just love him.  What makes you love a certain artist and their music, I don't know but I completely dig him.  I did miss the first song or two which is a bummer since I'm sure he probably played Kissin' which is one of my favorites off the new album, just because it's so sweet and cute.  I had invited a bunch of friends but some dissed me and Zane for cheap beer or because it was raining - lame!  They missed a fabulous show. 

 

This is Overnight Success my favorite Zane song.  I know I've posted it before but I'm posting it again.  Half the reason I have a music blog is so I can pimp people I love. 

 

 

Here's my best attempt at a setlist. 

Little Too Late
On a Good Day
Pablo and Maria
Driving My Life Away - Eddie Rabbit cover
Overnight Success
Amarillo by Morning
Louisiana Saturday Night
If You're Gonna Play in Texas
Calling Baton Rouge
Wagon Wheel
99 Bottles

Amanda Sue, Zane and me - fun night!

The Head and The Heart at Southside Ballroom Dallas

Ach! Life is passing me by.  I saw The Head and the Heart on Friday night but kept waiting to write this up.  The best reviews are when it's super fresh.  This shall be my short and sweet concert review.

"Sounds Like Hallelujah" a song with interrupted cadence well more of change in tempo but awesomeness whatever you want to call it

The Head and the Heart is a folksy sounding band from Seattle.  I discovered them this past year and fell in love with the song "Lost in my Mind".  I think this is their most well known song and it was amazing live.  When I saw that they were coming to town, I immediately bought tickets.  It was a very young crowd and it sure seemed like a full house.  I have to put in my typical gripe about being too short for GA shows.  It really stinks not being able to see everything.  I guess the rule needs to be that I need to get to the venue early and claim a spot close to the stage.  I really think we should all line up like in grade school pictures with the short people in front and the tall people in back.  Then again I want to be with my tall man and we would be separated.  I guess that brilliant idea will not hold up. 

 

Lost in my Mind - amazing song from the first listen

The band opened with Shake, their first single from their new album which was recently released.  I think actually in November.  They followed with Homecoming Heroes which inspired a "fucking awesome batman" exclamation from my guy who really didn't know the Head and the Heart before we went to the show.  Their music can be unusual.  It doesn't always have the traditional verse chorus verse chorus structure.  I like any band that mixes it up and does things a little differently.  They also have some wonderful heartfelt lyrics.  The problem is that some of the slower, more mellow songs just aren't exciting live.  "Sounds like Hallelujah" was great live.  I don't think I heard Josh McBride which is my favorite song from the new album. 

 

Down in the Valley - I just love songs that build like this.

Here's a partial setlist.  I didn't get them all.

Shake
homecoming Heroes
Ghosts
10,000 Weight in Gold
Let's Be Still
Winter Song
Sounds like Hallelujah
Rivers and Roads
Honey Come Home
Down in the Valley

 The Shake

 

 

 

So The Head and the Heart is a band that I hope to hear much more from.  

 



Michael Franti at House of Blues Dallas

What an awesome show!  I had so much fun watching Michael Franti perform.  Well really not even watching, participating in the show.  His show got me thinking about what makes a show so much better than others.  First of all, of course, the music.  Even if everything else is right if the music is off it's not going to be a great, fun show.  There's just so much more to it.  The personality of the performer makes such a difference.  I adore the performers who just exude love and appreciation for their fans and that is Michael Franti.  He is so happy to be there.  He's so happy that we're there with him.  Also he encourages you to share love with those who came to the show with you.  I thought it was very sweet.  Love was definitely in the air.  I love performers who tell the audience stories.  Balloon drops!  I think every band should have a balloon drop.  That might be a problem at a heavy metal show but who doesn't love bopping balloons around.  Apparently, that's something that never grows old.  Sing a longs are always fun.  Jumping! Jumping! Jumping!  Performers who come out into the audience and grab hands (twice for me), give hugs! invite kids on the stage.  He also came out after the show to sign autographs and pose for pictures.  You know he has to be exhausted but he just keeps going, showing love and appreciation for his fans.  I will absolutely go see him the next time he's in the area.  Such an awesome night. This is apparently going to be a stream of consciousness blog because I'm too tired to clean it up for you.  This is in my top three favorite shows of the year. 

I also have to say what a difference it is seeing a song performed live compared to listening to the album.  There are several songs that I thought were just okay when I listened to the new album but watching the performance gave me a whole new appreciation. 

I'm going to post a few videos for the people who don't know Michael Franti's music.  I'm going to say he's a cross between Jack Johnson and Bob Marley. 

From the new album "Life is Better With You"

First single from the new album "I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like)"

His biggest song and the song that led me to Michael Franti "Say Hey (I love you)"

 

 

So I did not keep a set list because my phone died.  My phone just really doesn't like to hold a charge.  So I did my best to try to put it together after the fact.  I know I'm missing songs but here you go. 

 

 

I Don't Wanna Go

Yell Fire

Rude Boys

Sound of Sunshine (fabulous balloon drop song)

11:59

Closer to You

Life is Better with You

Gangsta Girl

Hey World

All People

Hey Hey Hey

Let it Go

I'm Alive (Life Sounds Like)

Say Hey (I Love You)

 

Me and my Gigi Boo Boo before the show.  It was her first time to House of Blues and she is IN LOVE with Michael Franti now and has decided it's time to look for love.  Unfortunately, Michael is taken so she'll have to look elsewhere.  Oh I also need to say that opener Serena Ryder did a great job.  She has an amazing voice and I'm so jealous.  Fabulous show!  Awesome night!  Fun, fun, fun!

 

Little Green Cars at Live Oak

Such an incredibly, awesome show.  I'm so glad I got to be there.  Their opening was the best opening I've seen this year.  Little Green Cars is a band from Dublin, Ireland.  They're described as Americana because they have a bit of a folk influenced sound.  I guess we could go with indie alt description too. 

This was the song that they played for the open.  The curtains open to an empty stage.  No screaming "Hello Fort Worth, We're Little Green Cars".  Just an empty stage.  The band members come out and stand at the front of the stage without their instruments and sing this beautiful song a capella.  Such beautiful harmonies.  It really was an awesome opening.  They then go straight into the second song and though I love their music I was afraid they were going to be one of those bands that takes themselves too seriously.  You know the bands that think they artistes and perform without comment or enthusiasm.  Luckily as the night progressed I realized that I was so wrong about that.  I had to laugh at the bass player who came out wearing a jacket and with his hair combed back then he had his pretty woman rock and roll makeover moment and lost the jacket and started rocking out with the hair in his face.  The guitarist lost his bow tie as the night went on too which was funny but not as impressive. 

They have some very moving, quiet songs but they also have some very upbeat, danceable songs too.  One of my favorites follows, Big Red Dragon.

I think the most moving song was The Kitchen Floor.  Faye is a powerful, powerful vocalist.

 

The penultimate song was their biggest song and the first song I heard by this band, The John Wayne. 

 

 

 

For the John Wayne they invited the audience members onstage with them.  How much fun was that and something that's never happened at another show.  Then for their encore they joined the audience off the stage in the middle of the venue and sang "The Consequences of Not Sleeping".   They were literally right beside me.  Such a great show and a great reason why you need to go see live music.  It is so much more of an experience to see a live performance than to listen to the music at home.  You get to see them, their enthusiasm, hear them talk and tell stories about the songs.  I always come away with a new appreciation of the music after seeing the band live. 

 

The following is my  best attempt at a set list.  I didn't actually keep it at the show but tried to remember the next day which is never as good but it will have to do.  I know I'm missing some songs on here. 

 

Red

Angel Owl

Harper Lee

Big Red Dragon

The Kitchen Floor

My Love Took Me Down to the River (to Silence Me)

The John Wayne

The Consequences of Not Sleeping

 

 

 

I also wanted to add that the opening band The Days out of Denton did a good job.  They have a unique, retro sound.  I really enjoyed their show and hope they continue to grow.  Also a note that I love the venue of the Live Oak in Fort Worth.  I love to see a band in a small venue and it's even better when they get a decent turn out.  This was their first performance in Fort Worth and I hope they come back.  If you get a chance to see them, absolutely do it.  

 

Hayes Carll at Billy Bob's Texas!

 

You either love Hayes Carll or you're wrong!!! Really I don't understand how people don't love him and his music.  Hayes is a Texas singer songwriter.  The first few times I've seen him were not the best.  I saw him at the 2011 Fort Worth Music Festival in the rain and I didn't get to see a whole set.  I really wasn't very familiar with him and his music but I did like his storytelling to the audience.  The next time I saw him was at KXT's Summer Cut with a much too short 30 minute set.  I was glad to finally see him in a smaller club setting where he was the featured performer.  He did not pack the place but the fans who were there were very dedicated fans.  They knew the songs.  They sang along.  They hooped and hollered.  Hayes says as long as people keep showing up he will keep performing I hope that's true.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to hear She Left Me for Jesus or Someone Like You.  I love both those songs.  I really would like to be able to provide a set list to the artist before the shows. :)  Even better I could have sang Someone Like You with Hayes.  That really would have been a fun audience sing a long.  My favorite songs were Hard Out Here and Stomp and Holler.  I really enjoy the more upbeat songs at a show.  I wanted a t shirt but I tell  myself that my splurge is for the tickets and the experience not the t shirt. 

Here's the set list

The Letter
Faulkner Street
Girl Downtown
I Got A Gig
Rivertown
Little Rock
KMAG YOYO
Chances Are
Drunken Poet's Dream
Down the Road Tonight
Magic Kid
Live Free or Die
Bad Liver and a Broken Heart
Hard Out Here
Stomp and Holler
I Don't Wanna Grow Up
Beaumont

Encore:

Bottle In My Hand
Wish I Hadn't Stayed So Long
The Lovin' Cup

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at House of Blues Dallas

 

Such an incredibly awesome show!!! Absolutely the best show that I've been to this year and BRMC is always in my top five best shows I've seen! Now admittedly I'm biased because I love, love, love them and I have a mad crush on Peter Hayes but truly an amazing show.  I've been writing this post in my head for the past two days.  I was too sleep deprived to get to this before now.  I had to go to work the next morning which is always a bummer but absolutely worth it. 

I discovered BRMC maybe five years ago when I saw them at the Grenada in Dallas.  I'm thinking it must have been 2007 because I remember loving the songs from Baby 81 and at that time I was not into the Howl songs at all.  My appreciation of Howl has grown.   What I do know is that I was an instant fan.  I couldn't even see Peter's face with all his hair but he just exuded cool. 

This was the second time I saw them and so much better because I know most of the songs this time.  BRMC has some very hard, driving songs and then more ambient and introspective songs.   It's a great mix and they hit it hard then pull back.  It keeps the show fresh.  They're not very chatty on stage but that keeps the cool vibe going.  They let the music speak.  Also they play for a long time.  I really think longer than any other band I've seen, a solid two hours and maybe even a little longer than that.  Now that they have six albums I know it's not possible for them to play everyone's favorites songs but there were a few I would have loved to hear that didn't make it.

Now I'm really considering getting the old lady seats in the balcony next time.  Being short stinks.  Always there is a tall guy in front of me.  I finally get around or beside the tall guy and somehow another tall guy pops up in front of me.  I love being in middle of the crowd.  I love feeling the energy and working my way up closer to the stage.  I would say the last half of the show I was able to see without standing on my tiptoes peaking between shoulders.   I'm just thinking it's a trade off between being close and being able to see.  Still sitting at a show seems lame. I want to feel the bass coming up through the floor. I want to be a part of it not an observer.

 

So if you haven't listened to Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, I say listen to them and love them.  I really don't know how anyone could not appreciate their music.  Here's the set list.  It was a fabulous night!

Let the Day Begin - The Call cover
Rival
Red Eyes and Tears
Hate the Taste
Beat the Devils Tattoo
Whatever Happened to My Rock n Roll
Ain't No Easy Way
Berlin
666 Conducer
Returning
You Run - acoustic Robert
Devil's Waiting - acoustic Peter (Note: I wanted to junk punch those talking during this song)
Fire Walker
Windows
Conscience Killer
Stop
Love Burns
Lullaby
In Like the Rose
White Palms
Funny Games
Six Barrel Shotgun
Spread You Love

Encore:

Sell It
Lose Yourself

 

Also I want to buy Peter a gift of a quit smoking hypnosis CDs and Nicorette. I want him to live forever or at the very least longer than me.