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And what a week it was. No, I'm not talking about the smoldering war in Georgia, the Edwards affair or even the start of the 2008 Olympics... I'm talking Concert-fest '08. Monday night, B, Xtian, E and I enjoyed a balmy evening of Yeasayer and The National up at Central Park SummerStage. It was a good show, but not great, in my opinion. I liked the tunes, but they didn't fill up the space. A few breakout songs made the trek north of 14th well worth it like the encore version of "Fake Empire", but otherwise, I was a tad underwhelmed.
On Thursday, B and K and I kicked it up a notch at McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg with a pitch perfect performance by The Black Keys. I still can't get over how two white guys from Akron, Ohio put out such big sound. With heat lightening illuminating the fluffs of clouds behind the stage, and an eclectic output of their repetoire, it was a strong evening. Those guys always seem to be having a great time. Shame this is the last summer for shows at the pool... fantastic venue. Last night was the denouement to Concertfest '08. B and I ferried over in the late afternoon 
to Liberty State Park for a little APW action. A great space to be sure with fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. Less props for the draconian beer rules: 5 per person per day, drinking allowed only in the beer gardens and last call at 8:30p. Call me a lush, but I like me some suds when I rock out. Anyhoo, after a little lilty New Porn (minus Neko Case a lot less exciting), we succumbed to some state-park law-inspired binge drinking, and then staked some ground for Radiohead. My first time seeing those kids, and I was as giddy as a little fangirl. The set - over two hours - was energetic and inspired from "15 Step" to "Everything in its Right Place" at the end of the second encore. The lighting and camerawork was transfixing during the evening show (thank goodness since that's most of what I could see... damn skippy I'm short). Like BK the night before, Radiohead performed a wide selection of their catalogue and cemented, in my mind, that Thom Yorke, small and scrawny though he may be, is a frontman to rival Bono or Chris Martin. All Hail for Radiohead.
I started reading Esquire, nominally a men's magazine, several years back initially because I was intrigued enough to buy its "Annual Genius" issue before some cross-country flight. I've gone on to become a regular subscriber not only because of its multiple George Clooney exposes, its book reviews, analysis of what it's like to be on steroids, or treatises on how to sleep better, but largely because of its music reviews. This year's Esky Awards gives a shout out to one of my newest fav music discovery source: NPR's Bob Boilen, who hosts the weekly All Songs Considered radio show podcast. Bob, who might be indie rock's oldest and yet most enthusiastic fan boy, and his crew host fantastic live performances - straight from the 930 Club (the only reason to like DC if you ask me) from bands like Wilco, My Morning Jacket, Spoon and the New Pornographers (I was there - hee hee). This year, ATC tackled the crush of new indie music on display at SXSW. First, they listened to hundreds of tracks and distilled some 'must see' acts. During the show, they tirelessly hosted more great live shows from Yeasayer, R.E.M., it boys Vampire Weekend and Yo La Tengo. And then kindly, ever so kindly, they gave a wrap-up filled with suggestions on some of the hot new acts of 2008. Apparently, Bon Iver will make you cry.
On Thursday, B and K and I kicked it up a notch at McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg with a pitch perfect performance by The Black Keys. I still can't get over how two white guys from Akron, Ohio put out such big sound. With heat lightening illuminating the fluffs of clouds behind the stage, and an eclectic output of their repetoire, it was a strong evening. Those guys always seem to be having a great time. Shame this is the last summer for shows at the pool... fantastic venue. 
to Liberty State Park for a little APW action. A great space to be sure with fantastic views of the Statue of Liberty and lower Manhattan. Less props for the draconian beer rules: 5 per person per day, drinking allowed only in the beer gardens and last call at 8:30p. Call me a lush, but I like me some suds when I rock out. Anyhoo, after a little lilty New Porn (minus Neko Case a lot less exciting), we succumbed to some state-park law-inspired binge drinking, and then staked some ground for Radiohead. My first time seeing those kids, and I was as giddy as a little fangirl. The set - over two hours - was energetic and inspired from "15 Step" to "Everything in its Right Place" at the end of the second encore. The lighting and camerawork was transfixing during the evening show (thank goodness since that's most of what I could see... damn skippy I'm short). Like BK the night before, Radiohead performed a wide selection of their catalogue and cemented, in my mind, that Thom Yorke, small and scrawny though he may be, is a frontman to rival Bono or Chris Martin. All Hail for Radiohead.
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