Last night’s performance of 1997′s masterpiece (Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space) has left me totally speechless. Moving, transcendent and absolutely gorgeous. TMS Rating: 10/10. A massive thank you to Spin! All positively mind-blowing photographs courtesy of Santiago Felipe.
More shots, the setlist & a Spiritualized tune AFTER THE JUMP…
Loyal TMS readers already realize that I have no shame about my love for Lady GaGa. Consequently, as soon as she announced a four night stand at NYC’s most legendary venue, I had no choice but to attend and live out my guilty pleasures without any prejudice. While last night’s Monster Ball performance was certainly not the best pop show I’ve ever experienced (Kylie Minogue’s epic Hammerstein Ballroom gig takes that crown), it was highly innovative and totally fabulous from start to finish. Official TMS Rating: 9/10. ‘Bad Romance’ is my second favorite single of 2009. Lady GaGa is nominated for a 2010 Brit Award. For the remainder of the day, all merch purchased on GaGa’s official site will go directly towards Haiti relief.
More photos, the setlist & a Lady GaGa tune AFTER THE JUMP…
Devastatingly beautiful from start to finish. Wow. Official TMS Rating: 9/10.
More photos, the full setlist & a Tori track AFTER THE JUMP…
Decemberists fans fall into two camps – those who love their new LP (The Hazards Of Love) and those who loathe the release. Unfortunately, I must admit that my thoughts on their latest effort swing towards the latter sentiment. I was hoping that the concept album would translate better in a live setting (especially at such a legendary venue). Sadly, it did not. However, to my delight, the second set, which featured a slew of old faves, was much more enjoyable than the first (which was dedicated solely to the aforementioned full-length). In addition to rousing renditions of ‘Billy Liar’, ‘The Chimbley Sweep’ & ‘July July’, The Decemberists tackled Heart’s ‘Crazy On You’ & even brought out R.E.M.’s Peter Buck for an outstanding rendition of ‘Begin The Begin’. A brilliant change in gears from the gig’s tepid first half. View all forthcoming Decemberists tour dates here. Visit ‘em on MySpace.
More photos, the setlist & a Decemberists MP3 AFTER THE JUMP…
Mat Kearney probably hears this a lot but it must be said that his vocals are reminiscent of Coldplay’s Chris Martin. In fact, they are eerily similar! Especially for an American singer-songwriter originally from Eugene, Oregon. With that in mind, I must also point out that Mat’s melodies and pipes are far more advanced/enjoyable than his previous tour partners (John Mayer, The Fray, Sheryl Crow, Train & Jason Mraz to name a few). Sample a wide array of Mat Kearney tunes at his official site and decide for yourself.
View another MK photo & download an MK track AFTER THE JUMP…
Laugh if you must (I realize some of you will – perhaps uncontrollably) but Keane put on a stellar performance on the final evening of their North American trek. Considering that their junior release, Perfect Symmetry, has been largely ignored this side of the globe, I was shocked to discover that the Sussex based act managed to easily sell out the legendary 6000 capacity venue. Opening with the 1-2 punch of ‘The Lovers Are Losing’ & (Hopes & Fears fave) ‘Everybody’s Changing’, Keane wasted no time charming their overzealous fans. The gig ended with ‘Bedshaped’ and a seemingly leftfield (yet amazing) take on the Queen/Bowie classic, ‘Under Pressure’. In fact, nearly every tune in the entire hundred minute set sounded positively glorious. Keane recently unveiled an online mini documentary.
View more photos & download a Keane track AFTER THE JUMP…
It’s not everyday that you get the opportunity to catch a legendary artist at a legendary venue on a legendary evening. However, last night Jen and I were two of the 6000 lucky folks in attendance to witness Leonard Cohen’s poignant and gracious 3+ hour set. Words can’t properly do this evening justice. Seeing Leonard Cohen in the flesh was, simply put, a dream come true. I can’t urge you enough to try everything in your power to experience the magic at one of his upcoming North American gigs. Live In London is out now.
More photos, the setlist & a Leonard Cohen MP3 AFTER THE JUMP…
May 3rd @ NYC’s Radio City Music Hall. Featured acts include:
Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings
Dirty Projectors
The National
Feist
My Brightest Diamond
Tix are on sale this Friday @ 9AM.
Learn more about the brilliant compilation LP here.
Last month, I reviewed Sharon Jones @ Nokia Theater.
In the past three months, I’ve been treated to two magnificent Death Cab gigs. The first being an intimate solo show from Ben Gibbard, which included covers, rarities & tender takes on DCFC’s most recognizable tunes. Last night’s full band performance was my second within the last 100 days. The band’s 95 minute set was robust & unfaltering from start to finish. As a massive admirer of The Photo Album & Transatlanticism, I was pleasantly surprised to hear ‘We Laugh Indoors’, ‘Title & Registration’ as well as the latter LP’s stunning title track. However, the most well received ditty of the evening was, unquestionably, Death Cab’s take on their 2008 epic, ‘I will Possess Your Heart’. In summary, the Seattle based quartet’s largest NYC show to date was a major success. View a handful of photos, the full setlist & a DCFC MP3 below. Watch their latest video here.
(Setlist) The Employment Pages. Your Heart Is An Empty Room. The New Year. We Laugh Indoors. Crooked Teeth. Company Calls. Grapevine Fires. Summer Skin. Soul Meets Body. I Will Follow You Into The Dark. I Will Possess Your Heart. Cath. We Looked Like Giants. Long Division. The Sound Of Settling. Bixby Canyon Bridge. (Encore) Technicolor Girls. Title & Registration. A Movie Script Ending. Marching Bands Of Manhattan. Transatlanticism.
It goes without saying that when attending a show at NYC’s legendary midtown venue, you’re usually in for something genuinely spectacular. Last night’s Goldfrapp performance was no exception to this unwritten rule. The band’s glorious seventy minute set focused heavily on their 2008 melodic yet subdued release, Seventh Tree, with some minor toe dipping into earlier efforts. As anticipated, loudest cheers of the evening were awarded to Black Cherry‘s ‘Strict Machine’ & Supernature‘s ‘Ooh La La’. With a catalog that ranges from the ethereal to the exhilarating, I was slightly tentative in Goldfrapp’s ability to pull of a cohesive gig at this point in their career. Luckily, Alison & the gang erased those fears by outrageously surpassing my expectations. Photos by Cerdsp. Visit Goldfrapp on MySpace.
MP3: Goldfrapp – Number 1 [alt link]
