speed of dark

In 2007 Indie Mom and I went to enough concerts that we can actually have bests in this category.

Best concerts of 2007

WOLF PARADE at the Glass House, September 15
[Review and photos]

We both agreed that this was our favorite. I've been completely in love with Dan Boeckner ever since this show. Click here to see the photo page I made.
Wolf Parade: Language - Live, 8/18/07, Download Festival, Tweeter Center, Mansfield, MA

JOSEPH ARTHUR and the LONELY ASTRONAUTS at the Roxy, May 9
[Review and photos]

Joe Arthur is the consummate showman and an incredible musician. In this particular song that I've posted, he's doing the entire thing by himself, right in front of your eyes and ears. I could swear that's me laughing after he says he's introducing the band while they're offstage.

A lot of up-and-coming bands could learn pacing, professionalism, and creating rapport with the audience from him.
Joseph Arthur: Prison - Live at the Roxy 5/9/07

BEIRUT at the Avalon, October 11
[Review and photos]

Zach Condon shows the he knows how to lead a band and pace a show to give a thoroughly satisfying performance. I got some of the best photos I have taken to date. It's so sad that Indie Mom missed this one.
Beirut: The Gulag Orkestar - Live @ Sala Rossa 9/27/07 - thanks to TrendWhore

THE DECEMBERISTS at the Hollywood Bowl, July 7
[Review and photos]

We had seats in a good section for this rollicking, excellent show. Colin Meloy and the gang know the meaning of entertainment.
The Decemberists: O Valencia - Live 7/7/07 at the Hollywood Bowl

Classiest Venues

EARLIMART at the Getty, March 9
[Review]

The venue strictly enforced no photos, so we didn't take any. We got this one later from Aaron Espinoza himself. Some would have found this subdued show too staid and stuffy, but I have rarely been so comfortable at a rock performance, and being comfortable helps me enjoy it more.

BEN GIBBARD at Royce Hall, May 19
[Review]
This was another show where we were able to sit in comfort in a lovely, elegant hall with people who respected the musicians and other audience members. The place was built for excellent sound quality. I took my portable recorder for the first time and was able to capture a few songs but not the entire show. However the stage was very dark and photos I took with my old camera were poor.
Ben Gibbard: Why You'd Want To Live Here/We Will Become Silhouettes - Live at Royce Hall, UCLA, 5/19/07


Best Surprise

JACKSON BROWNE at Aimee Mann's 2nd Annual Christmas Special
[Review and photos]

Definitely one of the highlights of the year, especially because it was unexpected.


Most Bizarre

OF MONTREAL at the Avalon, November 9
[Review and photos]


Visually it was stunning but ultimately the dizzy carnival atmosphere distracted from what should have been the focus--the music. I got some great pictures though.

Antics included a sword-fight, balloons spewing confetti over the audience, and a tiger biting another character's crotch. Oh, I didn't tell you about that before, did I?



THE MAE SHI at the Echo, October 2



This visual performance ensemble opened for Division Day at their CD release party. The Echo could also qualify for the smallest venue--I've seen closets bigger than that stage. The band members changed clothes on stage three times during the show, wrapped strings of lights around themselves, and leaped off the front of the stage to stare and sing in our faces. Indie Mom said her mouth was open in astonishment the entire time. It was hilarious!
The Mae Shi: Run To Your Grave

Most Disappointing

THE ARCADE FIRE at the Hollywood Bowl, September 20

This was such a letdown, you notice that we never even wrote a review. It wasn't the band's fault--I bet they were fine. The reason I'm not sure is that the best seats we could afford were way up in the Frat Party section of the Bowl. People found it more important to carry on loud conversations, yell into their cell phones, drink and let their bottles roll around everywhere, and make out with their dates and LEAVE before the band even came onstage. It was pure torture for us two music-lovers. Also, probably the thing I hate most about the Bowl is that a person standing right next to non-smokers thinks it's fine to chain-smoke just because they're outside. Yuck! Cough, cough.

Personal Favorites

For one reason or another, Indie Mom was not able to go to these two shows, but I'm really glad that I did.

ALASKA IN WINTER at the Avalon


[Review and photos]

Brandon Bethancourt, besides being adorably handsome, is the nicest guy you'd ever want to meet, and he's funny too.
Alaska In Winter MySpace





J. TILLMAN at the Glass House

[Review]

Here's someone else I had been dying to see for a long time, and I got to meet him after the show and confirm that he is a sweetheart.
J. Tillman MySpace





THANKS ALSO to our friends in these bands for their shows:

Ryan Wilson, Rohner Stegnitz, and Kevin Lenhart of DIVISION DAY
Tim Hutton, Peter Walker, and Chris Reynolds of EULOGIES
Lizzie Powell and Chris McCarron of LAND OF TALK