These United States: Black Cat 8/29

These United States are playing at the Black Cat this saturday night. They played awhile back and I wrote about them on DC Disco. Check out what I wrote about These United States back when they were here in May.

THESE UNITED STATES

A friend of mine from work who reads DC Disco read about them when I posted in May and said her and her friends really enjoyed the concert. Maybe I will check them out this weekend since I missed them last time.

Bat for Lashes: 930 Club 8/15

I thought I would begin my Lollapalooza review with Bat for Lashes since Natasha Khan and her mystic band are playing at the 930 Club tomorrow night, Saturday 8/15. The show begins at 8pm and tickets are only $15! If I had not just seen her I would go (and depending on my plans for tomorrow night, I still might). Anyway, Bat for Lashes played at my favorite stage at Lollapalooza, the vitaminwater stage (Crystal Castels, Dan Deacon, Animal Collective, Cold War Kids, Of Montreal, and Miike Snow also played at this stage).

Bat for Lashes is spearheaded by Natasha Khan. Her and her band play dark, mystic, and earthy tunes that are both intense and aetherial at the same time. During her amazing set at Lollapalooza, she used a multitude of instruments and wore a crazy sequened leotard too boot. I didn't really know much about Bat for Lashes before so it's hard to really comment on her performance but all in all it was a wonderful, trippy, and an intense experience. One thing I did really appreciated and respect was when she spoke so highly of the United States; the people, the landscape, and the vast, unique spance that is our country and how it truly has inspired her and shaped her sound (even though she's not even from the United States). Since that performance, I have downloaded a ton of her stuff and will undoubtedly become a big fan of hers. I would highly recommend going to her show at the 930 Club tomorrow night. Check out Bat for Lashes below:

Bat for Lashes on Myspace

LOLLAPALOOZA

Lollapalooza was AMAZING! I have to say it was one of the best weekends of my entire life. First and foremost, it was great seeing Will, Caroline, and Ben. They were great companions for the 3 day festival. They like much of the same music as I do so we almost saw all of the same bands with one or two exceptions. They even got me into some new stuff and opened my eyes to the wonder that is a live Crystal Castles show.

It was my first time to Chicago and boy was I impressed. Chicago is a great city. Beautiful skyline, friendly midwesterners, AND you can buy liquor in convenience stores. All clutch. The skyline provided the most amazing backdrop for all of the concerts. During the day you could see all the incredible buildings and architecture Chicago has to offer and at night the illumiated lights from the building reigned through the dark sky. All in all, Chicago was a great setting and I hope to get back again for Lollapalooza and maybe to even see and experience the city too.

I am going to write an individual post about all the bands I saw most of or in full but I figure I will let you know who I saw so you can anticipate whats to come. Lollapalooza also re-energized me and I am now ready to get back on the horse and continue writing in this blog every day. Thank you Lollapalooza. Thank you.

Here are the bands/djs/acts that I saw, in order:

peter bjorn and john
sts9
crystal castles
thievery corporation
of montreal
simian moblie disco
crookers
kid cudi
miike snow
atmosphere
chairlift
arctic monkeys
santigold
lykke li
animal collective
yeah yeah yeahs
ra ra riot
bat for lashes
the airborne toxic event
dan deacon
vampire weekend
cold war kids
snoop dogg
mstrkrft
the killers


More to come...so don't go too far.

Make Her Say - Kid Cudi Ft. Kanye West and Common

Check out the video for another fresh summer jam. Enjoy!

Whoooooa!

I have been super busy over the past week and a half and realized I haven't posted any new stuff in a looooong time.  Well I promise that starting today, I will be back on track and posting more frequently.  That is a promise.

MSTRKRFT feat John Legend - Heartbreaker

my new summer jam/obsession. thanks alaina!

RIP MJ

As everyone now knows, Michael Jackson died today due to a heart attack at his home in Los Angeles.  Not much can be said that hasn't already been said about this iconic music legend so instead I will let his music do the talking... 

Michael Jackson - Thriller

Michael Jackson - Black Or White

Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean

Michael Jackson - P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)

Michael Jackson - Smooth Criminal

Michael Jackson - Ben

Michael Jackson - Man in the Mirror

This group of songs doesn't even do his incredible career and talent justice.  Below is a great New York Times article about Michael.

Michael Jackson, Pop Icon, is Dead at 50

Matt and Kim

Matt and Kim played a fantastic set at the Rock and Roll Hotel on Saturday night. The concert was free, yes absolutely free, thanks to the Bacardi sponsor (and subsequentially Matt and Kim's song Daylight is currently featured in the new Bacardi commercial) . Rock and Roll Hotel provided the perfect size venue for Matt and Kim. It was crowded but not too crowded and everyone was having a nice, sweaty time on the dance floor. Matt and Kim make such fun music that it's impossible not to dance during their live performances. They are also very happy and smiley throughout their whole show, adding to the mood already set by their music. They played a good set including all of their most well known songs and a few of their newer material. I was front and center about 3 rows back from the stage, which provided a great place to experience the music. In between two songs, when it was relatively quiet, I yelled out, "you're the best, never change" to which they replied "thanks" in unison. After the show, Kim decided to jump down from stage and have an impromptu dance party with the patrons of the Rock and Roll Hotel and her fans. I appreciate artists who do not take themselves too seriously and just want to have a good time. Matt and Kim put on a stellar show and I will gladly go see them again the next time they roll through DC. Check out some material by Matt and Kim below:


Matt and Kim on Myspace

METRIC

The past few days have been insanely busy so I was unable to post before the Metric show but will gladly spill everything about their show last night at the 930 Club. After waiting through two sub-par opening acts, Metric took the stage and just blew me away. Lead singer, Emily Haines (formerly of Broken Social Scene), was a lively, enigmatic performer and was the center of attention with good reason. Her vocals were strong and she is the reason people love Metric so much. She engages the audience in a way very few performers do and enjoys dancing around the stage. They primarily played stuff from their new album, Fantasies, but also played some of their older hits. Standing on the second level right above stage, I was also able to watch the audience. Many in the audience knew every word to every song and their upbeat style was perfect to dance around to. If Metric is in your city, I would definitely check them out. You will not be disappointed. Check out some music by Metric below:


Metric on Myspace

Metric - Twilight Galaxy
Metric - Stadium Love
Metric - Help I'm Alive
Metric - Blindness
Metric - The Police And The Private
Metric - Dead Disco

Spotlight Lollapalooza: Lykke Li

While I'm still on my high from viewing the daily lineup for this years Lollapalooza, I decided it has been too long since my last Spotlight Lollapalooza post. Today's artist is Lykke Li. Hailing from Sweden, this young lady has a sound all her own; mixing pop, electronic, and unique vocals. I had the chance to go see her at the 6th and I Synagogue several months ago but blew it big time by not going. Like many from Sweden, her sound is quite unique but definitely Swedish (if that makes sense at all). Think of other Swedish female artists ala Robyn, Those Dancing Days, etc and Lykke Li fits right in there. Her beats are infectious and her vocals are soft yet strong. She is one of the artists who are playing at the same time as another artist I want to see (in this case TV on the Radio). She has collaborated with many top artists including Robyn, NASA ft Santigold and Kanye, Bon Iver, Kleerup, and any array of Swedish musicians. Check out Lykke Li below:


Lykke Li on Myspace

N.A.S.A. Feat. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li - Gifted
Lykke Li vs Kings Of Leon - Knocked Up (DEATH TO THE THRONE REMIX)
Lykke Li - Tonight
Lykke Li - Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa (vampire weekend cover)