Day of Music

I haven’t felt much like writing this year, sorry about that. I have been on a lot of adventures and just have not gotten around to writing about them, let alone send out postcards. But two weeks back AJ and I went to the X96 Big Concert Show at the Gallivan Center and saw The Airborne Toxic Event (yeah!!), Neon Trees, and Panic at the Disco. There were other bands, but these were the reasons we went. Especially to see Panic since we have had not had the chance to see them perform; which in a way we still have not since the lead vocalist Brendon was sick in the hospital so he was not able to perform. But the show still went on with Tyler from Neon Trees singing two songs, along with other performers from that days concerts filling in. Very entertaining, glad they still performed, just wish we had Brendon (Good news, Brendon ended up not having malaria).

Also I found that I like Dallon Weekes from Brobecks who is touring with Panic as bass guitarist and back up vocals. My new favorite romantic song- Love at First Sight (shared below). He did a wonderful job performing and filling in with vocals that night.

Overall a great concert for such a low price. Three bands I enjoy for $25. Money well spent!

Real and One Republic

Last Saturday AJ and I went to a Real Salt Lake soccer game mainly so we could see One Republic perform after the game. I gave up the big BYU vs. U of U football game for this (which turned out for the best since I would have just been frustrated watching us hand the game over to the other team). This is my second adventure watching a live soccer match and it seemed to move more quickly. I attribute it to understanding the game more. Actually, I think I just decided to go with the flow of the game and not focus so much on the calls. Good news- Real won!

After the game we found seats closer to the stage and settled in for a long concert of five songs. Yeah, five songs. It was like getting a sample scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins and walking out without ordering. They canceled their earlier appearance this summer so I have been anticipating this concert for awhile and just wished I had more to enjoy. But I can’t complain because I do love their song “Secrets.” I find myself watching the film Sorcerers Apprentice anytime I see it on TV just to hear their music.

Luckily next month The Airborne Toxic Event is coming back into town with Panic at the Disco and Neon Trees. Can’t wait!

Death Cab for Cutie

You would think that as little I have been posting that I have not been up to anything this year but it has been just the opposite. Last week AJ and I went and saw Death Cab for Cutie. I’ve enjoyed their music over the years (including Ben’s stint with Postal Service) but their new album Codes and Keys is what won me over that I needed to see them in concert. A very enjoyable concert that actually started on time which is so rare. Here is a sample of why I like them (the video is a little weird, but I do love the song):



I forgot to mention that Ben never stops moving during the entire concert. He is always in motion, I was exhausted just watching him. No need for an exercise plan for him.

The Airborne Toxic Event

On June 1st AJ, DF, and I went to a concert that I have been waiting for over 2 years to come to Utah- Airbone Toxic Event. I first fell in love with the group with their song Sometime Around Midnight and they have had me hooked ever since.

I have to say they were my favorite concert I have ever been to and here is why:

They were personable with the crowd- Mikel Jollett twice walked out into the crowd during the concert and came out afterwards to talk to fans. (I got one person away from him before he switched directions).

I love that their keyboard stand is a stack of books.

They mix instruments like the violin and the cello into their music. (FYI a man playing a cello is very sexy without the tux)

The band members each can play multiple instruments and switch around during the concert.

Noah Harmon looks like a cross between Maxwell Claufield and Bruce Springsteen (yeah, I have a little bit of a crush).

They actually have cool band t-shirts to purchase and thanks to AJ I have one!

And of course their music is great!

So even though my ears rang for three days after the concert it was worth it and here is just a sample why:

ABBA

I have decided that everyone is an ABBA fan if they admit it or not. As soon as Dancing Queen, Fernando, or Mamma Mia starts playing there you are singing along without even realizing it and you have a smile on your face. I have memories of Dancing Queen being played at every college dance I went to.

Thursday night AJ and I went to “Original London’s West End” production of ABBA Mania at U of U. First of all I have to state that we were actually part of the younger crowd as to oppose to last week’s Neon Trees concert. There were people my parents’ age dancing their hearts out and I thought is that going to be me thirty years from now at a The Cure tribute concert (as AJ and I discussed).

The performers did a really good job. I had to YouTube ABBA and see if that is really how the group danced since I have only really listened to music, and yep they did a correct tribute to the band. I enjoyed the music, but for once the audience was a distraction.

Neon Trees

So this past year every time Neon Trees has come into town (3xs that I was aware) I have not been able to go see them, until last Tuesday. I have loved them since February and just by chance I saw they were playing at SLCC last week and luckily AJ said yes she would go with me. Neon Trees come to Utah often because they hail from Provo and even though they are growing in popularity they remember where they started off and are proud of it.

First let me just say I am glad I am no longer in high school. So the majority of the people attending were probably college students, but the conversations going on around us while we waited in line to enter just made me think high school. Yes, AJ and I were towards the older end of the scale of people attending but we think we found around five people older than us.

Because it was a small venue we had great seats. In the end the concert was not one of my favorites I have attended this year but still enjoyable and I am really glad I went. What I liked: the lead singer loves the crowd, they have a girl drummer (I wonder if Watts was her inspiration), and of course their music. What I did not like: the stupid SLCC mascot that would not get the hint to get off the stage and the blaring lights that concerts now must have to show that they have succeeded and can afford special effects.

Vampire Weekend

The band, not to be confused with anything Edward.

So, AJ and I discovered we liked the band Vampire Weekend pretty much the week after they came to Salt Lake. We were discouraged. But then a few days later AJ comes up to me at work and says that they are playing in Vegas the end of the month and we could do the entire trip under $200. What else could I do but say yes.

So we flew down Wednesday afternoon after work. I love short flights. We checked into our hotel The Imperial Palace (there was a reason our room was only $30). We ate at Serendipity 3 (like the one from the film but in Vegas) since we tried to go there last time we were in town but they were closed. Our waiter literally winked after every sentence. I guess he was really working for his tip, but it was just annoying. We got dessert first, which was wise since it was huge. Then we hoped on the bus to The Palms for the concert.

Vegas really knows how to put on shows. Every seat in the house had an unobstructed view and the seats were leather. Friendly ushers to show you the way and immaculate high end bathrooms. We had two opening acts The Very Best and Beach House. Then it was time for Vampire Weekend. They are great live. Chris Baio is a hoot to watch dancing while playing bass guitar. I love their up beat music and it makes me smile. I bet when they first started out finishing up at Columbia University their parents thought, “That is what you want to do after I spent all that money on your education?” I’m glad they did because it was worth the investment.

The next day we flew home. In fact our shuttle bus driver could not believe we didn’t have any luggage with us other than a backpack size bags. Don’t other people make short trips to Vegas like us? I would go down for a show again.

Temper Trap

Wednesday night AJ and I went to The Depot to hear Temper Trap perform. I have never gone to the venue before. It’s a club for 21 years old and older that pretty much has a great view of the stage from wherever you sit/stand because they also have screens everywhere. We got there early thinking there might be a line, but we were wrong so we walked around The Gateway Shopping Center for awhile than headed back. Going early does have it advantaged such as getting a really good seat so you don’t have to stand the entire time. I thought it would be more the scene back east at bar clubs but pretty much everyone had dates so it was nice not have to worry about the pickups while you are trying to enjoy the show, though there were a few girls trying to work it.

The opening act was Butterfly Bone. The lead singer’s appearance was a cross between Weird Al and Napoleon Dynamite. I could not watch him with his spaghetti strap tank top, too distracting and not in a good way. The “keyboardist” (if you can call him that when really he is just playing the miniature keyboard that controls the computer for different sounds) really loves his job so it was awkward to watch him as well. So I just stared above them and enjoyed their music. Definitely not a band to watch live but listen to.

Temper Trap sound just as good live as on their CD. You all probably know them for “Sweet Disposition” and apparently most of the crowd came for just that one song as well but overall they have a good album. They were very appreciative to the crowd and their finale was excellent, left you wanting more which is always a good way to end. Two things we noticed about the band: 1. Even though they are from Australia they really do not have accents when they talk (pity) 2. Each band member had a different fashion style that seemed they from different bands from grudge to punk and joined to make a really good alternative rock group.

Even though our tickets only cost $5 (which we could not believe) I would have paid more I enjoyed them that much.

Modest Mouse

Last night AJ, DF, and I went to Pioneer Park and joined 40,000 other fans to see Modest Mouse free as part of the Salt Lake City’s Twilight Concert Series. They are most known for their song “Float On” that came out about five years ago. When we first arrived and waiting for entrance we felt old as we were surrounded by teenagers but as the evening progressed the ages varied. We sat and played Phase 10 while we waited the two hours for the concert to start. The opening band Avi Buffalo was not that great but I really do not like female lead singers so I am a little biased.

The venue was fine, but I really wished there was a way to enforce the no smoking (let alone the marijuana) and people getting drunk. Though it says no outside liquor there were many flasks and bottles of Jack Daniel going around. We ended up moving from our spot since the group in front of us was getting wasted/toasted and the concert hadn’t even begun.

I’m fine with crowds as long as I have my space but last night I got up close and personal with way too many people. Luckily I ended up finding the boarder gate and hung out there. By the end of the night I smelled of sweat (and not just mine), beer and cigarettes (again not mine).

But the band sounded great and it was free- thank you Salt Lake City. We still have another concert there to go to this summer. I am just going to find a better spot to stand.