Tag Archives: Pretty Lights

Music to See in Denver August 14-19th

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20130813-090930.jpg photo by leslie loudspeaker

Music to See in Denver, August 14-19th

Wednesday, August 14th
Oberhofer – Hi Dive – seen Oberhofer open for many great bands in the past, somehow this is their first headlining show I’ll get to attend. Frontman Brad Oberhofer is a ball of energy, say hi to him after the show, nice guy, great band: live Oberhofer footage

Thursday, August 15th
Kurt Vile – Bluebird – FINALLY Kurt Vile Day comes to Denver, it’s been a second. “Wakin on a Pretty Daze” has been in heavy, heavy rotation in my iPod, heck, my whole family’s iPods. Been counting the days til this one: “Never Run Away” video

Gogol Bordello/ Queens of the Stone Age – Red Rocks – Gogol Bordello always have a hell of a good time onstage, and QOTSA rock hard every time, so I’m going to take a guess here, but I’m pretty sure this show will be a barnburner, go tear it up. The new QOTSA album is great, so expect new material that fits right in.

Friday, August 16th
Robert Walter’s 20th Congress – Cervantes’ Otherside – former Greyboy Allstars player brings his heavy jazz funk keyboards to town Friday. A recent move from New Orleans to Los Angeles has infused a new energy into the band: “Sweetie Pie” live video

Confluence – Hi Dive – math rock local band that has a little of a Band of Horses/ Rogue Wave sound. Just got into this band and looking forward to more: Confluence bandcamp with music here

Pretty Lights/ Talib Kweli – Red Rocks – local favorite represent. When I first moved here someone pointed out Pretty Lights to me in LoDo “that’s Pretty Lights”. Looked right past the guy and nodded approvingly of a neon sign behind him, had never heard of him in 09, but everyone else had. His music is sexy, and if you haven’t seen him at Red Rocks, GO: Red Rocks video

Saturday, August 17th
Cold War Kids – City Park – one of my favorite over enunciating bands for free in a Denver city park? Twist my arm. It’s actually some big Chipotle festival, bring some cash to try out all kinds of stuff from guest chefs: Cultivate Festival

Charles Bradley – Larimer – busy week of shooting for me! Hop over to Larimer after Cold War Kids for this Daptone Records singing legend. Not much needs to be said, the king’s in town: listen to him, fer crissakes!

Monday, August 19th
Wood & Wire – Appaloosa Grill – Austin brand bluegrass, the lead singer has a voice that rises this band above most, and they have some of the tightest harmonies I’ve heard around

My Bloody Valentine – Ogden – legendary Dublin band with fuzz galore. They are touring to support their new album that isn’t clicking with me at all, but maybe the material has more life live.

Said the Whale – Larimer – opening for Kopecky Family Band, this Vancouver heavy pop band is my current favorite. I reviewed their album that’s being released in October yesterday, it’s such a great collection of very well put together songs, they finally made the US crossover, I hope for big things for them: “We Are 1980” video

Kris Kristofferson/ Lyle Lovett – Red Rocks – enough said. If you have never seen Lyle Lovett, by God, go go go.

Things I Learned Watching the Coachella Stream

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20130415-095735.jpg photo by Bryan Van Der Brug

Besides The Postal Service reunion, I had no strong desire to be at Coachella, so I chose to watch the Youtube stream from my own home all weekend. In case anyone can’t tell, I LOVE streaming things. Technology is fantastic, and while the stream was much choppier than last year’s Bonnaroo stream, it got the point across. Things I learned from watching all weekend:

20130415-100141.jpg photo by Russ Simon

– I really need a new stool for the computer. This one is rickety and fake leather and all the buttons on top popped off so you sit on little metal circles. I can’t work like this.

–Cloud Nothings rule. I’ve only seen them in little dark places, so was very curious how they would do in the day on a huge stage. They killed it.

– thank goodness for 3 Channels of music, because a lot of it was stuff I have seen in the past year and not been impressed with

– Jenny Lewis makes me cry even if she is wearing a slutty Wicked Witch of the East circus conductor outfit

– Jake Bugg continues to be awesome as can be

– I do not get why everyone likes the xx or James Blake, I try and try but they both make me bored instantly

– if there is one thing people like to do at Coachella, it’s putting their hands in the air

– people LOVE The Lumineers, they played for their biggest audience ever

– a friend worked on the Daft Punk teaser video

– R. Kelly can do no wrong in my book apparently. Dude pees on a minor, and I’m still freaking and loving him onstage with Phoenix doing a “1901” and “Ignition” mash-up, and it worked!

– they apparently had great drugs. The clips of the electronic acts were mesmerizing and repulsive, saw a lot of eyes rolled in the back of heads. YEAH! BASS IN YO FACE

– best festival fashion ever since many can afford to trash designer stuff in Southern California. Absurd amount of flower crowns but at least I like them. High waisted denim shorts are now called Coachella shorts, which is BS, Austin’s been running that fashion game for years!

– Tame Impala should tour with a wind machine always

– Danny DeVito is a good twitterer: Danny Devito at Coachella

– Social Distortion never lost it

– Ty Segall jumped onstage with Thee Oh Sees but they weren’t shown on the stream. Coachella Director!! Please show them next weekend!

20130415-102108.jpg rsvlts.com

– crowd surfing is still strong in California, and there are more tanned, muscled, tank top wearing, gang sign throwing yo-bro dudes than I ever imagined….