Live Music Spotlight ::: Arcade Fire at Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood

Arcade Fire
w. tUnE-yArDs & Kid Koala
Friday, 05/02/14
Aaron's Amphitheater at Lakewood
Atlanta, GA
6:30 doors open
7:30 tune yards
8:10 kid koala
8:45 Arcade Fire

We don't like to pump up a single show or album too much, because we understand music, as much as anything is very opinion driven.  A song can be listened to many times, but when it is heard that one time in the right setting, at the right time, or with the right people it can click instantaneously.  With only one of us having seen Arcade Fire, it was easy to believe in their talent, reputation, and work ethic to know this was a 'can't miss concert' in Atlanta.

To fully discuss this show the first thing that needs to be discussed is expectations and hype.  Arcade Fire is largely regarded throughout the music scene as the best live act on the road today.  Some of our group had been waiting nearly five years to see Arcade Fire due to various complications.  You were always told how incredible they are live and it builds into something in your mind is larger than life.  But there is that tiny doubt in the back of your head that whispers, “You love Arcade Fire, but can they really live up to these outlandish expectations that you have created?” The answer to that question was destroyed in the first 3 seconds on the show with a resounding “YES.” You can watch their live shows on TV or the internet, listen to countless audio recordings from shows, but nothing prepares you for what is to come. 

From the onset of listening to sound check you can tell how much not only Win Butler, but the entire ensemble puts in to each second of each song. The times retaking and practicing a song from the beginning during at the end of a US tour was impressive. They also worked on their cover of 'Tequila' into 'Normal Person' numerous times. In the actual show they only played about 10 seconds of 'Tequila' (aka Zima) and Win seemed less than thrilled with it, just because it wasn't completely perfect. This wasn't a bad thing, just a snapshot of how much they care and want to make everything perfect for the audience.  Very few artists of this caliber strive to not only give the fans a perfect show, but make each show a different memorable experience.  Too many bands these days write up one setlist for a tour and it doesn’t change for the rest of the year.

The set up of the concert was perfect with the openers to make quick transitions and leave very little downtime between sets. We found it a little weird that Aaron's parking did not open until 5:30p, with gates opening at 6:30p. It might be that we're use to seeing people tailgating for hours at Lakewood and Verizon around shows like Phish, Widespread Panic, and Dave Matthews that all have their own following and the parking lot turns into it's own event.

tUnE-yArDs came on promptly at 7:30p, but to very little fanfare as it was a late arriving crowd. We're sure many people were coming from work or studying for exams and had to fight rush hour traffic along with a home Braves game, just two exits away. Tune-Yards is the music project of New England native Merrill Garbus. When performing live, Garbus creates drum loops on the spot, and layers these with ukulele, and vocals, in addition to electric bass played by Nate Brenner. She mentioned and thanked her new touring band with included two high energy wood drummers/dancers, a talented, percussionist Dani Markham who also added vocals. Merrill's setup and display is impressive, but her yodeling can easily be lost on the audience. The highlight of the set was probably the beginning when Arcade Fire’s own Sarah Neufield came on stage to play her violin along to the opening song. This was the last stop on her tour with Arcade Fire, as she mentioned multiple times how thankful she was for being asked to join them. Between having been on tour for some time, the impending release of her new album Nikki Nack (available this Tueday), and the seemingly small crowd you could tell she was exhausted, though she gave it her all.

The quick transition between tUnE-yArDs and Kid Koala was mere minutes as the Montreal native's DJ booth setup was off to one corner of the stage. This was a perfect setup as it allowed for the breakdown of Tune-yards and the production that is setting out the ten plus instrumental arrangements for the night's headliner. Kid Koala put on a great show as a throw back to the original DJs who spin multiple vinyls and even works without headphones and did so flawlessly. With mixes of our own Outkast and Roy Orbinson tributes for Mother's Day, he was on top of his game.

Check out what Arcade Fire did to bring the house down after the jump

LIVE MUSIC SPOTLIGHT ::: CHILDISH GAMBINO AT THE MASQUERADE MUSIC PARK

For the writers of this blog, this was a show that we could not have been more excited for. Donald Glover is one of the most talented people in entertainment today. From writing for 30 Rock at age 25 to starring on Community to having a great stand-up comedy following, Glover was already more accolmplished than most people his age, but that wasn't enough. His first love was music and he took that step in the form of Childish Gambino. From seeing him at Bonnaroo in 2012 fresh off the release of his first real album Camp, we really wanted to see if his live show had evolved as much as his songwriting and production had. That question was answered very quickly at this show. Because the Internet showed just how much he had evolved as a rapper from mostly rapping about girls and how everybody doubted him to asking meaningful questions about life, existence, and how the hype surrounding the internet has turned people into followers and sheep at times. He still leaves some time to rap about girls, but on a much more sophisticated level that shows how much he has matured as an artist.

The first thing that we noticed about this show was the production value. The tour is called the "Deep Web Tour" and attendees can download the Deep Web app that only works onsite and turns the show into an interactive experience. As you can see in the picture to the right, there was one part of the show that allowed app users to vote on "how they were feeling." Another really cool aspect of this show was how it tied in to the concept of the album. Because the Internet is a concept album that Glover wrote an accompanying screenplay for. In the screenplay, Childish Gambino is "The Boy", a young adult living in a mansion with his friends, dealing drugs, and trolling people on the internet. At the show, the stage had a large screen where an image of the inside of a mansion was projected onto. There were also people in the background sitting on couches and just acting like they were hanging out. At one point (during the song The Party), "The Boy" gets fed up with everything and kicks everyone out of his house. At the end of the Because the Internet portion of the show, Gambino performed the song Earth: The Oldest Computer (The Last Night). While the song is going on, the "mansion" in the background starts to crumble and fall to the ground. This is one (of MANY) of the instances where the production value was amazing. 

(Crawl)

(WORLDSTAR)

(Shadows)

 

(The Party)

Follow us after the jump for more video and insight

Artist Spotlight ::: An Interview w. Typhoon

Ahead of their much anticipated show tonight (3/18/14) at Terminal West in Atlanta, YOTHT had a chance to catch up with Devin Gallagher of Typhoon.  Be sure to pick up their latest album White Lighter and listen as you read along below.

Get tickets to tonight’s show

Photo courtesy of Typhoon's Facebook Page 

You Ought To Hear This: Where did the electric eleven get its start? Are you all from the same area?

Typhoon: We started in Salem, OR. All of us are from Oregon except Jen (Indiana) and Pieter (California).  

YOTHT: Has there been any evolution to the band, member change, change in sound/direction?

T: Yes, a lot. We've been together for almost nine years. For an example: I was the sound engineer, then a guitarist, then the sole drummer, then a percussionist, and now I mostly play electric ukulele.  

YOTHT: When did you each get your start in music?

T: A lot of us played music in school. All of the original Salemite members played in garage bands and we were playing in coffee shops and the like through our teenage years. 

YOTHT: What are some of your individual influences?

T: We have a great many. Personally, I'd cite (in order) Motown, The Beatles, 90s alternative rock, K Records, post-millennial indie rock, and minimalist composers Glass, Young, and Riley. 

YOTHT: How did you come about deciding on a name for the group?

T: Toby, Kyle, and Tyler experienced a typhoon in Japan. A man there explained to them what the word means to him, and they thought it was good for a band.  

YOTHT: With eleven members, it must be hard to coordinate schedules for the recording process, practicing, and touring. How have you been able to get on the same page?

T: We just make this our priority. I've quit jobs, missed weddings, missed funerals, gave up a college scholarship, and dissolved businesses to be in this band.

YOTHT: With all this coordinating I’m sure being a band in the digital age has its benefits. Not only is it easier to interact with one another, but also your fanbase. How do you feel about social media these days and your ability to connect with fans worldwide and vice versa?

T: I like being able to interact with fans. It meant a lot to me when I was a kid and Animal Collective returned my email. I talk with fans most every day. 

  

YOTHT: Last summer you launched a kickstater campaign to fund your fall tour in support of White Lighter.  Talk about the success of the venture.

T: Specifically, we raised money to buy a van. It's great. I[‘m] sitting in it now. The biggest thing is it's safe, our old van wasn't. 

YOTHT: How did you come up with the different pledge “rewards”? What was the best experience you had, other than the actual tour, through this process?

T: We brainstormed a long time. Playing the private meet and greet shows was really fun.

YOTHT: At what point did you know you could make a living in music?

T: We're not making a living at this. We have day jobs. Or, I did... I had to quit a job bussing tables to go on this tour.

YOTHT: If you weren’t in music, where would you see yourselves?

T: I can't really see myself doing anything else. Maybe a different type of art. 

Live Spotlight ::: Chappo with Dynasty Electric

Chappo
w. Dynasty Electric 
Monday 4/15/13
Vinyl 
Atlanta, GA

Other than a few quick listens at the house before heading to Vinyl, I wasn't sure what to expect from opening act Dynasty Electric. The Brooklyn Duo is best described as an psychedelic new wave bass heavy creation made for dance. The group consists of Seth Misterka (guitar, synth, and sax) who started the band and Jenny Electrik (vocals, theremin, and synth) whose manic vocals is a perfect blending of Stevie Nicks and Robyn with the stage presence of Aleix Krauss and Janis Joplin. Pounding out hits including 'Just Like That', 'Golden Arrow', 'Automatic Ecstatic', and 'Electric Love' their dolphin-sonar, fathomless beats, space sounds mixed with the insane lungs of Jenny created quite the show for the small crowd. 

Also hailing from Brooklyn Chappo returned to Vinyl having played there last year, this time donning war paint. The band got it's name from the last name of frontman Alex Chappo, whose voice shows signs of early Ozzy mixed with the vocals that created The Wall and Dark Side of the Moon. Wielding a megaphone for added effects, the various echoed lyrics and diatribes had a distinct Pink Floyd feel as he graced the stage in a smoking jacket laced with a wolf's head. 
Opening with the emotion packed "Shots Fired" off their 2012 Moonwater release build excitement with the addition of confetti guns. Not holding back the foursome powered through their biggest hit, "Come Home" early and sounded great live. The concert continued mixing songs from their latest album Petite Plastique (Moonwater B-Sides), Plastique Universe II: Pisces Princess, and Moonwater. Perfectly placed midway through their show the band laid down a fabulous cover of Mickey Newbury's "Just Dropped In" of Big Lebowski fame. Maybe it was the repetitiveness that I've played Daft Punk's new single "Get Lucky", but the opening riffs of "Nomads" seemed eerily similar.  Chappo closed out their set with the story of 'a love song being a shapeshifter' portrayed in "Bodies Coasting".

Chappo Setlist

1. Shots Fired

2. New Song

3. Come Home

4. 5-0

5. New Song

6. Seance

7. Just Dropped In -to see what condition my condition was in(Mickey Newbury cover)

8. Golden Lights

9. Hell No

10. Explode

11. Nomads

12. M.O.O.N. Water

13. Bodies Coasting

Live Spotlight ::: ON AN ON with Savoir Adore

ON AN ON
w. Savoir Adore
Tuesday 4/09/13
Drunken Unicorn
Atlanta, GA

Savoir Adore

Coming out in all white the Brooklyn duo, for touring purposes they're a five-piece band, had the look of a hip painting crew looking to make some money while home from college for the summer.  Opening with 'Regalia' it's was easy to see why they classify themselves as "fantasy rock". With it's dream pop feel and building melody that peaks crowns into a group 'caw' it makes for a great set opener to get the crowd prepared for an all around entertaining show.  From there they took us to likely their second biggest hit "Bodies" (the video which can be seen here, looks like it was shot by stringing together 100 vine videos).  I'm a sucker for group sings sprinkled in songs and this made them 2 for 2 in that department.  During the show Paul Hammer, vocal and guitar among other things, informed they crowd they had recently signed with Nettwerk Music Group leading to their latest release Our Nature being pulled and reworked.  The album is available on their tour so be sure to pick it up if you catch them on the road.  Otherwise it will be available June 4th for purchase so be on the look out.

The group had one of the best minimalistic light shows I have seen, consisting of multicolored lights circling under a white sheet laid atop a table hosting Paul and Deidre's key and synboards.  With the additions of strobe lights and a fog machine it gave the Drunken Unicorn the smokey atmosphere we've grown to love, with out the cigarette layer (this was thankfully a smoke free show).  Another well known song, 'Loveliest Creature' had many in attendance singing along as Deidre belted lulling words.  Hands down my favorite song performed by Savoir Adore was 'Transylvania Candy Patrol' off their 2009 release In the Wooded Forest.  One of their more melancholy tunes, 'TCP' has the feel of an Arcade Fire/Pixies collaboration, chronicling what appears to be a kidnapping.  To finish up the band played two dance inducing songs, the first of which 'Dreamers' is the title track of the EP released last Tuesday with two remixes and 'Hold it Down'.  To end the their set the group gave Prince's synthy hit 'I Would Die 4 U' every bit of energy they had left.

Savoir Adore Setlist

1. Regalia

2. Bodies

3. Sea of Gold

4. New Song

5. Loveliest Creature

6. Translyvania Candy Patrol

7. Dreamers

8. I Would Die for You (Prince cover)

ON AN ON

It was far from an easy transition for ON AN ON as what looked to only be 25 minute intermission lengthened to nearly an hour with what looked to be pedal board issues.  With the amount of tweeking and tuning done to the pedal board during the show it was clear the additional time was well served as it appeared to be an integral part of their show.No harm, no foul on the wait these things are bound to happen packing, unloading, and setting up day in and day out on the road.
After apologizes were issued, the band took no time leading off with one of their well know songs 'The Hunter'.

Like their tour mates, OAO had a very simplistic setup that made an impact with two projectors on either corner of the stage shining illuminating visuals on the band and stage ground reminiscent of this scene from Jurassic Park where the lead raptor has genetic coding projected on him.


Two songs that I had listened to many times, but hadn't given their due 'Bad Mythology' and 'Cops' grabbed my attention and quickly jumped up the ranks of their songs.  The heavier 'Bad Mythology' had a very How to Destroy Angels-lite feel to it.  'Cops' mixes sleepy lyrics and busy dream-like instrumentals perfectly.  As frontman Nate Eiesland put it, "We've only have a 45-minute album, so we have to sprinkle in some covers".  Mixing in covers of Hot Chip and Bjork fit very well with their sound. Sandwiched between the aforementioned covers was 'Panic' and their biggest hit 'Ghosts'. When I first heard 'Ghosts' last September I immediately fell in  love and wanted more from the group created from the ashes of Scattered Trees. The song was actually one of the first featured on YouOughtToHearThis. All in all ON AN ON was well worth the delay and I would recommend you like their facebook page and follow them (as well as Savoir Adore) to stay up to date with their tour, news, and video releases.

ON AN ON Setlist

1. The Hunter

2. War is Gone

3. American Dream

4. All the Horses

5. Bad Mythology

6. Cops

7. (Hot Chip cover)

8. Panic

9. Ghosts

10. (Bjork cover)

11. Every Song

YOTHT Best Shows of 2012

#40: Anamanaguchi @ Lollapalooza/Grant Park (Chicago, IL)

8-bit video game sound from guitars? Yes please

#39: Foo Fighters @ Music Midtown/Piedmont Park (Atlanta, GA)

This concert deserves to be much higher but for certain reasons I only was able to see three songs. This disappointment makes it so low on the list.

#38: LP @ Music Midtown/Piedmont Park

Solid show from LP highlighted by her single "Into the Wild" and a great cover of Beyonce's "Halo"

#37: AWOLNation @ The Tabernacle (Atlanta, GA)

 

AWOL put on a solid concert, but were way overshadowed by their opener Imagine Dragons.

#36:  Joy Formindable @ The Masquerade-Heaven (Atlanta, GA)

Low ranking has nothing to do with the crowd energy or the stage presence of JF. Put on a great show with tons of energy.

#35:  Tune-Yards @ Bonnaroo/This Tent (Manchester, TN)

Merrill Garbus is something else. Still fascinated by what she can do and her voice.

#34: Phish @ Bonnaroo/What Stage

Absolutely great show with fireworks, rain, and Kenny Rogers. It's hard to explain why this isn't higher on the list, but last show of a festival mixed with rain and the four hour set. The gap between set one and two was just too long.

#33: Beach Boys @ Bonnaroo/What Stage

Watching the Beach Boys perform made me all nostalgic about something my parents lived through and I never even experienced. To see the show they put on at their age I can only imagine what it was like in the 60's.

#32: First Aid Kit @ Buckhead Theater (Atlanta, GA)

This Swedish sister act put on a great performance. Playing hits Lion's Roar, Emmy Lou, while sharing stories and covering Paul Simon's America. The one sour note was when a random attendee yelled "F*ck America" as they announce the cover...

#31: Ludacris @ Music Midtown/Piedmont Park

Just when I was a little dissapointed I wasn't going to venture over to see GirlTalk again to get closer for Florence + the Machince, Luda busts out all his hits in a very GirlTalkesqe fashion. So much high school nostalgia.

#30: Skrem & Benga @ Lollapapalooza/Perry's Stage

Didn't even see this duo, only heard 2-3 songs waiting for the grossest portipotti ever to see this earth after reentering Grant Park post-storm of the decade. That being said they were soooooooo high powered I forgot about the 3 hours of the festival that didn't happen and running through the streets of Chicago in the worst storm I've seen. 

#29: fun. @ Bonnaroo/ That Tent

fun. lived up to their promise to make their Bonnaroo show something to be seen. Probably could have been higher on the list, but I left midset to catch Young the Giant.

#28: Bon Iver @ Bonnaroo/What Stage

Forced the Roo Crew to go see Bon Iver. Preshow they were nicknamed 'audible ambian', but they're a totally different story live. They come hard live and put on a memorable show.

#27: Lonely Forest @ Bonnaroo/This Tent

Wasn't too familiar with this band pre-Bonnaroo, but left with a new up and coming band to listen to. This young group acted like veterans controlling the crowd and bringing the energy.

#26: Silversun Pickups @ The Tabernacle

I had been waiting to see Silversun Pickups for a few years and it was well worth the wait. They mixed up their set between their first two albums and their latest, 'Neck of the Woods'.

#25: Family of the Year @ Drunken Unicorn (Atlanta, GA)

Hadn't heard of this band prior to seeing them live, but I came away a big fan. They put on a great show and were some of the nicest people to talk to after the show.

#24: Florence + the Machine @ Music Midtown

With a memorable start where she completely redid the first 5 minutes of their show coupled with her amazing voice it was such an enjoyable show having only caught 15 minutes of her Bonnaroo '11 set.

#23: Imagine Dragons @ The Tabernacle

Opening for AWOLNation, Imagine Dragons stole the show with great emotion, energy, and overall excitement to be playing live.

#22: Miike Snow @ Lollapalooza/Sony Stage

At this point at Lolla I was in a tailspin of health due to hand, foot, and mouth I picked up somewhere, but that didn't damper this show. Can't wait to see them in a better state.

#21: Avett Brothers @ Music Midtown*

The Avett Brothers have such great control of their instruments including their voices. They seem to love waking up everyday and playing together.

#20: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis @ Lollapalooza/Google Play Stage

I'm still kicking myself for not making a bigger push with our Lolla crew to see this entire set. Such an amazing turn out and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and the crowd both brought a furious energy.

#19: M83 @ Lollapalooza/Sony Stage

Just an all around great performance.

#18: Pearl Jam @ Music Midtown

Season veterans that make every performance could. Setlist could have been a little better, but not by much.

#17: Matt & Kim @ Variety Playhouse (Atlanta, GA)

So. Much. Energy! Both Matt and Kim were both sick, but absolutley brought it.

#16: Phantogram @ Bonnaroo/Other Tent

Phantogram just put on a fun, awesome show.

#15: Young the Giant @ Bonnaroo

YTG wouldn't have let the crowd get out of it even if they wanted to. Playing their whole LP and R. Kelly's Remix to Ignition blew me away.

#14: Skrillex @ Bonnaroo/Which Stage

Seeing Red Hot Chili Peppers in the pit was too much for one of our crew, but even hearing Skrillex from campsite was enough to land him at 14. Can't even describe it.

#13: Givers @ Lollapalooza/Google Play Stage

This band should be bigger than they currently are....

#12: Passion Pit @ The Masquerade

Great setlist and energy.

#11: Red Hot Chili Peppers @ Lollapalooza/Red Bull Sound Stage *

Was disappointed in how much better this performance was than their Bonnaroo showing two months prior.

#10: Milo Greene @ Drunken Unicorn *

The first show in their first nationwide tour and you would have never guessed.

# 9: Of Monsters and Men @ House of Blues/Lollapalooza After Show (Chicago, IL) *

It was really a toss-up between their show at the House of Blues or their performance the next day at Lolla. Both were great but first times the charm. Only problem with OM&M is their album is so well produced their is not much of a difference between them live.

# 8: Electric Guest @ Bonnaroo/This Tent

# 7: The Head and the Heart @ Lollapalooza/ Sony Stage*

The Head and the Heart gets better and better everytime I see them. This trend continued the forth and most recent time. The entire band just works so incredibly well together.

# 6: Two Door Cinema Club @ Bonnaroo/This Tent

Landing at number six is a combination of being close, time I've waited to see them, and just overall fabulous performance.

# 5: Bloc Party @ Lollapalooza/Sony Stage

So much energy from Bloc Party it was amazing. I can't even explain how great they were.

# 4: Foster the People @ Bonnaroo/Which Stage

FTP sounds great on the record, but it's another level live and this may have been the best show they've ever put on. The combination of vocal and instrumental aspects coupled with the confetti, inflatables, and other aspects of their show you could tell they did not want to disappoint the massive crowd that showed up to see them.

# 3: Black Keys @ Lollapalooza/Red Bull Sound Stage

One of the farthest spots I've started a show off at and it still felt like I was right there. It continuously shocks me how much this duo is able to do live.

# 2: Radiohead @ Bonnaroo/What Stage

Based on what they play live, I couldn't have asked for a better setlist or a better showing from their second time on the Farm.

# 1: Childish Gambino @ Bonnaroo/Which Stage*

Just an insane performance. Computer malfunction and he goes off on a 4 minute unscripted freestyle (somewhat oxymoronic) that blew everyone away.


*Better of one or more performances
Honorable Mention
Bonnaroo
Flogging Molly
The Word
Umphree's McGee
Needtobreath
Black Lips
Ben Folds Five
Roots

Lollapolooza
Jeff the Brotherhood
White Rabbits
Polica
Bombay Bicycle Club
Gas Light Anthem
Jack White

Music Midtown
T.I.
Garbage

Other Shows
Further