Music Monday: Lindsey Stirling Concert

First and foremost, Lindsey Stirling is ADORBS! She, of course, utilized her quirky ballet inspired violin dancing at the June 3rd concert at Myth Live, but she was also able to connect with the audience throughout the evening. Stirling was very thankful to her fans, especially when not that long ago no one believed there was much of an audience for her style. Tied into that sentiment, she promoted accepting one’s self and doing what you love with a level of sincerity that many performers don’t achieve in between songs. Topping off the list of adorbs, she showed a home movie reel during one of the longer transitions featuring baby Stirling doing cute kid things.

The performance was excellent as well. She was accompanied by her longtime bandmates, Drew and Gavi, as well as two background dancers. Building the visual experience, a giant screen inside a stone-looking circle brought the backdrop to life with different images, including fire, water, and even a couple of Stirling’s music videos.

After a pretty long wait at the merch booth, I snagged a tour shirt and the new album. But the long line was worth it. As I walked towards my car, which happened to be past the tour busses, she had started signing merch for her fans. Perfect timing.

Overall, I highly enjoyed the evening, but there were a couple situations that detracted from the night’s fun. The biggest annoyance was the number of people. Okay, okay, it was a sold-out show. And yes, I didn’t show up early to get that prime spot by the stage. However, I have been to sold-out shows at the Myth before and at none of those shows did I find it impossible to walk to 1) the bathroom, 2) the bar, 3) a decent sightline as at Stirling’s show. I don’t know whether people had not shown up at those previous shows, or someone flubbed on the ticket amounts that night, but Stirling’s show definitely felt oversold. Enough so that some people were continually going up and down the stairs so they could get a glimpse of the stage.

The next issue I encountered is a bit more of a social commentary that I’ll keep brief. When I finally found a spot in the crowd where I could see a fraction of the stage’s action, the surrounding smart phones became reverse telescopes. The young ladies in front of me felt the need to record almost every song played, or take a bajillion photos. I’m totally cool if someone wants to record their favorite song or a fan favorite (Stirling did beautiful covers of John Legend’s “All of Me” and the Legend of Zelda theme), but I don’t understand why people want to watch through their phones instead of with their own eyes. And I surely didn’t appreciate seeing 75% of the show minimized on a screen.

TLDR;

• Lindsey is adorbs
• Performance was incredible
• Venue felt overcrowded
• Please don’t make me watch the stage through your phone

FIND LINDSEY STIRLING ONLINE
Website | Youtube | Soundcloud

Music Monday: Mux Mool Concert

Last Monday brought with it a splendid evening of O’Donovan’s Irish Pub, the 7th Street Entry, and the local electronic musician Mux Mool.

After a long day, I started the fun portion of Monday at O’Donovan’s Irish Pub. When O’Donovan’s isn’t packed with sports fans, it’s one of my favorite bars. Luckily for me and my friends, it was one of their quiet nights.

Why do I love them so much?

1. Powers Whiskey
2. They don’t skimp on the booze
3. The bartenders are amazing

After a couple drinks and some appetizers, we headed across the street to the 7th Street Entry to see Mux Mool. It’s been over a year since I’ve been to the Entry and I forgot how much I loved it. Small and dark with a loud sound system, the Entry is a great hole-in-the-wall venue.

We arrived in time to catch the final opening act, Connie Hawkins, and while I enjoyed his music at the show, I found myself thinking, “I don’t think I’d listen to this recorded—only live.” There are a few performers I have this sentiment for, usually bands my friends bring me to see, but nonetheless, it was fun at the time.

Soon enough, Mux Mool hopped on stage.His set on Monday had more remixes than I was expecting, as I’ve only heard his original music. While entertaining, I enjoy his originals more. Although, there was one remix that I loved—Love Shack by the B-52s. . . set to video of DragonBallZ, specifically the fight between Goku and Frieza. But my DBZ obsession is for another post on another day.

Check out Mux Mool online:
Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Youtube

Music Monday: The Faint Concert and Doomtree Blowout 8

Back to back concert nights! This is my heaven. Concerts are one of my favorite things, especially if they are at a small-ish venue—which they were! Both took place at the famous First Avenue.

The Faint: 12-13-12
The Nebraska electro-dance-rockers killed it, as they always do, while on tour for the deluxe release of their album Danse Macabre. It was a feast of thumping beats, heavy-hitting electronic sounds, and colored lights. I spent my evening in the pit. If you want a lot of movement and sweat, this is your place. Within two or three songs you could end up in every section of the pit. The movement is amazing—if you don’t mind relinquishing control, anyway. I ended up facing away from the stage several times, and it is almost impossible to hold your ground. I also walked away with quite the number of bruises. But don’t worry, everyone is nice. They’re sustained from bumping into each other. And those that fall get lifted back up immediately.

If you want to get a sneaky workout that doesn’t feel like work, definitely keep an eye out for their next tour.

Find The Faint online:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

Doomtree Blowout 8: 12-14-12
Every December, the Doomtree crew gathers for a huge concert event, generally spanning several nights. This year was Friday through Sunday, a 21+ night, 18+ night, and an all ages night. Doomtree is comprised of my favorite rap/hip-hop artists, making this one of the easiest traditions to take part in. Even the act of purchasing tickets has become a staple, as the age restricted nights sell out super quick. Usually the place is packed by the time we arrive, but the rap concert gods smiled on us this year—we were right up front AND, more importantly, NO blizzard and NO freezing rain when we left. Two years ago, the Blowout coincided with Snowpocalypse. Let’s just say we never want to repeat that driving experience.

There was a lot of energy and camaraderie at the show. One of the highlights for me was hearing the song The Wren for the first time live. It’s a favorite that I’ve been waiting years to hear. Most of the night there was very little overall movement in the crowd. But then P.O.S. played “Get Down”. . . and everybody did.

Doomtree has a couple upcoming shows, and Dessa is about to head out on a US tour.  

You can find out more about the upcoming shows and everything Doomtree online:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

Concert: Girl Talk, 8/28/12

Gregg Gillis, aka Girl Talk

Gregg Gillis, popularly known as Girl Talk, is mash-up royalty. Somehow he can mix music by artists from different genres and eras, and make it sound like they logically belong together. One of my favorite games (self-created, and in no way is a real game) is to name as many of the original artists as possible:  Ace of Base, M.I.A., Nelly, Avril Lavigne, Journey, Metallica, Eminem, The Police, Daft Punk, Radiohead, the full list (covering the Four albums I own:  All Day, Feed the Animals,  Night Ripper, and Unstoppable) would take pages.

I first saw Girl Talk live in 2008. I remember how tightly packed the floor was, how drenched we became in sweat (gross, I know), and the overall feel-good party vibe. Since I had already seen him live, I strongly considered passing on this concert—a girl’s gotta save some money, right? But then a friend decided that’s what she wanted to do for her birthday. How am I to refuse that? Not a tough sale at all. And after a potentially shady Craigslist deal, we had our tickets to the sold out show.

Tuesday’s show at First Avenue was just as high-energy and sticky as I remember from 2008. Gillis worked away at his computer while jumping around and occasionally shouting through the microphone. Behind him, some lucky concert-goers enjoyed their time dancing on stage. And, of course, no Girl Talk performance would be complete without falling balloons, confetti cannons, or toilet paper streamers. What was the result of this performance?

Pictured:  The result. Not pictured:  The ridiculous amount of confetti that I'm still finding, 3 days later

Want to see more? Check out this slideshow from CityPages.

Both Girl Talk performances were amazing. If you have the opportunity to see him live, and enjoy high-energy concerts, I encourage you to go.

Find Girl Talk online:  Website, which includes all of his albums as 'pay what you want,' and a free download of his newest album, All Day.

What has been your favorite concert? Did you look like us when you left the venue? Tell me in the comments below.