Brendan Benson: I asked at the box office, and it will def not sell out. I bought a ticket to make sure I get my ass to the club. Really enjoying his new album. It's a bit of a retread, but when it's good material, I don't mind much. He puts on a really solid show, so I'm looking forward to it. His tunes have Bags written all over them.
Arctic Monkeys: I was there and thought the show was really good. They have this ability to use a backdrop, low light sets at the back of the stage, dry ice smoke and strobe lights to create an entirely new atmosphere. Barely even felt like the 9:30 Club, which is awesome when you've been to about 500 shows already... I don't listen to the albums much (I have no idea why), so I was surprised at how involving the show was. Good stuff. Missed you Bearman, no doubt in the rush to get to my car in the rain!
Re the crowd -- yes it was hot, but NOT very crowded. Lots of room in back and even midway up. Very 'loose' crowd. Strange since it was a pricey sell-out (ie, not one you'd think many folks would just blow off). I can't figure it out. For Them Crooked Vultures I couldn't even get back on to the floor from the restroom. Crazy.
Sloan: I agree with xCanuck, it was an okay Sloan show. Though there was one VERY bright spot -- I had a meeting after work I couldn't miss so ran late. Showed up halfway through the third song, went up about 5 'rows' back to my friends who were there, and within a minute got a wink, nod and smile from Murphy. Finally! After all those shows up front, all the after show meet & greets, I get some Sloan love & recognition. Awesome (I think most folks know how I love them; a couple years ago they played Black Cat on my birthday and I bought tickets for all my friends and had a crew of about 20....).
I think Murph is in low key mode these days, no doubt based on his injury and possibly the notion of playing to 150 people in a coffee shop. I also agree that Jay writes great songs, though I don't love his singing. And Andrew can be a drag... On the way home my friend and I decided we may need to travel to Canada to see a great, big, energetic Sloan show again. Best Sloan show I've seen? When they opened for Jet (awful) in NYC. Just awesome, all over the place, crazy energy and way way fun. Maybe they get sufficient love in their homeland...
Me: Sorry for the long post; making up for not being around much. Hope all are well!
