So I went for the concert double-header, and it actually worked out very well even though Stars went on a half hour later than they were supposed to start.
I thought Stars were very good, but not great. I doubt they can ever be a truly great band, but I am quite fond of them and wish them the best. I was never bored, but they never "blew me away" either. It was a fun show overall. Torq, Amy, and the rest of the band all did a fine job. The audience was a little lethargic at first, albeit appreciative, but livened up somewhat by the end of the show. The only other time I've seen Stars was when they opened for Death Cab in 2005. They caught me by surprise that night, and I pledge to see them the next time they came to town, but, unfortunately, their February 2006 headlining show at the Black Cat sold out before I (and a lot of other boardies, as I recall) could get tickets. I was probably a little more impressed with them back in 2005. Anyway, the show ended shortly after 10:30.
After that, I trekked over to the Black Cat and caught the last half of Dance Party's set. I gotta love a band called Dance Party. True to their name, they're all about getting the audience to move, and they've succeeded both times I've seen them.
But I was really there to see Middle Distance Runner. I thought they put on a fantastic show. They just keep getting better. They just nailed song after song, right up until the last song which they botched, but they put on a solid rock show. Honestly, I enjoyed Middle Distance Runner's set at least twice as much as Stars'. Picked up the new CD for just $5. I'm listening to it now, and it's solid.
