Galactic 2/07/2004: The Odeon, Cleveland, OH
From album to album and tour to tour, Galactic has developed and redeveloped both their actual music and all the aspects of their live show to constantly reshape the direction and scope of their efforts. From the addition of a guest vocalist or lyricist, to the showcasing of new styles performed by up-and-coming supporting acts, Galactic
Primus 2/13/2004: Constitution Hall – Washington D.C.
On the final stop on the the second leg of their Tour de Fromage reunion tour, Primus brought their high energy quirky rock to the nations capital. With political rants expressed in between songs while playing the entire Sailing The Seas of Cheese, album, Les Claypool used the first amendment to his advantage at Constitution Hall.
Matt Nathanson : Washington University, St. Louis, MO
As soon as Matt Nathanson walked onstage at Washington University
Chuck D 1/10/2004: John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH
For the past 14 years, Public Enemy
Robert Randolph and the Family Band 1/11/2004: Memorial Auditorium- Burlington, VT
Just 72 hours prior to Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Transit 0/31/2004: Monkey House – Winooski, VT
Transit’s sound is a crunchy testament to a time of simplicity, attaining the essence of improvisational originality, while capturing the moment’s true conscience – both the sunny and dark. It is this electric telepathy between the trio on stage that enables Transit to deliver this gritty passage of raw emotion that reflects in their cozy, coffeehouse stage settings.
moe. : Norva, Norfolk, VA 1.29.04
While moe. have retained their ability to spaz-out over reggae-tinged rock and roll riffs, they have also finally learned to chill out. Their live show used to drive steadily over a long, flat highway of Ritalin-child guitar solos and bland exploration over unchanging bass lines, but the boys from Buffalo seem to have finally learned the subtle distinction between jamming and improvising.
Eddie From Ohio 0/28/2004: Great American Music Hall – San Francisco, CA
A war-worn Bosnian girl and a cowboy who throws like a girl. No, that’s not the beginning of a joke or the character set in a new misfit comedy, but an indicator of the brilliant variety of songs brought by a folk foursome-enigmatically from Virginia-called Eddie from Ohio.
My Morning Jacket 0/27/2004: Higher Ground – Winooski, Vermont
As My Morning Jacket took the stage and opened with the Latin sounding “Mahgeeta,” the band’s distinctive sound -led by James’ howl- made an immediate dent. As the five-piece carved into additional songs from It Still Moves, it became clear, that unlike the pre-mentioned LP, which takes numerous spins to “get,” the live electricity set by My Morning Jacket makes them a simpler catch in person.
Badfish 0/26/2004: Higher Ground – Winooski, VT
If you you never had the chance to check out 90’s ska-rock heroes Sublime, cover band Badfish is the next best thing. If you wanted to hear any Sublime song, Badfish played it convincingly well, as even a version of “Daterape” got the girls dancing on stage.
Phish – New Years Run: American Airlines Arena Miami, FL 12/28/03-12/31/03
Phish is on the musical rise. If they were in a rut before the hiatus they have certainly broken through now. Even the lighting, always so perfect and well done is coming into new levels of excitement, stretching out into uncharted territory during this most recent New Years run in Miami.
Vida Blue & The Spam Allstars 1/12/2004: Higher Ground – Winooski, VT
With origins stemming from a recent visit by Page McConnell to Miami, Vida Blue and the Spam Allstars quickly developed a working relationship, which in turn culminated with a new collaborative album, The Illustrated Band, and a subsequent short winter tour. The seven-strong Spam Allstars played lead to Vida Blues’ groovy foundation, making this two set shows quite the memory.
Dave Matthews and Friends 11/16/2003: Fleet Center, Boston MA
Although the arena setting is rather overbearing on most barstool performances, the acoustic set of Dave Matthews and Friends was quite solid, highlighted by strong readings of
Simon and Garfunkel 11/07/2003: Continental Airlines Arena – East Rutherford, NJ
Stacking their setlist with hits, Simon and Garfunkel consciously catered to their adult audience. While the group
Umphrey’s McGee 11/12/2003: The Odeon – Cleveland, OH
From their beginnings in the South Bend area. through a few lineup changes and some ups and downs, Umphrey McGee’s success and level of performance has grown over the years due to hard work and continuous road testing of their compositions and style. And, although many would have a good case to argue that Umphrey
Dave Matthews and Friends 11/19/2003: Hartford Civic Center, Hartford, CT
Dave Matthews and some of his friends came to Hartford and gave
everyone an early present for the Holidays – a joyous, energetic sho. Moving from one end of the musical spectrum to the other, Dave and his friends mixed originals effortlessly with covers ranging from Peter Gabriel, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley and The Band.