Widespread Panic has held onto their fan base, keeping things comfortable and doing what they do best – not being trendy. The fans still hoot at the top of their lungs during “Love Tractor” and Widespread Panic still appears to be having tons of fun. Keep throwing those curveballs.
It was an interesting night of music at the Knitting Factory in NYC on this Saturday night. Upstairs there raged the hardcore punk of Step 2 Far, while the Tap Room sported a sold-out hip-hop/funk show.
“Why Go” home indeed when your second home is the world’s most famous arena.
Inspiration was key during the 90-minute set, which featured many of Ryan’s songs from a wealthy back catalogue, including “Sweetie” and the crowd favorites “Irrelevant” and “Guilty.” Even though it was a small group of people who got to experience a gifted artist in his prime, there wasn’t any struggle with what Ryan was trying to communicate: that we’re all in this together, and that the battle may never result in a victory.
There is nothing like a Phil Lesh and Friends concert on the night of the summer solstice in the balmy air on the water in Boston. Little wonder, after the conclusion of his two hour second set June 21st, the bassist of the Grateful Dead pronounced Beantown one his three favorite places to play.
Tom Waits is indeed one of those artists, whose enigma runs parallel to his creative aura. And Waits’ stage presence – consisting of porkpie hat, vintage suit, board-stomps and colorful megaphones dappled around the stage, did little to distract from his almost literary persona.
Petty mentioned early on that “This may be the best room for rock and roll on the planet,” and he was speaking the truth, as The Heartbreakers moved from the heavy metal-ish finish in “Don’t Come Around Here No More” seamlessly into the punk sneer of “Refugee” before closing the whole shebang with the sing along classic of “American Girl.” Make it last all night.
The oppressive heat has smothered the East Coast turning New York City sidewalks into frying pans. So on Tuesday night some singer songwriters and minimally-dressed fans tried to cool off in the dark Bowery Ballroom. It worked. The relaxed tones and minimalist presentation broke the heat and soothed the ears.
It’s a perfect time to celebrate 15 years of Bottle Rockets songs, which is exactly what they did at St. Louis’ Duck Room at Blueberry Hill, the first of 15 anniversary shows they will be playing this year.
Covering their entire catalog from “10:15 Saturday Night” off 1979’s Three Imaginary Boys, to the new single “The Only One” from their forthcoming album, The Cure visited all eras of their 29 year career.
