Let the music play - new Concert Reviews/Experiences

WilliamsArenaGuy said:

Just got tickets to see Shannon and Narducy play Life's Rich pageant in March.

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Should be well worth it. Same backing crew that was here for Fables.

Last Friday I went to see Durry at First Ave. It's the kickoff of their new "This Movie Sucks" tour, this time mostly staying in the U.S. (a few stops in Canada). I've been following these folks over the years, from "Marah and Mainsail" to "Coyote Kid" to now "Durry". They've slogged through a lot of "hope we have enough money to buy gas to get us to the next show" deals to now selling out pretty decent venues (BTW, I may be getting old but a sold out show at First Ave is too many people - not sure how FIrst Ave gets fire code permission to pack that many people in a building). Nice to see another Minnesota band (they're from Lakeville - brother and sister on guitars and vocals, his wife on bass, and a friend on drums) making it on the concert tour scene. Do catch their show if they come to your town.

tikited said:

I don't have tickets yet as I was waiting for the Rutgers game time to be announced. I still want to though. I'm still working out if I like the new album or not. Soooooo different than previous ones.

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It's good. Not nearly as good as 'Blue Weekend'.

Gophers play at 11 according to ESPN.

Full Speed Ahead said:

(BTW, I may be getting old but a sold out show at First Ave is too many people - not sure how FIrst Ave gets fire code permission to pack that many people in a building).

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You aren't alone. It's the exact reason why I've been passing on shows at First Avenue recently. It's been too packed to even enjoy the show the last few times I've been there. The Fillmore and The Armory are WAY better venues to see shows, imo.

Sounds great at the Bank.

Steve Earle

So far at the Bank, the most impressive to me has been Lukas Nelson. Playing to the crowd with a Neil Young cover, Unknown Legend, helped his cause.



Local boys, Trampled by Turtles were also quite the crowd pleasers.

Dave.

Now that the dust has settled some thoughts on Farm Aid.

In general, I am not really huge on festivals of this magnitude because it's incredibly hard to please everyone. Artists I am big fans of (Steve Earle & Neil Young) the thought of just getting 20-30 minutes leaves one feeling short changed.

Still it was a blast. The artists I am casual fans of, Waxahatchee, Trampled by Turtles and Dylan all gave solid sets.

Not really being familiar with Billy Strings, Margo Price, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and Lukas Nelson, they all performed to the point that I want to start sampling their catalogs. Going forward, I am more than willing to see them as headliners (or warm up bands). Especially Strings.

Lukas bringing Sierra Ferrell on stage for a Neil Young cover (Unknown Legend from Harvest Moon) was a huge crowd pleaser.

Acts that I am familiar with but there is zero chance I will ever pay to see them headline were still very entertaining, including Wynonna Judd, Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews (w/ Tim Reynolds). Judd and Chesney's bands are incredibly professional.

With Chesney, I could only name 1 song before hand Beer in Mexico. With his charisma and upbeat songs, I get the attraction. Whoever his guitar player is, put down perhaps the most impressive guitar solo of the entire day.

Ditto for Matthews. Incredible musician who had the entire stadium single along with Ants Marching.

Just about every act had an A1 fiddle player. DM didn't have one, so he drafted one from another act.

Legacy acts John Mellencamp and Bob Dylan delivered. Leading the crowd from his Cougar days with an audience sing-a-long of Jack and Diane was great fun. While his voice is rough, it still works to solid effect on Pink Houses and Rain On the Scarecrow.

For Dylan, I totally was enthralled with All Along the Watchtower and Highway 61 Revisited. Thanks for coming home.

Neil's set was a blistering effort, starting with a brand new song on the current state of affairs. Breaking in his new band (The Chrome Hearts) with classics like Keep on Rocking in the Free World, Southern Man, Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black) & Old Man was undoubtedly the highlight. He was timeless, rolling the clock back 30-50 years.

Willie finished it off in fine fashion. As Pearl Jam fan how could I not be impressed by the duet with Lukas on Just Breathe. Adding Last Leaf on the Tree produced some tears in the audience. Quite heartfelt.

Glad I made it on this 40th Anniversary.

Neil Young.



Willie Nelson putting a bow on it