26 June 2008

Mediocrehead

I finally fulfilled a lifelong dream to see Radiohead last eve. Solid gig. Even though Jude Law kept bumping into me during the encore, Paranoid Android was still fantastic -- the song that Radiohead won me over with years ago.

Wasn't in the same world as Sigur Ros live in a beautiful old church on Tuesday though. That show had gravitas that Radiohead lacked for some reason. I don't know if it was that the weather was too nice, or that there was still so much daylight left when the show started, or the fact that apparently only lads go to Radiohead shows and most of them are tall, loud, annoying and have small bladders.

Sigur Ros was a top 5 show in er/uk's life -- right up there with Bjork on Pier 54 in San Francisco, Wilco/Flaming Lips in MSG on New Years Eve (both with my kid brother by coincidence), Damien Rice at Bonnaroo, Feist at the Satellite Ballroom and Rufus Wainwright at 9:30 Club. (Please, friends of mine, remind me of other great shows we've attended).

Sorry Thom. I speak the truth.

If you're wondering what my first proper concert was ... it was Alanis Morrisette, somewhere in Michigan.

If you weren't wondering than sorry to remind you of Alanis Morrisette.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

My top 5 shows

1. Radiohead - Houston, 2004
2. Radiohead - London, 2008
3. Radiohead - New York, 2006
4. Beck - Austin, 2005
5. Radiohead - Houston, 2001

kyle said...

Top 5

1. Flaming Lips/Wilco - Madison Square with er/uk
2. Arcade Fire/The National - Radio City Music Hall
3. I'm From Barcelona/Thao - Brooklyn Masonic Temple
4. Bjork - Pier 54
5. Joanna Newsom w/ Brooklyn Philharmonic - Brooklyn Academy of Music

Also contenders: Andrew Bird at Union Hall (holds 80 people), St. Vincent at anywhere I can ever see her, and Beirut any of the three times.

Eric, don't forget about that Area One Festival: Moby, Outkast, The Roots - or Coachella 2005.

Anonymous said...

this is mr. st. denis. always love this conversation.

top 5 in no particular order:

1. Smithereens - 1989 Norfolk, VA, Boathouse (first concert without parents)

2. Jeff Tweedy - 2008 SF,CA GG Park (at dusk, California Stars as the sun was setting. ended with heavy metal drummer)

3. Dave Matthews Band - 1995, London, The Forum. (hung out at a pub across the street with Carter Beauford's girlfriend. bonded about Charlottesville and got their home number)

4. Vampire Weekend - 2008, SF, The Independent and Amoeba records. (fun to see these young doods handling the new-found stardom. met the band and bonded over popped collars)

5. YTBD

Unknown said...

kdr - with Area One and Coachella I couldn't really think of one standout performance. Couple of good ones for sure but nothing great.

ol - there's a glimmer of hope there with the Beck show. diversification is a good policy.

I should add to my list Arcade Fire in Madrid and Emily Haines here in London.

I'd be surprised if anyone has seen Arcade Fire or Flaming Lips and wouldn't put them on a top 5.

Anonymous said...

1. Bobby McFerrin in Eugene OR 2003
2. Thomas Quasthof & Friends in Eugene OR 2002
3. Nickle Creek in Goshen IN 2006
4. LAGQ in Portland OR 2004
5. Swingle Singers in Goshen IN 2008
and an honorary #6 Reinford family singers at Waterford Mennonite--Christmas 2005.
Monica

brad said...

ryan adams - 9:30 - 2004
bob schneider - starr hill - 2005
magic numbers/feist/bright eyes w jenny lewis - constitution hall - 2005
coldplay - pier 6 - 2004 (we met them)

and then kings of leon, rufus wainwright, doves at 9:30 different times, rilo kiley at the ogden, stars at bluebird.

er/uk--you were with me for most of those. good times.

Bee Rad said...

1. Lynard Skynard: Iowa State Fair
2. Styx and Kansas: Cedar Rapids Iowa five seasons center
3. I don't get out much....