Rock the Garden

Last Saturday, June the 21st, my dear friend Emma and I rocked the garden.
89.3 the Current along with the Walker Art Center were hosting an outdoor concert in their Sculpture Garden with a great line up of Eau Claire's Bon Iver, Minneapolis band Cloud Cult, Canada natives the New Pornographers, and Chicagoan violinist (and a personal favorite of mine,) Andrew Bird.

Bon Iver opened, and performed flawlessly. I worked my way up about 10 feet from the stage for Cloud Cult, another favorite of mine. They were absolutely wonderful and Craig really rocked out. They performed some of my favorite songs like 'Take your Medicine,' and 'Pretty Voice,' to which I sang along quite loudly. The New Pornographers were very polished, albeit bland in my opinion, (plus the sun was in my eyes) and ended their set with an Electric Light Orchestra cover. By then, I was three feet from the fence. Then finally Andrew Bird came on with Dosh and the guitarist whose name escapes me.

My HEROES!

I don't even remember what song he opened with, or what song he played second, or third for that matter, but every song was great. At some point, I asked him to marry me, but, he decided to ignore me. He did his lovely live rendition of 'Fiery Crash,' and I rocked out. He did a lot of stuff from Armchair Apocrypha, but a lot of older tunes as well. We pogoed to 'A Nervous Tic Motion of the Head to the Left,' and belted out the chorus of 'Plasticities.' 'Plasticities' was played right after a slight weather delay, if I remember correctly, and everyone sang along with no inhibitions whatsoever. 'Twas really a beautiful scene, Andrew and friends framed by the stage with the grey sky behind spitting out chain lightning. He played upon all of the audience's crushes and moved his little slight hips around very suggestively, all while jumping from guitar to violin. His sound was beautiful, just like his face. He finished up the set playing various songs like the Dosh-written 'Simple X' and 'Tables and Chairs' (which he requested we sing the violin part-- that sounded wonderful). He topped this day off by doing a wonderful solo encore with only his violin. I have to say, long live the Bird!
And then, it was done. All done. But much worth it. My feet won't ever be the same (stood in three inch heels for six hours, squatting down for six minutes once,) but I'd say that seeing four tremendous bands all in the same place was well, well worth it.
Andrew Bird photo from Mosaic Music.

The Breeders at First Ave.

So, last Friday, my mum surprised me with the news that we could attend the Breeders show at First Avenue in Minneapolis. Some eighteen years later, and we get to see one of my hero bands live. Needless to say, I was pretty ecstatic.

So we endured a lame opening band, and when those crazy Breeders finally came out, we kind of erupted. Kim and Kelley were pretty laid back, and they have such a charisma, we all were taken by their aura. They opened the set with a cover (not sure of what, however), and played a variety of songs from all over their career, including the Amps' 'Pacer,' and classics like 'Iris,' 'Fortunately Gone,' Beatles cover 'Happiness is a Warm Gun,' and 'Safari,' as well as brand new tunes like 'We're Gonna Rise,' and 'Walk it Off.' They talked about Dayton, and made fun of Mando, switched instruments and made everyone want to rock out. The Deal sisters are absolutely wonderful, silly musicians. I fell in even deeper love with them after seeing them live. I'm curious what the future has in store for them... eighteen years, numerous member changes, and they're still rocking.

This is my ode to you, Deal sisters! ¡Viva los Breeders!