Posted by The G on April 26, 2012 under G Reviews | 
Photos by G.
Chris Glover of Penguin Prison
On April 25, 2012, New York was treated to a double bill of great dance music as Penguin Prison and Miike Snow played their second of three sold out shows at Terminal 5. I’ve seen Penguin Prison perform quite a few times and to date, this is the largest venue I’ve seen them play. It worked perfectly to see close to 3,000 people shaking their bodies to the infectious dance pop of Penguin Prison’s music. Despite a photographer pit and a huge barricade, lead singer Chris Glover still found a way to jump into the crowd and dance with the audience. One of the highlights for me was their cover of Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans,” of which Penguin Prison recently remixed. The track got no introduction and when the lyrics began, you could hear the audience squeal with delight. Hearing 3,000 people shout out “Don’t Fuck With My Money” was also one of the pinnacles of the night. For those attending tonight’s 3rd and final night, the show begins promptly at 8:00 PM, so don’t miss Penguin Prison’s set!
Andrew Wyatt of Miike Snow
An hour and a half later at 9:30 PM, Miike Snow took the stage. They must have taken my suggestion from their previous tour, which consisted of nearly the same light display for the duration of the show, as each song had a different and even more wild light show than the previous track. Like their last tour, the band emerged from behind a smoke machine wearing masks. They removed the masks after the first song and the audience was loving every second of it. Lead singer Andrew Wyatt moved all over the stage and often sang at a keyboard towards the rear of the stage. In the center of the stage, there was huge pod-like device that had lights, keyboards and a projector contained within it (see photo below). I’ve never seen anything like that before. Highlights of the show were the excellent new songs “Paddling Out,” (of which Penguin Prison recently remixed and is great) as well as “Devil’s Work.” Classics from their debut album such as “Sylvia,” “Animal” and “Sans Soleil” were also played.
Miike Snow - Terminal 5
Thanks to Penguin Prison and Miike Snow for a great night of lights and dancing!
See both set lists after the jump.
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Tags: 2012, Andrew Wyatt, April 25, Band, Chris Glover, Lead Singer, Miike Snow, Penguin Prison, Photos, Review, Set List, Terminal 5, What Time Do They Go On
Posted by The G on April 24, 2012 under Encounters with G, G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Justin Young of the Vaccines
It’s been a long wait for New York fans to see Britain’s The Vaccines in concert. April 23, 2012 proved the wait had been worth it as The Vaccines played a sold out show at Manhattan’s Webster Hall. In 2011, after The Vaccines announced a US and Japan tour for the fall, lead singer Justin Young had to have 3 surgeries on his vocal chords (despite still playing 150 shows that year) and took some time to recover.
The Vaccines
Hitting the stage at 10 pm, after great sets from The Drowners and Porcelain Raft, The Vaccines wasted no time and did what they do best – rocked the crowd! Their music is short and sweet post-punk (whatever that means) and rock. They rarely have a song lasting over three minutes in length and with the introduction of each song, it is like a shot of adrenaline is administered to the audience. They played favorites like “If You Wanna” (which was so fuckin’ rockin! The entire venue was bouncing up and down!), “Post Break Up Sex,” “Ra Ra Ra (Wrecking Bar)” and closed the show with “Norgaard.”
Justin Young of The Vaccines
They also played 3 new songs, presumably from their upcoming album, which has been reported to be released before the end of 2012. A video of one of those tracks “Teenage Icon,” will be shown on According2g.com very soon, so stay tuned. The light show was a bit underwhelming, as usually at Webster Hall, you walk away into the night blinded, but I am not complaining, I am just observing. The Vaccines played in front of a huge banner of their album cover “What Did You Expect From The Vaccines?” and the band jumped around all over the stage and the audience followed suit – though thankfully for me, no moshing occurred. Welcome back Vaccines and thanks for a great night!
See the set list after the jump.
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Tags: 2012, April 23, Band, Justin Young, Lead Singer, Live, New York, Photos, Review, Set List, The Vaccines, Webster Hall
Posted by The G on April 21, 2012 under Encounters with G, G Reviews |
Photos by G.
John Gourley of Portugal. The Man
I have a new band crush! It’s Alaska-originated and Portland-based Portugal. The Man. They played a way sold out show at Music Hall of Williamsburg as part of their Jagermeister tour on April 20, 2012 (420!) and it was sensational! As you will see below in the photos, they had one of the best light shows I’ve ever seen (and coming from me who sees hundreds of bands a year, that speaks volumes!) Varying lightbulbs were draped all over the stage, and for every song, the light display was displayed in every color, pattern and variation. Pairing the light show with their psychedelic rock sound and the fact that Jagermeister sponsored the tour and on 4/20, the international day of Marijuana – and the audience was generously partaking in the festivities - there were times where it felt like I was in another dimension!
Portugal. The Man
Aside from thanking the crowd, lead singer John Gourley didn’t say much between songs, but considering Portugal. The Man played 20 songs in their two hour set, that hardly mattered. The band is getting a larger following, but according2g, their music needs to be heard and played in stadiums! Every song has a hook that is just begging to be sung by thousands of people in unison. I know this for certain as the whole of Music Hall of Williamsburg sang along to every track and it induced chills many times.
John Gourley
Almost every song off Portugal. The Man’s most recent album “In The Mountain In The Cloud” was played, with the exception of the wonderful track “Senseless,” and they also dove into their back catalog (and they have SEVEN albums already) for tracks such as “The Woods” and the show closer “And I.” A rockin’ cover of The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” was also played and the “na na na” section of “Hey Jude” was also thrown in at the end of “Sleep Forever.” People, including myself, pretty much lost their shit when songs such as “So American,” “Floating (Time Isn’t Working My Side),” “Got It All (This Can’t Be Living Now)” and “All Your Light,” which was the opening song, were played. Talk about hook filled songs that sound incredible live! Wow.
Portugal. The Man
After seeing Portugal. The Man live earlier this year and having such a great time, I got all of their albums, and they are great. If you are looking for a rock band to break you out of the doldrums of the current music scene, I highly recommend immersing yourself in Portugal. The Man’s music. You won’t regret it! Thanks guys for a great night and for a show that will definitely make my best shows of 2012 list.
See the set list after the jump as well as a photo of my encounter with John Gourley after the jump.
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Tags: 2012, 420, April 20, Band, Jagermeister, John Gourley, Lead Singer, Music Hall of Williamsburg, New York, Photos, Portugal. The Man, Review, Set List
Posted by The G on April 18, 2012 under G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Tyler Glenn of Neon Trees
Neon Trees are back, baby! The Utah rockers celebrated the release of their new album “Picture Show” with a pair of intimate shows at New York’s Bowery Ballroom on April 16 and 17, 2012. I caught the second show and it was electric! Lead singer Tyler Glenn is a total rock star. He dresses the part (including multiple outfit changes), has incredible stage presence and is filled with energy that just won’t quit! He makes sure the crowd has a great night as he dances all over the stage and gets the audience engaged with crowd sing-a-longs.
Fame is Dead!
During their hour and a half set, Neon Trees’ set was packed with hits from their debut album “Habits” (including “Animal,” “Never Surrender,” and “1983″), as well as stadium-worthy lighting! Before launching into tracks from “Picture Show,” Tyler Glenn told the crowd that it is great but also scary to play new material because you never know how the audience will react. I can safely say, the crowd was digging the new stuff. When introducing the new song “Everybody Talks,” Tyler Glenn dedicated it to all the people that talk shit and he said a betrayal at age 6 prepared him for a life filled with people talkin’ smack.
Neon Trees
Glenn said that he wanted to bring the fun back into rock and roll and Neon Trees succeeded in their mission. I think even if you don’t care for their music, you cannot say that you won’t be entertained by a live performance by Neon Trees. That’s what rock and roll is all about! Thanks for a great night Neon Trees!
See the set list after the jump.
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Tags: 2012, April 17, Bowery Ballroom, Images, Lead Singer, Live, Neon Trees, Photos, Review, Set List, Tyler Glenn
Posted by The G on April 13, 2012 under Encounters with G, G Reviews |
Photos by G.
Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes
If you are not familiar with Alabama Shakes, I reckon you sure will be by the end of 2012! The quartet (quintet if you include their touring keyboard player) from Athens, Alabama rocked the house at a very sold out show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg in Brooklyn on April 12, 2012. Lead singer Brittany Howard is also a name you are soon to become well acquainted with as her vocals are like a cross between Betty Davis (not the actress, Miles’ ex-wife – look her up!) and Adele. Musically, Alabama Shakes fuses elements of southern rock, blues and soul and when you put that combination together, you get a rockin’ good time!
Alabama Shakes
Their debut album “Boys and Girls” was released this week and it’s going to be a smash. The Shakes (as they are sometimes known) played the record to an adoring crowd, who sang along to the words of nearly every track! Lead singer Brittany Howard played guitar and also delivered an extremely powerful vocal performance where just from watching the show, you can tell she’s going to be a star! She thanked the crowd for us coming out to see Alabama Shakes and she said that it seems hard for her to believe that she’s in New York performing songs that were written in their bedrooms in Alabama. She better get used to it because in a matter of no time, they are going to be playing huge venues.
It's Brittany, Bitch!
If you head over to Alabama Shakes’ official site (link is above), you can download a free mp3 of their song “Heavy Chevy” in exchange for your email address. Highly recommended! I am looking forward to watching Alabama Shakes shake up and take up the music world.
See the setlist after the jump.
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Tags: 2012, Alabama Shakes, April 12, Band, Brittany Howard, Brooklyn, Images, Lead Singer, Music Hall of Williamsburg, New York, Photos, Review, Set List
