Okkervil River w/ Titus Andronicus and Future Islands, Newport Music Hall, Columbus, OH - 6/11/2011

We were up in Columbus for a wedding and decided somewhat last minute to catch this show, starting with a lovely meal with friends at Third & Hollywood (still great). It wasn't too crowded, and we walked in, grabbed a couple beers and settled in for the last few songs from Future Islands, whom I thought sounded great. Very Joy Division-ish. Not a lot of stage charisma, but it's something I could imagine listening to on my stereo.

Next up was Titus Andronicus, and I had high hopes for seeing these guys (and gal) bring it live. Their sound is just not my thing at all, though: super chaotic, no discernible melody, unable to tell one song from another. They were charasmatic and had me rooting for them, but I just didn't enjoy them at all.

Finally was Okkervil River. I saw them play an absolute knockout show back in 2005 in Austin, TX. They are basically a different band now, though - much more professional and slick. Also lacking a little of the passion/fire/what have you that they once carried. There were some highlights, such as the slowed down, acoustic "No Key, No Plan" and the "hits" toward the end.

We ended up leaving before the encore, so we missed Westfall, which is a bummer. It was great seeing friends and hanging, but the show left something to be desired for me.

White Shadow Waltz
A Hand to Take Hold of the Scene
The Latest Toughs
Rider
Starry Stairs
Wake and Be Fine
Piratess
The Valley
John Allyn Smith Sails
No Key, No Plan (Acoustic)
So Come Back, I Am Waiting
Your Past Life as a Blast
For Real
Our Life Is Not a Movie or Maybe
Lost Coastlines

Encore:
The Rise
Westfall
Unless It's Kicks

Same As It Ever Was - Talking Heads Tribute Band, The Frist Museum, Nashville, TN - 5/27/2011

My old friend Michael was in town for a long weekend, which was in and of itself great, and this little show happened to be going on. We had dinner prior at the Local Taco (nice!) and a drink before the show at the Flying Saucer (meh) before heading in. This was not a mind-blowing show or anything, but the weather was great, the sun was setting, the location behind the Frist was fantastic and the band did a reasonably good Talking Heads with a lot of the hits, including "Naive Melody," "Burning Down the House," "Girlfriend is Better," and "Crosseyed and Painless."