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Shaky Knees 2018

Shaky Knees 2018

Shaky Knees celebrated its 6th year running this year on May 4th, 2018. I had the opportunity to head over to Central Park in Atlanta, GA to experience the festival for the first time. After suffering through an eternity of Atlanta traffic, I arrived at the venue. Central Park is a great location, with playgrounds for children and adults to play on, while also having a large amount of space to walk around and enjoy the grounds.

The first Friday show I saw was David Byrne on the Peachtree Stage. David Byrne, the Scottish-American musician who was the founding member, principal songwriter, and lead singer and guitarist of the Talking Heads, did an amazing job with his set at the festival. His band members all had their instruments harnessed to them in order to allow all members to freely move around the stage, resulting in one of the best choreographed performances I’ve ever seen. From playing old Talking Heads favorites like “Slippery People,” and “Once in a Lifetime,” to his solo songs “Every Day is a Miracle,” and “Everybody’s Coming to My House,” his entire show was energetic, lively, and fantastic. Up next on the schedule was Fleet Foxes on the Piedmont Stage. Fleet Foxes is an indie-folk band formed in Seattle Washington, and has a sound that feels like you’re running through a snowy forest. My favorites from the set list were “Grown Ocean,” “White Winter Hymnal,” and “Blue Ridge Mountains.” The headliner for Friday was Jack White, and he closed out the first day of the festival. He played many songs from projects he’s been a part of, including solo songs such as “Blunderbus,” The Raconteurs’ song “Steady as she Goes,” and The White Stripes hit “Seven Nation Army.”

Saturday, May 5th would bring another great day of music. The first act I got to see was Greta Van Fleet, a band which started up in 2012 from Michigan. I had never heard of them until the festival, and they blew my mind. With a sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, the rock band is one that I highly recommend seeing. I next saw The War on Drugs, a band I had recently seen in Mobile, Alabama. After a short rain delay, they came out in full force ready to play. They played songs including “An Ocean Between the Waves,” “Pain,” and my personal favorite “Red Eyes.” After their set I happened to run into Matt and Kim of Matt and Kim. This was an awesome experience as they were extremely nice and even offered to take a selfie with me. I told them I’d be sure to go to their set, and I am glad that I did. A band known for their energetic and theatrical shows, Matt and Kim were seen Jumping around the stage, throwing many things into the crowd, and even using some very interesting drum sticks. They recently released their newest album Almost Everyday, and I suggest checking it out! The headliner of the night was Queens of the Stone Age, and they closed out the night playing to the full crowd.

Sunday, May 6th began with Alvvays. The Canadian indie pop band almost didn’t make it to the festival, telling the crowd their vehicle broke down that morning and they had to catch a plane the same day to make it. Their punk-like pop was a great way to start out the last day of the festival. I next got to see Lord Huron, and I must say it was one of the highlights of the entire festival. Lord Huron released their first album, Lonesome Dreams, in 2012, followed by Strange Trails in 2015, and just recently released their newest album Vide Noir this year. Their albums are intricately written, with themes of love and loss woven throughout each song. It seems as if a story of life is told throughout all of their albums. Their set at the festival included songs from all three albums, including “Ends of the Earth,” their extremely popular “The Night We Met,” and “Wait by the River.” Radically changing gears, the next band I saw was Tenacious D. With famous Jack Black and Kyle Gass as the front men, the comedy metal rock band blends hard metal with hilarious lyrics to create an unforgettable experience. The band is best known for their album The Pick of Destiny, which is actually the soundtrack for a movie that the band created. Jack Black announced for the first time that they will be releasing Part 2 of the movie this upcoming October! Their set consisted of songs including “Kickapoo,” “The Metal,” and closed out with the sensual “F*ck Her Gently.” The final act of the weekend and headliner of the day was The National. The American rock band from Cincinnati, Ohio captivated the crowd with the bands tantalizing sound and captivating voice of Matt Berninger. They played songs including “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” “Slow Show,” and “Fake Empire.”

All in all, Shaky Knees is a festival done right. From a great location to an even better lineup, the festival as a whole was one of the best I have ever attended. I would highly recommend to anyone who likes music and is near the are to attend the festival.

Caspian Roberts

Joe Russo’s Almost Dead | New Orleans, LA | 5-5-18 | Mardis Gras World Ballroom

photos by Roger Patteson of Type 2 Photography

setlist and notes by Peter Costello

Show #151
Mardi Gras World Ballroom
New Orleans, LA
2018-05-05
Night Two Of Two
SOLD OUT ~ THANK YOU!

Set One (9:31PM – 10:52PM)
Casey Jones >
Let It Grow @ ->
Jam # ->
Bird Song $ ->
Greatest Story Ever Told >
Dancing In The Streets >

Set Two (11:28PM – 1:10AM)
Foolish Heart % ->
New Minglewood Blues ^ ->
Jam ->
China Cat Sunflower & ->
Tell Me Mama ->
Cumberland Blues Jam * -> Big River Jam I + -> Cumberland Blues -> Big River Jam II + -> Cumberland Blues -> Big River Refrain I + -> Cumberland Blues -> Big River Refrain + II -> Cumberland Blues Reprise @@
Candy Man ## >
Music Never Stopped

ENC:
Going Down The Road Feeling Bad $$ %% ->
Franklin’s Tower $$

@ – With a “Ten Years Gone” (Led Zeppelin) Tease (Band)
# – With elements of “My Favorite Things” (Rodgers and Hammerstein) and Teases of Let It Grow & Bird Song
$ – With a Marco Solo & a Duo Jam
% – With China->Rider Transition Teases (MB & TH)
^ – With a Throwing Stones Tease (TH)
& – With a Let It Grow (I think) Tease (TH)
* – With a Marco Solo, first time Cumberland has appeared as a Jam. Basically they started Cumberland, it morphed into a Marco Solo, which became a Big River Jam & then they sung the lyrics of Cumberland.
+ – Partial Instrumental & Refrain versions of a Johnny Cash Cover, First time Played in this style () by Almost Dead
@@ Not Played By Almost Dead since 2017-10-06 Brooklyn Bowl, Brooklyn, NY, a gap of 29 shows
## – With a “Revelry” (Traditional) Tease (SM)
$$ – With Nick Bockrath (Cage the Elephant) on guitar for both songs & vocals on GDTRFB
%% – Without the traditional instrumental We Bid You Goodnight ending. It segued directly into Franklin’s

 

 

Spafford | 5/5-6/18 | Republic NOLA | New Orleans, LA

photos by:  Roger Patteson of Type 2 Photography

Spafford | 5/5/18 | Republic NOLA | New Orleans, LA

I: Dis Go In 5? > In the Eyes of Thieves, Leave the Light On, Fuel*, Ain’t That Wrong**, Tongue N Groove***, My Road (My Road), Watermelon Man****

E: Electric Taco Stand

Notes:
*First Time Played
**with Joel Cummins on Keys
***Steve Kimock – FTP
****Herbie Hancock
– Jazz Fest Late Night Show

 

Spafford | 5/6/18 | Republic NOLA | New Orleans, LA

I: When it Falls, Todd’s Tots, Simon & Lilly, The Postman, Mind’s Unchained, All In, America

E: Cleaning Windows**, The Reprise

Notes:
*FTP
**Van Morrison – FTP
-Jazz Fest Late Night Show

Kevin Morby at The Hi-Fi

Kevin Morby

Special guest Hand Habits

The Hi-Fi

Indianapolis, IN

Photos by: Tony Vasquez of Vasquez Photography

Photo gallery: Kevin Morby

 

Lord Huron

April 26, 2018

WTTS & MOKB Presents

Lord Huron

Liz Cooper & The Stampede

Vogue Theatre

Indianapolis, IN

Photos by: Tony Vasquez

Photo galleries: Liz Cooper and The Stampede 

Lord Huron

 

Setlist:  

Ancient Names Part One, Meet Me in the Woods, Hurricane (Johnnie’s Theme), Never Ever, Ends of the Eart, Dead Man’s Hand, Back From the Edge, The Balancer’s Eye, Wait By The River, Frozen Pines, Celestial Poem Interlude, La Belle Fleur Sauvage, Fool for Love, Ancient Names Part Two, Way Out There, When the Night Is Over, Vide Noir, The Wolrd Ender,

Encore:  The Night We Met, Time to Run

 

 

 

The Wood Brothers

The Wood Brothers

Special guest Nicki Bluhm

Vogue Theatre

Indianapolis, IN

April 19, 2018

Written review by: Zen Wild

Photos by: Tony Vasquez of Vasquez Photography

Photo gallery:  The Wood Brothers

 

Five. That’s the number of times, including tonight’s show, that I’ve seen The Wood Brothers perform over the last three years. I’ve only left semi-disappointed once, and that had nothing to do with what the band played, but rather what they didn’t play. It was more a matter of time. Their set was too short, and I found that once they were finished, I wanted more. That was last summer, when they opened for Tedeschi Trucks Band at The Lawn at White River, in Indianapolis, and their set was only 45 minutes or so. It was hardly enough time to truly enjoy what the band had to offer. With the depth of talent and showmanship that they bring to the table, they deserve to be headliners every time. That show at White River is the only time that I’ve seen them when they haven’t been the headliner. They were headlining tonight, again, at The Vogue, which is the first venue where I witnessed their musical splendor. It’s an excellent venue, and I love catching shows there.

I do feel that I should give mention of Nicki Bluhm, who opened for The Wood Brothers, tonight, without her band, The Gramblers, and put on an excellent solo acoustic set. She played some tracks off of her upcoming album, that got me excited and made me want to pick up a copy once it’s available, and one of the highlights of her set had to be a vocally blistering cover of “I Second That Emotion,” from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles. I’d never seen her in person, before, so I don’t know what the experience might be like when she has her full band with her, but I was not disappointed with her set in the slightest.

On to The Wood Brothers. Chris, Oliver, and Jano Rix opened with a personal favorite track of mine, “Postcards From Hell,” as the lights were kept low, with red spotlights illuminating the stage, giving the stage a hellish visage, and they followed closely on that track’s heels with an earnestly performed rendition of “Spirit.” They were setting the tone for an amazing musical night, with a mix of songs that was spot on. I found myself dancing and dancing, again and again, whether it was to tracks off of their newest album, such as “One Drop of Truth,” “Laughin’ or Crying,” and “Happiness Jones,” or older tracks like “Tried and Tempted,” which was performed in heated fashion, “Keep Me Around,” or “I Got Loaded.” Every track the band performed was incredible. They seem to have grown closer as musicians as the years have passed, and the tight jams that erupted from the three of them tonight were jaw-dropping at points, especially the extended intro into “Luckiest Man,” and a soulful, funky performance of “Where My Baby Might Be,” in which Chris and Oliver were playing dueling slide on their respective instruments (electric bass and electric guitar) which rolled right into a high-energy cover of Tom Petty’s song, “You Wreck Me.” I don’t know how long that jam lasted. It was probably 10 – 15 minutes, but it was one of the moments you hoped would just keep going and going. It was amazing. I am a witness. 

Obviously, Chris Wood is an amazing bassist, and I believe he gets due credit, but with someone like Derek Trucks out there, Oliver Wood probably doesn’t get as much credit as he should as a slide guitarist. He’s an incredible talent and that jam that happened during “Where My Baby Might Be,” before the band transitioned into “You Wreck Me” is proper evidence. Oliver can get down with the best of them. As the band left the stage, initially, after finishing their set, I knew that there would have to be an encore. The crowd hadn’t receded, and the people were still cheering, stamping their feet, and clapping. It ended up only being a single-song encore, but it was worth three or more songs performed by some other bands. “Honey Jar” was performed with an intensity I hadn’t seen before, and it seemed as if the band stepped up the tempo just a bit. Oliver’s solo on the track was breathtaking. As I said, he deserves more credit than I think he gets.

Once the final notes were struck, I was thinking how I couldn’t wait until I got another chance to catch The Wood Brothers again, and I was singing lyrics from “Honey Jar” softly to myself on the drive home. See The Wood Brothers as soon as you can. The way they’re playing right now, the next time you get a chance, it might be at a much bigger venue with ticket prices to match. Don’t miss out!

 

 

 

Built to Spill with the Afghan Whigs

 

April 13, 2018

MOKB Presents 

Built to Spill

Afghan Whigs

Vogue Theatre 

Indianapolis, IN

Photos by: Tony Vasquez 

Setlist: The First Song, Living Zoo, The Plan, Distopian Dream Girl, Made Up Dreams, Joyride, Stop the Show, Some Other Song, Back on the Chain Gang (The Pretenders cover,) Car, Time Trap, Big Dipper, Carry The Zero, Sheer Heart Attack ( Queen cover,) Broken Chairs

 

 

Jeff Tweedy Together At Last Opening Night

Jeff Tweedy

April 7, 2018

Together At Last Tour

Special Guest OHMME

Royal Oak Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan

Review & Photos by Tony Vasquez

 

April 5, 2018, Jeff Tweedy at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.

Jeff Tweedy kicked off his Together At Last tour Thursday night at the historic Royal Oak Theatre in Royal Oak, Michigan. The Chicago based female duo OHMME, which include Sima Cunninghman from the band Tweedy and Macie Stewart, opened for Jeff and will be on tour most of April. Tweedy will continue into Canada with some dates in the US including the Vic Theatre in Chicago before heading to Europe in support of his latest acoustic solo release, Together At Last. The acoustic album is a collection of stripped down version of songs pulled from the span of his career, which translate perfectly on this tour.

April 5, 2018, OHMME in support of Jeff Tweedy. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.

With Wilco taking off all of 2018 frontman, Jeff Tweedy has taken to the road with his deep catalog of songs. Tweedy played twenty-one tunes in a 90-minute set for the sold-out opening night crowd. He started off the concert with a harmonic and acoustic guitar on “Via Chicago,” which is the opening track off the new album.

The second song of the night, he performed “Bombs Above” one of three new songs he would play for the audience. Before playing the new tune “Don’t Forget,” he asked the crowd to please sing along to which they responded with laughter. Later in the set, he was then able to get the concertgoers to sing along on the chorus to the new tune “Noah’s Flood (Let’s Go Rain Again).”After the song, he revealed that it was not well received by a UK writer as they called it “a throwaway song.” Jeff joked that he had written the editor to ask him how easy it was to write a song an audience could sing along with the very first time they hear it. During the night you could hear the crowd also sing along with other old favorites such as “Passenger Side,” “Jesus, Etc.,” and “You and I.”

April 5, 2018, Jeff Tweedy at the Royal Oak Music Theatre. Photo by Tony Vasquez for Jams Plus Media.

Jeff was able to find a good mix of new and old songs over the course of the night. He dug deep into his bag of songs with the Golden Smog tune “Lost Love.” Then for the encore, he started off with the Uncle Tupelo song “We’ve Been Had,” which he easily transitioned into “Theologians.” I was personally thrilled to hear an acoustic version, with harmonic, of “Handshake Drugs.” Finally, he closed the night with the crowd singing along to the tune “A Shot in the Arm.”

Find ticket info visit http://wilcoworld.net/shows/.

The full opening night setlist included:

Via Chicago (w/harmonica), Bombs Above, I Am Trying To Break Your Heart, New Madrid, Impossible Germany, Don’t Forget We All Think About Dying, Lost Love, You and I, Hummingbird, Noah’s Flood (Let’s Go Rain Again), Laminated Cat, Bull Black Nova, Passenger Side, Locator, Jesus, etc., Born Alone, I’m The Man Who Loves You

Encore: We’ve Been Had, Theologians, Handshake Drugs (w/harmonica), A Shot in the Arm

Cris Jacobs Band 03-17-2018

Cris Jacobs Band 03-17-2018

Rams Head on Stage Annapolis Md.

 In March of 2017 Rolling Stone declared Cris Jacobs as one of the 10 artist you need to know! They said; “Cris Jacobs’ 2016 album Dust to Gold snuck up on everyone, quietly announcing itself as one of the best roots-soul records in a year that also produced a new album from Sturgill Simpson. It’s the second solo LP from the Baltimore-based singer and guitarist, who cut his teeth as the front man for jam band the Bridge before striking out on his own.”

Well it’s now March of 2018 and I have been paying close attention to Cris Jacobs and the Cris Jacobs Band and I am here to tell you that Cris and his band just keep sounding better and better! With a funky flavor straight out of New Orleans, the Cris Jacobs Band is playing some of the finest original music and tasty covers that you might want to hear right now!

This band is just a recipe for Great music and a Great time! With Dusty Ray Simmons holding down the beat on the drums you couldn’t have a better start! With his tasty percussive choices the beats are consistently creative with seamless transitions.

Next we add the amazing bottom end bass of Todd Herrington who not only has great tone and energy yet also understands when to leave space for a song to breathe! Add the fact that Todd also sings harmony and well…. Can you say Amazing Talent!

That brings us to the guitar and vocals of Jonathan Sloane. As I think about what to tell you here, what comes to mind is being back stage one night when the band was playing with Amy Helm, they were rehearsing some songs when Amy got this huge grin on her face and then said; “Can He sing Harmony on all of my songs?” Add to that Jonathans awesome rhythm and lead guitar playing and this recipe is really starting to stew!

Cris Jacobs, the namesake of the band! A passionate and moving songwriter, a righteous guitar player, and vocals that are stirring and expressive! Couple this with a principled and noble person and this band is just taking off! As the band was leaving the stage for Cris to do a solo of “Samson & Delilah”, Cris said; “Best Band I’ve Ever Heard” (after a nice pause he said) “It’s Pretty Cool When Your Favorite Band Is Your Own”! The sincerity of his admiration for the other band members and their talent was unmistakable!

Individually these guys are all stellar and when you put them all together this band is something that if you have not experienced them yet, I invite you to do so now! I feel like I could talk about them all day however it won’t be until you listen to them for yourself that you too will be bitten! Their latest album, “Dust to Gold” is available online from various sources, however I recommend that you get to the next show of theirs and experience an incredible show and purchase it in person.

Please visit http://www.crisjacobs.com/ and check out the Cris Jacobs Band.

—

Peace & Blessings,
Stuart

www.stuartdahnephotography.com

 

 

BUKU 2018: A Photo Recap

BUKU 2018: A Photo Recap

Photos by Jordan Wall
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