Top 5 Shows at MusicfestNW

MusicfestNW was amazing. Fueled by beer, whiskey and almost no sleep, Tex and I saw 20 bands at 7 different venues (a feat of endurance I doubt I'll soon repeat) and we didn't come close to seeing everyone we wanted to see. Oddly, some of the bands we were most excited to see didn't end up being our favorites.

While there were plenty of great moments, these 5 standout above the rest:

Blind Pilot @ Doug Fir
It felt very intimate and special to see Blind Pilot at the Doug Fir recording their KEXP session with maybe a hundred other people. Too bad they'll never play a full set here. The new songs all sounded fantastic.

Talkdemonic @ Branx
We headed over to Branx on a whim between bands and were blown away. I had no idea that drums and a violin could produce such a captivating performance. Judging from their set, their next album is going to be fantastic, and perhaps louder and wilder than their previous albums.

Yacht @ Branx
DANCE PARTY! We were dripping with sweat minutes after entering the typically hot and humid Branx. Nothing was dry by the time they left the stage, easily living up to a stranger's assessment when she urged us to see them the night before: "Their shows are like a cross between gym class and pure joy."

AgesandAges @ Doug Fir
Like a backwoods revival, they quickly worked up a frenzy and never let up. The stage radiated with a joyous and communal feeling. Their harmonies are just amazing and need to be heard live.

Givers @ Doug Fir
The Givers came out swinging. Building upon and even surpassing the energy of the fantastic AgesandAges set. Singer Tiffany Lamson pounded her toms like a Taiko drummer. And just when it seemed as if they were winding down after a wild hour and a half, they introduced a rapper, Tiny, who brought the house down.

Although these are my top 5 shows, I think Tex will agree with 4 out of the 5 listed here.

Jim Jones Revue @ Doug Fir

Damn. That was an amazing show. The Jim Jones Revue roared through their set like a greased up Oldsmobile 88 pushing into the red. Never letting down, each song they seemed to reach new sonic heights, the power and noise almost obscuring the band's tightness. Every time the guitarist, Rupert Orton, decked out in full leather, stepped up to the front he delivered tight blasting solos. His understated demeanor contrasting with his thunderbolt riffs. The keyboardist, Henri Herbert, off to side, banging wildly like a manic Jerry Lee Lewis. Although each member's performance was impressive and wild, it was clear who owned the stage. From start to finish, Jim Jones showed what a frontman could be -- an argument for what rock n' roll should be. His dramatic and powerful gestures reminded me of a pissed off and crazy Al Pacino, with a little of David Bowie's flare. He postured, flirted, preached, and directed, all the while his hair and sweat flying. I have no idea how he can bark all night every night, nor that a howl could be so textured. It was as mesmerizing as it was impressive.

Simply put, if you like rock n' roll, you need to see this band.

Foster The People @ Mississippi Studios

Friday night's show at Mississippi Studios was just one of a sting of sold out concerts down the West Coast for Foster The People. An amazing feat, considering all they've released is one three song EP and a cool video. Granted they sound like MGMT and Passion Pit got together to hang out and party in LA. Judging by the cheers, singing along, and enthusiastic dancing, most people were here for "Pumped Up Kicks"and for good reason, it reels you in with a silky smooth chorus of laid-back cynicism, capturing the best of chill wave and then seals the deal with a little "Young Folks" whistling. "Houdini" and "Helena Beats" bring the dance party with big electronic beats and shimmering keyboards. And judging from the rest of the set, they still have a couple potential hits in the bag. I'm excited to hear their full album, Torches, when it comes out on May 24th.


Foster The People - Helena Beat (Live In Brisbane, Australia) from Foster The People on Vimeo.

U.S. Royalty @ Mississippi Studios

Last night at the U.S. Royalty show, it quickly became clear that as good as their album, Mirrors, was, the band was even better live. Songs like the opening "Monte Carlo" (mp3) rocked harder and the overall set sounded more cohesive, with their varied influences blending together into some fantastic rock 'n roll. It's as if they took their album and just cranked the dials. The songs seemed to pop and sparkle. Heavy rockers like "Hollywood Hollows" and "The Desert Won't Save You" were particularly exciting, as the giant riffs exploded over a pounding back end. It was a pleasure to watch a true lead guitarist step into a blistering yet retained solo and see a singer own the stage, his soaring howl hitting the high notes like a young Roger Daltrey. To top it off, they nailed a cover of Stevie Nicks' "Wild Heart," providing proof that the Fleetwood Mac comparisons were justified.


Sofar DC: U.S. Royalty - Wild Heart from Nick Fitzhugh on Vimeo.

Free Energy & Hollerado @ Doug Fir

Last time I saw Free Energy, girls were stage diving at the Doug Fir during MusicfestNW. It was going to be hard to live up to that performance, but I think the band gets tighter every time I see them. They know how to work a crowd and their fans eat up feel good sing-along rockers like "Dream City" and "Bang Pop" I really cannot hear  "Hope Child" too many times.

Fellow Phillies, Hollerado  opened. They approach rock n' roll with a similar good-timing attitude, as apparent on "Do the Doot Da Doot Do" or on "Americana", with a video that gives OK GO a run for the money:

Hillstomp @ Wonder Ballroom

Hillstomp is quickly becoming my favorite Portland band. While I love their new album, nothing can replace the intensity of their live performances. Seconds into their set last night, drummer John Johnson's hat flung off the back of his head, a moment later his glasses flew off in another direction and his eyes rolled back into their sockets as he pounded out the beat to "Goin' Down South". Paired with Henry Kammerer crazy eyes expression, they were like men possessed. It was fantastic.

Everytime I've seen them, they've laid it all out on the stage, leaving nothing in reserve. That night was no different. Clearly enjoying playing in front of a hometown crowd, they ripped and pummeled through a mix of new and old hits, including fan favorites like "NE Portland 3 AM", "Darker The Night" and "Banjo Song #1". Johnson, playing barefoot and lacking towel, had to use his discarded socks to dry off his sticks and forehead. Krammerer strummed, plucked and slide his way through a stack of guitars. His command and speed was mesmerizing.

Seriously, do yourself a favor pick up their album or catch them on their tour supporting the Reverend Horton Heat.

Hillstomp - NE Portland 3am - Annie's Social Club from victoria w on Vimeo.

J. Tillman @ Doug Fir

J. Tillman shuffled on stage, grabbed his guitar, said a few pleasantries and began. The place went immediately dead silent once he started singing "Three Sisters". The parable's story and imagery delivered in alternating resonating strength and delicate whisper. His captivating performance even held the bar in the back silent for 3 or 4 songs.

The Doug Fir was the perfect venue for Tillman, with the acoustics capturing the clarity and sharpness of his vocal. His songs, although quiet and beautiful, they never lulled the audience, but held them rapt and attentive as he played songs from his upcoming album, Singing Ax, due out sometime in September. He wasn't sure or seemed to care about those details, but if that night was any indication, it will be worth seeking out.

Manchester Orchestra @ Hawthorne Theatre

Manchester Orchestra are definitely an outlier band for me, which makes it a harder for me to write about them with confidence, even though I like almost every song off Mean Everything To Nothing. The first time I saw them live I'd never heard them before but I immediately latched on to a couples songs. Now seeing them again after enjoying their album, they are even more impressive. I can see why they inspire the crowd's fist pumping response. Their songs are packed with monster riffs, catchy choruses, and often play with loud/quiet and intimate/aggressive dichotomies. By crossing over they also provide a window into exploring my own taste limitations. It comes down to the sound of their guitars; their riffs are based in hard rock and metal, two genres I don't listen to much and which I associate with the radio stations I abandoned many years ago after failing to hear anything that grabbed me. It's exciting to listen to a band that makes those sounds engaging and enjoybale and makes me reevaluate my assumptions. While I don't plan listening to the radio ever again, I wonder how many other bands I've missed.

Metric @ Roseland Theater

Emily Haines is a rockstar, dividing her time between banging on her keyboard and dancing, prancing and just dominating the stage. Honestly, I have no idea why people still pack stadiums to see bag of bones baby boomer bands, when musicians like Metric clearly have the swagger and songs to put on a show that should satisfy anyone's thirst for rock and roll. Roseland Theater was packed and the crowd was clearly excited. I was standing next to two young teenagers and their parents on one side and some obviously longtime Metric fans on the other side. Their mix of dance-inducing beats, squaling guitar, and Haines' alternating cool and fierce vocals apparently is resonating with a broad audience. People started cheering during the quiet instrumental interludes, and just exploded with the first few notes of every single song. It was nuts. It's great to see band you love being embraced and then stepping up and delivering the fantastic performance the fans were hoping for. As much as I love and romanticize hearing bands annihilate the local dive bar, I can't help being caught up with the crowd when a band is on top. It definitely feels like Metric is in their prime.

Hillstomp @ Mississippi Studios

Hillstomp were pretty bad ass, but the place was already dancing before they even took the stage. The horribly named Yogoman Burning Band were a party band in the best sense, both boisterous and fun. With only two horns, a drummer and a bassist they sounding like a cross between a ska and a New Orleans brass band. The drummer called out to the crowd, keeping everyone bobbing and singing along.

Although I've been enjoying their rugged delta blues since I moved to Portland, this was the first time I've seen Hillstomp. I first heard them playing on the stereo at New Old Lompoc. They had played the night before and the waitress was still riding the concert high. I can see why. Although they had just played a couple weeks before, they packed the house. John Johnson plays a junk contraption that resembles drums, but is mostly made out of 5 gallon buckets and duct tape. Henry Kammerer plays a fantastic slide guitar and banjo. Both of them play all out and the crowd feeds off their intensity. Great show.

Austin Lucas @ Hawthorne Theater

I caught Austin Lucas' set in the lounge at the Hawthorne Theater on Sunday. Although he tours with a band, this was his final show in town before heading down to South by Southwest, and it was just him and his guitar. It'd been a while since I went to an acoustic one mic show, but his charisma filled the room, as he bantered with the audience between songs and even interjected humorous antidotes into the middle of a couple of them.

As you can tell from his press shot, his roots aren't purely country and folk. However, little of his hardcore roots are present in his current songs. They range from the lovelorn to barroom rave up, strummed with an intensity that'll fire up your drinking but not quite get you off the bar stool. He's got a good voice, and while he'd likely admit to stumbling a bit, he plays well too. I look forward to catching him next time he passes through, with or without his band in tow.

Free Energy & Foreign Born @ Mississippi Studios

It was a rainy February night, but Free Energy's fist pumping anthems, "Free Energy" and "Hope Child", made it feel like summer. I want them to play at all my barbecues. Looking back to 70's for inspiration, Free Energy captures a hedonistic innocence that makes me want to head to the water tower with Randall Floyd and Mitch Kramer. All the songs they played sounded great. If they ever release their album, the band seems destined for bigger venues than Mississippi Studios' tiny stage.

Every time I hear the songs off the Foreign Born's Person To Person I like them more. While I usually am skeptical of bands with a bongo drummer, the Foreign Born have me rethinking that likely faulty logic. Their stellar percussion is even more pronounced live, making it hard to move to the rhythm of "Winter Games" or "Vacationing People". The restrained and ringing guitar on both songs sounded particular good that night.

The White Buffalo @ Café Du Nord

Although the chemistry of a group of musicians when they are perfectly in sync and rockin' out is always impressive, for me, there is something even more impressive and emotionally transcending about just a voice and a guitar manipulating a room packed with people. Snap shirts were in full effect at Café Du Nord this past weekend of The White Buffalo, and everyone in attendance was treated to a powerful solo acoustic performance that, for the most part, entranced the spectators into silence. One nice component of the solo show, is that The White Buffalo (aka Jake Smith) can go in any direction he likes during the performance, for instance finishing his set off with a country legends medley and constantly bantering with the engaged rowdies up front. I would normally say that the The White Buffalo should be looked into, but in the case of the solo performance, I'd have to escalate my recommendation to the lofty "not to be missed" plateau.

The man is currently on tour will be making a stop in Portland, Oregon tonight (Wednesday, January 27) at Mississippi Studios. If you know what's good for you, you'll be there. Tell him "America" sent you... you'll get it when you see the video.

Birds Fled From Me & John Houx @ The Crepe Place

As John Houx sat on the floor of The Crepe Place in Santa Cruz, CA, playing his song "Born in 1984", a painting of a grinning Bob Dylan circa 1969 looked down on him. The uncanny resemblance between the two went further than looks, and to Houx's credit, he doesn't shy away from a songwriting style that owes a lot to the august folk singer. That is good because his songwriting is strong enough to carry past comparisons, and his easygoing presence kept any hokeyness at bay. He ran through a strong set of songs that were witty and sharp, personal but not overtly political. Houx was opening for Birds Fled From Me, solo project of local artist Rachel Williams, who performed admirably with an impromptu band and a case of jet lag. But it was the first songs in her set, performed solo using a tape delay, that were most captivating. Her lilting, alluring voice accompanying itself on songs about love lost or found. She has a endearing skittishness onstage, seemingly unable to stop herself from telling her audience how nervous she is in between songs, or declaring "I'm a really self-conscious person. Seriously." In front of an enthusiastic crowd in her hometown, she seemed at ease in her awkwardness.