The first show I saw this year was 1/28, Umphrey's McGee at the Best Buy Theatre. This was my first time seeing Umphrey's and they totally exceeded my expectations. Not only did they play some of my favorites (Miss Tinkle's Overture and In The Kitchen) but their jamming was mind-blowing. This is one show I went to that I keep listening to over and over again, especially 'Wappy Sprayberry', 'Bittersweet Haj', and 'In The Kitchen'. Their jamming is just so smooth and sexy. The best way for me to describe this is show is pure baby-making music. I will be seeing them many times in the future, that's for sure. They are one of the most genre bending bands I have ever listened to or seen.
The next show I got to enjoy was Lotus at Mercury Lounge on 2/3. First off, great place to see a show. It's super small and intimate, and I was right in the front row. I wish my Blackberry survived the show, because I got some great pictures there that died along with it. This was also my first time seeing Lotus (though I got see Mike Greenfield, the drummed, play with the Disco Biscuits during their New Years run in NYC, and thought he played very well with them), and this was their tour kick-off and the first of 3 nights in New York City. I'm happy that the one show of the 3 nights I went to was this one, because I think of the 3 night run this is by far the best show. Super high energy and eclectic jamming. They've got a great electronic/jazzy/funky sound that I've never heard from any other band.
Then, I had a really crazy week. 3 shows in 4 days. On 2/22 at Terminal 5, I got see Trey Anastasio play with his band, one set acoustic, one set electric. The acoustic set reminded me of a sort of Phish campfire sing-a-long. Highlights for me included 'Camel Walk' and 'Meatstick'. The show featured some fun covers, including 'Hey Ya!' by OutKast, Clint Eastwood by 'Gorillaz,' and fun 'Sultans of Swing' (Dire Straits)/ 'Empire State of Mind' (Jay-Z and Alicia Keys) encore. Fun show. Though I must say, I'm not really a fan of Terminal 5. Don't like the set-up, don't like the acoustics. I think there are just better places to see shows in NYC, especially for an instrumentally driven artist like Trey, but it's not bad for artists like the next one.
Max Tundra, opener for Girl Talk
On stage for Girl Talk
2 days later on 2/24 I was back at Terminal 5 for Girl Talk. Of all the 3 shows I was seeing that week, I was least excited for this show. Not that I don't love me some Girl Talk, but I was seeing 2 of my favorite artists that week. I got there early to get up front and saw his two openers, Junk Culture and Max Tundra. Both were... well, interesting. Very different sounding, sort of electronic weirdness. I wish I knew the best way to explain either one of them. Google may be your friend in this situation. As for the main act... well, let's just say, yours truly got on stage and stood behind him, the whole time, while he performed. Doesn't really get more AWESOME than that. Such a fun high energy show. Short, but sweet.
Video of Skrillex, via a very nice dude on stage.
The next day, I went on an adventure to see Skrillex. The show was sold out, so I dared to brave Webster Hall by my lonesome. The last time I saw Skrillex, I went to a very full Webster Hall, and enjoyed the music but vowed never to return to the venue again. I HATE WEBSTER HALL. More than any place in the world. Seriously. This trip there only proved it to me further. But Skrillex put on such an awesome show (which I got to witness from the front row and got totally beat up in the process) that in the end, the experience was worth it. He's my favorite electronic artist, and he put an even better show than I remembered. However, I will NEVER EVER EVER go back to Webster Hall. EVER. That place is hell on earth. Only with a decent soundtrack.
The last show to catch you up on- Furthur at the Best Buy Theatre 3/13. Sadly, Owsley 'Bear' Stanley, longtime Grateful Dead sound guy and creator of the infamous Dead Bear, died the same day. The band played several poignant tributes to him throughout the show, and everyone could feel the heavy emotion in them. Warren Haynes of Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule fame joined the band for the second set, and he fit seamlessly in with them. The jamming was very ethereal and spacey, and to me the whole show seemed more like a trippy old school Grateful Dead show than a Furthur show. MVP of the night is drummer Joe Russo, who played with such high energy and seemed to lead the band throughout their jamming. This was my second time seeing Furthur, and I enjoyed the show more than my first.
So that's what I've been up to. Coming up, I'll be seeing two nights of Disco Biscuits on April 14 and 15, EOTO on April 22nd, and then FINALLY, some Phish-y goodness coming up at the end of May. Also coming up- SPRING! Spring produce! I'll be heading over to the Farmer's market to let you know what's starting to pop up for the season next week.
Happy eating/musicing <3
