First off, let me say that one of the greatest aspects of the Head Like A Kite show on Friday, May 21, was the live DJ set, including DJ Radjaw, who was able to show off throughout the night. I think all shows should have something like this, instead of the subdued house music playing a little too quietly in the background in between sets. It really set the mood of the incredible, unrestrained atmosphere that was the Dreams Suspend Night release party.
Head Like A Kite absolutely rocked Neumos on …

Neumos, May 20th, 2010: Do you remember the first concert you ever attended? The adrenaline was palpable and it was amazing to feel the music vibrating through the floorboards. But, sadly, you become blasé over time. You know where to stand, what to drink, and can predict the encore. Once in a while, though, there is a show that still manages to captivate. For me, last night’s Moondoggies show at Neumos reminded me why I love live music.
The night began with two dynamic openers. Magic Mountain kicked off the evening …

Sunday’s show at Neumos on May 15th was a frolicking good time. I got in towards the end of the first opener, Our Brother The Native, which was a good introduction of what was to come. Maps & Atlases really blew me away, as I had never seen them before but merely sampled their music online. I’ll just say it right now: raggedy progressive folk-rock is making its way both in Seattle and nationally, it seems. We’re coming back to our indie roots of classic, singer/songwriter folk, with strong lyrics, …

As noted in a previous post, Shout Out Louds and their Queens’ Compadres, Freelance Whales were the Scenester Show of The Month for May. While there were many reasons for this, the biggest reason lies in the fact that not only are both of these bands incredible but that both these powerhouses were on the bill together. Saturday, the bands joined at Neumo’s for an incredible, sold-out show.
As the crowd walked in, I doubt that anyone could help but notice the tour bus parked outside of the venue. …

When you think of a “guitar god,” names like Hendrix, Stevie Ray and Santana spring to mind. What also comes to mind is listening from the back of an arena, but never being close enough to see their fingers fly. For those of us lucky enough to attend Kaki King’s performance on Friday, May 14, at Neumos, we can brag that we saw one of our generation’s most promising guitarists up close and personal.
A few years ago, Kaki King was named to Rolling Stone’s list of the “New School …

Neumos – May 10th: You know you’re at an all-ages show when “the wave” gets busted out in-between acts. It’s been a long time since Neumos has seen a damn near sold-out show on Monday night filled with people jumping mosh-like for an opening band. They bring a high energy hip-hop show with a Seattle backing. Next up was Truckasaurus, a Seattle techno-MEATS-hip-hop crew with three guys making techno beats and three drunk and stoned guys behind them dancing and doing their damndest to get the crowd pumped up. …

The Antlers’ show at Neumos on Wednesday started right on time – 10:00pm, after the dreamy, dance-pop openers Phantogram. Their timely arrival on stage foreshadowed the feeling of the entire evening – a tight and apt performance that, I feel, may have actually worked to the band’s detriment.
Maybe it was due to the fact that it was the Antlers’ last show on this tour; maybe they were tired of playing the same songs night after radio show performance after night. All good bands experience burnout, and if anyone deserves to, …