Close But No Cigar

I almost pee-ed in my pants... hold on, maybe i did. I was this close to Mattie. Woohoo and happily moshing away. I must still say, SF fans are still kinda lame. Being this close to Muse, one should be totally mental. I had Sophie and C having a good time with me though. So good that I've managed to recruit them for the next show at Oracle!

Camden Barfly

Ok- so when the ticket says, 7 pm. It means that the bar opens at 7... and show starts at 9.45. Duh!

Do I Have an Obsession?

It's always great when serendipitously one can watch a muse gig in another country. Whee! Muse, Pavilhão Atlântico, Lisbon, Portugal

We Formed a Band!

Eddie and gang played a double header tonight. And they were roaming around Cafe Du Nord and mingling. Such chums.

3 minus 1 plus 2

After two bands that I can't even remember the name of- Metronomy came on and they still rock! Although I did enjoy the popscene gig better, I had Miss Bunny Ears with me to jump up and down somewhere close to the mosh pit. Apparently, their clap on clap off lights are more sophisticated now. But I didn't notice it. L-A! D- I! Oooooo.....

Lollapalooza 2009 - My first time in Chicago

Day one, Friday, August 7th, we woke up early, got coffee and jumped in a cab and away we went to Chicago's famous Hot Doug's. My dog of choice? the one with the foie gras, mmmm. Then off we went, back to the city center to start our gig-ing with Cutie Hotie McVeigh. My oh my, only hotter and better he gets. By the end of the set i was more than a little damp from the steady drizzle of the day. A & Sophie were smart enough to purchase some ponchos ahead of time, L had a light rainy coat but was getting a touch miserable as well. Walgreens to the rescue, only this time, all ponchos were sold out, so i paid a dollar to this dude who bought a box of kitchen bags and converted myself into this spongebob square shoulders. It did the trick however, and happily i returned to the park.


Sliding right on time for Fleet Foxes, we stood in more drizzle to enjoy them when a young boy collapsed next to me. I suspect he may have smoked a little too much or such, because his friends weren't concerned. He got back up, and got knocked down again... truly, say no to drugs peeps. L returned shortly with the medic removed the fainting dude. By then, White Winter Hymnal was over, so we dispersed to the Budweiser stage to wait for the Decemberist.


By nightfall, Depeche Mode came on and wowed us all with their visual stimulation. Miraculously, L found us in the fracas. Dave Gahan sounded on point despite all his health issues. Although i missed his angel wings, Martin Gore sounded pretty good too.


Wouldn't be a fest without it's aftershows. Me, Sophie and A cabbed it over to the metro for an Artic Monkeys gig. I'm always stoked to check out local venues, this one looked like a smaller version of the Fillmore. Way small. I seem to be attracting fainters though. Another man next to me started leaning against the wall and eventually toppled. I ran to tell the bartender and fortunately, this time, the Metro staff was well versed in handling situations like this. I'm totally digging Alex Turner's new look and the new album too.


My highlight was watching Natasha aka Bat for Lashes perform. Despite rumours her performances were Enya-esque. I think she rocked it. You know i have a thing for quirky cute pretty girls...


Huge massive crowds at Silversun Pickups and i was glad for them. Everyone was really into the music. Looked kinda like a college crowd though. Frat boy youngish. After Brian ended the set, off i went to see Brandon Flowers. I stayed for a bit but got tired so started my trek back towards the hotel.

I really enjoyed my time at Lolla and already have thoughts of coming back next year.

x

Stadium Love

Hi Duckies, Sorry i've been missing for a little. Here are some pics from BFD. Isn't Emily Haines gorgeous? When I grow up, i want to be like her.

Miss Sophie scored us some 4th row tickets for the main stage, so here's us super close to Karen O in true Karen O style. She was mucho gorgeous as well.

And finally, Crystal Castles forever, right after DJ AM which i thoroughly enjoyed. Note: CC doesn't sounds too good live :(

Oh boy, the horror-s!

I don't get it. Either 1) Faris was high, 2) it's a new thing not to wear ear pieces to hear yourself, or 3) they only do well in the recording studio. There was nothing wrong with the band sync-ing with each other, but there was definitely troubles in the vocals sync-ing with the band. Sophie made a comment that the performance was so disappointing that it ruined listening to the album as well (which is fab BTW).

I have only one other question, how tall exactly is Faris?

Odd how people rotate

I was invited to catch a performance by this band called The Red Verse who apparently as i'm researching, is made up of 3 different bands (Beulah, Every Move A Picture, The Reverse), one i've previously seen and as i recalled quite enjoyed! From what i understand, they just lost one member along the way. Their musical aptitude was spot on but their selection of sound for each song was distinctive enough not to flow smoothly from one to the other. Definitely some potential, as soon as they come together to belt out a more cohesive sound.

The main act was Youth Group who's claim to fame was a cover of Alphaville's- Live Forever. Now i love that song, diamond shaped tear in space and all, i can't say much about the pop remake, i didn't hang around long to give it a chance.

A strange thing happened

Harry and the boys just keep getting better- 3rd time seeing White Lies and they've accumulated a lot of polish and interact with the audience much better. They played a short set due to sharing the slot with Friendly Fires which i missed due to a small incident. Perhaps it was the lack of food, but for the first time in my life i fainted! Last thing i remembered i felt nauseated and then i was looking up at the concerned faces of the Staff at Slim's. They were really great, so kudos to them. They took me outside, brought me a chair and a bottle of water, and stayed with me a bit. Sweetie D took care of me the rest of the night and made sure i ate and took me home. I <3 D - x

Any takers?

Still watching America...

One of those nights where i just wasn't thinking. I was so close to Mr. Borrell! yet i didn't have my handy dandy digital cam with me. The days of low cut v-necks are gone and now he kinda looks like a young boy about to attend his bar mitzvah with the gold chain. But I never realize how spot on his performance is. Absolutely flawless but it must be really hard performing to a crowd that barely knows the band.

Looks like a KoL and Depche Mode world tour for me maybe?

Cutie Caleb confirmed Lollapalooza!! Woo hooo http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090307/music_nm/us_lollapalooza. And Depeche Mode to boot- I wonder I can make it to their show in Porto or Sevilla? :P Meanwhile, check out their new music video Wrong.

Will i make it?

So the Sunday one day ticket is already sold out. But I think i should be able to make an educated guess that KoL will be the Friday main. What do you think? I need to get on this fast if i want to make it to Oxegen. It's coming close to a big possibility. I wish they have the line-up published by day set already!

Still thinking

I'm always so excited to go to Coachella, on top of the festival, I get to rest and relax at a nice rented condo with a pool and chill out with friends in the back patio. But i'm very hesitant this time. Perhaps it's a year to skip.

I don't know... Coach or no Coach?

So I just got off another popscene event (Iglu & Hartly), whose names i think is lovely- but i'm not sure about their repertoire except for In This City. Came home and was fb-ing and saw a 09 update for Coachella and yes it's official http://coachella.com/event/lineup What do you think excited or no? Sir McCartney instead of Bowie... hmmm... perhaps Britney would have been good in this case.

KoL to Headline Oxegen

OMG OMG Just heard on Xfm that KoL will headline at Oxegen. And I was trying to plan a trip to Ireland. Coincidence? Although the tour dates haven't been updated on their site, get moving on it fellas http://www.kingsofleon.com/pages/tour

What's the deal Goldenvoice?

So how can this year's Coachella lineup not be out yet? and the fakers are also so way of their mark?

Confirmed Artists: the Airborne Toxic Event, the Bug, Buraka Som Sistema, Crystal Castles, Drop The Lime, Fleet Foxes, Flying Lotus, Girl Talk, the Hold Steady, the Killers, No Age, Noah and the Whale, Late of the Pier, Los Campesinos!, Peanut Butter Wolf, the Presets, Sébastien Tellier,Themselves, Tinariwen

Confirmed DJs: DJ Gina Turner, DJ Hipnotic Starr, DJ Luis Segura, DJmorales, DJ Zegon

Rumored Artists: Animal Collective, Basement Jaxx, the Black Keys, Black Lips, Blur, Britney Spears, the Comedians of Comedy, Four Tet, the Gaslight Anthem, Glasvegas, Gui Boratto, Gus Black, Heartless Bastards, Hot Little Pony, José González, Keane, KONGCRETE, Mexican Institute of Sound, Monotonix, Morrissey, Mr. Lif, N.A.S.A., Neil Young, OutKast, Plump DJs, the Pretenders, the Prodigy, the Replacements, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Roni Size Reprazent, the Smiths, the Thermals, Turbonegro, We Are Scientists, White Lies, the White Stripes

List taken from http://laist.com/2009/01/11/coachella_2009_rumored_and_confirme.php

Metronomy to Kick Off

As Sophie said, it was a Boss gig last night. I've heard a few of Metronomy's songs but couldn't name one to save my life. But when they came out with their little clap on clap off lights on their Tshirts... divine! The crowd last night was something to look at too, girls in 80s looking outfits, guys in nurave outfits, just awesome possum- this is what popscene is about. And who knew out of tune singing could be so catchy!

2009 Resolutions

2008 Achievement List
1) Get into pilates! (DID NOT HAPPEN)
2) Buy a motorcycle (don't know whether possible)(HAPPENED BUT FAILED, BIKE IS SITTING IN GARAGE)
3) Start SCUBA certification (SUCCESS!BLUB BLUB BLUB)
4) Attempt to bake awesome cupcakes (didn't pan out this year- but i now have a hand mixer from Walgreens! no less)(FAILURE, DECIDED, I'M NOT A BAKER)
5) Loose 10 lbs (never works but, one should always have goals)(FAIL! PERHAPS THIS YEAR)
6) Go to London (this is easy, :) just how many times will i get to go!)(MWAHAH! TOTAL TRIPS, 2!)
7) Save $10,000 (never works again, but- you know- set your goal concept)(URM, DIDN'T HAPPEN, SEE #2)

For 2009
1) Save save save- $10 000
2) Loose 10 lbs (repeat offender!)
3) Go to London (why not?)
4) Bake scones
5) Keep room tidy
6) Get a new job

Closing 2008 with 42 gigs

2008

1/23 Ingrid Michaelson, Slims, SF, CA
2/2 Foo Fighters, Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA
2/8 Editors, Warfield, SF, CA
2/20 The Hives, Fillmore, SF, CA
3/6 The Voom Blooms, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
3/10 The Ting Tings, Duke Spirit, Rickshaw Stop, SF, CA
3/13 The Bravery, Fillmore, SF, CA
3/16 Dan le Sac vs. Scroobius Pip, Cafe Du Nord, SF, CA
3/20 The Pigeon Detectives, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
4/3 The Cribs, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
4/25 The Verve, Warfield, SF, CA
4/25-4/27 Coachella 2008, Indio, CA
4/25--Black Kids, Adam Freeland, The National, Swell Season, Pendulum, Black Lips, Fat Boy Slim
4/26--Kate Nash, Death Cab for Cutie, Rilo Kiley, Kraftwerk, Portishead, Calvin Harris, Enter Shikari
4/27-- Sia, Modeselektor, Simian Mobile Disco, Roger Waters
5/18 Pendulum, Astoria, London
5/21 Hadouken, Electric Ballroom, London
5/23 The Wombats, Royal Albert Hall, London
5/31 REM, Modest Mouse, The National, Berkeley Greek Theatre, CA
6/2 The Long Blondes, GAMH, SF, CA
6/5 The Wombats, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF CA
6/12 The Ting Tings, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF CA
6/7 BFD, The Kooks, Shoreline Amphiteater, Mountain View, CA
6/21 Death Cab for Cutie, Berkeley Greek Theatre, CA
7/25 Does It Offend You Yeah, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
7/27 Meiko, Red Devil Lounge, SF, CA
7/30 Bloc Party, Fillmore, SF, CA
7/31 White Lies, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
8/7 The Enemy, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
8/22 San Francisco Outside Lands Festival: Radiohead, Beck, Manu Chao, Golden Gate Park, CA
8/30 The Wombats, Art & Soul Fest, Oakland, CA
8/31 Beck, The Independent, SF, CA
9/11 The Pigeon Detectives, Popscene, SF, CA
9/17 Stereophonics, GAMH, SF, CA
9/20 The Foals, Mezzanine, SF, CA
10/5 Cut Copy, Mezzanine, SF, CA
10/14 Pendulum, Fillmore, SF, CA
10/16 Rumble Strips, 330 Ritch, Popscene, SF, CA
10/24 The Catholic Comb, Blakes, Berkeley, CA
10/25 The Kooks, Warfield, SF, CA
11/1 White Lies, Rickshaw Stop, SF, CA
12/12 The Killers, Warfield, SF, CA
12/13 The Ting Tings, Popscene, SF, CA