Live Review - Stars @ Sonar 3/19/08 (plus some Pash)

If you really want to show your significant other that you love them, what do you do? Of course, buy them flowers. Lots of flowers. Maybe shower them in flowers. And when that's over.......MORE FLOWERS. So that means that if you've been to see Stars on their current US tour, like I did last night at Sonar, you might just be in a relationship with the quirky band from Montreal, because they loveeeeee some flowers. The stage was covered in flowers.

Opening up for Stars was Martin Royle. I had no idea who Martin Royle was, but I found out once arriving that he would be backed by DC's own Pash. Bonus! I guess I missed the update on the Pash website that they were added to the tour at the beginning of March (way to go guys and gal!). Royle played a handful of his own tunes, which he and Pash had apparently had worked on for about a week. Mid-set, Royle left the stage and Pash got to play three of their own songs. Despite a badly crackling bass amp, Pash easily stole the opening show, and certainly earned some new fans. They are enthusiastic (especially Erik Bruner-Yang on lead guitar), polished, and have a talented (and adorable) lead singer in Merideth Munoz. Maybe someday soon I'll be able to see more than a few songs.

Stars took the stage to a thunderous ovation, but clearly they had a lightning fast sound check (see what I did there). The sound for the first 5 songs or so was atrocious, and in my opinion barely reached the level of acceptable by the end of the set. The set spanned the Stars library and included many of my fave's, but it was hard to get into the show. I am a self acknowledged audio snob, but anyone at that show had to be a little disappointed. Despite the poor sound, Stars are gripping live. Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan trade vocals beautifully and really suck you in with their passion for their songs. They really do seem to appreciate their fans (hence the flower shower), and will likely continue to endear themselves to a broader fan base. Go see them, and be enchanted. Maybe you'll even get a flower.

Setlist:

The Night Starts Here
Elevator Love Letter
Soft Revolution
indow Bird
One More Night
Ghost of Genova Heights
Bitches in Tokyo
Reunion
The Big Fight
Going Going Gone
Midnight Coward
Take Me to the Riot
Your Ex-Lover is dead
Ageless Beauty
In Our Bedroom After the War

Encore:

My Favourite Book
What I’m Trying to Say
Calendar Girl

Mp3: Stars - Calendar Girl --- Website --- Buy
Mp3: Stars - Reunion
Mp3: Pash - The Best Gun --- Website --- Buy
Mp3: Pash - Kill All the Rich Boys II

The Run Down - Sunday January 27, 2008

Though I may be pretty tired, you may not be. So for you there are a couple good concerts tonight. At the 9:30 club, Super Furry Animals, Holy Fuck, and Fiery Furnaces take the stage and do what they will with it. Here in Baltimore, Sonar plays host to one of my faves, Lupe Fiasco. That's one that shouldn't be missed (though I am missing it...again...tired...and...it's sold out).

mp3: Super Furry Animals - The Proper Ornaments --> website --> buy
mp3: Holy fuck - Lovely Allen --> website --> buy
mp3: Fiery Furnaces - Duplexes Of The Dead --> website --> buy
mp3: Lupe Fiasco - Pressure --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Wednesday January 23, 2008

No plans for tonight? Well here's a few good options. Here in Baltimore Sonar has DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist's The Hard Sell performance with Kid Koala. I don't know about you, but that sounds pretty fantastic if you ask me. In DC, the Velvet Lounge has local hip hop acts Flex Mathews and Oddisee. Finally up in Philly, Johnny Brenda's has the kick butt show of The Walkmen, White Rabbits, and The Subjects.

mp3: DJ Shadow - Hindsight --> website --> buy
mp3: Cut Chemist - Storm (feat. Edan & Mr. Lif) --> website --> buy
mp3: Kid Koala - Stompin' At Le Savoi --> website --> buy
mp3: Flex Mathews - Up In My Room --> website --> buy
mp3: Oddisee - Once Upon A Mic --> website
mp3: The Walkmen - Subterranean Homesick Blues --> website --> buy
mp3: White Rabbits - Kid On My Shoulders --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday January 11 ,2008

There are two great shows tonight for all fans of music. First up, the crazy stylings of Kool Keith as Dr. Octagon himself will stroll through Baltimore's Sonar along with Jeru the Damaja. There's nothing quite like Kool Keith. If you can, go check it out. If you're looking for a great indie rock show, head down to the Black Cat where Lejeune, The Vita Ruins, and No Second Troy are playing.

mp3: Dr. Octagon - Blue Flowers --> website --> buy
mp3: Lejeune - Spanish --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday December 28, 2007

There are some pretty good concerts tonight in the area. The one that stands out is legendary MC, Rakim, burning Sonar up in Baltimore with lyrics of fury(as the song goes). If your an indie kid looking for rock, then DC is the place tonight. The Velvet Lounge presents The Alphabetical Order, Can Joann, FOX Japan, and Erik Bradford. Continuing the indie rockingness is the Black Cat who hosts Benjy Ferree, The Points, and The Shirks. So go forth into this great night of concertness.

mp3: Erik B. & Rakim - Lyrics Of Fury --> website --> buy
mp3: Benjy Ferree - In The Countryside --> website --> buy
mp3: The Alphabetical Order - Submarines --> website --> buy
mp3: Can Joann - Indecision's Way --> website --> buy

Woops! I just noticed that the Benjy Ferree show is tomorrow night at the Black Cat. Sorry 'bout that!

The Run Down - Friday November 30, 2007

November's going out with a bang. Well in the Baltimore/DC/Philly area it is. As I said yesterday, if you missed M.I.A. at the 9:30 last night in DC, be sure to check out her set at Sonar tonight in Baltimore. If you're traveling north, why not swing by North Star, where Via Audio, The High Strung, and The Teeth are playing. Finally if you want even more great indie rock then drop down to DC where Ra Ra Riot, These United States, and Jukebox The Ghost will be tearing down the Rock and Roll Hotel. Good Times!

mp3: Ra Ra Riot - Each Year --> website --> buy
mp3: These United States - The Business --> website
mp3: Jukebox The Ghost Good Day (Andrew Maury Remix) --> website --> buy
mp3: M.I.A. - You're Good (Diplo Mix) --> website --> buy
mp3: Via Audio - Modern Day Saint --> website --> buy

The Run Down - Friday November 16, 2007

It's a pretty fantastic Friday for shows in the area. If you're up for some mellow music, Arthur & Yu hit up Sonar in Baltimore along with Kevin Drew of Broken Social Scene. For all of your creative pop urges, be sure to check out Aqueduct at the Black Cat in DC who have Georgie James opening the stage for them. If you want to make a little trip, then trek on out to Haverford College in PA for Vampire Weekend. Believe me it will be worth it. Finally you'll catch me at the Ottobar where Bellman Barker is playing a stripped down happy hour set(around 6pm). Gooooo Music!

mp3: Arthur & Yu - Come To View (Song For Neil Young) --> website --> buy
mp3: Aqueduct - Growing Up With GNR --> website --> buy
mp3: Vampire Weekend - Ladies Of Cambridge --> website --> buy
mp3: Bellman Barker - Molly Maroon --> website --> buy
bonus mp3: Bellman Barker - Charles Kil