The Joy of Live Music
I love live music! In the last few weeks I have seen an opera at the Kennedy Center, Rilo Kiley, Spoon, and Ozomatli live and loved each show more than the last.
This is coming from a guy whose younger brother took him to his first concert in a venue when he was already in college. I admit that OK Go and They Might Be Giants on the same bill is not a bad start but one must admit that I got a late start in all of this.
Regardless of my history with this live music thing, I love it!
Rilo Kiley was OK but there isn't much more to say there.
The opera was spectacular as it should be. Placido Domingo conducted the Washington National Opera's production of Saint-Saens's Samson et Delila. There are few pleasures greater than a well financed operatic production. The set exploded, literally at the end. The chorus was inspiring. And the singing... oh the singing!
Spoon put on a rockin' show, as was to be expected. The 9:30 Club proved itself once again an excellent venue for live music: never lowder than necesary and never too quiet. If you don't know Spoon take my word for it and go buy an album, hell buy all of them, you won't regret it.
And this brings me to Ozomatli. Unless you have seen them live I really don't know what to say to describe. They started strong and kept going for hours. I got winded about halfway through and just couldn't dance until I got a second burst of energy but they kept right on going. After they "finished" they left the stage and instead of have an encore came down off the stage into the audience with brass and percussion and continued to play.
The energy was indescribable. It felt like what I imagine a village celebration to feel like. We all danced together, sweating and bumping and singing. They put on a very special show and I really recommend that you check them out if they are ever playing near you.
Now I just can't wait for my next concert! Please let me know if you know of anything coming up, I am hooked.
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Who is this guy?
Okay, here's one for you: Pink Martini at the 9:30 on Monday, June 27.
Pink Martini is a group that does new twists on classic styles: rhumba, cha-cha, waltz, merengue, et al. They're a lot of fun on record, and my friend in Portland, OR, says that seeing them live is a real treat.
So there's an option for 'ya!
You haven't seen a live concert until you've seen The Flaming Lips. You'll have to wait a while to see them, I think they're still in the studio working on a new album. But, the previous tour included: Fake blood, nun puppets, monsterous disco balls, spinning robots, bubble guns, random audience members dancing on stage in animal costumes, and some of the best rock music. Keep an eye out, they usually tour extensively when not in the studio.
*whinge whinge* Sam. I didn't go to concerts until I was in my final 2 years of college :^)