Remembering the Encores

[So, this is what the apocalypse is like, huh? The world is a hellscape and there is so much work to be done. This isn't the point of this post, but I urge you - take advantage of the apocalypse to DO something. Write emails to elected officials, send thank you cards to healthcare workers, confront the bias you see in your own social circle, donate money (if you can), be helpful to someone in your community, march, volunteer.... and for fuck's sake make sure that you're registered to vote. Also, wear a mask! Okay. I'm going to step off my soapbox now.] Anyway, on Friday, a little band called moe. released an album (their first in six years!). I settled in for what now counts as a big Friday night and got to work scrubbing my grout while giving "This is Not, We Are" a thorough listen.  And the best thing ever happened! Okay, so when I was in college, there was this bar that Ben, Ryan, Matt (my college brosephs who also were from my high school) and I alw...

Who: Outsidelands When: August 10-12, 2018 Where: Golden Gate Park/ San Francisco, CA With: A large number of children who now love their drunk Auntie Jen Of Note: Oh Outsidelands, I'm so glad I can't quit you. Day 1: Lauv, Perfume Genius, Caleborate, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lucy Dacus, Chelsea Peretti, The Weeknd Day 2: Jessie Reyez, Freya Ridings, Jonathan Van Ness, CHVRCHES, Tycho, Bon Iver, Florence + The Machine Day 3: Janelle Monae, Portugal. The Man, Salt & Peppa, Janet Jackson I could give you my usual, "Oh look, I'm probably too old to be doing this but am going to cling to my youth until I am so old and decrepit that the arthritis in my knuckles won't let me cling anymore," but I won't. Instead, I want to talk about how Outsidelands 2018 was all about the ladies. I spent a weekend in the park and was completely uplifted by messages of love, compassion, inclusion, and change - (almost) all of which came from amazing female artists. ...

Today, someone on the internet posted a clickbait article, ' What You Were Supposed To Learn Between 2016 And 2018, Based On Your Zodiac Sign '. Here's what mine said: And, that probably makes sense?  Someday, when I'm old and trying to stave off senility, I'll probably recall 2017 as "the year I started at Revel" or maybe "the year I started/tried doing stand-up comedy" or "the year Melissa and Beth finally came to visit me in California".  In the nearer range future, I hope to think of 2017 as "the year I started becoming at least somewhat less of a shitshow" and (in the tiniest, non-jinx-y voice imaginable) "the year Buffalo broke the drought".  And, maybe all that rolls up to 'find(ing) (my) passion again'.  Creating a new type of content has been fun.  Professional life in 2017 has been very rewarding after a 2016 period of stagnation/frustration. But, regardless of the year and what I did/ didn...

Who: Outsidelands When: August 11-13, 2017 Where: Golden Gate Park/ San Francisco, CA With: All the San Franciscans. All of them. Of Note: This is going to get a little schmaltzy. Day 1: Tove Lo, Sleigh Bells, Belle + Sebastian, Future Islands, RAC Day 2: John Moreland, San Fermin, Joseph, Lemon Twigs, Vance Joy, Claude VonStroke, Empire of the Sun Day 3: Jacob Banks, K.Flay, Bleachers, Young the Giant, Lorde, Shots Fired, The Who Okay, so, Outsidelands was this week-end. And, as it's in my neighborhood, my choices are either to attend it or to leave the state. There is no in between. But, I love music and love festivals and bought a super duper early bird ticket (before the line up was announced early) and off to the park I went. The first set I saw on Friday was one of the smartest pop acts of today, Tove Lo. I've seen her before and loved her and was excited to see what she'd do with a festival set. I got to the park, filled up my water bottle, grabb...

Who: John Mayer with LANY When: April 22, 2017 Where: T-Mobile Arena/ Las Vegas, NV With: Alex Of Note: #24hoursinVegas [Insert standard jokes about dusting the cobwebs off of this place.] So, in April, I flew to Vegas to see John Mayer because this was the first leg of his first solo tour in four years and I was not going to miss it, dammit. (Even if subsequent legs of the tour are coming to SF.) My feelings for John Mayer have been well documented here at RTE . I adore him - and looking back at what I've written about the times I've seen him in the past still hold up. The sentiment that, "I feel a little like I've grown up with him," seems more applicable than ever. His most recent album -'The Search for Everything' - brings us a John that has learned a few lessons, seen a few things, and is a bit more honest. I feel you, dude. When the first single, 'Love on the Weekend', dropped, I listed to it on repeat for a full weeken...

Standard disclaimer on how this is less fun on the west coast; I am social media unspoiled though so let's see what goes down.  Though, since Justin Bieber has publicly declared that the Grammys aren't relevant anymore, is there any point? Kicking off with a heavy hitter, Adele right out of the gate.  Her hair and make-up look phenomenal and that dress is so much better than what she's worn in the past.  New styling team?  Her pipes remain as impressive as ever though, this song was not one that really did it for me.  Or maybe that spring where I did nothing but listen to '21' and cry on airplanes ruined Adele for me. Is James Corden actually stuck in the stairs or is this a bit.  Oh, it's a bit.  Got it.  Was the point of that, "James Corden is good at physical comedy?"  Because this sequence is not doing a whole lot for me.  I have a lot of of love for James Corden because of a lot of his gimmicks, his appearance in 'Begin Again',...

New Year, new music, right? Theo Katzman / Hard Work I've written about how charmed I was by Theo Katzman when I first saw him .  His new album, Heartbreak Hits, is outstanding from beginning to end - a full profile of what a broken heart feels like.  'Hard Work' is a stand-out for its spot on sentiment (I put in the work, why can't I reap the benefits?) and it's rocking chorus. Ben Phipps / I Don't Think So This is pure pop magic with a side of knowing when to call it quits. Adam Levine / No One Else Like You I have no idea how I'd never seen the movie 'Begin Again' but once I did, I listened to the soundtrack non-stop.  Though I didn't 100% believe Keira Knightley as a powerhouse of vocal talent, her acting was lovely and Mark Ruffalo was outstanding.  Adam Levine as as the recently douche-ified star boyfriend, James Corden as the dedicated friend, and Hailee Steinfeld as the sullen daughter round out an outstanding cast. ...

Usual disclaimers about how this is much less fun from the west coast and on DVR. I know I say this every time but I love Bruno Mars.  I like that he's traveling with a band of hpye men, though I miss his horn section.  Whoa - how did I miss that Bruno is the heir apparent to MJ?  This dance break is outstanding.  Is the use of pop and locking in reference to "pop, pop it's showtime?" Gigi Hadid is a model, right?  Has she ever had a speaking job before?  I'm not sure this would be the place to start?  I like that she's called out both the electoral college and Melania in the first four minutes.  Though that impression was kind of weak sauce.  Much like the VMAs, I feel like I still know things about music but if the presenters are what the children are into, I am out of touch.  Jay Pharaoh's Donald impression is hilarious though. These three look like they could orchestrate a complicated murder and get away with it, stage a hosti...

These shows are so much less fun to watch on the west coast.  With that statement out of the way, let's see how much of an old person I am; are the VMAs still relevant to me?  Let's find out. That is some intense shoulder choreography!  I am so confused by the butt flaps on the back of Rihanna's outfit.  What are those random things hanging off of her?  Also, what is the stage design here?  What are those big, white puffy things?  I love the dancers in all white and they are making some really cool shapes around her.  Is she supposed to be singing live or are we suspending disbelief?  Because sometimes she holds the microphone up and looks like she's singing and other times she ... doesn't. Man, Rihanna has a lot of hits!  Her story is a cool one - the way she got discovered, etc.  Or, at least the version in the book 'The Song Machine' is a really interesting "making of a star" story.  No 'Umbrella'?  Solid opening! ...

Ah, RTE.  Every time I say I'm not going to forsake you, I work 200 hours a week and do anyway.  No more empty promises!  Just words when I can. And more important than words, music! Waitress Original Cast Recording / When He Sees Me I saw 'Waitress' when I was in NY earlier this summer and was mesmerized.  It's outstanding and I've been listening to the album ever since.  This song is a treasure of staccato accents and real talk about virtual dating insecurity. Matt Hires / Restless Heart I saw this guy on my birthday and I love this song - a foot stomping kiss off. Seinabo Sey / Poetic I saw her open for X Ambassadors (eeks! so many concerts I need to write about!) and bawled.  Her voice is magic. The Trews / In the Morning "You push everyone away / But you don't want to be alone / You still don't know what you want / But you have to let that go / And trust that the sun will rise in the morning."  I'm just going...

Who: Shafty When: June 10, 2015 Where: Doc's Lab/ San Francisco, CA With: Rachel, Kellie, Matt, Phil, etc. Of Note: I'm pretty sure I'm a patron of the arts now! Okay, so, my first December in SF, I went to a run of moe. shows and made a friend, Rob who lives in Portland because I am was not allowed to have friends in San Francisco at that point in time. Rob and I became internet friends and then even realer friends when I headed to Portland for a work event and stayed the week-end. I'm pretty sure you become bff5eva when there's fondue involved. (And a hilarious bit by Natasha Leggaro where she calls and Applebees and tries to make a reservation. That is perhaps a different story though.) Anyway, Rob plays in a Phish tribute band called Shafty. I saw them when I was in Portland; they're fantastic. He said that they were putting together a northern California tour and would be stopping in San Francisco. I was excited to see them again! Being me...

Jaymes Young featuring Phoebe Ryan / We Won't Did you know that if you're enough of a narcissist, all songs can be about you?  "Don't call me up at 2 am tonight/ It feels so damn good and I wish you would..." This song is beautiful and I can't stop listening to it. 

Who: Tove Lo When: October 3, 2015 Where: The Fox Theater/ Oakland, CA With: Ange, Chelsea Of Note: Now I have two girl crushes! Once upon a time, I went to Australia. And when I was in Australia, what little time I spent in my hotel rooms/ Airbnb apartment, I spent with the TV turned to the, now defunct, FUSE network (essentially Australian MTV when MTV was still predominantly videos). Anyway, one of the videos that was on constantly was Tove Lo's 'Habit'. 'Habit' is one of those almost perfect pop songs. From the opening, slightly whiny, "Oh ohs," through the contrast of the lilting melody of the verses paired with their provocative lyrics, and onto the desperation of the, "forget I'm missing you," of the chorus... it's really just glorious. And that's before you get to the bridge that builds in stair steps, with additional instrumentation on each repetition of, "Can't go home alone again/ Need someone to numb t...