We All Want Someone To Shout For

The National have come a long way over the last few years. Playing six shows in a row at The Beacon Theatre is no light task. Unlike other bands that have rose to fame, The National have paced themselves, letting everything happen naturally. That’s why no one is calling them sellouts. No one hates them for being able to sell out wonderful venues in NYC the minute they announce them. Everything about this band is humble, sincere, and honest. It’s why they’re the best band in America right now.

Picking a show to go to this week is like rolling a pair of dice. They’ve been altering their setlists with different songs from different era’s of their career, allowing a little something for everyone. On Thursday night they opened with “Thirsty” a song from 2002′s Sad Songs For Dirty Lovers. It was a keen reminder to the bands earlier days, a thank you to all the fans who have watched them grow ample amounts. From there, they dabble with songs from Alligator, picking two of my personal favorite cuts, the fiery “Abel” and the sincere emotional juncture that is “Baby, We’ll Be Fine”. Of course you got a strong selection of High Violets pieces (“Anyone’s Ghost”, “Conversation 16″, “England” and Boxer (“Slow Show, Squalor Victoria, “Fake Empire”).

The band were in high spirits, at ease with each other and the crowd. Matt was at the perfect buzz, hilariously starting “Sorrow” a few verses off, and realizing it after a few more. It was moments like this that make The National so much better than other bands. They connect with you on a level that’s so real, it’s scary. Just like their music. It all comes together full circle.

They threw in two rare cuts (“Exile Vilify” & “Driver, Surprise Me”) to my delight, and thankfully played both of the new songs, which are simple understated beauty. It’s always fun to get pumped up to “Mr. November” and “Terrible Love”, but after witnessing a perfect acoustic version of “Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks” that allowed the crowd to take over as lead vocalist, I’m 100% sure it’s the only proper way to end their shows.

The National are wrapping up their High Violet tour after this run of shows, and we may not see them again for some time. If you can, be sure to catch them either tonight or tomorrow. You won’t regret it, I promise.

The setlist, and more photos after the jump.

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Big Troubles opened up with Pavement-like inspired 90s rock that sounded great. Still got to get to their latest album, Romantic Comedy. Don’t know what I’ve been waiting for.

Real Estate opened up with “Easy” and it was all easy listening from there on. The set was dedicated mostly to their new LP, save for a few tracks from their debut. The band sounded clean, vibrant, and lush (that’s for you Peter), making it all seem so easy. These guys don’t have the most extravagant live show, but rather, they delight you with a calm understated presence that keeps you under a spell. I’m already looking forward to seeing them open up for Girls.

Check out photos from the show below.
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Not much has changed since the last time I saw Passion Pit. Michael Angelakos vocals are still incredibly high, the setlist hasn’t changed (aside from the two new songs they’ve been showcasing), and they are incredible fun live. Cornell’s Barton Hall is a beautiful building, and always a good place to see a show. The band had all the students feeling good, and there was no reason to disagree. Passion Pit are just one of those bands that put a smile on your face.
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Wednesday night’s show at Bowery Ballroom was the third time I’ve seen them this year. I’ve enjoyed ever performance more than the last, and this show was no different. The band sounds as tight as can be with the new lineup, and they really gave it there all. The set saw a fair breakdown between both Portamento and The Drums. They also played early cuts “I Felt Stupid” & “Baby It’s Not The Point”.

Johnny was one point last night, as entertaining as ever with his dramatic moves. If you’re a fan of the band, don’t sleep on their live show. It re-creates the mood and emotions found on their recordings, focusing on the best elements that just jump out live. “Down By The Water” and “The Future” are two examples of songs that really transform live. Hearing “What You Were” live after spending amble time with the recording solidified it as one of my favorite tracks of the year.

Check out some more photos and the setlist, after the jump:
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Many people find it shocking that I never saw Crystal Castles live before. They make sure to confirm how ridiculous the notion is, because of how utterly ridiculous the Crystal Castles live experience is. Rest assured, I believed them, but I surely didn’t know just how true the sentiment was at the time.

Being a small intimate private party, I was lucky enough to have a position side by side with One Thirty BPM’s very own Evan Kaloudis right near the front of the stage. I may have never seen the band live before, but I was aware of how important a good spot was, as lead singer Alice Glass is known for spending a large amount of her time crowd surfing and making sure you’re aware of her presence.

It didn’t take time for me to realize that all my friends were incredibly correct about Crystal Castles live power. Immediately we were pistol whipped into a dance rave frenzy that was marvelous controlled chaos. Alice Glass lived up to her reputation as a hypnotic performer, crowd surfing numerous times. At one point she grabbed my hand, and I helped propel her into the crowd as I gloriously multi-tasked snapping photos. Her presence is a mixture of wild sexiness that is also quite intimidating. While taking photos I was pretty concerned that she would crack her bottle of Jim Bean over my head.

Thankfully things never got that wild, but this show was copious amounts of ecstasy ready fun. The whole show flew by, with all the best cuts from the bands 2 LP’s guiding the way towards the rave-tastic event that left us out of breath, and instead, filled with joy.

I can tell you right now, do whatever you can to see Crystal Castles live. Everything that you’ve heard about their live show is beyond true. Their performance was the highlight of my CMJ, and easily one of the most genuinely fun concert experiences of my time.

It truly is ridiculous that I never saw them until last night.

Get the rest of the photos, after the jump:

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The Rapture reminded us of why they are the true dance-rock champions of the 2000′s. Their set at the Spin/Ray-Ban party was heavy on the classics, only playing a few cuts off the new LP such as “How Deep Is Your Love?”, which sounding 10x more epic live.

“Whoo! Alright – Yeah… Uh Huh” was insanely good, to the point where I was questioning why it doesn’t get more love by the general music public. Of course “House Of Jealous Lovers” was the true champion of the night, striking a chord with every living being in the firehouse. It was a heavy version that left me transfixed with goosebumps. Hearing that song live should be on everyone’s bucket-list, no questions asked.

Regardless of how you feel about the new LP, The Rapture are still a treat to see live. If you like punk ridden dance music that will make your rock out without being self conscious, there isn’t anyone better for the job.

More photos are posted after the jump, along with a video of “House Of Jealous Lovers”:
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A-Track got things started for Spin Magazine/Ray-Ban’s private party that took place at the firehouse at 87 Lafayette Street. It was a tough show to get into, but one that was certainly well worth being accounted for. A-Track spun an incredible set that got the blood pumping. He spun Ducksauce’s new single “Big Bad Wolf” which was funky fun, as was his remix of Jay-Z & Kanye’s “Niggas In Paris” and his popular remix of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “Heads Will Roll”. By the end of his set, there was only one thing left for him to drop: “Barbra Streisand”.

There’s a reason A-Track is such a popular DJ, he knows what he’s doing.

Even I have been paying attention to the hype that rapper Danny Brown has been getting from the indie hip-hop world this year. Did he live up to it? Easily.

As you’ve surely noticed, live rap shows can be hit or miss. Especially with me. So for me to say that I had a lot of fun keeping up with this up and comer from Detroit is saying a lot. His deliver is pretty distinct, allowing him to stand out from the overwhelming amount of rappers popping up these days.

There’s probably a reason a label such as Fool’s Gold signed him up. He’s got a lot going for him. He’s an interesting watch, and an even more interesting listen.

One of the cool things about Fader Fort is that they have something for both indie rock fans and fans of underground hip hop. Kendrick Lamar played a surprise set, which I ended up enjoying a lot. Pretty smart lyricist with a lot of energy that had the crowd going. Seemed very humble and honest. Something was just different about him.

Kendrick released an album called Section 80 this year that has been getting great reviews. Just may have to check it out. I had no idea about Kendrick Lamar beforehand, but I’m definitely going to do my research.

Purity Ring delivered to the heavy amounts of hype that came along the way. Heavy electronic beats and Megan James hypnotizing vocals do wonders live. The heavy industry crowd at Fader Fort were talking over the set at the start (free booze will do that), but everyone was watching in awe by the sets end. It was a short but sweet set, that was more than effective.

Got to get more Purity Ring into my musical diet, ’cause these two are in for a big 2012. An album is expected sometime early in the year, possibly in January.

Check out the wonderful trance that is their song, “Lofticries”:

[mp3]: Purity Ring – Lofticries