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Schweiz (Deutsch)More reasons to love TAB
More reasons to love TAB
Posted: Monday, August 30, 2010 - 14:29
Just attend a few shows by other bands and compare the experiences.
My Morning Jacket and The New Pornographers played CMAC near Rochester on Saturday. I'd never seen either band live and the ticket price seemed fair.
But Neko Case did not appear with TNP, in spite of assurances from the band's publicist to local music writers that she would. It wasn't a terrible performance, and Kathy Wilder has a fine voice, too. But it wasn't the same without Neko.
Then came MMJ, playing so freaking LOUD that you could barely hear Jim James's remarkable voice or appreciate the melodic interplay in their best songs. Only when JJ soloed on a couple of songs was it bearable and understandable. I realize that rock bands play LOUD, but it was like Spinal Tap turning all the amps up to 11.
I've only seen TAB in person twice -- Ithaca and Artpark. The full band appeared, as advertised, both times. And while they played loud, they didn't overdo it. Even at Artpark, where I was only about 8 or 10 rows from the stage, you could understand the lyrics (of course, all the singing-along helps).
As the old ad said, Accept No Substitutes!
Replies for this Board Topic
There's no one like the Avett Bros. They almost never cancel a show, death and birth the only times I've ever heard. They show up and deliver at every show I've ever seen. I've only been to twelve shows so far. I feel alive during those shows like I'm not in day-to-day life. (And my life doesn't suck, either.) Their audience loves them, and they love their audience. And they're not drunk or doing drugs. They have respect for us and for the time and money involved in becoming their audience, and the respect is returned to them. It becomes an organic Thing, being in the audience. I can't even imagine what it must be like to be onstage. That Saturday show at HOB MB was the absolute best show I've ever seen, and I have a feeling the Friday night show was even better. I don't know another band that moves people like they do.
Well stated by both of you. I have a serious gripe with bands who waste my time and theirs with noise overpowering lyrics and melody. I don't know how many Avett shows I have been at where the opener sounds horrible, and I think, "bad sound system." Then the boys take the stage, and I hear every word - even for brand new tunes. Well, almost every word. I was sure for a long time that it was "my love like a foot" - which, by the way, I still think is a better lyric.
There are a few other bands often discussed on this board that don't fall into that pit.
A foot stomps to bring the rhythm to a kick drum. Love does the same to make a heart beat with passion.
Heart is to Kickdrum as Foot is to Love.
I'm with you 100% BobZ!!!
Bill- its rare to find people from upstate on hear, let alone, ones that are in the next county over. Just wondering where you live? We (my husband and I) are in fabulous Palmyra, not really fabulous, but anyhow. Love to see that there are more people around here from our neck of the woods.
I saw Maroon 5 this past weekend; a band that I don't even like that much so don't judge, their show was just the option for what to do that night. But about half way through their set I started wondering when it would be over because I was more than bored with them. I have only been to one Avett Brothers show but during their set was wishing that it would never end. I have not been to many concerts that make me wish they would go one forever. ChocolateMilkMaid is totally accurate in saying that TAB makes you feel alive during their shows in a completed unique way. That being said I cannot wait to see them again in Nashville!!!
My 68-year-old mother-in-law came into town last weekend to watch her grandkids so my wife and I could go to the HOB shows in Myrtle Beach. When we returned she was curious about this "band" we went to see and the music they played. Now just to give you a little context, her favorite singer is Celine Dion, and she's offended by most everything on cable TV except the Hallmark Channel. Despite all of this, we played her "Murder in City." Halfway through the song she began to sob uncontrollably at its "beauty." I think the song just brought back memories of the drifter she killed while hopping trains in her youth, but my wife seems to think its because the Avetts are such unbelievable artists. I suppose my wife is right.
You are funny, proudnsomanyways - that has me laughing so much! From Celine to Hallmark channel to drifter-murder to train-hopping. Too funny - thanks!
Sorry, but I am playing devil's advocate here. Sorry, because I agree with everything everyone says about The Avett Brothers, but sometimes circumstances and logistics do matter.
Neko Case not showing up is not the fault of The New Pornographers, I suspect.
And, yes, the Avetts seem to be able to overcome even the crappiest sound systems, but there are all kinds of reasons why other Good Bands cannot.
Changing the subject here....
'my love is like a foot...."
sounds sadistic.
and "Heart is to Kickdrum as Foot is to Love." is a lovely analogy
but
sounds sadistic. or masochistic. or both.
Thanks (?) bobz and CoffeeBombfor the images.
Love and peace to you all.
Tami and billnroc I'm from penfield, I would love to see tab in rochester. I've only seen them at the artpark last spring and it was amazing
Holy moley, proudnsomanyways,
There are no words,
but hugs to your mother-in-law,
and watch your back.
I think that one of the big things for me and my continued devotion is that TAB is still acts and plays like a grassroots sort of band while their fanbase is obviously growing, they're getting some mainstream airtime, and moving towards the realm of popular music.
There are so many bands that I can think of who I wish I could have seen back when they were playing night clubs and small concert halls instead of the arenas because I feel like they've lost that connection to their fans and the music--TAB is not that band and I don't think could ever be that band. Because of this, I'll gladly see them wherever, whenever without hesitation or reservations. I don't care if it's a big venue like The Gorge or Red Rocks or a smaller one like the Boulder Theatre, I feel like I can trust them to deliver a great, heartfelt, energetic show no matter where they're playing, and that's really important to me.
zk- they were in Rochester in '08 and '09. We were at the '09 show at Waterstreet. I'm thinking Rochester is a little too small for them now. The music scene here is not very good at all! Traveling to NYC, Toronto, Philly, etc. seems the way to go., but sometimes is not feasible. Just wish there was more to offer here.
The State Theater in Ithaca holds less than 2,000, I believe, while CMAC seats about 3,000 plus the lawn. If Artpark can book TAB, surely some clever promoter could find a suitable venue in the Rochester area. After all, Dan Smalls has Vampire Weekend and Beach House playing here in 10 days!
As a side note, the same promoter who books CMAC is promoting the NYC show at Radio City.
As another side note, New Pornographers' management says Neko Case intended to appear with TNP last weekend but was ill and could not travel.