Closing Out Strong - The Final Concert Calendar of 2012
Somehow I went two solid months without updating my concert calendar, but it's ok because I still made it to eight different shows in that interval.
- gieves and I saw Firewater at the Grog Shop. It was at the tail end of an exhausting day for me and an exhausting tour for them, which probably explains why this show wasn't up to the standards Tod A. and company set when I saw them in 2008 when they were my concert of the year. It was still definitely a good concert, but not a great one. Also, their trombone player was not nearly as good as their old trombone player... or as hot.
- Neil Young was #1 on the list of artists I wanted to see, and he did not disappoint when I caught him with Crazy Horse. I had a great time. Naturally, it was fully of great distortion heavy guitar solos. Sure, there were easily a dozen songs he didn't play that would have made me very happy, but the man has a huge catalog and unlike most artists who've reached 'nostalgia' age, the new material he played was just as good as his old material. In particular "Walk Like a Giant" was excellent. Los Lobos added a nice opening set.
- gieves and rshruti caught CityMusic Cleveland with violinist Rachel Barton Pine and conductor Ryan McAdams at St.Colman Church. Pine in particular put on a virtuoso show, especially when you consider that CityMusic is free.
- Rosie Flores put an astonishingly mediocre Beachland Tavern show. The greatest female rockabilly singer since Wanda Jackson pretty much phoned it in. The only time she seemed fully engaged was on a single track from her new album, otherwise it mostly boring.
- gieves and I scored free tickets to see jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter at Nighttown. It was just him and a drummer, which unfortunately did not, in my opinion, provide enough material for a truly interesting musical performance.
- Minneapolis indie pop singer Jeremy Messersmith played in my living room. True story.
- I caught Lydia Loveless at the Beachland Tavern. Lydia is a country rocker from Columbus who is on Bloodshot. Unfortunately, she was getting over the stomach flu, so it was a very low energy night. She played most of the set with her eyes closed (the light hurt them) and she went to throw up immediately upon conclusion of the abbreviated set. Her CD is excellent though, and I'll give her another chance.
- Kelly Hogan had much better luck in her Beachland Tavern set. The long time backup singer (most notably for Neko Case) put on a fine show with her own band, although I have to admit that most of her new material didn't do a whole bunch for me.
That puts me at 37 shows for the year. 40 is a reasonable goal. Let's see how I'm going to get there. Bold Means I'm there, italics means I'm strongly considering it. And remember that you can hear a lot of these artists every week on my radio show Fantasy For Transmitter and Two Hosts, every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm on 91.1 FM. You can also stream or download MP3s of the show at wruw.org.
And now, on to the calendar.
December
Su 12/02 - California Guitar Trio @ Nighttown. They were being played before the Charlie Hunter show and sounded pretty solid.
W 12/05 - Grace Potter & the Nocturnes @ HOB. They used to play the Beachland Tavern all the time, and I always meant to see them, and suddenly they're a lot bigger. So big, in fact, that this show sold out.
R 12/06 - Trampled by Turtles @ Beachland Ballroom. The pride of Duluth returns with their bluegrassish sound.
R 12/6, F 12/17 and S 12/8 - Béla Fleck and the Cleveland Orchestera perform the Béla Fleck Banjo Concerto @ Severance Hall. I'm really excited by this and will be there on Saturday night with gieves and her parents.
S 12/08 - Bill "The Sauce Boss" Wharton @ Wilberts. The man plays blues guitar while making gumbo on stage. At the end of the show, everyone gets some.
S 12/08 - Koffin Kats @ Now That's Class. Have some psychobilly.
Su 12/09 - Frode Gjerstad @ Mahall's 20 Lanes. Really? Norwegian free jazz at a bowling alley? I must be reading this thing wrong.
Su 12/09 - El Vez Mex-Mas Show! @ Beachland Ballroom. So El-Vez covers Elvis... sort of. It's more like how Manic Hispanic takes punk songs and does "Hispanicized" versions of them. And it's not just Elvis - I recently played El-Vez covering "Lust for Life" as "Lust for Christ". So think Los Straitjackets + Elvis + Christmas music. Or something. I may go just to watch the confusion.
M 12/10 - Of Montreal @ Beachland Ballroom. If weird indie rock guys from Athens, Georgia are your thing, here you are.
W 12/12 through Su 12/16 - CityMusic Cleveland at various locations. Free classical.
R 12/13 - Sonata Arctica @ Peabodys. Finnish power metal, just for Rob0.
F 12/14 - Jessica Lea Mayfield & David Mayfield @ Kent Stage. The Kent siblings each have had strong careers on their own. Now they team up for a live show.
F 12/14 - Cello Fury @ Winchester. 3 cellists and a drum kit. But mostly listed just because the name Cello Fury is fun.
Su 12/16 - Straight No Chaser @ Playhouse Square. As mentioned here.
Su 12/16 - The Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-A-Long Seasonal Affective Disorder Yuletide Disaster Pageant On Ice @ Beachland Ballroom. This has actually sold out already, but I listed it because it's going to be horrible pretentious crap, so much so that it makes a trainwreck look like boring viewing. And yes, this comment is directed at my co-host!
S 12/22 - Mr. Gnome @ Beachland Ballroom. Merry Christmas from NE Ohio's finest rock duo. Ok, well they aren't as good as The Black Keys, but they are loud and gritty and well worth $10.
T 12/25 - Mistletoe @ Beachland Tavern. Mistletoe is the world's greatest Christmas band. Really.
M 12/31 - Dominick Farinacci @ Nighttown. If you need something to for New Year's Eve, you could do far worse than watching trumpeter Dominick ring in the new year at Nighttown. I should know, I've done it twice.
January
Su 1/06 - Elvis Birthday Tribute @ Playhouse Square. Featuring Elvis's drummer DJ Fontana among others, but mostly listed so I'd have an excuse to play some Elvis music on my show.
R 1/10 - G. Love & Special Sauce @ HOB. A long time ago I had a ticket to see this guy when I was a CWRU undergrad. I don't remember if the show was cancelled or if I just uncharacteristically skipped it. In any event, I don't really feel the need to correct that lack but it's an interesting historical note. Don't like it? Write your own damn concert calendar.
F 1/11 - Jeff Mangum (of Neutral Milk Hotel) @ Cleveland Masonic Auditorium. Sponsored by the Grog Shop. Remember "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea"? Of course you do.
S 1/12 - The Kelley Richey Band w/Freekbass @ Winchester. Freekbass (who I've seen nine times solo and once with another group) is now playing in a trio with blues guitarist Kelley Richey.
Su 1/13 - Patty Larkin @ Beachland Tavern. Listed because I'm totally going to play her on my show.
R 1/17 and F 1/18 - Joshua Bell and the Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall. Featuring the Beethoven Violin Concerto.
F 1/18 - Kronos Quartet @ CMA@ Cleveland Art Museum.. The most influential string quartet of the last 100 years plays at the art museum. Will sell out. I have a ticket.
M 1/21 - Morrissey @ Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh). Miracle of miracles, this concert (originally slated for October) was rescheduled for a day I can actually go.
R 1/24 - Reel Big Fish @ HOB. I haven't seen them in a while, maybe it's time to get another ska fix.
S 1/26 - Soul Rebels Brass Band @ Mahall's 20 Lanes. It's a New Orleans brass band. In a bowling alley. Any other questions?
W 1/30 - Green Day @ Wolstein Center. The guy who trained me at WRUW played them before anyone else in Cleveland, and kept playing them after they hit it big.
W 1/30 - Potted Potter @ Playhouse Square. So remember when a bunch of us went and saw "One Man Star Wars"? Well, this is basically the same thing for Harry Potter.
February
R 2/07 - The Black Watch and the Band of the Scots Guards @ Playhouse Square. Lots and lots of bagpipes.
R 2/07 - Yo Lo Tengo @ Beachland Ballroom. I've got to be honest, the one time I saw them it was pretty boring. However, they've got a lofty reputation and a pile of good albums. You pay your money and you take your chances.
R 2/14 - Buckwheat Zydeco @ Grog Shop. Zydeco? Must be getting close to Mardi Gras.
R 2/21 - Dropkick Murphys @ HOB. Punk from Boston. Probably the best punk band from the third wave. St. Patrick's Day must be near.
Su 2/24 - Emilie Autumn @ Peabodys. She's still on my list to see one day. I'm not sure why, mind you, but she is.
And Beyond...
F 3/01 - Natalie MacMaster @ EJ Thomas. One of the world's premier fiddlers.
W 3/06 to Su 3/10 - CityMusic Cleveland at various locations. Free classical.
S 3/09 - Bon Jovi @ The Q. Twice was probably enough for me.
F 3/14 - The Silk Road Ensemble & YoYo Ma @ EJ Thomas Hall. And you don't need to buy a season pass just to have the right to buy tickets. Anyone else interested in going?
Su 3/17 - They Might Be Giants @ Beachland Ballroom. Will sell out. Flans looks something like Tony Stark in his latest publicity photos. This does not mean that they will come out in giant robot suits, although I suppose you can't rule it out.
F 3/22 - Ana Moura @ Cleveland Art Museum. Finally, I get to hear some live fado in Cleveland, and even better it's someone really good. I have a ticket!
T 4/02 to R 4/04 - Fela @ Playhouse Square. Fela Kuti is dead. You can see one of his sons, but they mostly do their own material. Or you can see the inevitable stage production, which by all accounts is pretty good.
Su 4/07 - Esperanza Spalding @ Playhouse Square. She tore it up at the Tri-C Jazzfest earlier this year. She's well worth the $10 to sit in the balcony, or more to sit up closer.
R 4/11 through Su 4/12 - The Cleveland Orchestra performs Carmina Burana @ Severance Hall.
T 4/23 - Bobby McFerrin @ EJ Thomas. Judging McFerrin by "Don't Worry Be Happy" would be like judging Frank Zappa by "Valley Girl"; You can do it, but you'll miss ridiculous amounts of really innovative and interesting music.
How do you find local shows? Try these: Pollstar. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Grog Shop, Peabodys, CSU Convocation (aka Wolstein) Center, HOB, Winchester, Kent Stage, Agora Theater & Ballroom, Wilberts, Quicken Loans Arena, Night Town, Playhouse Square, Rock Hall, Cain Park, Blossom, Nautica Pavilion, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, Severance Hall, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Musica (Akron), Akron Civic, CityMusic Cleveland, Now That's Class, Happy Dog, Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Catch you on the flip side.
- gieves and I saw Firewater at the Grog Shop. It was at the tail end of an exhausting day for me and an exhausting tour for them, which probably explains why this show wasn't up to the standards Tod A. and company set when I saw them in 2008 when they were my concert of the year. It was still definitely a good concert, but not a great one. Also, their trombone player was not nearly as good as their old trombone player... or as hot.
- Neil Young was #1 on the list of artists I wanted to see, and he did not disappoint when I caught him with Crazy Horse. I had a great time. Naturally, it was fully of great distortion heavy guitar solos. Sure, there were easily a dozen songs he didn't play that would have made me very happy, but the man has a huge catalog and unlike most artists who've reached 'nostalgia' age, the new material he played was just as good as his old material. In particular "Walk Like a Giant" was excellent. Los Lobos added a nice opening set.
- gieves and rshruti caught CityMusic Cleveland with violinist Rachel Barton Pine and conductor Ryan McAdams at St.Colman Church. Pine in particular put on a virtuoso show, especially when you consider that CityMusic is free.
- Rosie Flores put an astonishingly mediocre Beachland Tavern show. The greatest female rockabilly singer since Wanda Jackson pretty much phoned it in. The only time she seemed fully engaged was on a single track from her new album, otherwise it mostly boring.
- gieves and I scored free tickets to see jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter at Nighttown. It was just him and a drummer, which unfortunately did not, in my opinion, provide enough material for a truly interesting musical performance.
- Minneapolis indie pop singer Jeremy Messersmith played in my living room. True story.
- I caught Lydia Loveless at the Beachland Tavern. Lydia is a country rocker from Columbus who is on Bloodshot. Unfortunately, she was getting over the stomach flu, so it was a very low energy night. She played most of the set with her eyes closed (the light hurt them) and she went to throw up immediately upon conclusion of the abbreviated set. Her CD is excellent though, and I'll give her another chance.
- Kelly Hogan had much better luck in her Beachland Tavern set. The long time backup singer (most notably for Neko Case) put on a fine show with her own band, although I have to admit that most of her new material didn't do a whole bunch for me.
That puts me at 37 shows for the year. 40 is a reasonable goal. Let's see how I'm going to get there. Bold Means I'm there, italics means I'm strongly considering it. And remember that you can hear a lot of these artists every week on my radio show Fantasy For Transmitter and Two Hosts, every Sunday from 2pm to 4pm on 91.1 FM. You can also stream or download MP3s of the show at wruw.org.
And now, on to the calendar.
December
Su 12/02 - California Guitar Trio @ Nighttown. They were being played before the Charlie Hunter show and sounded pretty solid.
W 12/05 - Grace Potter & the Nocturnes @ HOB. They used to play the Beachland Tavern all the time, and I always meant to see them, and suddenly they're a lot bigger. So big, in fact, that this show sold out.
R 12/06 - Trampled by Turtles @ Beachland Ballroom. The pride of Duluth returns with their bluegrassish sound.
R 12/6, F 12/17 and S 12/8 - Béla Fleck and the Cleveland Orchestera perform the Béla Fleck Banjo Concerto @ Severance Hall. I'm really excited by this and will be there on Saturday night with gieves and her parents.
S 12/08 - Bill "The Sauce Boss" Wharton @ Wilberts. The man plays blues guitar while making gumbo on stage. At the end of the show, everyone gets some.
S 12/08 - Koffin Kats @ Now That's Class. Have some psychobilly.
Su 12/09 - Frode Gjerstad @ Mahall's 20 Lanes. Really? Norwegian free jazz at a bowling alley? I must be reading this thing wrong.
Su 12/09 - El Vez Mex-Mas Show! @ Beachland Ballroom. So El-Vez covers Elvis... sort of. It's more like how Manic Hispanic takes punk songs and does "Hispanicized" versions of them. And it's not just Elvis - I recently played El-Vez covering "Lust for Life" as "Lust for Christ". So think Los Straitjackets + Elvis + Christmas music. Or something. I may go just to watch the confusion.
M 12/10 - Of Montreal @ Beachland Ballroom. If weird indie rock guys from Athens, Georgia are your thing, here you are.
W 12/12 through Su 12/16 - CityMusic Cleveland at various locations. Free classical.
R 12/13 - Sonata Arctica @ Peabodys. Finnish power metal, just for Rob0.
F 12/14 - Jessica Lea Mayfield & David Mayfield @ Kent Stage. The Kent siblings each have had strong careers on their own. Now they team up for a live show.
F 12/14 - Cello Fury @ Winchester. 3 cellists and a drum kit. But mostly listed just because the name Cello Fury is fun.
Su 12/16 - Straight No Chaser @ Playhouse Square. As mentioned here.
Su 12/16 - The Surfjohn Stevens Christmas Sing-A-Long Seasonal Affective Disorder Yuletide Disaster Pageant On Ice @ Beachland Ballroom. This has actually sold out already, but I listed it because it's going to be horrible pretentious crap, so much so that it makes a trainwreck look like boring viewing. And yes, this comment is directed at my co-host!
S 12/22 - Mr. Gnome @ Beachland Ballroom. Merry Christmas from NE Ohio's finest rock duo. Ok, well they aren't as good as The Black Keys, but they are loud and gritty and well worth $10.
T 12/25 - Mistletoe @ Beachland Tavern. Mistletoe is the world's greatest Christmas band. Really.
M 12/31 - Dominick Farinacci @ Nighttown. If you need something to for New Year's Eve, you could do far worse than watching trumpeter Dominick ring in the new year at Nighttown. I should know, I've done it twice.
January
Su 1/06 - Elvis Birthday Tribute @ Playhouse Square. Featuring Elvis's drummer DJ Fontana among others, but mostly listed so I'd have an excuse to play some Elvis music on my show.
R 1/10 - G. Love & Special Sauce @ HOB. A long time ago I had a ticket to see this guy when I was a CWRU undergrad. I don't remember if the show was cancelled or if I just uncharacteristically skipped it. In any event, I don't really feel the need to correct that lack but it's an interesting historical note. Don't like it? Write your own damn concert calendar.
F 1/11 - Jeff Mangum (of Neutral Milk Hotel) @ Cleveland Masonic Auditorium. Sponsored by the Grog Shop. Remember "In The Aeroplane Over The Sea"? Of course you do.
S 1/12 - The Kelley Richey Band w/Freekbass @ Winchester. Freekbass (who I've seen nine times solo and once with another group) is now playing in a trio with blues guitarist Kelley Richey.
Su 1/13 - Patty Larkin @ Beachland Tavern. Listed because I'm totally going to play her on my show.
R 1/17 and F 1/18 - Joshua Bell and the Cleveland Orchestra @ Severance Hall. Featuring the Beethoven Violin Concerto.
F 1/18 - Kronos Quartet @ CMA@ Cleveland Art Museum.. The most influential string quartet of the last 100 years plays at the art museum. Will sell out. I have a ticket.
M 1/21 - Morrissey @ Heinz Hall (Pittsburgh). Miracle of miracles, this concert (originally slated for October) was rescheduled for a day I can actually go.
R 1/24 - Reel Big Fish @ HOB. I haven't seen them in a while, maybe it's time to get another ska fix.
S 1/26 - Soul Rebels Brass Band @ Mahall's 20 Lanes. It's a New Orleans brass band. In a bowling alley. Any other questions?
W 1/30 - Green Day @ Wolstein Center. The guy who trained me at WRUW played them before anyone else in Cleveland, and kept playing them after they hit it big.
W 1/30 - Potted Potter @ Playhouse Square. So remember when a bunch of us went and saw "One Man Star Wars"? Well, this is basically the same thing for Harry Potter.
February
R 2/07 - The Black Watch and the Band of the Scots Guards @ Playhouse Square. Lots and lots of bagpipes.
R 2/07 - Yo Lo Tengo @ Beachland Ballroom. I've got to be honest, the one time I saw them it was pretty boring. However, they've got a lofty reputation and a pile of good albums. You pay your money and you take your chances.
R 2/14 - Buckwheat Zydeco @ Grog Shop. Zydeco? Must be getting close to Mardi Gras.
R 2/21 - Dropkick Murphys @ HOB. Punk from Boston. Probably the best punk band from the third wave. St. Patrick's Day must be near.
Su 2/24 - Emilie Autumn @ Peabodys. She's still on my list to see one day. I'm not sure why, mind you, but she is.
And Beyond...
F 3/01 - Natalie MacMaster @ EJ Thomas. One of the world's premier fiddlers.
W 3/06 to Su 3/10 - CityMusic Cleveland at various locations. Free classical.
S 3/09 - Bon Jovi @ The Q. Twice was probably enough for me.
F 3/14 - The Silk Road Ensemble & YoYo Ma @ EJ Thomas Hall. And you don't need to buy a season pass just to have the right to buy tickets. Anyone else interested in going?
Su 3/17 - They Might Be Giants @ Beachland Ballroom. Will sell out. Flans looks something like Tony Stark in his latest publicity photos. This does not mean that they will come out in giant robot suits, although I suppose you can't rule it out.
F 3/22 - Ana Moura @ Cleveland Art Museum. Finally, I get to hear some live fado in Cleveland, and even better it's someone really good. I have a ticket!
T 4/02 to R 4/04 - Fela @ Playhouse Square. Fela Kuti is dead. You can see one of his sons, but they mostly do their own material. Or you can see the inevitable stage production, which by all accounts is pretty good.
Su 4/07 - Esperanza Spalding @ Playhouse Square. She tore it up at the Tri-C Jazzfest earlier this year. She's well worth the $10 to sit in the balcony, or more to sit up closer.
R 4/11 through Su 4/12 - The Cleveland Orchestra performs Carmina Burana @ Severance Hall.
T 4/23 - Bobby McFerrin @ EJ Thomas. Judging McFerrin by "Don't Worry Be Happy" would be like judging Frank Zappa by "Valley Girl"; You can do it, but you'll miss ridiculous amounts of really innovative and interesting music.
How do you find local shows? Try these: Pollstar. Beachland Ballroom & Tavern, Grog Shop, Peabodys, CSU Convocation (aka Wolstein) Center, HOB, Winchester, Kent Stage, Agora Theater & Ballroom, Wilberts, Quicken Loans Arena, Night Town, Playhouse Square, Rock Hall, Cain Park, Blossom, Nautica Pavilion, Lakewood Civic Auditorium, Severance Hall, E.J. Thomas Hall (Akron), Musica (Akron), Akron Civic, CityMusic Cleveland, Now That's Class, Happy Dog, Mahall's 20 Lanes.
Catch you on the flip side.