All Points West - Saturday
*All photo credit goes to Khalid Ahmed
Artist: Metric
I wasn't able to catch Metric's full performance, but all I cared for was hearing "Combat Baby." When I got to the stage, the band was playing "Handshakes." It was mostly the girls in the audience who were really moving around to the music. But there were guys, too. Emily Haines was sporting a gold dress-like outfit. I have to say, she's pretty energetic on stage. From what I was able to see, Metric's performance at APW was a lively one, and I think the effort to making it was shown.
Of course, when "Combat Baby" began to play, Emily Haines wasn't the only one to start singing. The crowd joined in. I was looking forward to hear this song in particular because users on YouTube post videos that seem pretty good as live acts, so I wanted to see it for myself. The song was great live, and I believe "Calculation Theme" followed.
All in all, Metric did pretty well from what I saw. Haines is chatty with the audience, which is good. I wouldn't mind seeing them again if the chance comes.
Artist: Animal Collective
This isn't a band I listen to. The only song I know of them is "Peacebone," and I'm pretty sure that Animal Collective didn't play that one. I have to say, though, I couldn't really enjoy their set as much as I would have because of the scorching sun and no water. The guy at the entrance told me I had to drain it out of my bottle, and since I was in a hurry to catch Metric's show, I didn't get the time to fill it up again. Basically, for the next few hours, I kind of fasted, simply put.
Animal Collective plays some pretty good songs from what I heard. Sure, I don't know any of the track titles, but my brother told me when they started to play "Fireworks." When that song ended, they made a quick, but suitable transition into an El Guincho-sounding song, which was a song I actually liked.
I think their performance persuaded me to listen to their albums. And that is a good accomplishment for a band: to have your live performance convince first time listeners to listen to you. Bravo!
Artist: Kings of Leon
The thing with Kings of Leon and me is that I know their tunes, but sometimes I'll mix up their song titles. For instance, when they were playing "Molly's Chambers," I thought they played "The Bucket." It's odd, I know. But, when they did play "The Bucket," I was pretty sure I'd be listening to more Kings of Leon after the night.
Kings of Leon are great live performers. They really changed the way I look at them now. I completely understand how serious they are about their work now. The crowd loved KOL, and I did too. The songs they played were great picks too. There wasn't "Red Morning Light," but they made up for that.
"Taper Jean Girl" was amazing to watch them play. The boys who make up Kings of Leon look good, individually, but as an entire group, too. Thom Yorke, during Radiohead's set, even commented that if they were as good looking of KOL, they'd be famous. I'm pretty sure Thom knows that he's already in the biggest band in the world. The modesty striked again.
I even liked "My Party" and "Fans" being played. Everyone broke out in cheers when the band began to play "King of the Rodeo." That song was actually my first KOL song, and I believe I was ten when I heard it. A woman behind me absolutely loves the band as I was able to tell. She knew almost all the lyrics of the songs being played.
My brother told me at the end of the night that he thinks the Kings of Leon are the best band in America. That's his opinion, of course, and I have to say that in this age of music where Vampire Weekend is over-hyped and people swooning over MGMT, I would say that Kings of Leon is definitely one of the best bands in America, if not the first.
Artist: Radiohead
What a night. Radiohead sure knows how to please their crowd. I managed to get a view of Thom Yorke this time since I was much close than the first night, and all I can say about last night's performances was that it was quite the epic setlist for the band. I mean, they played "No Surprises," which was a surprise itself.
The Setlist -->
Reckoner
15 Step
The National Anthem
Kid A
All I Need
Nude
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
Where I End and You Begin
The Gloaming
Faust Arp
No Surprises
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
The Bends
Bangers and Mash
Everything In Its Right Place
Exit Music (For A Film)
Bodysnatchers
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Pyramid Song
Videotape
Airbag
Fake Plastic Trees
There There
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
House of Cards
Planet Telex
Idioteque
They opened with "Reckoner," which got audience members moving around and really into their performance. Maybe it was because of a bigger audience than the night before that the band played their "hits," if you will, and I'm pretty sure a whole lot of fans highly appreciated it.
After they finished "15 Step," the band played "The National Anthem." It was a phenomenal song to be seen live, I'll tell you that. I still can't get over how stupefying that this 'Fab-Five' are. They create beatiful landscapes in their music which takes you to this whole other worlld all together. Radiohead is the band that makes the songs that make you cry, laugh, and live.
The band even played "Kid A." Their performance on Saturday was much better than Friday's, mainly because of the songs they played. I just loved watching them. Radiohead is an engaging group to watch, especially with the stage's visual effects. Thom Yorke even dances in his red skinny pants. How awesome is that?
"Exit Music (For A Film)" was something I didn't expect to hear. I thought that maybe if they played this, there'd be a chance for "Talk Show Host," but they did not perform the latter. Watching Radiohead was almost unbelievable. They had so much energy in them that I think they rubbed off on any of the tired crowd members from standing all day.
People loved hearing "Airbag" and "Fake Plastic Trees." These songs were included in their encore. I suppose it was rare hearing "Planet Telex" live because there was so much applause for the song. The night ended with "Idioteque," which was pretty perfect, like the whole show overall.
Radiohead can really do nothing wrong. Fan or not, you have to give the guys credit and admit if there's any band who knows what they're doing in whatever that may be, then it's Radiohead.