Concert Preview: September '07

After my Lollapalooza recap, it was mentioned by a PITC reader that they’d be interested in checking back here for both recommendations of upcoming shows and recaps of them; this prompted me to give it a shot. (I’m glad someone trusts my judgment, although if I told you that my first music purchase was a tape of John Secada, would I lose credibility?)

At the beginning of each month from here on out, I will write a quick recommendation of the shows coming to Milwaukee venues. By no means do I expect everyone to have the same taste, but I figured I’d offer my two cents anyway.

Coming in September…

Bloc Party
Tuesday, September 11 at The Pabst

I saw Bloc Party in Chicago a while ago. With an immediate surge and quick permeation of unexpected energy, Bloc Party hammered through songs, dance-rock tracks that make every hipster scuttle. It’s pop – either you love it, hate it, or just dismiss it, but either way Bloc Party will be its master and draw a sucker like me into their catchy refrains and poppy sounds. Their live performances are said to have “electric with flawless execution.” Typically in a set they play five or six great numbers and another handful that are just okay. Still, it's all in the delivery and even the sleepers are approached with charge and mastery.

$23 General Admission

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Finger Eleven
Saturday, September 15 at The Rave

This is one of those bands you never really admit to liking. Their albums are sequestered in the back of my CD book so I can avoid being accused of having poor taste in music – normally I think I more or less know what I’m talking about. Finger Eleven is just one of those alternative metal bands whose grooves and heavy rock forces you to crank up the stereo and sing along – skipping the overplayed “One Thing” and putting their latest release, “Paralyzed” on repeat.

$14 General Admission

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Ani DiFranco
Wednesday, September 19 at The Riverside

To say that Ani DiFranco is a bit of an anomaly among modern rock musicians would be a gross understatement. The feminine folk singer who oozes individuality can play at Carnegie Hall and make it feel cozy. With two Grammy nominations, albums appearing on Billboard’s music charts and sold out concerts worldwide, Ani is indisputably the most successful musician on an independent record label – she’ll also be the perfect remedy for a fleeting summer fling.

$33 Reserved Seating

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The National
Friday, September 21 at The Pabst

My first experience with The National was two years ago. I was drinking scotch and listening to sounds of regret, confession, and hopelessness that transform entirely with sing-a-long flair. The National has their live show locked as they play perfectly executed, poetic numbers that blossom into new discoveries with tremendous impact and intensity. FYI, the second track off their 2005 album, Alligator, is titled “Karen.” How cool do you think I feel? Undeniably cool.

$15 General Admission

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Rabbit in the Moon
Friday, September 21 at The Rave

Dubbed “the Grateful Dead of electronic music,” Rabbit in the Moon is possibly the most original electronic group out there as they combine a clean and aggressive sound with performance art and live video projections. Their mind-altering performances are wild with abstract costumes and groundbreaking music.

$25 General Admission

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Ryan Adams & the Cardinals
Tuesday, September 25 at The Riverside

I saw Ryan Adams as a solo acoustic artist several years ago in Minnesota. It was a train wreck – he couldn’t remember lyrics or would repeat verses because he forgot he sang them. Currently clean and backed by a fantastic band, the Cardinals, Adams has unfolded into an explosive, exciting and real musician who produces some of the most creative, beautiful and powerful music of our generation.

$25 Reserved Seating

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Ryan Shaw
Tuesday, September 25 at The Riverside

Ryan Shaw’s soulful sound is compared to 50s and 60s greats like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke and Wilson Pickett. I was fortunate to see this energetic throwback artist at Lollapalooza this summer. Shaw’s polished, poignant sound gave me goose bumps just as Stevie Wonder’s “I Was Made to Love Her” and Ottis Redding’s “Try a Little Tenderness” give me the chills.

$15 General Admission

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“Weird Al” Yankovic
Thursday, September 27 at The Riverside

I guess there’s something to be said about an artist that has earned three Grammy Awards among nine nominations, four gold records, and six platinum records in the United States. Yankovic is known in particular for his humorous songs that make light of popular culture and often mock specific songs by contemporary musicians. Frankly, I can’t stand him, but I’m sure someone out there will be very thrilled to know that they have a chance to hear parodies such as “Amish Paradise” or “Eat It.”

$33.50 Reserved Seating

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Mandy Moore w/ special guest Ben Lee
Sunday, September 30 at The Pabst

Don’t judge. I’ve heard some of Mandy Moore’s new album, "Wild Hope," and it’s apparent that she is no longer worried about moving teens out on the dance or becoming a one-hit wonder – this is a gigantic leap from her bubblegum pop days of “Candy” (Thank God). I think Moore found her niche – I’d even say that someday she might be equated with Tori Amos or Sarah McLachlan.

$20 Reserved Seating

There are a lot more shows coming up in September. If I had more time, I’d list all of them. Instead, I’ll encourage you to check out the Rave and Pabst or Riverside for more information.

Comments

[mjonthemove]

Nice,
I'll be at the National. Additionally, I just saw Brand New, Wolf Parade and Snoop Dogg at the Download Festival in Chicago yesterday. Brand New is excellent!

I'm also kinda pumped for Pinback at the Pabst in October.

[Karen]

I'm glad you appreciate good music. Maybe I'll see you at the National or even Pinback. Meanwhile, I'm going to look into Brand New.

[bluesphee]

Glad to see you doing concert shout outs on here. I was just at Rufus Wainwright and I'll be going to Bloc Party and The National. I'm not sure which one I'm more excited for.

Are you going to be going to the two night stint at the Riverside with The Decemberists?

[KarenC]

Both should be great shows - I'm equally excited for both.

I'm also pumped for The Decemberists' back to back shows at the Riverside. I still haven't bought tickets - I think the double pass went on sale today. I'm not sure if I'll make it to both nights, but if anything I'll get tickets for the Monday night show. How about you?

[Amanda]

The National must be pretty good if you three are all going... Maybe I'll check them out too.