Filed under: Reviews, Show | Tags: Chicago, The xx, Jam Productions, Hot Chip, The Riviera, Wandsworth, Baria Quereshi, Infinity, Oliver Sim, Over and Over, Lollapalooza, Grant Park, Jam USA
Being in East Lansing means being around very few live music acts. So when Jam Productions (@jamusa on Twitter) gave me two free tickets to the Hot Chip/The xx show at the Riviera in Chicago yesterday, I was all over it.
Hot Chip‘s Wandsworth high school friends, The xx, opened – skipping the usual “local talent” opener tradition. This time instead of a four-piece, they performed as a trio, having recently lost guitarist Baria Quereshi. The vocals were flawless, their demeanor was trance-like, and the crowd, though not very active, could not get enough. The xx ended their 40-minute set with Infinity. Instead of their album version fade-out though, it ended with bassist Oliver Sim dramatically beating the living hell out of a drum. It was awesome. Take a look -
After waiting 30 minutes for set-up and an escalating chant of “WE JUST WANT TO DANCE,” from the crowd, Hot Chip started their set. They opened with Over and Over, and immediately, I was in the middle of an all-out hipster dance party. Since the show was sold out, the wall-to-wall mass seemed to vibe together, jumping and throwing fists in a strobe-light of dancing fury.
I must admit, I went mostly for The xx. Turns out, Hot Chip, though good through stereo, was meant to be heard live. The energy and volume was magnetic. If you haven’t gotten a chance to check them out live yet, do it. They’ll be at Lollapalooza this summer (August 6-8) in Grant Park. Don’t forget to wear your neon!
*For a video of The xx’s Shelter, click here.
Filed under: Reviews, Show | Tags: Basic Space, Chicago, Heart Skipped A Beat, Last.fm, Lincoln Hall, Shelter, Stars, The xx
Back in February I mentioned my crush on the band The xx. It’s two months later, and after looking at my stats on Last.fm, I think this crush has developed into a ‘love-of-my-life’ kind of thing. I mean look at this. This is since Monday.
Anyway, this is all very timely since they are playing in Chicago at Lincoln Hall tomorrow at 6:00. Since I will not be able to attend, I demand all of you go. To prep you, here are some songs you need to know:
My belief is that this is a “moment of aw” band. Meaning, it is possible to listen to their album all the way through without losing your mind over their talent, but somewhere along the way, as you’re listening to them, you wonder [insert dramatics]: How have I gone all my life without them?
This moment of aw may come when you least expect it, but do expect it. When it happens, you will stop judging me for having listened to them 131 times in two days.
Enjoy the show!
Filed under: Reviews | Tags: 4AD, Animal, Brookvale Records, Carousel, Crime In Stereo, Crystalised, Drugwolf, Mike Snow, Paper Route, Small Skeletal, The Big Pink, The Windish Agency, The xx, Universal Records, Velvet, Young Turks Records
In the midst of the everyone-loves-Gaga fad, I have found myself obsessed with a few bands of my own lately. That being said, none of them are Lady Gaga. While these are not exactly brand new to the scene, I thought I’d share:
The Big Pink
Specs: Electro-rock duo from London
Label: 4AD
Paper Route
Specs: 4-piece indie band from Nashville, TN
Label: Universal Records
The xx
Specs: Wandsworth (London-ish) indie-electro 4-piece
Label: Young Turks Records, The Windish Agency (booking)
Miike Snow
Specs: Dancy Swedish 3-piece
Label: The Windish Agency (booking)
Crime In Stereo
Specs: Long Island punk 5-piece
Label: Brookvale Records
*Keep an eye out for their new album drop on 2/23 featuring Drugwolf!
What has been your obsession lately?
