Post Show Banter >>>>

killsaly wrote:
Car Seat Headrest were a lot of fun live.  I can see big things for them.  The Ottobar was packed and I was able to grab a spot near the front; almost everyone I could see was singing along to every song.  They did the loud quiet dynamic well, and reminded me of a throwback to the 90s.  I would not be surprised if their next tour they hit up the 930 Club and sell it out.   I had only listened to the new record once, and I would have probably skipped last night, but am glad I went, I am now a fan.

While it wasn't a sell out, they probably filled 75%+ of The National in Richmond which is comparable to 9:30 (actually a little larger). But the ticket price was cheap so that may have helped.

Julian, wrote:

killsaly wrote:
Car Seat Headrest were a lot of fun live.  I can see big things for them.  The Ottobar was packed and I was able to grab a spot near the front; almost everyone I could see was singing along to every song.  They did the loud quiet dynamic well, and reminded me of a throwback to the 90s.  I would not be surprised if their next tour they hit up the 930 Club and sell it out.   I had only listened to the new record once, and I would have probably skipped last night, but am glad I went, I am now a fan.

While it wasn't a sell out, they probably filled 75%+ of The National in Richmond which is comparable to 9:30 (actually a little larger). But the ticket price was cheap so that may have helped.

sadly one of the few shows without Lucy Dacus opening for them
they also just soldout    two nights at the Bowery ballroom in NYC
so they are ready to pack if not sell out the 930

SidebySide wrote:
sadly one of the few shows without Lucy Dacus opening for them

To be fair, she has her own headlining show at The National within 30 days so there may have been some push back from the venue about cannibalizing her sales for that.

Space wrote:
Hey Hutch, when you were conducting your chemistry experiment with Lucinda, did you ax her when is she coming back to DC?

I did not….

but I am monitoring the situation… with personal interest…

Last night's God Is An Astronaut show at the Black Cat might be the best show I've seen this year. Those guys can rock, and the audience was really into it. The Black Cat has never sounded better, and I can't imagine a better light show at that venue.

Darth wrote:
Last night's God Is An Astronaut show at the Black Cat might be the best show I've seen this year. Those guys can rock, and the audience was really into it. The Black Cat has never sounded better, and I can't imagine a better light show at that venue.

oooh I like rock….

killsaly wrote:
Car Seat Headrest were a lot of fun live.  I can see big things for them.  The Ottobar was packed and I was able to grab a spot near the front; almost everyone I could see was singing along to every song.  They did the loud quiet dynamic well, and reminded me of a throwback to the 90s.  I would not be surprised if their next tour they hit up the 930 Club and sell it out.   I had only listened to the new record once, and I would have probably skipped last night, but am glad I went, I am now a fan.

There's been a lot of backlash against them for all the hype surrounding the new disc. But sometimes the hype is deserved. I downloaded the proscribed version with "Just What I Needed/Not Just What I Needed" and gave it several spins. Hype justified. While the dude often comes across as well-studied, he still manages to give his songs a personal spin. He know his shit; he can write very good long songs that sustain interest. The album is never "same-y" for lack of a better term, i.e. it doesn't sound like he writes the same song several times. When I find the time, I'll check out his backcatalog.

ßèétſ wrote:
When I find the time, I'll check out his backcatalog.

I have to go through the catalog as well…  The only two albums I have so far are the Teen albums…

Really loved Lush last night. Great set…nice alternating between classic shoegaze and blinding almost punk rock. Reminded me of a nice bridge between Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. And Miki's voice sounded incredible. Justin Welch is a top-notch drummer.

bearman wrote:
Really loved Lush last night. Great set…nice alternating between classic shoegaze and blinding almost punk rock. Reminded me of a nice bridge between Slowdive and My Bloody Valentine. And Miki's voice sounded incredible. Justin Welch is a top-notch drummer.

I absolutely agree!!! I felt the band displayed their really beautiful stuff quite well and then really great energy during the more driving songs.  Totally spot on about moments and songs having a punk rock feel.  I heard that back in the day, Superblast would get played rather fast live. (Won't lie, it bums me out that they didn't play that one, but I can understand not playing a song if the entire band doesn't feel it's working.) For me, the show was like you could literally reach out and feel the airiness of the vocals and the grooves in the songs. And when they hit some gnarly grooves, they just killed it. It's weird to describe a concert as dreamy, but it totally was.

On a side note, I got to meet Phil and Miki after the show. Phil was cool. He signed a my set list. And appreciated hearing how I pretty much grew up listening to Lush.  Emma came out for a moment. The crowd overwhelmed her, so she went on the bus. i didn't get to talk to her, but she seemed incredibly nice. As for Miki, she was the fucking coolest. I was one of the only gals waiting outside to meet her. (All the dudes who were waiting was kind of funny and odd. A few felt like creepers…It sort of felt like a few were trying to hit on me even…so awkward) We discussed hair styles, guitars, and some music.  I'll explain the hair style thing - when I was in my late teens/early 20's, I would tell my hairstylist to make me look like I could've been in a shoegaze band. Seriously, I showed Miki a few pictures of when I had purple and red in my hair. And I was like "Not sure if you know this, but you're a bit of a style icon…at least to me and a few friends." When I showed her the photos, she gave me a hug and was like "brilliant stuff! You definitely look like you could've been in the band!" which then led into the discussion about guitars lol.

I saw Lush in Boston and at Terminal 5 in NYC.  Never seen them before but I had a great time.  They exceeded my expectations.  I was also disappointed at no Superblast (someone yelled that in Boston and Miki let out a "you wish" lol).  But I heard pretty much every other song I wanted to hear.  For a band that's been away for so long, they were so tight.  Compliments to Justin Welch, that guy is so in the pocket.  I was lucky to catch one of his half broken drumsticks!  Him and Phil were just clicking.  They had such a great groove all night.  Miki and Emma were fucking brilliant. I definitely get the punk rock feel to them which is probably why I like them the most out of all the shoegazers that reunited over the last decade.  The crowds loved them.  I really hope they continue to put out new music and tour again in the future because I wouldn't miss it.  And also much love to Tamaryn.  Been a huge fan of hers and she was amazing.  Perfect opener for Lush. 

Sadly this is it for Lush…everyone that caught the tour, count yourselves lucky. They're done. I was really sad to get that bit of news, but it makes the fact that they did this tour all the more special.

glad for everyone that enjoyed it so much! these type of reunion shows at the 930 are a real treat…

for whatever reason I never listened to them back in the day…which is strange cause I really listened to all the others a lot…

bearman wrote:
Sadly this is it for Lush…everyone that caught the tour, count yourselves lucky. They're done. I was really sad to get that bit of news, but it makes the fact that they did this tour all the more special.

Really? where did you hear that? Everything I've read in online interviews with Miki and Emma makes it seems like the door will be left open for new music and so presumably more shows in the future. I think even more so now that they know they have a fanbase that will come out to see them.

andyrichter wrote:

bearman wrote:
Sadly this is it for Lush…everyone that caught the tour, count yourselves lucky. They're done. I was really sad to get that bit of news, but it makes the fact that they did this tour all the more special.

Really? where did you hear that? Everything I've read in online interviews with Miki and Emma makes it seems like the door will be left open for new music and so presumably more shows in the future. I think even more so now that they know they have a fanbase that will come out to see them.

A reliable source unfortunately.

That's too bad. They seemed to be enjoying themselves onstage big time.

betao wrote:
That's too bad. They seemed to be enjoying themselves onstage big time.

Yes…it's just unfortunate though. Band dynamics are complicated. People are complicated. I get the sense that this was a way to properly close the chapter and feel like they did something good. It satisfied their desire to finish their story and end on a happier note. I respect and admire that in a way. But it also feels like there was more there…more good music, more great gigs. Maybe they'll change their minds. But for now, that's highly unlikely.

Money is also an issue in many reunions.. the first go around reunion tour everybody goes because its been 20 years and people been waiting….  its hard to keep going after that financially… particularly given in most cases some if not all band members have had to get regular day jobs and find a career to support themselves….

The Pixies had the fan base and new fans enough to keep touring profitably for years but most bands aren't that way….

Luna is a good case in point.. their first show back at the 930 last year was pretty well attended (I don't believe it sold out)… this year they are playing the Birchmere and that is not sold out.. Many of my friends are Luna fans who saw them multiple times in the 1990s but I don't know if any of them are planning to go to this show on Thursday….for the reunion show at the 930 Club last year we got like 20 people! but its like seeing them once got the need out of their system…….and they have other priorities now…

American fans are notoriously fickle.. many American bands that do these reunions actually make their money touring Japan, Spain or wherever…..there the fans kind of keep going and don't seem to go into this "oh i'm too old for concerts…" crap…

Hutch is right. Money IS an issue for some bands…people have houses, kids, responsibilities and lives outside of music. Your career has to be strong enough so that your job is sustainable for long-term. Touring is tough but it's the only way to keep making money, and the merch that goes with it helps. I'm going to try to see Luna, assuming I'm not working. I'm glad to see they're giving it another shot. That's the one good thing about festivals…they usually pay bands well and it seems to help give some of them a longer life span. Although someone told me this year lower tier bands don't get paid at Coachella…they're playing for the privilege and prestige of exposure, and artists now sell their wristbands to young Hollywood brats for thousands of dollars in order to make money. That's really crummy.

bearman wrote:
Hutch is right.

Look, we're all upset Lush is ending it after this tour, but let's not say things we're going to regret.