Agree it was a bit crowded. Didn't think the sound was great, either.
Enjoyed the show nonetheless.
Enjoyed the show nonetheless.
Official 930 Club Replacements Echostage May 8 Show
I had a great time, a little hectic getting there because I snagged my tickets after 7 this evening in the "last hour on stubhub seller price panic stage" haha so I was able to grab a pair for $48 (had I held out a few minutes longer someone dropped the price on a pair to 27.50 (not each…for the fucking PAIR…oh well haha) but then had to head straight to Echostage. I wouldn't have been satisfied for $80 given my cramped spot in the back but for $24 no problem.
More like EcNOStage. It was like a shittier Nation.
I was up front. Met some really nice people from DC, Richmond, and Florida. One of my new "friends," a girl from Richmond who was there with her dad, had just turned 21, and so another of these folks, went to the bar, and brought back shots for all 6 of us to celebrate.
JRoddy seemed like a good performance, but the vocals were a muddy mess.
The Replacements sounded great and are having such a good time, and that happiness is contagious.
AND
There was a young guy, mid-20s, who was quiet and still for the 2 hours until the Replacements came on and then he was crazy dancing guy, with a faux hawk of some sort, and he twice poured a water bottle on his head and then shook his mane like a dog drying itself…all over everyone. He never said a word the entire night.
That was fucked up, but his dancing and doglike behavior seemed to come from a place of joy, and not anger or booze, so okay…tolerable.
Then there were the aggressively drunk asshole 55 year old (or so) dudes who were so drunk that they had lost verbal skills: all they could seem to utter was "our in the seeet for a leeevin" (the opening phrase to Kiss' Black Diamond, covered by the Mats on Let it Be in 1984). Were they pushing and shoving, or had they lost control of motor skills? Probably a combination of both.
One such asshole was such a fuckmonster that security eventually (way too late) shined a light into his face and compelled him to come to the barrier where he then was lifted over and out, much to everyone's relief.
Then, within about 30 seconds, he was back with us, moshing/falling into everyone. The crowd gestured to security, and he again surrendered to them and was lifted over the barrier and we did not see him again. This was a grey-haired, Tommy Bahama-esque shirt wearing, needs to go into detox lawyer/banker looking guy. What the fuck.
I don't remember anything like this happening at the other Mats 3.0 shows I have attended.
Parking. Easy to get to, Clusterfuck to leave.
Overall, a memorable, if bruising, night of lunacy.
Gonna drive up to Philly a little later.
JRoddy seemed like a good performance, but the vocals were a muddy mess.
The Replacements sounded great and are having such a good time, and that happiness is contagious.
AND
There was a young guy, mid-20s, who was quiet and still for the 2 hours until the Replacements came on and then he was crazy dancing guy, with a faux hawk of some sort, and he twice poured a water bottle on his head and then shook his mane like a dog drying itself…all over everyone. He never said a word the entire night.
That was fucked up, but his dancing and doglike behavior seemed to come from a place of joy, and not anger or booze, so okay…tolerable.
Then there were the aggressively drunk asshole 55 year old (or so) dudes who were so drunk that they had lost verbal skills: all they could seem to utter was "our in the seeet for a leeevin" (the opening phrase to Kiss' Black Diamond, covered by the Mats on Let it Be in 1984). Were they pushing and shoving, or had they lost control of motor skills? Probably a combination of both.
One such asshole was such a fuckmonster that security eventually (way too late) shined a light into his face and compelled him to come to the barrier where he then was lifted over and out, much to everyone's relief.
Then, within about 30 seconds, he was back with us, moshing/falling into everyone. The crowd gestured to security, and he again surrendered to them and was lifted over the barrier and we did not see him again. This was a grey-haired, Tommy Bahama-esque shirt wearing, needs to go into detox lawyer/banker looking guy. What the fuck.
I don't remember anything like this happening at the other Mats 3.0 shows I have attended.
Parking. Easy to get to, Clusterfuck to leave.
Overall, a memorable, if bruising, night of lunacy.
Gonna drive up to Philly a little later.
So despite how awful I thought Echostage was (it's probably fine…if you only go to like two shows a year or something), I'm super glad I went. It was great to hear a lot of those songs, but I also thought it was kind of a nice way to dispel the "myth" of the Replacements some.
I'm too young (that doesn't mean young, FYI) to have been into them in their original run or to have seen them. And for years listening to Hootenanny and Let It Be, you get used to what seems like throwaway tracks in some way. I mean, they couldn't have spent more than ten minutes writing and recording Treatment Bound, right? Then, on a reunion tour some twenty years after the split, out of all the songs they could pick, they bring that one out? That's great…and it kind of makes you get that for all of their "we don't' give a shit" attitude that they really did.
Then of course, then they rip into something like Color Me Impressed or Alex Chilton (definitely two songs in my top XX Songs of all Time List), and you're kind of floored at what a great songwriter Westerberg is.
And while we have this vision of the Replacements in the same way we think of bands like Husker Du, nothing sobers you up to realize they're just a rock n roll band than seeing what kind of dudes are into them. I mean, the crowd I was surrounded by would've fit in just fine on the golf course or at a DMB show. I might have seen my dad in the crowd.
I know I sound cynical, but that wasn't my takeaway. I left that show with a huge smile on my face, not just from the band, but also how happy the crowd was. yeah, it was too packed and not really my normal type of crowd, but they really had a blast. Band seemed to be having a ball too.
I'm too young (that doesn't mean young, FYI) to have been into them in their original run or to have seen them. And for years listening to Hootenanny and Let It Be, you get used to what seems like throwaway tracks in some way. I mean, they couldn't have spent more than ten minutes writing and recording Treatment Bound, right? Then, on a reunion tour some twenty years after the split, out of all the songs they could pick, they bring that one out? That's great…and it kind of makes you get that for all of their "we don't' give a shit" attitude that they really did.
Then of course, then they rip into something like Color Me Impressed or Alex Chilton (definitely two songs in my top XX Songs of all Time List), and you're kind of floored at what a great songwriter Westerberg is.
And while we have this vision of the Replacements in the same way we think of bands like Husker Du, nothing sobers you up to realize they're just a rock n roll band than seeing what kind of dudes are into them. I mean, the crowd I was surrounded by would've fit in just fine on the golf course or at a DMB show. I might have seen my dad in the crowd.
I know I sound cynical, but that wasn't my takeaway. I left that show with a huge smile on my face, not just from the band, but also how happy the crowd was. yeah, it was too packed and not really my normal type of crowd, but they really had a blast. Band seemed to be having a ball too.
Also, I've only been to four shows so far this year I think (S/K, Ex Hex, Mac McCaughan and the Replacements) and I think collectively I've listened to these bands for like 66.5 years.
I reached my breaking point with the Tommy Bahama guy after he told me that I sucked, and needed to move to the back. Sadly, I allowed him to engage me when he said it, so I lost about 10 minutes yelling at home and pushing back as he leaned on me. Shouldn't have wasted the time by ignoring his idiocy, but he got to me.
Fun show. The sound wasn't great, but getting there and out was better than expected. A little overcrowded, but not uncomfortable after the a-hole moved to the front.
Fun show. The sound wasn't great, but getting there and out was better than expected. A little overcrowded, but not uncomfortable after the a-hole moved to the front.
phillidan wrote:
I reached my breaking point with the Tommy Bahama guy after he told me that I sucked, and needed to move to the back. Sadly, I allowed him to engage me when he said it, so I lost about 10 minutes yelling at home and pushing back as he leaned on me. Shouldn't have wasted the time by ignoring his idiocy, but he got to me.
Fun show. The sound wasn't great, but getting there and out was better than expected. A little overcrowded, but not uncomfortable after the a-hole moved to the front.
Did you and I have a bonding moment after the show?
Awesome to hear everyone enjoyed the show
;D
;D
Will add that the 1818 NY Ave parking lot ended up being the right move, at least for me. Easy walk back and was out on the road 5 minutes later. I fear the folks who parked at Echostage are still there.
J Roddy seem like a good band but the mix was horrid and they weren't a great fit, in my opinion.
i went without earplugs (dumb but i wanted to hear it as-is) and no ringing this morning. Low volume or nearly deaf….can't decide.
J Roddy seem like a good band but the mix was horrid and they weren't a great fit, in my opinion.
i went without earplugs (dumb but i wanted to hear it as-is) and no ringing this morning. Low volume or nearly deaf….can't decide.
Also - I hate sing-a-long crowds.
Yeah I was clueless as to where to park but had half an hour to sort it out before the show so took a right on V St and parallel parked a quarter mile in or so, not a bad walk and wasn't too worried about the car since the block was primarily commercial buildings.
challenged wrote:phillidan wrote:
I reached my breaking point with the Tommy Bahama guy after he told me that I sucked, and needed to move to the back. Sadly, I allowed him to engage me when he said it, so I lost about 10 minutes yelling at home and pushing back as he leaned on me. Shouldn't have wasted the time by ignoring his idiocy, but he got to me.
Fun show. The sound wasn't great, but getting there and out was better than expected. A little overcrowded, but not uncomfortable after the a-hole moved to the front.
Did you and I have a bonding moment after the show?
We did! Thanks for the encouragement.
That was such a fun show. Many thanks again to K8tebug for getting me that ticket - I meant to hit you up beforehand but work consumed my life this week.
I thought they sounded great, and most of all, they were having an absolute blast on stage. Smiles and laughter the entire show, along what sounded like some drunken improvisation that you'd expect from the band. Highlights for me were Valentine, I Will Dare, and the entire encore. So much fun dancing in the corner where there was more space.
Show was very crowded; that was my first time at the Echostage, is it normally that packed for a sold out show? I saw the guy get pulled from the front row you were all talking about. Sorry he made it back a 2nd time.
Don't know where you guys were looking for parking… I arrived about 8:30, made a left on the street at the gas station, and found a couple of spots right away. Maybe a 3 minute walk.
I thought they sounded great, and most of all, they were having an absolute blast on stage. Smiles and laughter the entire show, along what sounded like some drunken improvisation that you'd expect from the band. Highlights for me were Valentine, I Will Dare, and the entire encore. So much fun dancing in the corner where there was more space.
Show was very crowded; that was my first time at the Echostage, is it normally that packed for a sold out show? I saw the guy get pulled from the front row you were all talking about. Sorry he made it back a 2nd time.
Don't know where you guys were looking for parking… I arrived about 8:30, made a left on the street at the gas station, and found a couple of spots right away. Maybe a 3 minute walk.
enjoyable show…. this was my first time at the Echostage, and I only knew to expect a warehouse with a stage at one end…. seems like they did a nice job on it cosmetically, and the bathrooms were large and clean, something that should not be underestimated…. I didn't think the sound was all that great, I was DFC about halfway back on the floor, but I sometimes wonder if my ears are just shot from too many loud rock shows and can't process anything too loud anymore…. dunno…. I didn't have any problems with massive overcrowding/shoving/etc where I was, I've had much worse issues with that at sold out 930 Club shows where it really does sometimes feel like you're packed in a sardine can…. but it does sound like it was that way closer up for some of y'all…. being relatively close to the Rt 50/NY Ave entrance to the city, the location of Echostage is perfect for someone like me that's coming from that direction…. like a couple others have said, the decision to park at 1818 NY Ave was a good one, probably took about 10 minutes to get out of the lot, but was smooth sailing after that and I was home by midnight…. old man that I am, I regard that alone as a win anytime I make the jaunt to DC for a show….. :)
edited to add: I was expecting it to be ungodly hot in there with all those people packed in such a small space, but was pleasantly surprised to find out that they seem to have a kick-ass air conditioning unit, it was never uncomfortable and if you get there early enough, you can actually pick a spot under a vent (as I did) because as you walk around the floor, you can feel the spots where the vents were aimed, the air was blowing that hard…..
edited to add: I was expecting it to be ungodly hot in there with all those people packed in such a small space, but was pleasantly surprised to find out that they seem to have a kick-ass air conditioning unit, it was never uncomfortable and if you get there early enough, you can actually pick a spot under a vent (as I did) because as you walk around the floor, you can feel the spots where the vents were aimed, the air was blowing that hard…..
I had a lot of fun. The sound wasn't great, venue was pretty shitty ($12 Makers? A beer list that looked like an Ashburn Chili's?), and really packed . . . but it's the fucking Replacements! I feel like their energy really stepped up around "Seen Your Video" (which killed), and carried right through the epic encore.
The crowd appeared to have been teleported from a Wolf Trap John Fogerty concert. I was surprised at how few people were geeking out, especially up front.
I live 2 miles away, so don't have much to add to this impressively complete and nuanced parking and traffic discussion.
EDIT: like any nostalgia show, it wasn't a perfect setlist for me… would have really liked to have heard Unsatisfied, Androgynous, Talent Show, Sixteen Blue (which gives Big Star's Thirteen a run for its money), Here Comes a Regular, Anywhere's Better Than Here (maybe segued from Bastards of Young?)
The crowd appeared to have been teleported from a Wolf Trap John Fogerty concert. I was surprised at how few people were geeking out, especially up front.
I live 2 miles away, so don't have much to add to this impressively complete and nuanced parking and traffic discussion.
EDIT: like any nostalgia show, it wasn't a perfect setlist for me… would have really liked to have heard Unsatisfied, Androgynous, Talent Show, Sixteen Blue (which gives Big Star's Thirteen a run for its money), Here Comes a Regular, Anywhere's Better Than Here (maybe segued from Bastards of Young?)
LOVED the Philly show. I knew it was good when my sister's boyfriend saw Westerberg in our hotel bar ordering a dirty martini at 5:30pm and taking it up to his room. There was definitely a sloppier element to the Saturday show but in the 'Mats world, that can either be a good thing or a going-off-the-rails thing. It was definitely a good thing. I'm so incredibly glad I got to see two totally different shows. The one that I pick as superior was Philly, hands down. Plus we got to hear "Unsatisfied" and a totally spontaneous, unrehearsed version of "Hold My Life" that was brilliant. I wish I could say I had a better experience at Echostage, but I suspect that I may avoid it for some shows.
still recovering from the weekend.
loved the set at Echostage, but doubt I'll go back unless it's a must see show. the venue is nice enough for what it is: a dance venue. not great for a rock show.
last night in Philly was fantastic. such a great night outside and I got close enough to see which is no small task being 5'2.
I think I liked both nights equally set wise, but settled in a lot easier last night in Philly, perhaps it was due to Philly being a hometown of sorts for me. as soon as I could legally drive a car, I was driving up to Philly from AC to see bands.
only downside of the weekend for me was my car being out of commission. the almost 90 minute metro bus and rail to get to echostage (thankfully, a friend gave me a lift home after the show) and a 5 hour journey of buses, metro and megabus to philly put a big wrench in my plans. I working on about 3.5 hours sleep at the moment.
loved the set at Echostage, but doubt I'll go back unless it's a must see show. the venue is nice enough for what it is: a dance venue. not great for a rock show.
last night in Philly was fantastic. such a great night outside and I got close enough to see which is no small task being 5'2.
I think I liked both nights equally set wise, but settled in a lot easier last night in Philly, perhaps it was due to Philly being a hometown of sorts for me. as soon as I could legally drive a car, I was driving up to Philly from AC to see bands.
only downside of the weekend for me was my car being out of commission. the almost 90 minute metro bus and rail to get to echostage (thankfully, a friend gave me a lift home after the show) and a 5 hour journey of buses, metro and megabus to philly put a big wrench in my plans. I working on about 3.5 hours sleep at the moment.
I feel I got out of this what I wanted, I did want a little more, but who am I to be so selfish
Parking:
- not an issue as ended up biking to my friend's place off bladensburg and just walked 1.5 miles
Preshow
-well neglected to realize that Atlas was closed at 8PM, but the time we were there it was pretty much time to get there
The venue
-Damn was it freaking packed, went to about 5 different spots on the stage left by the bar and it was just nuts. So many tall people too, must be that mid-west corn-fed thing. But that was annoying.
Ended up getting all the way down to the end of the bar and that wasn't easy to get somewhat of a good vantage point. But in general, when I pay close to $70 for a ticket, I would really like to see the band. Not sure why the stage isn't up about 4 feet higher, but the sight-lines in that venue really suck. I thought the sound was awesome. Usually don't comment about the ambient temp, but I do agree with another poster, the AC was keeping it perfect temp
But reading about that boston show, I really would have seen this show at the club.
Would have paid $100 for that
The crowd
-while I agree it was the wolf trap crowd. The band's core audience is in the 40's. As you can imagine there were a lot of balding pears. But other than the people who were pretty adamant that I was not going to pass them (and their were quite a few of them) the people I ended up standing by all tened to be super nice and really into the show. I actually had a few bonding moments and I love that about shows that can never be replicated no matter how good your audio system is…live music is just different…not that most of you on this board don't already know that. In general just about every group I was situated by loved just about every song. The Sing-a-long thing…well sometimes that does get tired, but man to me these were songs I'd been dying to hear for 30 years and I lost all inhibition and let my freak flag fly. I also thing the copious amount of alcohol and other things legal in DC also influenced that. Will say I managed to sustain peak buzz and not get too sloppy.
The show
- f'U f'n haters on this board, that was freaking awesome. Did my face melt and will I tell the grandkids about…no. Probably not a top five show of all time. But man, they sounded great and looked great. Paul and Tommy really looked to genuinely enjoy every bit of it. Besides my issues with the sight-lines, I though the sound was tight and that's been my experience at EchoStage shows…they do get the sound right. Didn't catch J Roddy, so can't comment on that. Hearing: I Will Dare, Skyway, Valentine, Waitress, You Be Me, Favorite Thing, Kiss Me, Seen The Video and Bastards (Those two songs really made my night)
And That freaking encore:
Skyway, Left of the Dial, Alex Chilton, Never Mind, I.O.U.
Ok, I'm really lamenting not hearing at least one of two of these: Here comes a regular, Unsatistified, Answering Machine, Shooting Dirty Pool, Androgynous, I'll Buy and Dose of Thunder. I was surprised how many songs they played I didn't know. I know fans of the hoot/Stink/Sorry ma were extremely happy. Takin a ride in to Favorite thing was just a great way to start the night.
My Boy Lollipop was kinda trite and I knew it was coming and resented it even more. And I'm not really that impressed with Whole Foods Blues either.
Long story, only slightly shorter..good freak'n show. They were awesome and glad I caught this show.
Parking:
- not an issue as ended up biking to my friend's place off bladensburg and just walked 1.5 miles
Preshow
-well neglected to realize that Atlas was closed at 8PM, but the time we were there it was pretty much time to get there
The venue
-Damn was it freaking packed, went to about 5 different spots on the stage left by the bar and it was just nuts. So many tall people too, must be that mid-west corn-fed thing. But that was annoying.
Ended up getting all the way down to the end of the bar and that wasn't easy to get somewhat of a good vantage point. But in general, when I pay close to $70 for a ticket, I would really like to see the band. Not sure why the stage isn't up about 4 feet higher, but the sight-lines in that venue really suck. I thought the sound was awesome. Usually don't comment about the ambient temp, but I do agree with another poster, the AC was keeping it perfect temp
But reading about that boston show, I really would have seen this show at the club.
Would have paid $100 for that
The crowd
-while I agree it was the wolf trap crowd. The band's core audience is in the 40's. As you can imagine there were a lot of balding pears. But other than the people who were pretty adamant that I was not going to pass them (and their were quite a few of them) the people I ended up standing by all tened to be super nice and really into the show. I actually had a few bonding moments and I love that about shows that can never be replicated no matter how good your audio system is…live music is just different…not that most of you on this board don't already know that. In general just about every group I was situated by loved just about every song. The Sing-a-long thing…well sometimes that does get tired, but man to me these were songs I'd been dying to hear for 30 years and I lost all inhibition and let my freak flag fly. I also thing the copious amount of alcohol and other things legal in DC also influenced that. Will say I managed to sustain peak buzz and not get too sloppy.
The show
- f'U f'n haters on this board, that was freaking awesome. Did my face melt and will I tell the grandkids about…no. Probably not a top five show of all time. But man, they sounded great and looked great. Paul and Tommy really looked to genuinely enjoy every bit of it. Besides my issues with the sight-lines, I though the sound was tight and that's been my experience at EchoStage shows…they do get the sound right. Didn't catch J Roddy, so can't comment on that. Hearing: I Will Dare, Skyway, Valentine, Waitress, You Be Me, Favorite Thing, Kiss Me, Seen The Video and Bastards (Those two songs really made my night)
And That freaking encore:
Skyway, Left of the Dial, Alex Chilton, Never Mind, I.O.U.
Ok, I'm really lamenting not hearing at least one of two of these: Here comes a regular, Unsatistified, Answering Machine, Shooting Dirty Pool, Androgynous, I'll Buy and Dose of Thunder. I was surprised how many songs they played I didn't know. I know fans of the hoot/Stink/Sorry ma were extremely happy. Takin a ride in to Favorite thing was just a great way to start the night.
My Boy Lollipop was kinda trite and I knew it was coming and resented it even more. And I'm not really that impressed with Whole Foods Blues either.
Long story, only slightly shorter..good freak'n show. They were awesome and glad I caught this show.
Echostage is sewage.