tangara

If you've never seen them before, I recommend seeing them. I saw them three or four times last year and the performances were somewhat uneven: amazing at Schubas; solid at Lollapalooza; deadly dull at Austin City Limits. Still, they're a great band with a great back catalog to draw from, and definitely worth checking out live.

The lineup will be out April 7. I'd bet on Radiohead closing out the festival, although I'm not as certain about the NIN/Rage rumors. I feel like Wilco is also pretty likely, since as others mentioned, it looks like they'll be back on the road in August, and they've played Lolla in the past. I'm sure they'd be welcomed back. Venus, I've heard volunteering isn't a bad gig. It's not terribly difficult work - they might have you collecting plastic cups for recycling, or something like that - and you get all the free water you can drink. The first round of tickets was $165 last year, so exp

With a band - drummer and keyboard player. I thought he was just okay.

I'm holding out for some Alpine Valley dates later this summer. Maybe fall. Cool for the coasties, though.

One of the acts I really wanted to see at SXSW but kept missing. They did an in-studio on KEXP a few weeks ago; you might be able to stream it on the site.

Real Emotional Trash is my favorite record of the year so far. Easily.

Fantastic show last night. They blazed through most of the new record and it sounded phenomenal. Stephen was a little sloppy at times, but his energy more than made up for it. And Janet...well, she's a goddess. So looking forward to the show tonight! I was going to have to skip it, but it looks like the snow will keep me in town. I hope they drove from Milwaukee last night - it was dry and clear the whole way.

Wow, I disagree. Certainly the newer REM albums don't stand up to the older ones, but the new REM is still better than a lot of stuff out there, and there have been a couple really solid tracks on each of the last few records. I don't think they've become entirely irrelevant just yet. I would really hate for them to completely give up and devolve into some self-parodying REM cover band. That'd be sad. Interesting comment about making a living, though - I imagine that in some way they feel responsible for "REM, Inc." and all of the people it employs. I suppose that's one reason they feel

I'll be there...full report to follow!

Aw. That's disappointing to hear. I hope they bring it tonight! What was the setlist like?

What makes you think Radiohead wouldn't get a 2 1/2 hour slot if they are the Sunday headliner? That's exactly how much time Pearl Jam got last year when they headlined.

Nice. I really liked the Felice Brothers at the Mojo party, Yo La Tengo at the Legation, and Sons & Daughters and Clipse at the Mohawk. It was my first SXSW; I'm definitely going back next year.

His voice was tolerable, but the lyrics...oof. Like my junior high diary. What were some of your surprises this week?

Oh, hell yeah. No contest. The setlist at the full MMJ show was exactly what I was in the mood for that night, I LOVED the new tunes, and I thought the whole evening was just so solid from beginning to end (whereas the opener at the church show really turned me off...ugh, diarycore). And I also got to meet Carrie Brownstein that night, but that's neither here nor there I've heard better sets from M. Ward, so I wasn't that impressed by him that particular evening, although I did enjoy the collaborations (and seeing Zooey in the crowd). I almost thought she'd come up to do that version o

Will any VCers be at the Milwaukee and Chicago shows this week?

The show at SXSW was pretty damn solid. Not my favorite of the week, but good times and the band had lots of energy, even if the crowd didn't. I was surprised that they dug out "Auctioneer" and "Second Guessing". The new stuff sounded catchy; I'll be interested to hear it on the record. The openers were unimpressive (with the exception of Dead Confederate; they were fantastic). At one point during Paper Cranes (ugh), Mike Mills came out to watch and was standing about 10 feet in front of me. *eeeeee*

I wasn't expecting much from Zooey, but her voice was a pleasant surprise. It was really strong and had a Neko-y quality.

The MMJ performance on Thursday night was the highlight of my SXSW. Easily. Damn, they just ROCK. I absolutely loved the new songs; loved how Jim delivered "Highly Suspicious" facing away from the crowd and singing into the mic over his shoulder. It was so Prince. The whole bill was really strong - the Whigs really held their own against YLT and MMJ, which is no small feat, IMO. The show at St. David's was really cool too - so intimate. I can't wait for MMJ to start touring behind this record. It will be epic.

See y'all in Austin on Wednesday. Who else is going to be there?

The best thing about the Gorge is that it's so far from Seattle - there's a really peaceful feeling of being removed from your everyday cares and truly being able to concentrate on the music. It's a beautiful drive through the mountains, too. It actually doesn't get that hot during Sasquatch (topped out around 75 last year) but it does get hella cold (fleece+shell+hat kind of cold) at night.

Got a flu shot. Went to all five nights. Didn't stand in line any night - just got there when the doors opened. I feel pretty normal today, though. It was really just a sinus thing.

R.E.M. / The Cure / The Flaming Lips U.F.O. Show / Death Cab For Cutie / Modest Mouse / M.I.A. / Flight Of The Conchords / Rodrigo Y Gabriela / Michael Franti & Spearhead / The Breeders / Built To Spill / The Hives / Tegan & Sara / The Presidents / Ghostland Observatory / Ozomatli / The New Pornographers / Blue Scholars / The National / The Kooks / Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks / Cold War Kids / Beirut / Rogue Wave / Okkervil River / Fleet Foxes / Kinski / Mates of State / Crudo (featuring Mike Patton & Dan The Automator) / Sera Cahoone / Battles / Destroyer / Dyme Def / The Blak

Nice. I will be there.

Wow. I thought I was kind of "Wilcoed out" but hearing Monday's first set again is giving me chills. Thanks so much!

This is the truth. Really, really lovely. You guys were great!