Category Archives: Show Reviews

Ra Ra Riot w/ Cayucas @ Neptune Theater 2/10/13

With a new record out just a few weeks ago, Ra Ra Riot returned to Seattle and came to the Neptune with a refreshing energy and presence. The Syracuse band has written some pretty powerful songs in their day, and with three LPs out the door, not a bit of that riotous passion has diluted,Read more...

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Live Review: Niki & the Dove at Crocodile, with Vacationer and Nightmare Fortress

What a bill! If you were at Crocodile Tuesday night, you sure got your 15 dollars worth. Swedish electro-pop duo Niki & The Dove blew our minds (as usual) with their soundscape of 80s pop glory, but luckily for those that arrived early, both openers played strong sets that were met with much acclaim fromRead more...

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Live Review: Sufjan Stevens’ Christmas Show @ Neptune Theatre 12/8/12

Sufjan Stevens has been writing heartfelt, provocative Christmas music for 10 years now. Each year, he completes a “volume” with a different theme or direction. All of these volumes have been conveniently collected for fans into the Songs for Christmas and Silver and Gold album collections, which hold volumes 1-5 and 6-10 respectively. But inRead more...

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Live Review: Ben Gibbard w/ Damien Jurado at Showbox at the Market 11/16/12

In a sort of homecoming, Ben Gibbard played a sold out show last Friday at Showbox at the Market that may have put long-time fans of Gibbard’s various projects (Death Cab for Cutie, The Postal Service, All-Time Quarterback, and his solo work including excellent new record Former Lives) into comas. Over the 25 or soRead more...

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Live Review: Japandroids w/ Bleached at Neumos 11/15/12

This year has been quite a stellar year for Vancouver band Japandroids. Early this summer, they released the acclaimed record Celebration Rock, 35 minutes of unabashed youthful joy. It was an easy record to fall in love with and blast out of car windows. But whatever energy Japandoids albums put forth is completely outdone byRead more...

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Live Video: DIIV at CMJ

It was the longest wait of the KEXP broadcast at CMJ. As we were midway through hosting a dozen bands at Union Square Ballroom during the 2012 CMJ Music Marathon, on Thursday afternoon a packed house stood eagerly waiting for DIIV to come on. Missing drumsticks were the culprit, but once new ones were acquired,Read more...

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City Arts Fest: David Byrne & St. Vincent @ 5th Avenue Theatre 10/17

Back in 1984, in an interview with himself, Talking Heads’ David Byrne stated that he would tour again “when there is something new to say to an audience.” While the songs themselves need not be new, the performance should be fresh and inventive, which in those days meant donning an oversized suit, serenading a floorRead more...

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Decibel Festival 2012: dB Finale @ Neumos

Finishing up Decibel Festival, the Finale was a powerful and well-rounded night of music at Neumos. The turnout was far better than anyone could have expected for a Sunday evening after five days of nonstop partying. Some artists who had entertained earlier in the week came by for the closing ceremonies, including Seattle’s own Lusine.Read more...

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Decibel Festival 2012: Ghostly International Showcase

Ghostly International are no strangers to Decibel Festival. In fact, the imprint has had a showcase at Decibel every year since its founding in 2003. Without a doubt, this year’s edition was nothing to pass up. With visuals supplied by Scott Sunn and diverse sets by Seattle electronica artist Lusine, instrumental art rock band Tycho,Read more...

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Decibel Festival 2012: Jet Jam Presents, featuring Shlohmo, Baths, and Star Slinger at Neumos

The Jet Jam Showcase may have been the biggest party at Decibel Festival this year. Between three very different acts, the crowd got three very different sets, but one thing stayed consistent throughout: they were all ridiculously fun. A DJ set by Shlohmo got the night started off right, with a bland of his ownRead more...

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