11 November 2007

A Week of Fantastic Music


Last week was an overdose of live music that I thoroughly enjoyed. Starting off the week, I shook my thang with M.I.A. at Hogg Auditorium on UT campus and then parked it at Stubb's on Tuesday and Wednesday for Regina Spektor and Tegan & Sara.

I have spent such significant time and money at concerts that I have started to contemplate which career move would subsidize my love of music. Until that happens though, you can read about my concert experiences here - as an amateur.


Tegan & Sara @ Stubb's BBQ, 7 Nov 2007, Austin, TX
Tegan & Sara @ Stubb's BBQ, 7 Nov 2007, Austin, TX

I am a recent disciple of their music though I've heard their name and have had other friends recommend them for years. I am disappointed that I didn't pick up an album sooner.

They opened the show with Dark Come Soon and finished with a three-set encore which included Rihanna's Umbrella. Covering Umbrella solidified their greatness in my heart and head.

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Regina Spektor @ Stubb's BBQ, 7 Nov 2007, Austin, TX
Regina Spektor @ Stubb's BBQ, 7 Nov 2007, Austin, TX

Usually I am irritated when I turn up at a concert and the artist performs an entire acoustic set. It tends to be boring and monotonous to the point of demystifying how seven notes can create millions of different songs. But Regina was an exception and she held my interest as she softly walked the audience through the musical manifestations of her brain.


Regina Spektor's music is interesting and "alternative' in how it is written and performed on the recorded CD. She uses her voice in a stylistic and somewhat quirky way that is fast becoming her trademark. When you hear her music live, it takes on a new layer of interesting and, yet, the songs sound more conventional and straight forward.

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M.I.A. @ Hogg Auditorium, 7 Nov 2007, Austin, TX
M.I.A. @ Hogg Auditorium, 7 Nov 2007, Austin, TX

M.I.A.'s stage show leaves something to be desired and I think she should go by way of Bjork and produce her sound live. With only a single DJ, there was man power to play MP3s of her music minus the vocals, layered with sounds of gunshots and other politically influenced noise controlled by said DJ. The output is great like her albums, but the argument here is really about expectations and necessities around a live show's energy.


M.I.A. consistently moved about the stage and worked every minute of the show to get the fans involved and dancing. Hogg auditorium presented its own challenges as well by having irremovable seating in the floor area. Like a true professional, M.I.A. made due and improvised by bringing everyone up to the stage for a song or two instead.

Overall, M.I.A. was excellent and the concert was mash-up.

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