Author: Marie Carney

Show Review: The I Am Donald tour with Donald Glover and Childish Gambino at Slim’s 12/11/10

Donald Glover and band (my apologies for the iPhone photo)

Home from the first ever I Am Donald Tour I find myself, though my ears are ringing and my feet are aching, sitting here smiling as I write this.  Although the evening was based around one person it was one of the most entertaining and well rounded performances I’ve ever seen.  Maybe it is because Mr Donald Glover is such and entertaining and well rounded guy.  He wrote for 30 Rock before he was 25 (as attested to in “Let Me Dope You”), does stand up, stars on NBC’s Community and raps under the name Childish Gambino.  The most impressive part being that he does all these things well and with all his heart.  There was never really a chance that this wouldn’t be an amazing show. Continue reading “Show Review: The I Am Donald tour with Donald Glover and Childish Gambino at Slim’s 12/11/10”

Show Review: Live 105 Not So Silent Night with Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Phoenix, The Black Keys and Broken Bells at HP Pavillion 12/10/10

My Chemical Romance poses for the cameras

Not So Silent Night really lived up to its name this year.  It was loud and booming in the half empty HP Pavillion in San Jose.  Unfortunately this made for some pretty bad sound, especially from the back of the room.  Why it was so empty I have no idea as the line up of Broken Bells, The Black Keys, Phoenix and My Chemical Romance seemed like they could draw a crowd (yes I’m leaving Smashing Pumpkins out on purpose).  Or was this a case of just too many disparate bands? Continue reading “Show Review: Live 105 Not So Silent Night with Smashing Pumpkins, My Chemical Romance, Phoenix, The Black Keys and Broken Bells at HP Pavillion 12/10/10”

Show Review: Turkey Trot 2010 with The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Misisipi Rider, Hang Jones and Walking in Sunlight at Cafe Du Nord 11/26/10

Walking in Sunlight

This show was a big step away from the ordinary and comfortable for me.  I do not generally listen to country music unless Jenny Lewis and She and Him’s first album count, and I’m pretty sure they don’t.  So really I had no idea what to expect.  What I got was a fun evening full of talented musicians and smiles.  Continue reading “Show Review: Turkey Trot 2010 with The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit, Misisipi Rider, Hang Jones and Walking in Sunlight at Cafe Du Nord 11/26/10”

Show Review: Young the Giant with Geographer at Rickshaw Stop, 11/5/10

Sameer Gadhia of Young the Giant

Since I saw Young the Giant open for Marina & the Diamonds earlier this year their self-titled album has been in heavy rotation on my iPod, so I was super excited that they were coming back to town.  I love getting the chance to see a band at that moment in time where they are number one in your mind and the potential for a great evening is endless.  Add on top of that a good venue and great opener in Geographer and I was confident I would not be disappointed. Continue reading “Show Review: Young the Giant with Geographer at Rickshaw Stop, 11/5/10”

Show Review: Free Energy with Foxy Shazam and Hollerado at Slim’s, 10/29/10

Foxy Shazam shows everyone how it's done

Spinning Platters has seen all of these bands before, more than once in fact, yet about half of the staff was at this show.  Why?  It is impossible to resist the chance to see three such high energy fun acts all in one night, and it was Managing Editor Dakin Hardwick’s birthday party!  For both these reasons it was a very fun night full of joy and dancing.  Continue reading “Show Review: Free Energy with Foxy Shazam and Hollerado at Slim’s, 10/29/10”

Show Review: Azure Ray with Tim Fite and Whispertown (solo) at The Independent, 10/24/10

Maria Taylor and Orinda Fink shine in darkness

When we arrived at The Independent I was surprised by the lack of people.  Maybe I live in a bizarre universe in which Saddle Creek in the early 2000’s was the epitome of music, but I thought Azure Ray coming back would be big.  Apparently I was wrong.  It could have been the rainy Sunday night, or maybe it’s that slow, haunting pop songs are out of style.  Nevertheless, it turned out to be a lovely, and surprisingly varied, evening of music. Continue reading “Show Review: Azure Ray with Tim Fite and Whispertown (solo) at The Independent, 10/24/10”

Album Review: Belle & Sebastian – Belle and Sebastian Write About Love

Belle & Sebastian is not the kind of band that jumps out and grabs your attention, instead they plant a seed which needs time to grow.  When my friend gave me the spectacular If Your Feeling Sinister in 1997 it was with the promise that I would listen to it at least five times in the background before I gave it my full attention.  He was right; it haunted me, it seeped into my soul, and I loved it.  So now I’ve spent two weeks with Belle & Sebastian Write about Love their newest effort, and I can’t say that same feeling of love and musical bliss has washed over me.  Though I keep waiting and hoping it will. Continue reading “Album Review: Belle & Sebastian — Belle and Sebastian Write About Love”

Show Review: Vampire Weekend with Beach House and The Very Best at The Greek Theater, 9/25/10

The audience does the official "Mansard Roof" dance

It was a beautiful night at the Greek Theater, warm and clear, something that hardly ever happens in my experience.  For my fourth time seeing Vampire Weekend this year, it was yet to be seen if this show would be something different, or more of the same.  Either way I was sure to not be disappointed. Continue reading “Show Review: Vampire Weekend with Beach House and The Very Best at The Greek Theater, 9/25/10”

Show Review: Marina & the Diamonds with Young the Giant at The Independent, 9/15/10

Marina, working outfit #2 for her "Diamonds"

The sold out crowd at The Independent was radiating energy at the Marina & the Diamonds show.  It packed full of people pretty early, with the stage crush beginning during openers Young the Giant’s set. During sets the crowd bounced and cheered and in-between everyone waited politely, leaving room for friends off buying drinks.  We were ready for an excellent night of music.

Continue reading “Show Review: Marina & the Diamonds with Young the Giant at The Independent, 9/15/10”

Show Review: Stereo Total at Slim’s, 9/2/10

Thursday night usually isn’t a night people stay in, but by the sparse attendence at Slim’s for the Stereo Total show you would have thought it was Monday night.  Maybe it was the $20 ticket price, or the fact that Jenny and Johnny stole the indie kids for the evening, but either way I can’t say I was disappointed.  Those who were there brought their A game (including a gentlemen with flowers wrapped in leopard print tissue paper for Francoise!).  And most importantly, there was plenty of room to dance. Continue reading “Show Review: Stereo Total at Slim’s, 9/2/10”