Spinning Platters – Page 332 – Reviews of albums, films, concerts, and more from the Bay Area Music and Movie Nerds

Show Review: Jarvis Cocker at The Fillmore, 7/28/09

The sun shines for Jarvis Cocker and his magical air guitar

Jarvis Cocker struts on stage like the king of brit pop he is. Unlike most musicians/celebrities he is even larger in life than in pictures. His charisma is almost earth shattering and after about 20 years of performing he really knows how to work the crowd. His speeches between songs are hilarious and insightful. He makes it feel really personal, like he’s just talking to you whilst he is running around the stage posing and using the microphone in wonderfully phallic ways. Before the song “Leftovers” he proclaims “The Iguanodon is not aroused” as he swings the microphone limply. This was just the beginning of an evening full of quotes and great memories. Continue reading “Show Review: Jarvis Cocker at The Fillmore, 7/28/09”

Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part Three

If you look right above that dome, you can see the lake.

Sunday at the Wanderlust felt like one long, sad goodbye. The whole drive home to Oakland was hanging over my head the whole day. Can’t drink. Can’t party too hard. Must drink enough water so that I feel good enough to make the drive. Have to leave early enough to get home for work. All of these things can really bring a guy down as he heads up the funitel to another sun-soaked day of music. How long could this feeling last? Continue reading “Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part Three”

Show Review: Mika Miko, Judgement Day, Audacity, Mammoth Exploration Society at Nickel City, 7/27/09

Mika Miko prefer the red phone to Le Ballon rouge — Mika Miko prefer the red phone to Le Ballon Rouge

It’s not every day that I get a new favorite band, and that’s a good thing. I already own 160 T-shirts and four tote bags. I don’t need any more. But yesterday I did get a new favorite band, and it caused me to watch an entire set, something that never happens at Nickel City, where the siren song of Beatmania, World Stadium ’92 and Puzzle Fighter are too strong to ignore.

Continue reading “Show Review: Mika Miko, Judgement Day, Audacity, Mammoth Exploration Society at Nickel City, 7/27/09”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 28th-August 3rd

Follow these tracks to the Great American Music Hall on Sunday.

This is part 10 of a continuing series… Next week, we will discuss how race relations affected the reconstruction.

Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 28th-August 3rd”

Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part Two

Everyone was really high at this festival.

In order to get to the mainstage at the Wanderlust Festival, you need to board the funitel and ride the gondola to one the Gold Coast at Squaw Valley. This is definitely the riskiest activity I’ve ever done to get to a show. So what did I find when I got to the top? Continue reading “Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part Two”

Show Review: Jay Brannan at Bottom of the Hill, 7/25/09

Witness the death of Jay Brannan's kashaka during his a capella version of Blowin' In The Wind

Jay Brannan has the kind of voice you dream of at night. Silky smooth and beautiful. My first voice teacher used to prod me to imagine a string, and while singing you’re slowly pulling the string out of your throat in this smooth never ending line. That’s what Jay Brannan sounds like, that elusive smooth perfect voice flowing on and on into the night. He backs that voice of his up with some great songs, good guitar playing, hilarious stage banter and a whole lot of hotness.

Continue reading “Show Review: Jay Brannan at Bottom of the Hill, 7/25/09”

Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part One

When I heard about the Wanderlust Festival, its amazing location, and its perfect lineup, I booked a hotel room the same day. Because of this, I’m writing this diary post from an amazing hotel room with three queen size beds, a full kitchen with utensils, and killer balcony, and right inside the village where the festival is located. The fridge is stocked (salmon for dinner tomorrow), the beds are made, and everyone’s getting ready for sleep.

But how was tonight’s music? Continue reading “Wanderlust Festival Diary: Part One”

Show Review: La Roux, io echo at Cafe du Nord, July 22nd

100_2874 — The secret to this hairdo? 1 part mousse, 1 part hairspray, 1 part gel, 1 part wax, and a mysterious secret ingredient that she wouldn't give me...

In this economy, it’s rare for shows to sell out, especially well in advance. Even some of the most hyped acts are playing to 2/3 empty rooms. So how did La Roux sell out Cafe du Nord so far in advance? Was it based on Glastonbury reports? Is it her sophisticated style and well crafted hooks? Or was it the $12 ticket price? Continue reading “Show Review: La Roux, io echo at Cafe du Nord, July 22nd”

Show Review: Elbow at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, 7/22/09

Guy Garvey and the Mirrorball about which he may be singing.

Last night, I finally visited The Wiltern in Los Angeles to see my current favorite band, Elbow. [Editor’s note: expect lots of fanboy gushing.] They’re in the U.S. supporting Coldplay, and they added three headline dates. Since none of their shows–the support or headline ones–are coming up to the Bay Area, I decided that I would fly down for the show as well as take the opportunity to visit with some of my Southland friends and drop in on Disneyland, too. Travelling for a show automatically raises the stakes and makes it harder to live up to expectations. So how did this night go? Continue reading “Show Review: Elbow at The Wiltern in Los Angeles, 7/22/09”