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

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

Show Review: No Doubt, Paramore and The Sounds at Concord Pavillion, 7/21/09

Our group pulls back the curtain on the No Doubt show.
Our group pulls back the curtain on the No Doubt show. Thanks to Flickr user Eytonz for the photo.

About two weeks ago, I sent out an invite to a select group of friends reminding them that the No Doubt concert we kept saying we were going to see was coming up, and it’s time to decide if we’re really going or not.  We ended up with a group of seven, including four founders of Spinning Platters.  But since all of us who went are music nerds in one way or another, I asked everyone there to write a brief recap of the show to post as a giant group review.  Of course this limited the post-show conversation because everyone was saving their best nuggets for the blog (we hope).  This is our first time trying this, so please let me know what you think about it in the comments.

And now, on to our first review. Continue reading “Show Review: No Doubt, Paramore and The Sounds at Concord Pavillion, 7/21/09”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 21st-27th

This is Zoey, and she would like to see La Roux at Cafe du Nord with me tomorrow night, but she doesn't like loud noises, and I think they have a no cats policy. Who wants to take her place? At the show, not my home...
This is Zoey, and she would like to see La Roux at Cafe du Nord with me tomorrow night, but she doesn't like loud noises, and I think they have a no cats policy. Who wants to take her place? At the show, not my home...

Another week, another installment of our continuing series of me telling you what to do. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet: July 21st-27th”

10 Quick Questions for Hiroshi Narita, Manager of The G3 Lounge

He's consumed by the music...
He's consumed by the music...

Hiroshia Narita is one of the 1st people I ever encountered in San Francisco. I was working at a music store in the financial district of San Francisco, and he was working in the mailroom at Universal Music & Video Distribution. Since my store closed and he was laid off from Universal, we’ve kept in pretty good touch. He’s managed to survive a lot of the changes in the industry, and still manages to work for the art form he cares deeply about. He currently manages the G3 Lounge at 3rd Ave and Geary in San Francisco! He took the time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for you, the reader. Continue reading “10 Quick Questions for Hiroshi Narita, Manager of The G3 Lounge”

Show Review: Tori Amos at the Paramount Theatre, 7/13/09

What was Tori's surprise? Read on. (Thanks to Jon for the setlist photo.)
What was Tori's surprise? Read on. (Thanks to Jon for the setlist photo.)

I’m not going to sugar coat this, because there really isn’t much that could have been sweeter than this adventure, which was entirely one of the most awesome experiences I’ve ever had, concert or otherwise.

Oh, where to begin… Continue reading “Show Review: Tori Amos at the Paramount Theatre, 7/13/09”

Show Review: Ozomatli at the Alameda County Fair, 7/16/09

Ozomatli always gives it their all.
Ozomatli always gives it their all.

I’ve never been to a county fair before, and people are always making fun of the bands that play there for being on “the fair circuit.”  I always thought that was a bad rap because the bands that are on this circuit are getting paid well and gigging regularly at fairs all across this great land of ours.  When I heard that Ozomatli were playing at the Alameda County Fair, I knew I’d be popping my county fair cherry because I love Ozomatli, especially outdoors.  So I made my way out to the fairgrounds to eat a fried Twinkie, look at barnyard animals, shop for bootleg merchandise, and see Ozomatli. Continue reading “Show Review: Ozomatli at the Alameda County Fair, 7/16/09”

Spinning Platters Podcast — Episode 1 (The Pilot)

D.P. kept reminding us to talk into the mic.
D.P. kept reminding us to talk into the mic.

What we’ve got here is a podcast!  Dakin, D.P. and I recorded a podcast at the 10th Floor Studio on New Montgomery last night, and we’re presenting it here to you!  I’m working hard to get this going on itunes, but it’s not as simple as all that.  We have to apply and be approved.  Well, rather than wait for that approval, you can always just listen to the podcast right here and now!  Once we have an itunes subscription link, we’ll be sure to send it along.

The show notes and the podcast follow below. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Podcast — Episode 1 (The Pilot)”

Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 14th-20th

 

Flipper at Cafe du Nord Friday Night! Bring swim trunks!
Flipper at Cafe du Nord Friday Night! Bring swim trunks!

Let us continue to guide you to high quality live musical performances in your greater civic area. Provided that your area is the same as my area. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Weekly Tip Sheet July 14th-20th”

Show Review: Death Cab For Cutie at The Greek Theater 7/11/2009

Hey Cutie! Wanna Ride In My Death Cab? (Actual pick up line heard outside of venue)
Hey Cutie! Wanna Ride In My Death Cab? (Actual pick up line heard outside of venue)

So, in a bit of autobiographical information, I was recently “relieved of my working duties.”  In fact, that was on Friday, July 10th. I was going to have to work a very long day on the 11th initially, and now I suddenly had the day off. So, I sat around and sulked all day.  After I was done sulking, I decided take BART to Berkeley, and go see a show before I couldn’t afford to pay my way in to shows anymore. (This is an exaggeration. I am eligible for unemployment, so I will have some money.) Well, as I am walking towards the show, it starts raining.  I see a couple of scalpers, and I talk to one of them that I have seen at shows before.  I buy a ticket off him very cheap, because he wanted to get out of the rain.

Continue reading “Show Review: Death Cab For Cutie at The Greek Theater 7/11/2009”

Spinning Platters Unofficial Guide to $7.11 Tickets

Oh thank heaven this is the most disturbing picture of a slurpee I can find on the internet... Got better? E-mail me: dakin.hardwick@gmail.com
Oh thank heaven this is the most disturbing picture of a slurpee I can find on the internet... Got better? E-mail me: dakin@spinningplatters.com

So, as some of you may know, 7-11 is giving away free slurpees on July 11th this year. What you may not know, is that those slurpees come with a coupon code that allows you to buy tickets to select LiveNation tickets for a deep discount. These are all GA tickets, and most of them are for $7.11. Some are for a bit more, but all are very cheap. Since neither Livenation nor Slurpee is telling people what tickets will be discounted, we did the research for you.  Here is a list of the events that they will be selling in the bay area. Go to LiveNation.com on July 11th. Remember, these events are subject to change, and only a small quantity will be available at that price. Continue reading “Spinning Platters Unofficial Guide to $7.11 Tickets”