Music Midtown 9/22/12

We got there about half way through Luda's set and I have to admit, he had a much better rapport with the crowd than TI.  So, we weaved our way through the much denser crowd than the previous night to get closer to the closers, Pearl Jam.  But we had to stand through Florence + the Machine, first.  She eventually came out to the technical difficulties of a silent mic.  She was obviously a little frazzled from the misfire and once it started working she tried going backstage and coming out again, and again, something went wrong which flustered her further.  Once everything was operating correctly, she apologized, made some jokes and begged for a drink.  She had split stage presence, one minute she was thrashing with her fire red hair going everywhere, then she would be very still in these spiritual poses.  Never thought I would have seen her live, anyway.

After hours and hours of standing very close to a lot of people at once, the lights went out and it was all worth it.  Its been 9+ years since PJ has been in Atlanta.  I've enjoyed traveling to several different cities to see them since then, but damn, its about time they were back.  They revved on stage opening with "Why Go" and charged through many more before stopping to say hello.  Making up for lost time; I like it.  They jammed on plenty of hits, not surprising for a festival, but mixed in some deeper tracks for the devotees.  Eddie was only political once and it was all about voting, in general, and not about who to vote for, which was nice.  They slayed on "Do The Evolution" and "Amongst the Waves," a couple of my favorites, and just kept going until the curfew would eventually take precedent.  Eddie seemed like he really didn't want to leave.  He kept checking with someone on the side-stage to see how much time was left and kept adding more songs to take up every second they could.  The others had to strap their instruments back on a couple of times.  The last time he came out and said "We only have 2 minutes left so we're going to rush through this one!"  and played "Rockin' in the Free World" to end the night and abruptly fled the stage.  Loved the efficient use of time, boys!

Music Midtown 9/21/12

Twice as many days as last year, but still only 2/3 as many as the good ole days.  But we're gettin there.  I don't know how many times I missed Joan Jett in the past but not this year.  That chick can kick some serious ass, and she's 53.  Although you couldn't tell it by her appearance.  She still looks like she's in her 30s, at least from down in the crowd.  Kristen Stewart should pray she ages that well.  Her tight, sweaty, sexy ass still fearlessly rocks it after all these years without any sign of slowing down.  I had forgotten how many tunes I knew by her, including their cover of "Crimson and Clover."   I remember "I Love Rock N Roll" being played during elementary school PE class and thinking that it was a little edgy for such young ears.  Of course the lyrics are harmless but those are some tasty punk-ish riffs.  I was a little disappointed we missed "Bad Reputation" but patience is truly a virtue...

Then there was TI.  I'm sorry, but not that sorry, I just don't get it.  Most of you know that I'm not a fan of rap but live rap is down right pointless.  Its karaoke on a huge stage.  He did have "musicians" with him but, aside from the drummer, I bet even those of us without any musical experience could learn what the guitarist and bassist were playing within a few hours.  However, millions of people can't be wrong, right?  Though I think I would sleep much more soundly if they were. 

We had to forgo seeing the Avett Brothers in order to insure a good spot for the Foo Fighters. Dave and company consistently bring it with everything they have, every time.  Perhaps a little too consistent.  They played the same covers, Pink Floyd's "In The Flesh?" with drummer Taylor Hawkins on vocals and Tom Petty's "Breakdown", that they played when I saw them back in November.  The Foos acquiring Hawkins is probably the greatest poach in modern rock history (sorry Alanis, he rocks too hard for you anyway).  Later, they were joined by Joan Jett to thrash on the afore mentioned missed song, "Bad Reputation."  Kindred spirits, Dave and Joan.  They could be brother/sister or husband/wife on a different plane of existence.  After 2 solid hours of rockin the Park, they ended the night with "Everlong."

Slash 9/12/12

Foxy Shazam front-man hand-stand

I can't hardly believe it, but Slash was out done by the opening band, Foxy Shazam.  Those guys were off the friggin wall.  Their look, attitude, and over-all stage presence was unforgettable.  Leader Eric Nally did more forward rolls than the 2012 Olympic gymnasts, combined.  That dude can work a mic stand like a dancing partner.  It was hard to get a good pic of them with all the constant thrashing.  Keyboardist, Sky White, had hair just like Slash's only it was growing down out of his face instead of up on his head.  He jumped up on top of the keyboard and planted his feet right on the keys at one point, then took it off the stand and had folks in the crowd hold it while he then had them hold himself laying flat, as if crowd surfing, and kept on jammin.  Honestly, the music wasn't bad, although I'm not sure it would hold up without the rhythmically tight maniacal theatrics.  The band even had a trumpeter that did more backing vocals and head-banging than playing but was still incredibly entertaining.  Slash, however, almost performed the same set list from 2 years ago, just with a few more live debuts from the newest album, Apocalyptic Love.  A lot of the same Guns N' Roses tunes, including "Civil War" with a Hendrix solo at the end, were repeated.  "Out Ta Get Me" and a guitar solo interlude from Pink Floyd's "Shine on You Crazy Diamond" was pretty killer.  He waited to bring out a Velvet Revolver tune until the very last song of the first set with "Slither."  Then started the encore set with "Fall to Pieces," another VR hit.  But they completed the night with a predictable "Paradise City."  Oh well, I could watch him dance his fingers up and down the neck of a guitar any ole day.