Neil Gaiman & Amanda Palmer @ Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, November 6, 2011

I've actually never read anything by Neil Gaiman and haven't listened that much to any Amanda Palmer music but I have a friend who is a big fan of both of them so I was intrigued enough to get a ticket.  It was a really fun night.  They both sang some songs and Neil read some poems and short stories.  A lot of the crowd seemed to be hanging on their every word, which is always fascinating to watch (Antony and the Johnsons had the same vibe).  Mostly I enjoyed the night because it's always nice to be reminded that art and artists are appreciated.

Still Corners @ Media Club, Vancouver, October 31, 2011

I saw them at SXSW in a rather strange venue and only knowing a few songs and came away a fan.  I got a copy of the new album before the show and think it's absolutely wonderful.  For music that is surprisingly complex, they actually sound better live than they do on the album.  The show was too brief and sadly didn't have an encore but I can't wait to see them again.  Not only was the music superb, I was very impressed that they wore costumes, it was a nice touch.

Portishead @ PNE Forum, Vancouver, October 24, 2011

 

I've always just liked Portishead.  They were never a life-changing band for me, they just had a few songs over the years that I quite enjoyed.  Despite the cost and atrocious venue, I suppose I bought the ticket because even after all this time (17 years?! eeks ...) they still held my interest.  Sour Times sounds just as good today as it did when I first heard it in 1994.  And well, live, they really are very good.  I mean good enough that I enjoyed myself despite the awfulness of the venue.  It must be magical to see them in a concert hall or somewhere that didn't used to be a barn.  Maybe I've been missing out on not listening to them that much, I'm just glad I took the opportunity to see them live, they were definitely worth it.

The Lighthouse & The Whaler, The Living Room, CMJ, October 21, 2011

I can't remember where but I stumbled across The Lighthouse & The Whaler earlier this year and fell instantly in love with their debut album, not realising that it was almost 2 years old.  I was really pleased when they were announced for CMJ and they became a must see.  To say I came away impressed, is an understatement ... I came away thinking that they should be huge.  That whatever it is that a band has that makes them great live, these guys have it.  They didn't play any songs I knew (!) and played songs from their new album (which from the preview will probably be a 2012 favourite) and just basically blew me away.  One of my favourite sets of CMJ and a highlight of 2011.

Now Now @ Pianos, CMJ, October 21, 2011

I would have put Now, Now on the list of bands I never expected to see had I not made the decision to go SXSW and CMJ, and really, that's why I like those festivals.  You get a chance to see alot of bands who wouldn't normally pass through your town, well at least not Vancouver.  I'd discovered Now, Now about a year before and couldn't fit them into my SXSW schedule so was pretty happy when they played CMJ.  I liked them alot.  They're young, but their songs are catchy and they play well together.  They have a great stage presence and sounded fantastic.  A band, I hope, on the way up.

Wild Palms @ Spike Hill, CMJ, October 20, 2011

 

Oh wow, they were good.  They had troubles and you could tell they were getting a bit frustrated but it didn't matter ... they were wonderful.  I'm so glad I got a chance to see them play ... I hope it won't be the last time.  This band needs to be discovered.  And soon.

We Were Promised Jetpacks @ The Knitting Factory, CMJ, October 20, 2011

One of the reasons I ended up going to Monolith was because We Were Promised Jetpacks were playing.  I'd discovered them earlier that summer and became a big fan instantly.  I didn't think I'd get a chance to see them for a while so I got on the plane to Colorado.  I ended up seeing them in Chicago about a month later as well.  They finally made their Vancouver debut in February 2010 so, funnily enough, I went from not thinking I'd get a chance to see them to seeing them 3 times in about 6 months.  They're wonderful live so I was pleased at my luck.  And so I found myself in New York having not seen them for 18 months when they announced a show for Brooklyn Vegan during CMJ ... the first song they played was "It's Thunder & Lightning" off their first album, and damn, was it good to hear that played live again.  I'd missed them.  They played the set as a threesome announcing that they wanted a holiday in New York before they started touring and this was the only way to do it.  They were loose and relaxed and they sounded great.