Live Reviews

Live reviews and recaps from around the globe, but typically focused around artists visiting the Pacific Northwest. These posts occasionally include original concert photography.

Hey Marseilles Live in Bellingham

Andy Fenstermaker
December 22, 2010December 30, 2010

There are a few reasons I rarely go to shows, and to be honest it’s a shame. First and foremost is the time of day. I’m usually in bed by 10:30PM, which isn’t conducive to witnessing live music. Second is the awkward moments prior to showtime — inevitably, I am that guy standing in the corner against the wall pretending to be absorbed in texting or Facebooking or Tweeting because, despite arriving 45 minutes after doors, the first band is still nowhere near starting. And I tend not to know anyone either. But really, this is all the precursor to the amazing. Yes, Hey Marseilles blew my socks off. Read More »Hey Marseilles Live in Bellingham

Horse Feathers Live in Pullman

Cyndi
December 20, 2010December 18, 2010

Someone once told me music is a spiritual experience; to listen to it is to allow ourselves to become a part of something intricately beautiful, difficult, and communal. Indeed there is something irrevocably spiritual about the music of Horse Feathers; a depth and lushness in their simple tone and candor that lifts us into a place of rumination. Read More »Horse Feathers Live in Pullman

Jared Mees & The Grown Children: Live at Baby Bar [10.06.10]

Ron Trembath
October 11, 2010November 10, 2010

Located in the heart of downtown Spokane sits what might possibly be the most ill coordinated bars on earth. Yes, for an act to play “Baby Bar” (the actual bar area only being a 12 ft by 12 ft room), actually means you will be squeezing you and your gear into a devastatingly small spot next to a couple of pinball machines in the burrito restaurant that makes up the majority of the building (Neato Burrito, without a doubt the best burrito in Spokane.) But, for the likes of Jared Mees & The Grown Children, it’s just another setting for these folk-oriented indie rockers to showcase their irrefutable talent as not only brilliant musicians, but as a live act that is not to be missed when they pass through your city. Read More »Jared Mees & The Grown Children: Live at Baby Bar [10.06.10]

Finn Riggins: Live at The Empyrean [09.04.2010]

Ron Trembath
September 7, 2010September 6, 2010

The night air is getting chillier here in downtown Spokane. Summer is officially winding down. School started this week, but every hip cat from Lewis & Clark down to Shadle Park High seemed to be at The Empyrean this night. It was obvious they were here mainly in support of a few of their friends, known as Sassmatrons, coming on stage who, despite their youth, showed an immense amount of energy and potential and a very broad range of talent. Despite having a less-than seasoned approach at stage presence, their fellow All-Agers seemed very impressed over all. Read More »Finn Riggins: Live at The Empyrean [09.04.2010]

Show Recommendation: The Mallard

Andy Fenstermaker
August 23, 2010August 30, 2010

mallard

Adorned in a heavy, lo-fi reverb, The Mallard plays light, fluffy garage pop music that a few friends have been raving about of late. They hit me up, thinking I’d like it, and they were right. The band boasts four members; what’s unique, however, is that they all belong to the same body. The body is that of a woman simply titled Greer. The right foot gets the kick drum, the left the hi-hat tambourine. The arms and fingers play guitar, and vocals are left to the mouth. It’s an interesting perspective in which to describe your band, but it fits The Mallard to a T. Read More »Show Recommendation: The Mallard

The Fenbi International Superstars: Live At The Hop & Vine [08.05.10]

Ron Trembath
August 9, 2010August 8, 2010

The stars aligned, and the patio was full. It was another beautiful cigarette burned night in the great city of Portland. And gracing the stage on this weekendâ€™s eve night was none other than one of the finest gaggle of neanderthals to grab a few instruments, as well as a few dozen pints, and put on a display of some of the most exciting world music you could ever hear. The Fenbi International Superstars were out in full force to celebrate Hop & Vineâ€™s 2nd anniversary as an establishment! Mike, Todd, Orion, Riley, and Kris are a group of ill-mannered and well-tempered gentlemen that youâ€™ve probably only read in books about the origin of counter culture. All that estranged and diluted history of the age old Beats, comes back to life through these powerfully talented band of new age merry pranksters. Read More »The Fenbi International Superstars: Live At The Hop & Vine [08.05.10]

The Oregon Donor: Live At The Empyrean [07.22.10]

Ron Trembath
July 27, 2010July 27, 2010

Directly across the street from The Empyreanâ€™s new location stands a major franchised coffee shop that can very well remain nameless (although, not Starbucks). But, there doesnâ€™t seem to be a gathering of Spokaneâ€™s youth decked out in their finest Value Village attire outside of their shop on this fine July night. Is the coffee better here? Or is that strange, mildly majestic indie rock that pours from their doors? Iâ€™m really guessing itâ€™s the latter. Although the coffee is quite good as well. Read More »The Oregon Donor: Live At The Empyrean [07.22.10]

The Hive Dwellers: Live at What The Heck Fest 2010

Andy Fenstermaker
July 21, 2010July 26, 2010

My first Calvin Johnson live experience was in Moscow, Idaho at a little cafe. He stood on this little rickety wooden chair that looked as though it was about to collapse. The room was dark and he towered over everyone. He hit The Business on Saturday at What The Heck Fest and, like that first experience, this one was packed. I could hear him in the background, but the sheer quantity of people packing the small Anacortes record store kept the visuals at a minimum. Thankfully, I had a chance to see him perform yet again that afternoon at Causland Park, this time with the backing band The Hive Dwellers. Read More »The Hive Dwellers: Live at What The Heck Fest 2010

The Gift Machine: Live at What The Heck Fest 2010

Andy Fenstermaker
July 19, 2010July 21, 2010

The Gift Machine is Dave Matthies, who has been writing, recording and performing under the moniker, to my knowledge, since at least 1999 when a track or so of his appeared on a now out of print EP adequately titled Stuff Vol. 1. As many projects with roots in Anacortes and Olympia go, this one hasn’t always been just about Matthies. It has featured the honorable Phil Elverum (Microphones, Mount Eerie) and Karl Blau, among numerous others. Matthies is also one of the founders of What The Heck, so his presence makes perfect sense given his more recent transplantation to San Diego. Read More »The Gift Machine: Live at What The Heck Fest 2010

James Taylor & Carole King: Troubadour Tour Live in Portland

Andy Fenstermaker
May 23, 2010January 23, 2022

Some people grew up with The Beatles or The Beach Boys. Others with Neil Young or the Stones. Some even grew up with AC/DC. In my household it was always James Taylor. My dad was obsessed with the man; no other artist yielded more playing time on the record player (and then later the CD player) than James Taylor. Being a typical kid, I didn’t like it. I had my own style of music. Time passed and early teen became late teen, then twenty-something. And then I changed my mind. I began to see merit in my dad’s steadfast appreciation of Taylor and his music. But I never got around to seeing him live.