We started out the evening with dinner at Great Dane. They brew their own beers, as well as root beer and cream soda, which were both very good. The best part about Madison? Everything is smoke free. It's so awesome. Milwaukee needs to catch on and join the smoke free party. Then maybe I can go bowling again.
The entire concert can be likened unto a dinner at a fancy restaurant. The main course, is of course, Rooney. Not only is it the main course, but it's the best of the best, the filet mignon. However, it's like I've only had take-out filet, having only heard them on CD, never live.
So we get to the venue, which looks to be a shady little bar/nightclub, and I put on my bib, ready to partake of some delicious musical eats. We wait to get in, and the hall is pretty small. Smaller than a basketball court maybe? Very intimate. We find some barstools and wait for the opening act.
First course: The Bridges. The warm bread and butter, if you will. A chick band from Alabama, I was a little skeptical. However, it was great. Just like bread, it was wholesome and comforting. They had great harmonies, and catchy little tunes. And everything about their sound was very clear and clean. They are like a folksy Wilson Phillips. They play a 30 minute set and call it a night. We liked them so much, I bought an EP for $5. I'm all about supporting the little guys, or girls in this case, and shamelessly raping the big bad giants. After sufficiently whetting our appetite, I was ready for the next course. So far I'm really liking this restaurant, even though I have to work my way through a few courses. But I'm totally anticipating the main course.
Second course: Locksley. Local band from Madison. All dudes. The soup portion of our meal. They were ok. Not awesome, but not awful either. You can suck down a few spoonfuls of the pea soup, but after awhile it starts to get cold, and congealed, and this gross little film on top, and you're just ready for the server to take it away. I did check these guys out online and their recordings sounded better than their live performance. To top it off, they had the most annoying stage presence. Just making stupid jokes and being dumb. The had an almost Beatles-esque sound to them, but I won't give them that much credit. Their sound was muddy. Not very clean. I was waiting for them to end. 45 minutes and they finally stop. Most of the crowd leaves, which surprised me a little. However, I realize the people leaving are all over 40, and probably parents and friends of parents of the band. By now I'm getting scared that maybe Rooney won't be any good live. Maybe the main course will be terrible, and we'll have to stop at McDonald's on the way home just to fill up. I prayed that wouldn't be the case.
Main course: Rooney First bite and I knew I was in love. Perfectly balanced, crystal clear, and just heavenly. They were amazing. They played a mix of songs from both of their albums, including a few covers. They played for an hour and 15 minutes, and it went by way too fast. And the lead singer is just adorable. It really was so good. And it's so sad more people don't know about them. I only know about them because of The O.C. And halfway through the show I realized that that would be the closest I might ever get to Adam Brody.
And speaking of The O.C., there was a guy there who looked identical to Johnny from The O.C. You know, the surfer guy who falls for Marissa then gets drunk and falls off a cliff and dies? I was sure it was him. I practically stared at him the whole night debating. Finally, it was driving me so crazy, I just went up to him, and asked him if he was an actor. He wasn't, but he did say that he got that a lot. So I'm not the only crazy person.
Overall, great night. I left feeling full, but not stuffed. Perfectly satisfied. Seeing them live made me love them even more. I love going to concerts. I love the live music feel. Summerfest is coming up, and I can't wait to see who's playing. And of course then I'll be bummed b/c all the bands I want to see will play while we're in California at the beach. Vampire Weekend plays in Chicago July 19. NKOTB plays in Chicago October 4. Panic at the Disco, Maroon 5, Jack Johnson, and Asia are just a few other ones that are coming. I could spend my entire life going to shows. Who wants to join me?
1 comment:
You know what I bet you're thinking with this post? You spent all of this time putting it together, and actually felt like you came up with a well-crafted piece of work and nobody is acknowledging your handiwork. And you what? I think you're totally valid in feeling that way. This is a really well-written post and even if the reader doesn't necessarily love these bands, that person still gets a vivid and entertaining description of the concert as it transpired.
Remember the concert review blog I want to do? Based on the body of evidence, I would like to extend an offer to you to be my sister blog affiliate out in Wisconsin. You feelin' me? I'll bet nobody's eyes but yours catch this comment, and that's a damn shame.
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