Treasure Island Music Festival: Seven reasons to go big

June 12, 2013 by 8 Comments

TIMF-FAN

The seventh annual Treasure Island Music Festival returns October 19-20, and the top-notch lineup is as strong as ever. The acts slated to perform are so good, we suggest that you go big. ‘Going Big’ can mean a lot of things here: Getting a two-day VIP pass, taking in every single set and even riding the Ferris Wheel after a couple of Spicy Pies all count. For the first year, only two-day GA, VIP & parking passes are available for purchase, and there is no guarantee single day passes will be sold.

In honor of the seventh iteration of this quintessential Bay Area Festival, here are seven reasons to go big.

1. Now that is a headliner!

Atoms for Peace

Short of Radiohead, there are few acts as highly sought after as Atoms for Peace. Besides the group’s resounding star power with Thom Yorke and Flea, not to mention Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker and percussionist Mauro Refosco, Atoms are not constant touring machines like some acts on the bill such as Major Lazer or Sleigh Bells. AMOK’s release was months ago, but is still on constant rotation for many (including this writer), but it’s anyone’s guess how some of these dynamic songs will transcribe to a large, live format.

Band members have been leaking footage of their rehearsals on YouTube, and dropping some seriously exciting nuggets of possibility that make their second touring cycle even more thrilling. Case in point: the video of Thom performing 1998’s heralded UNKLE collaboration, “Rabbit in Your Headlights”. Not only is this an amazing track that Radiohead never attempted, but it pretty much confirms the inclusion of non-Atoms material on stage this run. Will the rehearsed Hail to the Thief B-Side “Paperbag Writer” be present on this tour? Well, guess you’ll have to be on the island to see if the Bay Area is graced with one, or more, of these contemporary gems.

2. “All the best Saturdays are spent dancing!”

The Dance Sets – Disclosure, Holy Ghost, DJ Falcon, Major Lazer, Robert DeLong, Phantogram, Poolside

Per the usual, TI will be split stylistically into two days with Saturday being dominated by all things dance and electronic music, so no moping about or standing with your hands in your pockets. Atoms for Peace will close the first day, but the pulsating lead up to the headliners will generate lots of buzz before the final act even struts out. Disclosure finally return to the Bay after their premier show last fall, and with a highly regarded debut record in June, they are sure to gain new fans and get festivalgoers of all ages into a frenzy with their patented house-oriented 2-step/garage hybrid. Holy Ghost! is the newest DFA Records darlings who have been selling out shows and turning heads this spring, even before releasing their much anticipated sophomore effort, Dynamics. Their deep synth-laden take on disco-pop is infectious, so don’t miss this duo. French producer DJ Falcon is yet another act who has been garnering a great deal of attention with his work on Daft Punk’s Random Access Memories – he produced the intense, final track “Contact”. Expect a set heavy on house tunes, and one wouldn’t be remiss in hoping to dance to some Daft cuts during his time slot. 

Major Lazer and Robert Delong will also get the spotlight on Saturday. Major Lazer is backed by the big name that is Diplo, not to mention a sizable stage production, and Robert DeLong is a rising star in his own right. Diplo melds the sounds of the Caribbean into a bass-heavy conglomeration, while DeLong takes his EDM sensibility and mixes in alternative rock influences, creating something partially poppy, but fully pleasing on the dance floor. Each act will showcase the cross-pollination that dance music is currently embracing. 

3. “Logistics matter, folks.”
Treasure-Island-Music-Festival

The venue/setup/schedule

Sure, at first glance the idea of reasonably large festival on the less-than-oft-visited island halfway across the Bay Bridge may seem like a logistical nightmare, but after six years the folks at Another Planet Entertainment and Noise Pop have this event running like a well-oiled machine. For driving patrons, on site parking passes are available, but the sheer majority will be making the pilgrimage to Treasure Island via luxurious busses that are plentiful and organized. The Civic Center will the be launching-off point this year for the second time, as I suppose APE is hopeful the Giants make the playoffs, leaving AT&T park as an unviable option. Once on TI, life is easy – everything is contained and well laid out – making the best use of an otherwise small green-strip of grass facing downtown San Francisco. Lastly, TI’s site says that there will be a carpooling option coming soon, so there may be even more ways to pack onto this tiny rock.

Scheduling music for a large-scale music festival is never an easy venture, and this dubious responsibility is bound to create gripes while pleasing others equally. Alas, this is not an issue at Treasure Island as there is no overlap between artists on the two stages, making any competition a moot point. Another way of saying this is that you can literally see every act, every song and every moment that happens, making it vastly appealing after making grueling decisions at Coachella, Outside Lands and other massive music festivals throughout the summer.

4. “The coolest Scientologist in the World is a headliner.”

Beck

It seems fitting that Beck Hansen stands atop the lineup this year, as he has been rather fond of the Bay Area recently with both a tour warm-up show in Santa Cruz and a feature at Davies Symphony Hall, with both appearances shedding more light on his paper-bound “album”, Song Reader. Beck and band will be heading out in the summer to shake off those touring cobwebs, while likely testing out loads of new tunes of the acoustic variety as part of the Americana-rama tour alongside Bob Dylan and Wilco. “Defriended” is a brand spanking new track on the electronic side of things (view it above), and is chock full of bizarre beats, assaulting drum flourishes and Beck’s characteristic croon soaring high overhead. The increase in Beck news has many music fans eagerly awaiting a new record, and it appears Beck is working on a second album for late 2013 that will be the proper follow-up to 2008’s Modern Guilt. It’s safe to say that the festival will be closed out on Sunday in a show-stopping manner that only Beck can provide.

5. “Sunday was made for rocking!”

The Rock Sets – Japandroids, Sleigh Bells & Palma Violets

Just as Saturday leans towards the cutting edge of electronic music, the rock-leaning acts will likely take to the stages on Sunday. Japandroids, Sleigh Bells, and Palma Violets are three superb groups that will surely bring some seriously needed guitar-driven energy to the masses. Japandroids have been touring furiously behind last year’s heralded release, Celebration Rock, and will thrive in an afternoon slot to those looking for blistering anthemic rock and roll. Similar to Japandroid’s minimal band member formula, singer Alexis Krauss and guitarist Derek Miller combine forces as Sleigh Bells, and after a few months missing from the live circuit they are ramping up again. Their play on dance-noise-punk is slightly electrified and heavy on gripping guitar riffs – Sleigh Bells is sure to get a strong reaction from the crowd. Palma Violets are a newer name that many may have glanced over with the lineup release. These exciting British young’uns are making waves with their patented play on harder-edged Brit-rock, accompanied by a raucous stage presence to match their catchy debut album.

6. “The ideal sunset show.”

James Blake

James Blake’s songs can be enhanced by listening to them at special moments. Fire up “The Wilhelm Scream” at 2am after partying all night or listen to his cover of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” in the early morning for example. But no James Blake live music scenario could possibly be better than an early evening set on Treasure Island with the sun starting to fade behind Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. With golden hour rays of light bathing upon a mellow Sunday crowd, could Blake’s post-dubstep crooning go down in any better environment? The 21st century troubadour released a more cohesive album with his sophomore effort Overgrown in April, and he’ll have this new material ingrained in his psyche by October after playing it live throughout 2013. It doesn’t matter how many red bulls, beers or unknowing friends tempt you to go to the Silent Disco during this set – get close for this one and absorb the mellowed bass blasts.

7. “It all comes back to the Indie sets.”

Animal Collective, Lord Huron, HAIM

Indie rock is always a genre that’s represented at Treasure Island Music Festival, but it’s less present than prior years. Animal Collective and their delirious, neo-psychedelia can be classified in many ways: Certainly they have indie influences present in their sound, but they also purvey elements of experimental freak folk and electronic noise pop that sways between the concepts of repetition and ambience. In a word, Animal Collective is unique, and they curate a live experience that makes it easy to float away from the daily grind. LA-based Lord Huron are pure indie with an Americana bent, and their rolling tunes inspire feelings of big open spaces – perfect for TIMF. Haim, one of the biggest up-and-coming acts around, will make their Bay Area debut at TIMF. The all-female group from Southern California have played in Los Angeles over 20 times, but never for their neighbors to the north. Haim has drawn comparisons to Fleetwood Mac, but their quirky back beat and fast paced lyrics translate to a fascinating contemporary mix of pop, R&B and indie rock.

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The Field gets lost in the Trees at The Indy

June 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

The-FieldPhotos by James Nagel

The Field‘s ‘A/V’ performance at The Independent Thursday night was a bit of a joke – audience expectations were not even close to being met and producer Axel Willner was the only person in on the laugh. Known for his driving, dreamy micro-house production, Axel Willner performed one grand, meandering soundscape for about 45 minutes before calling it a night. The set inspired little to no dancing from the crowd – and attendees seemed ready to let loose. Not a single cut was performed or recreated from his three records – a fact that had the Thursday night crowd scratching their collective heads. When an artist is able to fill a room based on his production catalogue, then does something completely different than expected, it will be perceived either as a risky success or a huge middle finger. The show fell short of expectations and creating something special, a double whammy of disappointment any way you look at it.

About half an hour into the performance, it began to feel like an Andy Kaufman-esque expiriment. People were already trickling out of the venue, and not a semblance of percussion nor a minimalist beat had been incorporated into the droning, atmospheric mental masturbation The Field was generating. Willner looked like he was in a patient daze, more interested in drinking his red wine than giving the crowd what they wanted – something to move to. The first half of the performance proved to be all wandering build-up toward a more thundering and throbbing final 20 minutes. The dreamscape gave way to a loud, repetitious trance that felt like early Animal Collective with muted vocal sampling. Then the set was put to bed slowly while ears were still ringing.

The-Field

Billed as a “completely immersive audio/visual sensory experience”, the show only utilized flat, projected imagery of trees in a forrest. Produced by artist Sonia Alvarez, the video mirrored the music of the night by projecting one long take of a person walking through a forrest with a camera at a high angle. Combined with Willner’s sound, the visuals did give you a feeling of being lost, but not exact immersed. House lights were not used, and the headliner continuously appeared and retreated behind the contrasting visual of trees and sky. To be fully immersive, the set needed more visual support and additional tempo changes.

The-Field

The Field, on the other hand, probably could care less. Willner set out to produce a new concert performance, and based on expectations he basically fell flat on his ass. He has huge balls to hold the audience captive from get go, and it’s remarkable that he never broke into the churning micro-house rhythms he’s know for. The Field should be given some credit for challenging the conventional concept of sound in a live performance, but The Field is just lost in the trees.

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: ,

Festival Review: Showbam-A-Rama at The Airliner in LA

June 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Showbam-A-RamaPhotos by Dan Stensby // Written by Pete Mauch //

Showbam-A-Rama //
Airliner – Los Angeles
June 2nd, 2013 //

Showbams presented the first annual Showbam-A-Rama last Sunday featuring nine up-and-coming bands in the Southern California area at the Airliner.

Chop-Surf

Starting things off with a bang on the Hoe Down stage was Chop Surf, who brought in bassist Ryan Jeffs, which really complimented Paul Caruso on drums. Their set was filled with high-energy surf rock complete with swaying guitar riffs by Ryan Lynch. Jeffs and Lynch even traded instruments for the last song of their set, which showcased their wide range of abilities.

Spoh

Meanwhile upstairs at the Giddy Up stage, Spoh was absolutely killing their set of improv-infused jazz that had the crowd gyrating early in the night. Second song in, they busted out Phish’s “Julius”, which showed Stew Phillips’ lead guitar work à la Trey Anastasio. They closed their set with a jazzed-out version of The Meters’ “Cissy Strut” that had this New Orleans music fan feeling it!

Grizwald

Grizwald came into the Airliner and turned many heads with his one=man band that was full of looping drumbeats and well-executed synth jams. We will be keeping a watchful eye on Grizwald.

Chief

By the time I got upstairs to check out Chief, brothers Danny and Michael Fujikawa had already taken their shirts off so I knew they were down to business. They tore through their set with mighty angst and the crowd ate it up! Chief knows how to harmonize with the best of them, and they showcased that on Sunday. They ended with the one-two punch of “Nice People” and “You Tell Me”, which was well-received from the crowd.

Strandside

Strandside played their set of psychedelic surf rock with great passion, and I really liked how they brought their new singer Nima Kazerouni up at various parts of their set. That truly kept things fresh throughout their performance and had many people talking about their show all night long. A highlight of the evening was the song “Knights Move North” that was played flawlessly. I’m looking forward to catching this South Bay act again soon.

Tall-Tales-and-the-Silver-Lining

Tall Tales and the Silver Lining had a stripped-down band for their set, but that didn’t stop Trever Beld-Jimenez from doing what he does best — captivating the crowd with his amazing voice and great stage presence. On this evening, Jimenez showcased his bass skills and really held his own while Tim Ramsey playing lap steel guitar helped with the overall tone. A surefire highlight of their show was the beautiful cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Gypsy”.

Busy-Living

Busy Living started things off with the title track from their first EP, It’s a War Out There and didn’t let up from there. Mike Moonves led the band through many new songs, including one standout called “LYD” featuring electronic drums that blended perfectly with their sound.

Divola had the evening’s most high-energy performance even though that energy was dark, twisted and had Dion Tomasini in a black ski mask on drums throughout. Thomas Lynch has again proven himself behind the synth, and Justin Jacoby is the most animated on stage as he slays his bass ferociously. This is some seriously good psych-rock.

Shaky-Feelin'

Shaky Feelin’ is a force to be reckoned with on the Ventura jam scene, and they brought their goods to LA with standouts like “Train Station” and “Insider Mind”. Mark Masson on guitar has some ridiculous chops and Franklin Murphy on keys was truly a standout of the evening. They treated the crowd to two great Phish covers in “Possum” and “Back on the Train”.

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PHOTOS: The xx at the Greek 6/1

June 3, 2013 by 1 Comment

The-xxBy Marc Fong & Maggie Corwin //

The xx //
Greek Theatre – Berkeley, CA
June 1st, 2013 //

The xx performed to a packed house on a warm night at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley this past Saturday, putting on another breathtaking show following their Thursday performance at The Fox Theater in Oakland. As minimalist as their music can be at times, they project such a captivating, big sound when they perform live.

Jamie xx’s influence on the group’s performance has made them a better live act; he utilizes his addictive micro house beats to essentially remix their own songs, providing a new beat for Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim’s sultry vocals. Songs also segue seamlessly often, feigning a DJ set.

The group mentioned that they have wanted to play the Greek Theatre for a long time, and they even said this was the biggest show they have played, which seems far-fetched with all the massive festivals they have played. Hyperbole aside, this trio is only getting stronger with each performance. Both Marc Fong and Maggie Corwin were on the scene to capture these moments from the show.

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Outside Lands 2013: 10 sets not to miss

May 14, 2013 by 10 Comments

Outside-Lands-2013

Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival //
Golden Gate Park – San Francisco
August 9th-11th, 2013 //

UPDATE: The Outside Lands schedule has been announced. Check out these conflicts.

The Outside Lands lineup for 2013 has been unleashed, and it’s as strong as ever. We made our predictions, and they were pretty good, but now it’s time to take a look at the sets that peak our interest most.

There are so many incredible artists not listed below, including Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Kurt Vile and A-Trak. But with so many great acts to see (and we’re not even including the comedy tent, the Heineken Dome, late-night shows around SF or possible pop-up shows), it’s good to get an idea of which sets you will want to see, as conflicts will happen. Here are ten sets we’re looking forward to.

Follow our Outside Lands 2013 playlist on Spotify, featuring three tracks from each artist.

Paul McCartney

Were you one to pass up on Stevie Wonder last year for Skrillex? Then this does not matter to you. The ‘law of legend’ applies here — you don’t pass on a set by a member of The Beatles, with the exception of Ringo. Even then you probably should pick a Ringo set. I like dance music plenty, and often an EDM show can be the single most fun thing you can do at a music festival. It’s just not an option here, not for Kaskade or Pretty Lights — have an after-party at your apartment after the festival to make up for it and piss off your neighbors. Paul’s son James will also perform, so look for a father-son collaboration and other special guests. Macca would be an ideal Sunday closing set, but look for Sir Paul to play Friday or Saturday since he has dates scheduled in Canada the Monday through Wednesday after Outside Lands. -MF

Nine Inch Nails

Trent Reznor just cannot slow down. It’s a simple musical fact. Whether it’s winning Academy Awards for the “Social Network” soundtrack or forming a new band with his wife, he never lets up and he has totally reconfigured the 90’s industrial-rock staple that we have grown to love. With Adrian Belew of King Crimson fame playing guitar on NIN’s latest studio effort Hesitation Marks, songs are sure to take on a new identity, which seems to be what Reznor is going for. Add in Josh Eustis of now-defunct Telefon Tel Aviv, and this latest lineup that Reznor has put together is sure to excite the masses in Golden Gate Park. -KQ

UPDATE 5/15: Bassist Eric Avery has decided to quit the band.

Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend has gone from “skip” to “must-see” at Outside Lands with the release of their new album Modern Vampires Of The City, and what a gem it is. It’s convinced me not to skip them this year, unless they are up against personal bucket-lister Sir Paul McCartney. Their live act was beginning to feel stale, but the introduction of inspired new material with improved songwriting makes this Outside Lands set one not to miss. Do yourself a favor – check out Vampire Weekend and their new songs live. -KR

D’Angelo

The R&B genius is back at it after a multiyear hiatus, and this return has been slow and seemingly calculated, making one wonder if an album isn’t too far behind. His recent shows in NYC were widely hailed for their simplicity in intstrumentation, anchored by D’Angelo’s smooth vocals and a mix of old favorites, new offerings and choice covers. One cannot deny the brilliance of albums like VooDoo and Brown Sugar, and though it’s a name from the past for many, he is an artist with a rising stock. -KQ

The National

The nuanced, somber music created by The National is not for everyone, but those who are into The National love them, and for good reason. The knock-you-down then build-you up songwriting structure the Brooklyn-based indie group uses is contemplative yet comforting, and their show setlists include songs from their extensive catalogue. The National’s sixth LP will be available May 21, and you can stream it now (and it’s pretty damn good). The Pro-move here will be ditching a larger group to slinky up to the front of the main stage with a few like-minded friends, as proximity will be key – you’ll want to be closer to swooning super-fans with their hand over their heart as opposed to loud drunk chick inadvertently chatting into your ear during the quiet parts. The National will be performing in Los Angeles Saturday and Sunday, so plan on seeing them Friday. -MF

The Tallest Man on Earth

Kristian Matsson’s one-man show as The Tallest Man on Earth is a bit of a surprise on the bill. The Swedish singer-songwriter is not scheduled to play any other shows in the US after Bonnaroo summer, so San Francisco seems to be getting a one-off treat in August. He’s tenacious on stage, whipping around like a cobra ready to strike at critical moments for added emphasis. Matsson’s gritty, passionate vocals can be hynotic, and The Tallest Man should help music fans float away at the main stage with a mid-afternoon time slot. -MF

FOALS

Already approaching headliner status across the pond, these English rockers produce indie dance-punk that that runs the emotional gamut, from mysterious wall-of-sound ragers (“Inhaler”) to upbeat, rock-your-socks-off party anthems (“My Number”). No matter where the music takes you sonically, it’s pretty impossible to not dance, or at least gyrate when seeing this act live. Their set at Coachella was a top set of the weekend, and word is spreading about their third LP Holy Fire – it’s one of the best records of 2013 so far. FOALs are performing in LA on August 9th, so plan on catching them Saturday or Sunday (and hopefully at a late-night show, fingers crossed). -MF

Gary Clark Jr.

This hard-rocking blues guitarist has been making waves for the past year or two, and is on a meteoric quest to the top. Whether he is sitting in with the Stones in NYC or for the President at the White House, Clark can’t stop turning heads and taking names with his virtuosic guitar chops. Much like Alabama Shakes last year, the popularity of this act lies in a modern spin on Southern music and its palpability to many age groups. Fans of the blues are sure to be pleased as Clark weaves that genre into other styles, creating something fully unique. -KQ

Chromatics

The shimmering beauty from the Chromatics will shower upon Golden Gate Park as they continue to tour on the strength of their 2012 LP Kill for Love. Ruth Radelet’s angelic-cool voice breezes over minimalist noir-electro disco, and their live performance can be serious, sexy and danceable all the same time. Chromatics are one of the only acts in synth-pop territory this year at Outside Lands, so plan on seeing this foursome if you’re a fan of the Drive soundtrack (they were in it). -MF

Atlas Genius

Is Atlas Genius the Foster the People of 2013? When one hears the slickness of summer-tinged track “Trojans,” it’s pretty clear that it’s a strong contender for ‘Song of the Summer.’ One could even dub them part of the ‘Australian Invasion’ over the past few years alongside the likes of Tame Impala, Cut Copy and Empire of the Sun, all heralded acts that Atlas Genius will inevitably be compared to. When It Was Now will certainly fuel their massive summer schedule of festivals galore and loads more radio airplay. -KQ

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Soundgarden play secret Live 105 acoustic show in SF

April 15, 2013 by Leave a Comment

SoundgardenBy Marc Fong //

Soundgarden //
Harlot – San Francisco
April 12th, 2013 //

LIVE 105 presented an exclusive Soundgarden session at Harlot in SF last Friday.

Chris Cornell (lead vocals, rhythm guitar) and Ben Shepard (bass, backing vocals) performed an abbreviated acoustic set that included “Blow Up the Outside” and “Half Way There.”

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Erykah Badu & The Coup ring in the New Year at Fox Theater Oakland

January 3, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Erykah BaduBy Marc Fong //

Erykah Badu with The Coup, Syd tha Kid //
Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland
December 31st, 2012 //

It was an activist-themed New Year’s Eve this week in Oakland as Erykah Badu and her awesome hair headlined the Fox Theater to ring in 2013.

Local hip-hop and funk-rock heroes The Coup founded in 1991 by rapper Boots Riley delivered a strong set as always before “the queen of neo-soul” took the stage as the evening’s main event.

Happy New Year!

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Jus†ice are masters at playing with an audience’s expectations, particularly at The Warfield

November 7, 2012 by 2 Comments

By Mike Frash //

Jus†ice //
The Warfield – San Francisco
November 4th, 2015 //

Jus†ice have gotten really good at remixing themselves. In fact, the French duo Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay may be the best button pushers in the game. They don’t simply play tracks from their two albums and singles; they mash two songs together or even mix in sounds from a third song throughout the mash-up.

For example, halfway through the opening song “Genesis,” the duo sample in “Civilization” as a preview but instead of fully launching into the Audio, Video, Disco lead single, they overlayed “Helix” in slowly until it fully took over. “Civilization” finally took center stage a few songs later.

Anyone unfamiliar with Jus†ice’s tracks would take Jus†ice’s live show as one big set of unpredictable builds & drops, rock, metal & industrial crunch sounds, and a variety of beats that keep it all moving. But to those who know the group’s catalog, it’s clear that Gaspard and Xavier seriously like to fuck with audience expectations. They only use songs, sounds and remixes they created, but they throw it all into a bouillabaisse of sound.

Ultimately this creates an unpredictable experience that keeps your mind active and your feed moving, and it all adds up to a memorable event. Throw in a group of like-minded friends, and you can’t go wrong.

Show Notes:

• This was the third time Jus†ice visited the Bay Area this year, and it’s most likely the last trip through the bay supporting Audio, Video, Disco. After seeing a shortened 20 minute set at Coachella, then nearly getting crushed to death at Outside Lands, this double redemption show delivered exactly what I was looking for.

• It’s a good choice for Jus†ice not to play “D.A.N.C.E.” in it’s original form, and their newest remix of their most popular song was a nice treat.

• “Stress” is used as it always has, as a critical bridge from the first two-thirds of the show into the final phase. The tension from the song builds and builds, sirens flash, until it finally gives way to the euphoric anthem “We Are Your Friends”, which appeared three or four times throughout the evening.


Jus†ice steps up the tention for the set bridging track “Stress”

• The encore lasted for about 25 minutes, and “On’n’On” into “Phantom, Part 2” was downright devilish. Jus†ice came on at 9:15 p.m. sharp and it was all over by 10:40 p.m. They had a long goodbye at the front of the stage as “Parade” played.

• The lighting artist is pretty much the third member of Justice, and he looked busier than Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay most of the night.

• Xavier de Rosnay still smokes cigarettes like they never went out of style.

Setlist:
The Star-Spangled Banner Intro
Genesis
Helix (‘Civilization’ mixed in as intro)
Phantom, Part 1
Civilization (‘Newjack’ mixed in as intro)
Canon
D.A.N.C.E (Rehearsal Version)
D.A.N.C.E (Justice Remix Version)
Horsepower (Large portion of ‘DVNO’ mixed in as intro)
New Lands (Samples of ‘Let There Be Light’)
Stress
Waters of Nazareth (Featured large elements of ‘We Are Your Friends’)
Audio, Video, Disco (Also incorporated elements of ‘We Are Your Friends’)

Encore:
On’n’On
Phantom, Part 2 (Remix incorporating elements of the Soulwax Remix and ‘We Are Your Friends’)
Parade (Played while they said goodbye and left)

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Ultraísta reveals Nigel Godrich’s influence on Radiohead & his star-making ability

October 24, 2012 by 3 Comments

By Mike Frash //

Ultraísta //
The Independent – San Francisco
October 22nd, 2013 //

The accomplished Nigel Godrich came to SF on Monday to perform at a very undersold Independent with his new synth- and loop-heavy trio Ultraísta.

Godrich has produced every Radiohead album since OK Computer and tours with the group as their unofficial sixth member. He’s also in Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke’s side project Atoms for Peace along with Ultraísta drummer Joey Waronker and has produced albums for U2, Pavement and Paul McCartney, amongst others. His work with Ultraísta continues the musical sound he has developed with Yorke over the last 5 years, but his biggest accomplishment with his new group is recruiting newcomer Laura Bettinson.

Bettinson exudes a confidence and swagger that is youthful and real, and her hypnotic voice plays as an instrument, much like Yorke’s, and it matches her strikingly attractive look. But, the night was not perfect by any means. Upon the first notes of the night, Nigel had to abort the opening song due to a technical issue. They pleaded for 3 minutes, left the stage, and restarted. They came out to 100, maybe 150 people total. The projector, which plays as the one and only (and extremely effective) visual effect, went off kilter for the first couple songs. You could tell there was a slight bit of frustration with Bettinson.

After a lukewarm applause, or the fact that not many turned out the night of a Giant’s pennant clinching game, a presidential debate & pouring rain, she said “It’s very quiet. It’s like playing in someone’s living room.” That got a certain perturbed audience response, but she replied “It’s not a bad thing!” Bettingson’s subtle frustration didn’t really matter, as her stage presence, sex appeal and technical proficiency with her vocals & dexterity in looping them packaged well.

Ultraísta has no overhead lighting in their live show, and they defer to a stage-facing projector that exhibits flat light, and this replicates their music videos. They project a technicolor kaleidoscope of drenched light directly onto Bettingson, and it makes for a washed out yet very cinematic aesthetic. But the lighting effect ultimately starts to feel familiar as you adjust to it, and it lines up with the repetition of the vocal loops, synth & rhythm. It all adds up to a live musical experience that puts you into a trance.

This repetitious formula is one that reflects Yorke’s solo LP The Eraser and the most recent Radiohead album The King of Limbs, and it reveals Godrich’s influence on Yorke and the gang.

Ultimately Ultraísta is a band with much potential. They played a 7 or 8 song set that wasn’t over an hour. It seemed they didn’t play a full show since there weren’t many people present, and because they didn’t get a huge reaction throughout the night. But Ultraísta has a leg up with Nigel Godrich on board leading the ship; it ensures they can secure venues and people will usually come. But to get bigger, they need to make the people that do come to see them perform leave the show with a sense of discovery, and then feel the need to tell their friends. This didn’t exactly happen on Monday night, but the group most likely could ‘wow’ their audience on a different night.

Two things were confirmed watching Ultraísta’s set: Godrich is the influence that we all think he is on Radiohead, and Bettinson is a star in the making — with or without Ultraísta.

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Hot Chip prove to us at the Fox Theater Oakland that they are not LCD Soundsystem

September 13, 2012 by Leave a Comment

By Mike Frash //

Hot Chip //
Fox Theater Oakland – Oakland
September 11th, 2012 //

English synthpop outfit Hot Chip has been crowned the reigning king of the electronic/indie/dance scene since LCD Soundsystem hung it up.

There are many reasons this comparison is ever-present. They share a love of synth, dance beats, 70’s grooves and building a wall of sound with more musicians than the typical live act utilizes. These two groups refreshingly have delivered electronic dance music through live instruments — something lost to many electronic music performers in the year 2012. Al Doyle plays guitar, synthesizer, percussion, bass and performs backup vocals in Hot Chip. He literally did all that as a member of LCD Soundsystem, except he did not back up James Murphy on vocals. Both groups are loved by indie-rock and dance fans, and their music in a live setting uses percussion as a leading force to improvise and give concertgoers that feeling of the unexpected.

The comparison ultimately falls short when it comes to vocals, though. James Murphy is the king of personality and one of the most charismatic frontmen in music history. Alexis Taylor simply is not. At times on Tuesday night at the Fox Theater, it was hard to find Taylor onstage. So in the end, the comparison is not really valid. That said, Taylor’s voice blends with the instruments more than Murphy’s voice, which often would contrast abrasively (and awesomely) to LCD’s instrumental sound. Taylor’s vocal style is rooted in R&B, while Murphy’s voice is somewhere between punk rock and David Byrne. But LCD is dead (for now) and Hot Chip is alive, so let’s enjoy what we have.

The first eight songs of the set had everyone moving. “Shake a Fist” was an ideal opener, setting the tone with laser zap sounds and visuals that must have caused at least one minor seizure. The following four songs probably sounded like one epically long jam to anyone in attendance that isn’t familiar with the Hot Chip catalog. “Boy From School”, “Don’t Deny your Heart”, “One Life Stand” and “Night & Day” are tracks that employ a steady 128 beats per minute. The songs segued one into the other, allowing no time for resting.

“Night & Day” gave way to “Flutes,” the best track from Hot Chip’s new album, In Our Heads, which the band is currently touring to support. The one-two punch of ‘Flutes’ into fan favorite “Over & Over” was a clear highlight of the night for many in attendance. These two songs slowed down the tempo from the previous bunch of songs, but at the same time, the energy in the room picked up.

The following two songs, “These Chains” and “The Warning”, slowed things down to a halt. This mid show lull actually worked nicely to split the show in half between the first part, full of dancy hits, and the second part of the show, which provided songs that peaked harder and provided a bit more improvisation than the first set.

“How Do You Do” and “Ready for the Floor” set up the second half of the show for success. The group then covered Fleetwood Mac’s “Everywhere”. This was a lovely song to cover, as Taylor’s voice mirrors the vocal range and pitch of Christine McVie’s voice nicely. “Hold On” ended the first set with an epic climax, book-ending the set with extended songs that peaked with rapid strobe lights and lazer beams.

The encore began with a rarity, as “Crap Kraft Dinner” was played for the first time in four years. This bust out was a set-up song for the final tune of the night, “I Feel Better”. When Taylor crooned “This is the longest night,” it seemed like the encore might continue on for a bit. But that was it, and once it was over, the show felt short.

Bottom Line: Hot Chip is a guaranteed dance party if that’s what you’re looking for. The drum and bass elements drive the group’s sound in a live setting, making Alexis Taylor’s vocals seem secondary.

Watch part of “How Do You Do” filmed by Kevin Raos below and listen to our Hot Chip playlist here.

Filed Under: Editor's Picks, Featured, Live Music Reviews Tagged With: , , ,
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