2014: My Favorite Live Shows

I was blessed to attend a myriad of great live music this year in Milwaukee.  The following are my favorites.  Granted, there was a lot of exceptional music that occurred in the city this year that I did not see-- the Pearl Jam and Outkast shows were ones that have gotten universally rave reviews that  missed out on.  But, overall, I'd say this was one of the stronger years in recent memory for great live shows in diverse venues all across town.

Opening Act of the Year:
Sylvan Esso surprise opener for Volcano Choir 
-Volcano Choir was good, Sylvan Esso was great, and put on an equally engaging performance as Justin Vernon and the Volcano Choir boys  with nothing short of a flawless support set which featured the band at its energetic best.

Best Local Show of the Year:
Buffalo Gospel- Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company 12/20/14
-If Buffalo Gospel didn't tell you that their first trip to Madison was the night before, you would be hard pressed to believe that this superb Americana act is still at the local level.  Their musicianship is up there with top national acts.

Will's Favorite Concerts of 2014:

11.  Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, Shank Hall, 6/17/14

-Nicki Bluhm is the real deal in terms of being a charismatic front woman with an outstanding voice. Her band, the Gramblers, produce great country-inspired rock.  I knew hardly any songs going into this show and left thoroughly "wowed."

10.  Spoon, Riverside Theater, 9/17/14
-Consistency is hard to maintain in the music business, but Spoon has become one of the most predictably good acts out there.  Their live show had a set list spanning their robust catalog and their energy was fantastic.  

09.  First Aid Kit- Bradley Theater at Lakeland College, 11/21/14
-The harmonies from the Soderberg sisters were breathtaking, as was catching a white hot band in a tiny venue.  Kudos to Lakeland College for booking this one.

08. Field Report, Pabst Theater, 10/1/14

-Marigolden comes across live as good if not better than it does on disc.  A remarkably polite and courteous crowd gave local singer-songwriter, Christopher Porterfield, a hero's welcome.  After all, it was "Field Report Day" in Milwaukee.

07.  Jack White, The Eagles Ballroom, 7/21/14 

-One could argue that Jack White personifies modern rock 'n roll, and personally I'd have a hard time refuting that statement.  White is a true rock showman, and had his fans engaged from start to finish on a sweaty night in the venue that smells most like arm pits in Milwaukee-- The Eagles Ballroom

06.    St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Cedarburg Summer Sounds, 8/1/14
-You couldn't ask for more energy in a soul band for over an hour and a half than you got from St. Paul and the Broken Bones, who played the Cedarburg Summer Sounds series.  The ambiance of a scenic outdoor setting on a beautiful summer's night added to the ambiance of this stellar performance.

05. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Pabst Theater 3/6/14
-I don't think a smile left my face for the two hour performance by Sharon Jones and her all-star backing band, the Dap Kings.  This is the most energetic performer out there in terms of raw energy and emotion- bar none.  The fact that she is returning to the road after a battle with cancer makes this show even more of a "wow."

04.   The War on Drugs, Pabst Theater, 9/20/14
-I had the pleasure of seeing the War on Drugs both at the Pabst as well as at the Metro in Chicago when their tour kicked off in March.  The September outing showcased a more polished live show of a band who reached a critical high this year.

03.  Tweedy, Pabst Theater 6/16/14 

-I have never seen a more engaging performance of a band who sold out the Pabst without the audience knowing any tunes from the band's first set, as Sukierae, didn't come out until September.  That said, Jeff Tweedy, son Spencer, and their band delivered a superb performance which one could argue even over shadowed some of Jeff's solo material from the same evening.

02. Trey Anastasio Band- Pabst Theater, Pabst Theater, 2/5/14 

-There are nights when musicians are really on, and I'd argue that I have never seen Trey Anastasio in finer form than I did at the Pabst on 2/5/14.  Listening to the live recording of this show, you can really tell how "into it" Trey was.

01.  Wilco, Riverside Theater, 12/3/14   

-Favorite band.  Front row.  Wonderful and robust thirty-song set list that spanned the band's career.  What more can one ask for?  This was the best I've seen Wilco perform in Milwaukee since their 2009 two-night run at the Pabst Theater.

Buffalo Gospel- Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company, 12/20/14

photo courtesy of GigShots by Stephen Bloch

When you think of Americana music, what comes to mind?  According to the Americana Music Association, "Americana" is defined as, "contemporary music that incorporates elements of various American roots music styles, including country, roots-rock, folk, bluegrass, R&B and blues, resulting in a distinctive roots-oriented sound that lives in a world apart from the pure forms of the genres upon which it may draw."  For a simpler definition, I'd invite you to listen to Buffalo Gospel a band who has been called Milwaukee's best kept musical secret by many concert goers and critics. After checking them out in the beautiful confines of the Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company, it is easy to see why.   Blending vivid narrative songwriting, ethereal harmonizing, and a musical line-up featuring acoustic and electric guitars, bass, mandolin, fiddle and brilliant brush drumming, Buffalo Gospel proved to be the "real deal," when they played last Saturday at Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company in Walker's Point.

Fronted by singer-songwriter, Ryan Necci, Buffalo Gospel performed a fifteen song set which focused on their 2013 release We Can Be Horses, along with a smattering of older material and new track, "Here Lies Our Lovin'."  At Saturday's show, the band performed as an eight piece with Christopher Porterfield of Field Report joining his friends as a guest guitarist.  The guitar work in Buffalo Gospel is noteworthy, as Necci plays in a very unique style- one I've never seen before in fact- using a capo and also his left thumb to bar the chords on his acoustic guitar.  Allen Cote, who plays electric guitar, punctuates songs with his creatively-energizing fills and riffs, and Porterfield's proficient rhythm work added the create a full and rich sound.  Adding layers to the sound were violinist John Patek and mandolin player/vocalist Ryan Ogburn.  Another key component of this band is the wonderful harmonies between Necci and fellow vocalist, Heidi Spencer.  The interplay between these two talented musicians reminded me a bit of the Decemberists with Colin Meloy and Jenny Conlee.  

photo courtesy of Stephen Kallao

There was a real sense of community between the artists and the audience at this show, which made it feel more like a holiday gathering of friends- new and old- and less of a "concert," so to speak.  To quote, my friend, and Juniper Tar member, Aaron Schleicher, "you won't find a more polite group of folks than these guys."  I could not agree more.  There is a sincerity in the music that comes across even more so when you meet the musicians themselves.  I think it's this tangible "realness" that makes Buffalo Gospel's music resonate with its listeners.  

Opening for Buffalo Gospel were two very talented acts, Simon Balto and Heidi Spencer and the Rare Birds, both who delivered quality sets of music. Spencer's set included the use of Anodyne's house piano which added an extra element of honky tonk to her tunes.

Also, noteworthy in this performance was the venue itself.  The Anodyne Coffee Roasting Company was clearly the best smelling venue I've been in ever!  Instead of the smell of hard cleaners and stale beer which often accompanies small clubs, imagine the rich aromas of fresh coffee and tea permeating throughout the building.  Adding the the ambiance was a truly pristine acoustical set up. which worked wonderfully for all of the acts.  I would easily go see another show here based on venue alone.  Along with the Cedarburg Cultural Center, I'd call Anodyne a "must visit" venue for good music. 


Setlist:
Mule
Hill Outside My Home
Song of the Ox
The Northern
The Southern
The Eastern
The Western (The Devil Is Me)
Rock Island
Here Lies Our Lovin'
Hoarse as a Crow
If I Was the Last Man
When God's Away On Business
Son of a Gun 
All That I Got Left
Letters to Geo

MKE Rocks: Top 14 for 2014

Here we go with my favs of '14...

14. Spoon- They Want My Soul

Austin, Texas's most consistently good rock band, produced another gem of three chord guitar hooks this year with They Want My Soul.  The signature Spoon sound is alive and well with tracks like "Rent I Pay," and "Knock Knock Knock."  

13. Sturgill Simpson- Meglamodern Sounds of Modern Country

This Louisville based troubadour exploded onto the scene with a traditional country style of songwriting.  His narrative tales and expert slide guitar work make this a standout release.  "Turtles on the Way Down," "Long White Line," and "It Ain't All Flowers" are exceptional numbers on the disc,

12.  Sylvan Esso- Sylvan Esso

The debut record from this electro-pop duo is infectious.  Driven by Nick Sanborn's expert beats and loops, and Amelia Randall Meath's unique vocal flow, Slyan Esso delivers a whole lot of sound for just two people.  "Coffee," "H.S.N.T.," and "Play It Right," are great tracks that showcase this artist's unique sound.



11.  Woods- With Light and With Love

Woods, a Brooklyn-based psychedelic folk-rock band released a gem this year.  Their sound has a jammy element coupled with more poppy vocals and arrangements.  The album showcases the diversity of this band.  The title track is a near 10 minute epic of a jam.  Other highlights include the more accessible, "Moving to the Left," and "Shining,"

10.  St. Paul and the Broken Bones- St. Paul and the Broken Bones

The big band soul sound of this outfit from Birmingham, Alabama fills the room.  Singer Paul Janeway has a mighty set of pipes which propels this young soul-revivalist band forward into fresh territory.  Their album is solid, but pales in comparison to their live show.  "Like A Mighty River," is the strongest tune off the record, followed closely by "Call Me," and "Broken Bones and Pocket Change."


9.  Ryan Adams- Ryan Adams
While not quite a comeback record, Adams delivered a very strong release that is up there with some of his better work of his career.  Adams is a true master songwriter as evidenced by rocking numbers like "Gimme Something Good," "Feels Like Fire," and "Stay With Me," alongside slower ballads like, my personal favorite, "My Wrecking Ball."

 

8.  Strand of Oaks- HEAL
An emotionally raw record from start to finish, Timothy Showalter delivers on Strand of Oaks's most recent release, HEAL. This record functions well as a whole piece as well as in individual tracks.  The first track, "Goshen '97" featuring J. Mascias of Dinosaur Jr. fame on guitar is a blistering rocker that drives the record towards other highlights like, "JM," "Shut In," and "Mirage Year."

 

7.  Tweedy- Sukaire
Jeff Tweedy and son Spencer's project ranges from folksy numbers to more experimental rock. While you can hear the Wilco frontman's trademark vocal style, this is a an album that stands alone as a solid record.  The playful "Summer Noon," country-rocker, "Fake Fir Coat," and jammy "Diamond Light, Part 1" stand out on this diverse record.

6.  Jack White- Lazaretto

You can't find too many artists who can genre blend as nimbly as Jack White.  Lazaretto has strong tracks that would be considered rock, blues, and country all on one disc.  The driving instrumental "High Ball Stepper," hard rocking title track, "Lazaretto," and laid back, alt-country tune, "Higher Ground," illustrate this point on White's follow-up to my 2012 album of the year, "Blunderbuss."

5. Beck- Morning Phase
Beck released what I consider to be one of his all time finest records this year.  Morning Phase sees the prolific artist in more a singer-songwriter mode, masterfully telling tales.  It is hard to believe that this is the same guy who brought us Odelay nearly 20 years ago!  "Morning," and "Heart is a Drum" are two of the classic tunes this record provides.  With thoughtful, well-constructed lyrics and melodies this will be a go-to record for some time.

4.  Real Estate- Atlas
The third record from this Brooklyn indie rock band sees them at their finest as songwriters and musicians.  Dreamy tunes like, "Past Lives," and "Crime" suck you in, alongside more sweeping rock tunes like, the stand out, "Had to Hear."  This band is tops on my "need to see live" list, as they continue to progress and hone their craft.  

3.  First Aid Kit- Stay Gold

The Swedish indie folk duo of Johanna and Klara Soderberg released a beautiful record this year, chucked full of pitch perfect harmonies, clever guitar arrangements, and reflective lyrics.  Folk music is nothing new, but these two sisters give it a catchy modern take.  "My Silver Lining," "Stay Gold," and "Waitress Song," help anchor this outstanding record from start to finish.

2.  Field Report- Marigolden
Marigolden is an exceptional record from start to finish which layers sounds on top of one another to create complex arrangements. Catchy melodies, great lyrics and a diverse pallet of music drives this record home.  You know an album is great when you listen to songs over and over and still get goosebumps.  While the whole album is fabulous, "Home (Leave the Lights On)," "Wings," and "Summons" are three of the best.

1.  War on Drugs- Lot in a Dream
Lushly layered instruments, exquisite production, and ultimately creative and contemplative songs make this year's "Album of the Year" a shoe in from early March.  War on Drugs is a progressive rock band hitting their stride.  Every time I listen to Lost in a Dream I discover something new.  This is the mark of a piece of music that is likely to withstand the test of time.  It is simply beautiful from start to finish.  "Under the Pressure," "Burning," "Eyes to the Wind," and my personal favorite, "In Reverse," are all A+ tracks.

Volcano Choir- Turner Hall, 11/30/14

Photo by CJ Foeckler Photography

For folks passionate about music that has gained national acclaim coming from the "Dairy State," Volcano Choir's show at Tuner Hall quickly became the hot ticket in town.  Volcano Choir started their "Repave" tour at the historic Pabst Theater in September, 2013, and chose to conclude their tour a little more than a year later at the Turner Hall Ballroom on November 30th.

For their part, Volcano Choir stayed true to form, performing an array of songs from their two releases, last year's critically acclaimed Repave, and 2008's Unmap. Volcano Choir played a rich set highlighting tracks from both records backed with a wide array of sonic effects and an intriguing light show which featured lights bouncing off of a textured canvass.  For his part, Justin Vernon, Volcano Choir's front man, stood behind a podium of sorts, performing more electronic arrangements.  Volcano Choir's sound is complex, layered, and often times even a little "out there."  They are very good at what they do, and for an experimental folk band that pushes the boundaries a bit, I commend Volcano Choir's effort.  Highlights included, the bombastic "Tideway," the first track from Repave, the groove laden "Acetate," and the show highlight, as far as I was concerned, the dramatic "Byegone." As a band, the material from Repave seemed to fit their live show a little better than some of the slower numbers from Unmap.  With that said, tunes like "Island IS" translated well live and had more energy than on the record. A good sign of things to come, a new track called, "The Agreement," would rival only "Byegone" as the most engaging number of the night, showing that the band is continue to forge along creating new and interesting sounds.

The special surprise opener for Volcano Choir was Slyan Esso, and I must admit that their high energy and animated set upstaged the headliner.  The duo jumped on stage (literally) with Nick Sanborn (a Milwaukee native who played most notionally in Decibully) donned in a Milwaukee Bucks basketball jersey and vocalist Amelia Meath in a black dance dress and tights.  The duo proceeded to mix beats and dance throughout the opener's 45 minute set.  Sylvan Esso had the jam-packed Turner Hall Ballroom bopping along to their electo-pop sounds.  Highlights included blistering tracks off of their 2014 debut record including, "Dreamy Bruises," "H.S.K.T.," and their hit, "Coffee," which features vocalist Amelia Meath's sultry swagger and original flow. The crowd exploded with as warm of a reaction as I've ever seen for a support act.  After all, Meath addressed the crowd saying that when they were just getting started Volcano Choir took them out on their first tour.  Sylvan Esso's top notch performance will rank in my top shows of the year list and made me feel like I was really getting two headlining performances for the price of one.

Photos by CJ Foeckler Photography

Sturgill Simpson- Turner Hall, 12/5/14

photo by Melissa Miller Music Photography

 Sturgill Simpson is an artist who has exploded upon the scene, often heralded as the "new voice" in traditional country music.  His most recent release, Metamodern Sounds of Country Music has drawn significant critical praise in all sorts of music circles, and has also earned him a Grammy nomination for best Americana record.   I went to Turner Hall to check out this songwriter and guitarist and see what all the buzz was about.  I left with my expectations well-exceeded.  Simpson, at one point in the set, commented on how, "last year when he played Turner Hall there were maybe 150 people there, and now everyone seems like they've brought six more of their friends."  This is an artist who is growing in popularity quickly and I have a feeling will be playing much larger venues in the future.  

photo by Melissa Miller Music Photography

Simpson, as a songwriter, tells personal tales with an outlaw country edge, much in the tradition of the iconic troubadours who have proceeded him.  His music invokes a spirit of Wayland Jennings or Willie Nelson in the 70's.

Simpson's ninety minute set blended elements of traditional country, Americana and jam band. While Simpson was a stand out performer and guitarist on his own, his band carried the set, driven by the exceptional brush drumming of Miles Miller, and the slide guitar genius of Laur Joamets, who invoked the spirit of Duane Allman on some of his jams and riffs.

The crowd who came out to see Sturgill Simpson was pretty diverse, while mostly male.  You had hipsters standing alongside folks in Wranglers and cowboy hats, equally taking in the ambiance and music of a singer-songwriter clearly on the rise.

photo by Melissa Miller Music Photography

For an opening act, Lucette, provided some beautiful country-tinged singer-songwriter music.  Her cover of Ryan Adams's classic, "Oh Sweet Carolina," was delivered with passion and poise with just Lucette and her keyboard. Despite the loud crowd, Lucette's keyboard and cello-based tunes were well-received.

Wilco- Riverside Theater, 12/3/14

photo by Stephen Bloch

"Good evening Milwaukee... our home away from home," Wilco troubadour Jeff Tweedy exclaimed, smiling sheepishly at the capacity crowd which filled the Riverside Theater on a chilly December Wednesday to see Wilco’s 20^th Anniversary Tour’s stop in Milwaukee.  Mr. Tweedy was right—Milwaukee has been a second home to the Chicago-based sextet over the past two decades, which has seen the band rise from a H.O.R.D.E Fest side stage opener, to a small club act, to a Summerfest side stage headliner, to headlining the Rave and Eagles Ballroom, to a perennial Riverside theater sell-out. 

In many respects, Wilco has grown from a band that was once thought of as a shoot off of former alt-country juggernaut Uncle Tupelo, to a musical pioneer who has helped usher in an era of singer-songwriter driven indie rock with their masterpiece release, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot in 2002.

As a music fan, Wilco is undeniably my favorite band, and has pretty much provided a sound track to my post-UW Madison adult years.  Judging by the demographic of the crowd that packed the Riverside Theater, I am not the only one of my generation who has felt a personal connection with this band. 

Wilco is an act that is both comfortably familiar and ruthlessly challenging for its listeners all at the same time.  Instrumentally, they are fronted by a singer-songwriter who has mastered the art of crafting narrative tales with plenty of negative space for the listener to interact with to make the songs personal to him or her.  Couple that with an all-star line up of musicians and you have your rock ‘n roll equivalent of the 1992 Olympic men’s basketball dream team—a group that can function beyond proficiently on its own, and truly exceptionally as a whole unit.  On lead guitar is virtuoso experimental axesmith, Nels Cline, whose chops are on par with anyone in the music industry.   A vibrant drummer/percussionist, Glen Kotche, can be seen one minute heavily pounding the toms and the next using jingle bells as his drums sticks on his kit.  Founding member, John Stirratt is the glue of the whole operation, driving rhythms and grooves to the songs, and providing the majority of the secondary vocals for the band.  Add in keyboardist Mikael Jorgensen and multi-instrumentalist, Pat Sansone, and you have a band that can take Wilco’s signature layered sound on their albums and not only recreate the music, but push it to the next level in a live setting. 

photo by Stephen Bloch

For their set, Wilco was Wilco… providing familiar numbers alongside deep cuts.  It was clear from the start that this was a unique performance, as the winter leg of their “20^th Anniversary Tour” consisted of only the Milwaukee performance alongside a multi-night Chicago residency at the Riveria Theater where the band vows to play their entire catalogue of material in one form or another.

The concert featured thirty tunes that spanned the band’s career, alternating between familiar material for most fans, to deep cuts that even I had to scratch my head to determine the title of the song.  The show, which lasted over two and a half hours, never lost energy and was masterfully crafted to allow the listeners to sing along with some numbers and experience the joy of lesser known tracks side-by-side.  Some highlights included: “Poor Places,” the second track of the evening, and penultimate number from 2002’s historic Yankee Hotel Foxtrot record segueing into “Art of Almost,” the first track off of the band’s most recent studio endeavor, The Whole Love from 2011.  “Cars Can’t Escape,” a track off of an Australian released EP that followed 2004’s A Ghost is Born sounded fresh and vibrant and led into a show highlight, the hardly-ever played, “Feed of Man,” from the Billy Bragg and Wilco’s Mermaid Avenue collaboration.  Jeff Tweedy was kind enough to answer our question from the crowd about the name of that tune, as it escaped us all, but showcased some of the best slide-guitar work from Nels Cline that I’ve ever seen.  Another Mermaid Avenue track, “Airline to Heaven,” was given a more country remake.  A surprising highlight came in the form of “Laminated Cat,” a track from Jeff Tweedy’s side project, “Loose Fur,” which featured sweltering slide guitar from Nels Cline.  The three songs that ended the main set were also noteworthy and built great energy in the audience.  Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’s uplifting rocker, “Heavy Metal Drummer,” flowed into the Sky Blue Sky track from 2007, “Walken,” and then back into a highlight from Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, “I’m the Man Who Loves You.” 

 

photo by Stephen Bloch

The band played two encores.  Their first one was a traditional encore, which featured all the band on their main instruments, performing solid versions of “Passenger Side,” from 1995’s “AM,” “Dawned on Me,” from 2011’s The Whole Love, and closing with “Shot in the Arm,” from 1999’s Summerteeth. 

photo by Will Piper

Another show highlight came as the band chose to perform acoustically with minimal amplification for their final encore, playing all acoustic and stripped down instruments at the front of the stage.  This set up allowed for even often played favorites like 1996’s Being There stand out “Misunderstood” to feel fresh.  The band also dug deep into their back catalog at this portion of the show covering Uncle Tupelo’s classic, “New Madrid,” and performing “Casino Queen” from AM  and the rarely played “Dreamer in My Dreams” from Being There to send the crowd home happy and enthusiastic.

Wilco’s rich catalog, exceptional musicianship and desire to progress makes them a rock ‘n roll band that has stood the test of time over the past twenty years, and continues to remain relevant today.  As Tweedy sings in one of my all-time favorite songs, “Misunderstood,” “there’s a fortune inside your head…”  I am curious and excited to see what that “fortune” brings us as Wilco transitions into the next stage of their career.

Milwaukee, 12/3/14 Setlist