We We're Dancing the Night Away

September is a great month to be a Nashvillian. As we sing a swan song to summer, shows are frequent and the performances memorable. I caught three shows last week, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Black Moth Super Rainbow, and TV on the Radio featuring Broken Social Scene. There is not a more attractive live performance than Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Grace screams, sings, kicks, and claps you into submission, as her vocal tone and honest musicianship grabs you by the wrist and compels your body to move. In short, she's got the medicine...

Black Moth Super Rainbow is an intriguing young band, they have a distinct sound that teeters the line between organic and electronic. Their performance was the first time I've ever seen an electronic group incorporate a live banjo.
  Sun Lips by Black Moth Super Rainbow by PMA Black Moth Super Rainbow- Forever Heavy by Spindle Music

Having seen TVOTR a few times before, I was really excited to see how their live show would transpose onto the Ryman stage. It was slightly disappointing, Tunde Adebimpe lacked energy and Kyp Malone at times abstained from chiming in his falsetto harmonies which are paramount to their noisy modern-day Brian Wilson sound. I believe this is in part because of their rigorous touring schedule and the upcoming performance at Austin City Limits which occurred this weekend. Phish has recently included a cover of "Golden Age" in their live performances, I couldn't believe it went missing Wednesday night.
TVOTR is a better studio band, that's where their doo-wop melodies don't get crowded out by highly distorted guitars. Check out the hilarious video for "You." The band did an entire youtube video for the album, the premise being they've all been away from each other for a while. Tunde is now on the street, performing under a Prince-like unspeakable symbol.
   

• TV on the Radio - Will Do
• TV on the Radio - Young Liars 

     Young Liars is my favorite song of theirs to see live. It was first released in 2003, off of the Young Liars EP.

Upcoming Schedule

Wednesday - 9/21

• Ray LaMontagne and Brandi Carlisle at the Grand Ole Opryhouse
• M. Ward at the War Memorial Auditorium (Soundland)
• Capitol Street Party - Alan Jackson and Eric Church on Demonbreun Street (free!)

Thursday - 9/22

• Reptar, Cults, and Foster the People at 12th Ave Block Party Stage (Soundland)
• Cherub and Ghostland Observatory at The Cannery Ballroom (Soundland)
• Carl Broemel (guitarist for My Morning Jacket) acoustic performance at The Station Inn (Soundland)
• Live on the Green presents Moon Taxi, The Dirty Guv'nahs and Robert Randolph and the Family Band (free!)

Friday - 9/23

• Chancellor Warhol, Sam & Tre, Big K.R.I.T. and Yelawolf at 12th Ave Block Party Stage (Soundland)

Saturday - 9/24

• The Apache Relay, Those Darlins and Jeff the Brotherhood at the Neuhoff Factory Party Stage (Soundland)

Happy September!!!