Jason DeBord's Rock Subculture Journal

Pixies at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 4/11/2019 (Concert Review + Photos)

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Black Francis usually doesn’t have much to say on stage, and with the latest show by Pixies at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino on Thursday night, it was mostly to introduce the titles of new songs that will be on their upcoming album expected later this year.  Hearing these songs for the first time myself, I’d honestly say that this as yet untitled new album may be their best since their original quadrilogy.  Which got me thinking, as I took in the show and had fleeting memories of high school (where I counted Pixies and Depeche Mode as my favorite bands)…  all four of their original albums were literally all released while I was in high school (Surfer Rosa in 1988, Doolittle in 1989, Bossanova in 1990 and then Trompe le Monde in 1991) and I saw them quite a few times in concert back in the day (even opening for U2 once).  In any event, I love every song released during those formative four years (except the two I hated), so seeing them jam live is always such a joy, as their music was made to be performed. [Read more…]

Simple Minds “Walk Between Worlds Tour” at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 10/20/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“Can’t believe it’s been, I don’t know, one or two decades since we’ve been able to tour the States extensively… we count our blessings.  I can tell already we’ll all have a great time tonight.  We know that people have traveled from all around to come here tonight, so we really appreciate that as well.  I should tell you that, because we don’t get to come here…  because we haven’t been able to come here as much as we would have like – would have loved – we’re going to go the extra mile tonight.” Jim Kerr, front man and vocalist of Simple Minds at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino on Saturday night, before a crowd that was on it’s feet for two full sets from the band.  Simple Minds – led by Kerr and co-founder and guitarist Charlie Burchill – have been recording and performing for 40 years.  And they show no signs of slowing down (and after seeing them live, I imagine that going “the extra mile” is a way of life for them).  Incredible music – old and new – stunning work on guitar by Burchill, and that voice of Kerr’s…  still absolutely captivating.  The duo have an amazing band and this is one concert I will never forget.  Highest recommendation to get out to see this band in a very rare North American tour.  It was a transcendent experience.

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Garbage (20 Years Paranoid Tour) at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 10/2/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“We’re now going to play another song you’ve probably never heard before.  You forgive me though, right?”  Shirley Manson of Garbage underlining one of the themes of the night for their “20 Years Paranoid” tour, which made a stop at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino in Reno on Tuesday.  The band is celebrating the twentieth anniversary of their second album, Version 2.0, by touring a set list that features them playing the album in its entirety as well as very rare B-sides and just a handful of songs beyond the scope of that period of their career.  I’ve seen the band on most of their tours since they reunited and began recording and performing again after a long hiatus, and really it seems like they do something really different each time they come around.  Even I was unfamiliar with some of the songs played (many were rarities originally limited to B-side releases in the late ’90s), but I am catching up now with their newly released 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition / Remastered version of their album.  Shirley was pretty chatty and candid with the crowd in-between songs and it felt like quite a special show.  I really enjoyed it and it reminded me of what a stellar band they are live, and it provided some additional insights into what makes the band tick and what motivates them as artists.  It’s really worth catching up with them on this tour, even for casual fans.  One of the most unique bands of my generation, always staying true to themselves and keeping things interesting.

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Thievery Corporation at Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino | Reno, Nevada | 9/4/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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Music from the future.  I’m not sure how else to describe Thievery Corporation and their live show at the Grand Theatre at Grand Sierra Resort & Casino this week.  I’ve followed them casually for many years now, but never made a concerted effort to dig into their many releases put out on their own label going back a few decades now… but their live concert sure inspired me to do so.  Their music is so rich with influences, at once it feels like it is from everywhere and no where familiar all at once.  It doesn’t feel “American”, it feels more like it is from the planet Earth.  It is what I imagine popular music might sound like many, many decades from today.  But it is here and now.  In any event, whatever it is and wherever it came from Rob Garza and the many artist who work with him and tour with him put on one of the best shows I’ve seen this year, and turned me into a fan.  I have a lot of catching up to do, which is a good thing.

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Florence + the Machine at Harvey’s Outdoor Arena | Stateline, Nevada | 8/9/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“Thank you so much for having us back; this is the first night of the “High As Hope Tour”.  This next song is from… oh you guys flustered me!  This next song is from High As Hope and I wrote it about the place that I was born which is south London, which has a lot less trees than this…”  Florence Welch of Florence + the Machine at Harvey’s Outdoor Arena in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday night, kicking off her latest tour in support of her amazing new album.  “I’m with you…  I’m with you like… at the moment my heart, it hurts a lot of the time and I just want to say I want you all to hold hands because I really believe in you and I believe in the power of change.  And I believe in love and I want you to hold hands for this song because if we connect, I really think amazing things can happen”.  A lot of performing artists say things about connecting with their audience, and say those things from the stage, and the audience watch from below as they perform.  With Florence, it is not just words.  Toward the end of her set, into the song “Delilah”, Florence came off of the stage and ran deep into the audience while she sang, literally connecting with fans in the crowd.  Then she actually came running across (barefoot of course) the seat in the row I was in, and I got to witness first hand something unlike anything I’d ever seen at a concert.  Florence was engaging with fans one at a time, one on one.  In many instances she was grabbing their faces and pressing her forehead against theirs, as if she was forming a mystical bond with them.  She was right in front of me for a good length of time, and it was kind of surreal to hear her voice singing directly from her, not just through the sound system.  It’s actually been years since I uploaded concert footage to my YouTube channel, but it was such an incredible experience, I thought this would be the best reason ever to share a snippet of this amazing concert moment (iPhone quality, unedited): LINK  Really, it takes a lot to put me at a loss for words, but this concert really transcended what anyone might expect from a live show.  For some fans, I think it was a near religious experience.  Currently tied for my favorite concert of the year.  Definitely the best tour of 2018 I am guessing.  And since this was the first show on this tour, everyone has time to try to get out to make one of the upcoming dates.

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Adam Ant at Silver Legacy Resort Casino | Reno, Nevada | 8/4/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“This next song I’ve been singing since I first came to the USA many years ago… it still means a great deal to me. It’s called Kings of the Wild Frontier.” Adam Ant with his amazing band, in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Silver Legacy Resort Casino’s Grande Exposition Hall in Reno, Nevada.  Performing artists say things like that all the time, and a jaded concert-goer might consider it mere banter in-between songs.  Not so, with Adam Ant.  After performing that song on Saturday night – originally released early in the New Wave era way back in 1980 – Adam Ant paused for a moment as the heartfelt accolades of the fans in the room showered over him.  For some reason, I happened to capture the moment in video on my iPhone from the video screen off to the side (iPhone video snippet here), and at the time and in review again going through my notes and videos I took another look and Adam Ant has so much emotion and gratitude on his face at that moment that it’s genuinely moving to, well, feel him “feel”.  He brings so much to the stage with his concert and presumably touring in general these days that I felt so fortunate to just be part of this incredible show that brings his latest North American tour to an end.  It’s definitely may favorite show of 2018 thus far, and I can’t imagine anything besting the experience.  Truly an icon of music and pop culture for my generation, and I firmly believe his live shows today are the best he’s ever given his fans.

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Florence + the Machine North America Tour Kicks Off in Lake Tahoe Next Month; World Tour Dates Thru 2019

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Florence + the Machine’s latest album – High As Hope – is out now on Republic Records… all in advance of the upcoming 23-city tour in North America this fall. [Read more…]

Adam Ant’s “ANTHEMS: The Singles Tour” 2018 in the U.S. Begins on Friday

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After much success touring in 2017, Adam Ant will be bringing his “ANTHEMS: The Singles Tour” back to the U.S. starting this Friday in New Jersey.  On this set of selected dates, it is expected that fans will be treated to the best singles including classics and B-sides as well as rarities and personal favorites.  On tour supporting Adam Ant are the all-female band Glam Skanks. [photo above by Dave Newbold, provided by Adam Ant management] [Read more…]

Michael McDonald at Crest Theatre | Sacramento, California | 7/10/2018 (Concert Review + Photos)

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“I know you know the words to this song; we love the words to this song because it’s more timely and relevant right now than it’s ever been…  It was relevant in the 60’s when it was written but it seems to have grown only more relevant with the years.  This song, if people sing along with us and sing it loud, maybe the rest of that world out there will hear what we’re saying tonight…”  Michael McDonald at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento on Tuesday night, in preface to his encore beginning with a soulful cover of Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On”.  It was quite a night for fans of one of the great voices of his generation, as he played hits from his solo career as well as works he created with the Doobie Brothers.  Special with his most recent tours is the showcase of several songs from his latest album, Wide Open, which was released in late 2017.  His first studio album of all-new material in 17 years, it’s really a brilliant work and the songs are even more remarkable live in concert.  If you have seen Michael McDonald in concert in the past, it is well worth turning out for this current tour just to hear some of the new songs.  Fantastic show. [Read more…]

Michael McDonald’s 2018 Tour Brings “Wide Open” Across North America

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Music legend Michael McDonald will be kicking off his 2018 tour this weekend, with shows taking him all over North America through the end of September.  The upcoming live dates follow last year’s release of his first album of original material in 17 years, Wide Open.  The first week of shows coming up in California include July 7th at Fantasy Springs Resort in Indio, July 8th at Rodney Strong Vineyards in Healdsburg, and July 10th at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento. [Read more…]