December 2007 :: Event Reviews

Event Reviews

Aesop Rock

Despite the obvious pitfalls of playing on a giant Transformer in a "backyard", Aesop Rocks this block party-esque show at Orlando's Anti-Pop Music Festival. S D Green was there to drink the $2.50 PBRs.

Against Me!

The Orlando date of the Against Me! tour was scheduled in competition with the annual Anti Pop Fest, but the band's loyal followers could not be deterred. Jen Cray skipped out on the multitude of alternate shows happening downtown to spend another evening with these Gainesville boys.

Between the Buried & Me

Progressive metalcore masters Between the Buried & Me surprised everyone when their Orlando show sold out in advance, leaving many fans scrambling the streets begging for tickets. Jen Cray squeezed inside for a surprisingly friendly evening of new metal.

Big D and the Kids Table

It was another night of dirty, rowdy punk rock as Big D and the Kids Table brought their Steady Riot Tour to Orlando. Jen Cray got knocked around in the pit, but still managed to make her way out and report back.

Boys Like Girls

While most were trying to push their way closer to get a glimpse of Boys Like Girls, Brittany Sturges found herself trying to make a "great escape" to the back of the venue.

Brand New

The two-night stint of Brand New and Thrice at Orlando's House of Blues sold out days in advance. Jen Cray managed to get inside on the closing night.

David Gray

Despite an unpredictable set played on borrowed instruments, and at times, almost drowned out by the screams of adoring devotees, David Gray made a fan of Chris Catania one night in Chicago.

Dinosaur Jr

The freshly reunited Dinosaur Jr. prove that you don't have to create a big PR circus to get people excited about your comeback. The numbers may have been modest, but those who made it out to the band's Orlando show at The Club@Firestone -- Jen Cray among them -- had a Sunday night to remember.

Down

What began as a side project for Pantera members Phillip Anselmo and Rex Brown has since become a supergroup within the metal world. Down brought their metal alumni to Orlando, and Jen Cray got herself an invite.

HIM

Finland's finest export, HIM, filled up Orlando's Hard Rock Live with hordes of gothcentric metal fans... and Jen Cray.

I Am the Avalanche

I Am the Avalanche brought a slew of mediocrity on tour with them to Orlando. Jen Cray was there to witness the disaster.

Jens Lekman

Jens Lekman came all the way from Gothenburg, Sweden to Tallahassee, FL to play some songs and laugh at our warm Florida Novembers. Omar DeLaRosa wore a sweater to the show, anyway.

Jimmy Eat World/Silverchair

O-Rock 105.9 may have really dropped the ball on this year's annual No Snow Show by splitting it into two separate shows, but at least they scored Jimmy Eat World and Silverchair to co-headline the second night of the event. Jen Cray was amongst the masses at Orlando's House of Blues trying to convince themselves that the pair was enough to justify the pricey ticket.

Peanut Butter Wolf

Chris Catania files a report from the Chicago stop of the hip-hoptastic Bounce Tour, featuring N.W.A. alumni and pop culture junkies-turned-rappers- like Madlib- alike. And of course, tour headliner and organizer, dj Peanut Butter Wolf.

Chuck Ragan

A fast departure from Brand New's show at the House of Blues brought me to the much more laid back vibe at The Social for the Chuck Ragan gig. The Hot Water Music frontman was not the only famous frontman who decided to leave his band at home and go it alone for an acoustic evening. Jen Cray was in for a quadruple bill of talent!