December 2008 :: Event Reviews

Event Reviews

Atmosphere

DJ Anthony Davis and Sean Daley bring a golden carnival of Atmosphere to Chicago.

Celtic Thunder

Great voices and Celtic Music from a band made popular on PBS lilt through the UCF Arena. Carl F Gauze knows it's going to be an early, and comfy, night.

Coldplay

Ink 19's Jen Cray trades her low expectations for staunch admiration when she experiences the charm of Coldplay firsthand. Almost as good as U2?

Hanson

There's more to Hanson than "MmmBop," and the all-grown-up band proves it at Chicago's House of Blues. Cindy Barrymore says the brothers' cuteness has worn off. You be the judge.

Henry Rollins

Henry Rollins delivers a spoken word sermon at The Church. Mike Hanan absorbs the homily. Amen.

Low Vs. Diamond

It takes some serious skills to make moody, indie rock sound new and fresh, but Low Vs. Diamond does just that. Jen Cray was wooed by their swagger and elegance at a recent Orlando date.

As part of a pseudo-after-party for Gainesville, Florida's punk rock weekend (The Fest), Polar Bear Club attempts to make new punk sound classic. Jen Cray is entertained, though not entirely convinced.

Portugal. The Man

In which our hero, Addam Donnelly, gets his dirty old church mouth cleaned out by Portugal. The Man, and a sound that defies description. Fortunately, he expected the unexpected.

Sarah Brightman

Sara Brightman shines at UCF, delivering a gem of a show despite the sports arena's plague of muddy sound.

Th' Legendary Shack Shakers

When it comes to a live show, Th' Legendary Shack Shakers are a band that has yet to let Jen Cray down.

The Rumble Strips

U.K. act Rumble Strips may have brought the rain, but their neo-ska tunes were all sunshine and big puffy "Clouds." S D Green slogged through the downpour to catch a glimpse of the surprising source for Charlie Waller's big, big voice.

The Toadies

Reunited after a 2001 breakup and toting a new album and tour (alongside People in Planes), The Toadies bring grunge back in a big way. Jen Cray is one of many Orlando fans reveling in the murky merriment.

Wilderness

Wilderness stops three hours from where Aaron Shaul lives and he is fully committed to leaving the city to find them and prog rock salvation.