MUSIC

Do's and Don'ts for a Fun Concert Experience

Fun-House of Blues 2012

If you are new to the concert or festival scene you and you do not know what to bring, what to wear, or how to act, this guide is for you.

First, lets start off with the Do's

1.Do miss the opening act, It will show how cool you really are and guarantee a great spot to enjoy the headliner.

2.When seeing Spoon at the Granada, Do go with a group of three to six. Remember to circle up, ignore the band, and talk over the music if not louder. This will attract friends, especially when the bands play their hits.

3. If you are six feet or taller it is imperative you bring all of your tall Bro's with you and you Do get as close to the stage as possible so everyone behind you can enjoy your "Super Cuts" hair styles.

4. At a festival or rave, Do sneak in drugs and/or pot to share, sell, and enjoy. Nothing compliments the aesthetics of a  large crowd like the sweaty side affects of molly and the sweet smell of skunk spray. Make sure the drugs you bring will send you to jail if caught, Legal drugs simply will not do.

5. If you are a male, Do wear a plaid long sleeve shirt even if it is on hundred degrees and you can't breath. If you are a female and the headliner is a female, try hard match even if it is very revealing. Comfort and self respect are checked at the ticket booth.

6. Do drink as much as possible. Drinking heavily will help you remember all the details of a great show. Furthermore, drinking will increase your chances of hooking up with someone at the show who shares a common interest. Going alone, or with a friend of the same sex will only increase the odds.

Sleigh Bells - Granada Theater 2012

And for the Do-Nots

1. Don't ever pregame before a show. Support your local Budweiser Brewery by only purchasing the fairly priced beverages sold inside the venue. Carrying around a nine dollar Bud Light will show everyone around you how smart you are, and that you can afford to have a good time.

2. Don't ever dance when enjoying your favorite music live. Dancing is meant only to be done at a club or rave to recorded music. Dancing is annoying to everyone around and can cause moments of embarrassment to you and your friends. Save the energy for the applause.

3. If a beach ball is coming your way, Don't hit it. A beach ball is a distraction to the musician and audience and should be popped immediately.

4. Don't crowd surf.  Crowd surfers may look like they are having the time of their life riding the wave of collected fans;however, much like the Beach Ball, crowd surfers are dangerous and distracting  and should be dropped immediately.

5. Don't ever wear earplugs, louder is better, get as close to the PA as possible and scream. The ringing in your ears will only last between a few days and the rest of your life.

6. Don't ever plan for a show or festival by learning the line up and set lists. Surprises are always better.

There you go, now you are prepared to conquer the live music scene. 

The Black Keys- Edgefest 2012

The Shins Port of Morrow

The Shins Port Of Morrow Listen

The long waited fourth album by the universally respected and recently reassembled  band The Shins offers cryptic lyrics layered over airy guitars, familiar folk progressions, and hints of twang.  The album at times can be lulling but never boring, loud but never obnoxious. Producer Greg Kurstin sends specs of Sixties style gold and Nineties indie pop through a folky psychedelia .

The album is like a 1,000 piece puzzle, it's easier to identify a piece when you have a picture to refer to or in this case a back story for the lyrics and musical direction. Mercer, lead singer and songwriter, explains "Every single story is a story about love," and with that love comes the give and take. On the stand out tracks "Simple Song" and "Port of Morrow" Mercer and company give the substantial expected amount of "New Slang" sound satisfying fans and critics alike. These tracks will find their ways into iphones and ipods of climbers, yogis and hipsters with open arms. With all the giving, The Shins also take, they take their audience and fans to poppy twangy places that can test the durability of the average attention span and elasticity of loyal followers. Once put into perspective the songs trigger clear sentiments of love,appreciation, nostalgia, and general melancholic discontentment. With a few glittery peaks and glossy interludes the album insists on its presence without explanation of where it came from or where its going.

In Conclusion

• The songs are not up beat enough to accompany a hard climbing session.
• Songs are not mellow enough for meditation
• The lyrics are ambiguous as ever which can be both familiar and annoying.
• Well produced sound.
• Replay-ability -