concert mania!

Ever wonder what shows we’ve been to but didn’t report on? Ever wonder if we saw something that’d surprise you? Check out our work-in-progress, a comprehensive list of every band we’ve ever seen live. The list is near 500 different artists right now, but we know there are still tons of bands we’ve forgotten to include.  Give it a look, and offer some suggestions about the bands we need to add.

m|h’s short and sweet guide to fmf09

Are you in Madison, WI this weekend? Then get yourself to Forward Music Fest. Buy tickets here, print out the schedule, and then check out a few of these performances (our top recommendations are linked to music, starred are the acts we’ve seen live before):

THURSDAY

Blake Thomas*
Richard Buckner

FRIDAY
Dan Wilson
Daniel and the Lion
Punchline*
El Valiente*
Archie Powell & The Exports
Princeton
Cougar*
Daredevil Christopher Wright*
Margot & The Nuclear So and So’s*
YACHT*
Decibully*

SATURDAY
Antlers*
Low
Crane Your Swan Neck*
Pale Young Gentlemen*
Maps & Atlases*
Andrew Bird*

If you’re only buying a single show ticket, and we had to pick just one thing to see, we’d say Cougar. They don’t play the midwest very often, and their shows have always delivered. They’re one of our favorite live acts, hands down.

To see our coverage of the inaugural FMF, check out our guide and review.

some were the colors that took to the streets

On June 6, 2009, I familiarized myself with Portugal. The Man at Cafe Montmartre in Madison, WI. Though I’d heard them in passing, I’d never gotten around to giving them a solid, attentive listen. After hearing raves about their live show, I decided it was as good a way as any to get to know them. It turned out to be an extremely good decision. The five-piece bridged several genres, seamlessly weaving their set together and bringing on a non-stop attack of sound.

Since my knowledge in regard to Portugal. The Man was nil, I decided to micro-blog via Twitter to capture my impressions as the show progressed. Check it out below (titles in [brackets] added in after):

At Portugal. The Man. Covering ‘One is the Lonliest Number’. Good start.

Song that goes ‘take from the air, take to the streets’ quite lovely. [‘And I’]

The singer holds his guitar like a weapon.

Really wish I knew song titles. ‘oh baby come back this can’t be happening’ is late Zepplin-ish.

Hood up equals business. Doubled solo was crazy.

Digging the alt-country vibe of song that goes ‘i was born in 198?’ maybe my fave so far.

Last song.

The female singer should belt it out more often throughout the show.

Interpolating a little ‘Hotel California’.

Ya’ll might be ‘but a man’, but you’re a must-see. Also: encore. [‘AKA M80 The Wolf’]

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If you too would like to aquaint yourself with Portugal. The Man, you can download “People Say” here.