Summer 2013 Music Fest/Concert Thread

[burniebrewer]

Saw Social Distortion at Summerfest on Sunday night. They're a band I've always liked, but the timing never worked out to see them live. Glad I finally got the chance.

[TURBO]

I saw RUSH at Summerfest on July 4th.

 

What a quality act! Since I had never seen them in person before, I was a bit starstruck!

 

What a great show!!!

 

Next up, ROCK USA with some of my favorite 80's Metal bands...

 

[jjgott]

Going to see Belle and Sebastian and Yo La Tengo outside of DC this Friday. Been a fan of theirs for a while but have never seen them in concert. Merriweather Post is a fairly big venue which may be a bit odd for the type of music B&S plays but I'm excited.

[Godspeed]

I saw Yo La Tengo at Turner Hall last February. What a treat.

[jjkoestler]

Two great free shows in Madison this weekend.

Friday: Smith Westerns - King Street

Saturday: El-P and Killer Mike - Union Terrace

[Nottso]

Country Thunder Twin Lakes started today and runs through Sunday. I'm already "hillbilly'd out" but being a 1/4 mile from the gate with a little over an acre of space I can put quite a few Cowboy Cadillacs in here at $10 a pop.

[rwa12]

Just bought tickets for the teenager and me to see Imagine Dragons in September. They are playing with Silversun Pickups and Cage the Elephant. I am musically uncool on just about everything post-grunge. I like what I've heard of Imagine Dragons, but know nothing of other bands. Are they good? Songs to listen to that are decent?

[thebruce44]

I've seen Cage the Elephant 2 or 3 times. They put on a great show, but the lead singer looks like he is going to be the next in line to die at 28. I know that sounds bad, but you will understand once you see them.

[rwa12]

Thanks, apparently Greek Fire and The Neighbourhood are playing as well. From what I've heard so far, I kinda like the Neighbourhood.

[Baldkin]

Just bought tickets for the teenager and me to see Imagine Dragons in September. They are playing with Silversun Pickups and Cage the Elephant. I am musically uncool on just about everything post-grunge. I like what I've heard of Imagine Dragons, but know nothing of other bands. Are they good? Songs to listen to that are decent?

 

Corey Hart used Cage the Elephant for his walkup song a few years back....

 

[TURBO]

Forgot about this thread.

 

Rock USA was a success. My take on some of the bands.

 

Didnt see any of the bands on day one. None of them interested me, so I didn't go. (Spiritual Plague, Lovehammers, Saliva, Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold)

 

Missed Slaughter on day two. Great White didn't have their original lead singer, they had some guy with a british accent. They were no better than a bar band, and didn't hold much of my interest. I give them a D, and that might be generous.

 

Queensryche was an unexpected success for me. This was the Geoff Tateless version of Queensryche so I didn't expect much. Boy was I wrong, the new guy sounded excellent. I didn't think there was anyone else that could sound that much like Tate. It was amazing actually. I would rather see the original, but with a guy that sounds that much like the original, it didn't effect the show at all. They have such a great catalogue of songs, and went mostly with the old stuff, which was a plus. I give them an A-, based solely on the fact that Tate was not there.

 

I've never been an Anthrax fan, and seeing them live didn't change my mind. It was just thrashing crap. Not my style of music, I admit, but I just saw no value in anything they did on stage. Their lead singer is old, and seems out of place dropping the F bomb so frequently, while plodding along through his screaming and trash backed nonsense. I don't mean to offend any Anthrax fans, but that show was unimpressive. I give them a D-.

 

Twisted Sister rocked my socks off! I had never seen them live, and was looking forward to it. Dee Snider didn't disappoint, and was an absolute madman on stage. Dee interacted with the crowd a lot, and was pretty funny at times. I was glad they were not wearing the ridiculous costumes from the 80's. Just looked like a rock and roll band, minus the clown suits!!! TS are not the most gifted musicians, I admit that, but they killed it as a rock and roll band entertaining the masses! I give them an A!!

 

Day 3 had few bands I was interested in, so I didn't make it out to see Almost Kings, or Midnight Empire. Which brings me to the worst musical experience of my life. Sevendust was garbage. Horrible garbage. They sounded like 4 guys who ad never played before, just picked up random instruments and started playing. The singer (or maybe Screamer/yeller would be a better title) just screamed and yelled the entire time. Sounded a lot like the cookie monster. It wasn't music, it was a pathetic excuse for crap. After the first song, I looked at my buddy and said if the next song is anything like that one, I'm leaving. He agreed. 3 notes into the next song, we were already on our way... If this is what kids call music these days, I feel more sorry for them than before. Sevendust is weak crap. F F F F F F F

 

Chevelle was ok, but pretty boring. Almost no kind of stage show, and very little interaction with the crowd. Music was good, but they just seem so limited. A giant step up from Sevendust, but not a band I feel I would ever have to see live again. I give them a C.

 

Godsmack was great! Very impressive sound, especially compared to the previous bands. I have found a new respect for them, and that is saying a lot since I don't like much of the stuff that is coming out these days. Just a kick butt straight forward rock band. Powerful stuff, powerful voice, and entertaining as hell! I give them an A.

 

Day 4 started out with Road Trip, basically a glorified cover band. I had no interest in them, but the crowd seemed pretty pumped during their show. As I said the crowd loved them, but not my cup of tea.

 

Dokken were bad. Don Dokken just needs to hang it up. His voice sounded pretty good, but there was no stage presence. Just an old guy telling storied from the glory days, and I honestly don't think anyone cared. The sound was not very good, kind of muffled. They played all their good tunes, and there are a lot to choose from, but the delivery was just not that good. I give them a D+. A shame too, I used to like them a lot back in the day. Saw them live on their Tooth and Nail tour and they were great.

 

Jackyl is what I expected. A true party band, but possibly a little too much on the redneck side for my liking. They put on a great show, but didn't play a couple of their obvious selections. Their latest album is great, kicks butt, but they did not play Screwdriver, which has gotten some radio play, and would truly have been a crowd pleaser. Their sound was ok, but not as crisp and clear as Godsmack the night before. They disappointed me, but only because I saw them in the 90's, and they were a lot better back then. I'll give them a B-.

 

Ratt was one of the bands I looked forward to most. They put on a great show, all original member except for Robin Crosby, who died from Aids a long time ago. My only complaint was Pearcy's voice. It is half fried, adn I can't be sure if the biggest problem was their sound mixing. His voice just wasn't very audible throughout their performance. He was also pretty lifeless on stage compared to the other times I saw them in the 80's. They played a great set of songs though, so I still enjoyed the heck out of them. B+

 

Van Halen...The festivals closing act. Not what I expected. David Lee Roth thinks he is in Vegas. His voice was not able to do anything like it did in the glory days. He is a showman though, and the fans seemed to eat him up. The music was tight, and good. Eddie hasn't lost a step, and performed a great solo. ALex was awesome, and Wolfie did a fine job on bass. (Can't compare to Michael Anthony though...) They put on an entertaining show to say the least, but Roth is so weird these days. Also old. lol There is no getting away from the fact that these bands from the 80's are old, but some really pull it off better than others. Dee Snider put DLR to shame. Van Halen was a trip to see live, but I can't give them better than a B. I just expected so much more.

 

There you have it. My take on the 2013 Rock USA festival. It is what it is.

[BrewersSuperCollector]

I would have liked to go to see Van Halen again, but didn't want to risk them cancelling.

[homer]

Went to Lollapalooza last night. Queens of the Stone Age were awesome and Nine Inch Nails brought the house down. Worth the price of admission for NIN alone.

[jjkoestler]

I streamed the NIN performance last night. Their stage show was incredible. Looking forward to The National this evening.

[nate82]

Forgot about this thread.

 

Rock USA was a success. My take on some of the bands.

 

Saliva, Buckcherry, Avenged Sevenfold)

 

These would have been the only bands I would have wanted to see at all. The rest you listed would be filed under the garbage category for me.

[thebruce44]

Old Robert Smith is still awesome.

[Godspeed]

Bummed it took me until yesterday to find out The National was playing The Riverside tonight. Too late of notice for my current lifestyle.

[jjkoestler]

Bummed it took me until yesterday to find out The National was playing The Riverside tonight. Too late of notice for my current lifestyle.

 

It was an excellent show. They played for over 2 hours. I'm looking forward to seeing them again in Madison with Frightened Rabbit.

[Nader Raider Tim]

http://mileofmusic.com/

 

Haven't seen anything posted about this around here. Everyone within driving distance should make it. A bunch of great music although most of it isn't my style it still great for the Appleton area.