Author Archives: Brigid Gallagher

One of the most magical attributes of music is its ability to allow the listener to time travel. And some bands do it better than others. One such band: Interpol. Upon the first riffs of “Untitled”—from their brilliant 2002 debut, Turn on the Bright Lights—the packed Agora erupted into cheers and then quickly quieted so as to not miss a note.

The entire show was a transportation: every instrument clear and precise; every song a spectacle of lights (cheers to whoever produced the lighting for this particular tour); every moment a cherished one by a member of the audience. Interpol has aged well, their music lasting the test of time and their musicianship at an all-time best.

Their tour continues through the fall with dates in the US, Europe, and South America. Get yourself a ticket.

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“It’s really nice to be back on tour,” Lindsey Jordan, otherwise known as Snail Mail, acknowledged to cheers of agreement from the crowd at The Agora.

It’s been three years since the band performed live—first because of, well, stupid COVID and later because of Jordan’s vocal cord surgery. But fortunately she’s all healed up, back with her bandmates, and on the road.

Lucky ticket holders get to enjoy tracks off of 2021’s Valentine live for the first time, as well as selections from her early work. And let’s not forget Snail Mail’s kick ass cover of The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight”—my personal show highlight.

The tour continues through September and spans North America and Europe.

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Waxahatchee released her fantastic, career-best album, Saint Cloud, in March of 2020, just as our world was beginning to change.

Two years later, she’s finally able to tour and play those songs for those of us that have been patiently waiting to hear them live. Added bonus for us Clevelanders: the band cruised through town on Valentine’s Day, making plans for the Hallmark holiday rather easy.

Aside from “Saint Cloud,” we were also treated to some covers, including Lucinda Williams’ “Fruits of My Labor” and Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” Opener Madi Diaz joined Waxahatchee during her encore to sing “Resentment.” Waxahatchee’s tour continues through the summer, so get your tickets now.

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The queen of cool, Cate Le Bon, brought her brilliant 2022 album Pompeii (as well as a handful of songs from 2019’s Reward) to a packed Grog Shop last Friday night.

Between her unique guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and ample synth and sax, I felt simultaneously transported back in time to a new wave club in the early ’80s, all the while firmly placed in the moment, swaying with the rest of the crowd at the Grog.

With the help of Euan Hinshelwood, Toko Yasuda, Dylan Hadley and Alex Morrison, Le Bon gave us a show to remember, ending with a beautiful cover of Paul McCartney’s “Waterfalls.” Her tour heads to the west coast next before jumping the pond to Europe for March and April.

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As I was wandering around the House of Blues Cleveland taking in the sounds and sights (and, ahem, herbal smells), I suddenly felt something sticking to my right shoe. I looked down to find a dreadlock attached to my Vans. An actual dreadlock.

And that, my friends, briefly sums up an Umphrey’s experience: such a party, such an ecstatic jam that dreadlocks are literally flying off of peoples’ heads. Unreal. So is the light show.

As usual, my Chicago dudes delivered, bringing the crowd to a dancing frenzy, particularly during “Wizard Burial Ground,” “Pequod,” and “Piranhas” (which hadn’t been played in quite some time, “231 songs,” according to the über fan standing next to me).

Their current tour lasts through March, where they’ll end the run at Rockjavik in Reykjavik, Iceland.

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It was a busy Tuesday night in downtown Cleveland, as a sold-out crowd filed into Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse to see Genesis for one last time.

The Last Domino? Tour is the band’s first since 2007 and the final of their career. Led by a solid backing band, the three original members—Phil Collins, Tony Banks and Mike Rutherford—busted out all the hits for the occasion. In recent years, Collins has been battling severe nerve damage that’s forced him to retire from the drums, but his signature voice remains unaffected. His son, Nic, now drums while Dad sings front and center.

Aside from sounding wonderful, Genesis looks great thanks to the spectacular light production. The tour carries on through 2022, so you still have plenty of opportunity to see them before their official retirement.

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Aside from getting called a “sir” by some stuffy elder docent, tonight is proving itself to be a special treat. It’s not often that I’m headed to a concert at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Gartner Auditorium itself has an impressive organ and intricate woodworking panels throughout. Alice Coltrane is flowing out of the speakers and setting the mood.

“Being in this beautiful venue reminds me of singing in the choir growing up,” Ella Williams (better known as Squirrel Flower) confessed. I get it. It’s a stunning but stiff setting, but also one that helps to showcase Squirrel Flower’s talent. She layers and loops harmonies, singing stripped-down songs of intimacy and heartache. It’s a vocal and songwriting showcase, part one.

I haven’t seen Iron & Wine live in about 20 years, but I can tell you that his music frequented my dorm rooms throughout college and beyond. So I knew that hearing his songs live after so many years would be noteworthy. But what I didn’t recall was how funny and personable Sam Beam (a.k.a. Iron & Wine) is onstage. “Here we are,” he said at one point to hearty laughter, “just a bunch of ninjas watching some dipshit on stage.”

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I spent Monday night at the Grog Shop with a bunch of other cool cats who made the smart decision to see Nada Surf and Pom Pom Squad.

It’s a perfect tour pairing, as Pom Pom Squad’s sound pays homage to her riot grrrl predecessors and Nada Surf, well, practically IS the ’90s. But as I learned on Monday, they’re still pumping out great music, such as 2020’s Never Not Together. And, oh yeah—they can SHRED.

You know who else shreds? Pom Pom Squad. They’ve been on my radar, as their debut Death of a Cheerleader is one of 2021’s best albums. Frontwoman Mia Berrin acknowledged that it was the band’s first tour and you could feel it; that electric excitement in the air. The joy of realizing that you get to do what you love for a living.

“I’m so glad you didn’t lose your ticket from two years ago,” Nada Surf’s Matthew Caws laughed. Me too. More Monday night thrashers, please.

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“Thank you for not being at Harry Styles tonight,” St. Vincent joked shortly after taking the stage at The Agora. No offense to Mr. Styles, who on any other night I would’ve loved to see, but there was literally nowhere else I’d rather be. St. Vincent has proven herself to be one of rock ‘n’ roll’s greatest treasures and any chance I get to see her perform, I take it.

A couple friends less familiar with St. Vincent joined me at The Agora and their responses post-show didn’t surprise me in the least. One said it was easily one of the best concerts she’s ever been to, and the other referred to the experience as “pivotal.”

This particular tour installment—in support of her latest album, Daddy’s Home—is ’70s-inspired and features a cityscape backdrop, sexy, silky attire, groovy choreography, and a touring band tighter than a hipster’s skinny jeans. Each song felt special, as a clear amount of consideration and craft went into them. I especially enjoyed the modifications made on earlier songs to fit the vibe of the current tour. “Your Lips are Red” was particularly face-melting.

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When Lucy Dacus first announced her 2021 fall tour in support of her latest critically acclaimed release, Home Video, I was sad to see that Cleveland didn’t make the cut. But thanks to the misfortune of our Canadian friends (the Toronto and Montreal shows were postponed), a last minute show at the Beachland Ballroom was added and my wish granted. An added bonus? Bartees Strange opening.

Right off the bat, Bartees Strange took the crowd by surprise. They were captivated. Jumping from genre to genre seamlessly, he impressed. I could literally feel his fanbase growing.

Then it was Lucy’s turn and a similar hush fell over the Ballroom as she began with an acoustic version of “Trust.” Her lead guitarist Jacob Blizard recently tested positive for COVID (but is fortunately fine!) so “we’re changing things up,” she divulged. Bartees Strange’s bandmates took turns joining her band on stage, filling in nicely.

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We’ve got ourselves a little bit of a second summer happening here in Cleveland and given how our winters go, I’d say we deserve it.

October has been a bonus month of outdoor shows and boy was the crowd out and ready to party with Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats at Jacob’s Pavilion. Even boats cruising along the Cuyahoga paused to listen to their soulful serenades echoing across the Flats.

The setlist was littered with fan favorites, pulling from all of their critically acclaimed albums. Opener, the lovely Margo Price (who sadly didn’t allow photography), joined the band for “Say It Louder.” After that, there was not a butt in a seat, as the sold-out crowd danced the night away.

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British pop rockers Glass Animals brought their good vibes to a very happy sold-out crowd at Jacob’s Pavilion last Friday. Even a massive barge floating past the venue along the Cuyahoga River seemed to be enjoying the show: a series of honks caused singer Dave Bayley to pause and acknowledge the “big fucking boat!”

The vision of their 2020 album, Dreamland, was fully realized on stage thanks to the technicolor lighting and stage design, complete with vintage computer graphics, a basketball hoop, a swimming pool diving board, and of course a pineapple (a trademark of the band since their 2016 song, “Pork Soda”). Up-and-comers Blackstarkids kicked off the night with their nostalgia-filled pop tunes. The Kansas City band’s debut album, Puppies Forever, is due out this fall.

Jacob’s Pavilion typically ends their season in September, but their extension into October has been a success—and a treat for Clevelanders who get more of an opportunity to enjoy an outdoor show before the inevitably long winter arrives. Glass Animals’ crowd took full advantage of the beautiful fall night, boogying until the bitter end.

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