Folk rock divinity, Father John Misty, graced the stage of the Agora this past week, utterly dazzling the sold-out crowd with his showmanship and witty storytelling.
The full band and horns section made for sweeping and orchestral song arrangements—much like FJM’s most recent release, 2022’s Chloë and the Next 20th Century. The whole performance felt (and looked, with the blue and red lighting) incredibly cinematic.
His tour continues through the fall and attendance is encouraged.
Cleveland loves Andrew Bird and I’m happy to report that the feeling is mutual.
During his sold-out Agora show, Chicago’s beloved son shared that he began his day in a crummy mood (tour exhaustion, the state of the world, etc.) and a day at the ballpark throwing out the first pitch at the Cleveland Guardians game and mingling with “kind folks,” shifted his state of mind. “I like Cleveland,” he declared. We must erect a statue of him now.
The setlist was heavy on his latest (fantastic) release, 2022’s Inside Problems (it’s the Inside Problems Tour, after all), but included some older fan favorites such as “Anoanimal,” “Sisyphus,” and “Pulaski at Night.” As has come to be expected of an Andrew Bird show, it was a simply gorgeous evening of music with his violin soaring through his signature speakers, along with a healthy dose of whistles. He plays Boston tonight before the tour heads to the west coast.
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band made their triumphant return to Cleveland, or “the Asbury of the West,” as some like to refer to it (such as the guy seated behind the stage holding a sign that said so) this past Wednesday.
Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse was filled to the brim with beaming fans who were served a three-hour, nonstop rock ‘n’ roll performance by The Boss and the band. I had no idea how many devil horns I’d see punctuating the fan skyline, but there’s just no telling what “Bruuooooooooose” will bring out in ya.
While the setlist doesn’t vary from city to city, Cleveland did get the tour debut of “Atlantic City,” as well as a few other improvised moments, including Springsteen ripping his shirt open (impressive physique at 73!) and later signing a kid’s arm cast. The tour heads east, culminating in New Jersey in what’s sure to be an epic homecoming, before heading abroad for the start of their European run.
Neal Francis has been playing piano since he was 4, and boy can you tell.
He bends chords with his piano whammy board on one song, takes you to church on the organ on the next, and funks it the f**k up on the keyboards a song later. Grooving along with him are his talented bandmates, Kellen Boersma (can rip a sweet guitar solo), Mike Starr (bassist; best hair), and Collin O’Brien (the heartbeat).
Cleveland showed up for the dance party at Beachland Ballroom this past weekend and it was delivered along with some psychedelic light production. Francis is touring in support of his most recent (and acclaimed) albums, 2022’s Sentimental Garbage and 2021’s In Plain Sight (which was written while living in the parsonage of church on the northwest side of Chicago). He’ll be on the road for the foreseeable future, so be sure to check him out.
Indie rockers Titus Andronicus stopped by the Grog Shop last week in support of their latest critically acclaimed album, 2022’s The Will to Live. Since coming on to the scene in 2005, band members have come and gone but frontman Patrick Stickles has been the steadfast captain. The process of writing The Will to Live was largely in response to the death of Stickles’ cousin, best friend, and bandmate, Matt “Money” Miller in 2021.
Now joined by Liam Betson (guitar), RJ Gordon (bass), and Chris Wilson (drums), the band is as conceptual, dense, and glam rock-y as ever. Their albums—and shows—take you on a journey. And the members, especially Stickles, are most definitely performers. The dude-heavy crowd spent the majority of the show fist-pumping the air and singing along in full catharsis.
Titus Andronicus are on the road through April, as they make their way around the west side of the country before heading back east.
As soon as the Agora announced that Angel Olsen would be moseying her way through Cleveland in February, I had that date circled on my calendar and the countdown began. Unsurprisingly, Angel Olsen and her Big Time Band were worth the wait. Also unsurprisingly, far too few Clevelanders showed up for such a special evening. But that’s a whole other topic, so I’ll reserve my soapbox for another time.
To be immersed in the soaring vocals and sweeping strings of Angel’s music live, especially after the long, pandemic-driven pause, was a gift. The setlist was comprised mostly of songs from her latest album, 2022’s Big Time, with some additional fan favorites from All Mirrors (2019) and My Woman (2016).
Angel has a busy year of touring ahead so there’s a good change you’ll have an opportunity to see her. My unsolicited advice? Do it.
“I heard from an inside source that tonight’s show is gonna be a banger,” I caught one fan saying to another shortly before the start of The Disco Biscuits’ first set at the House of Blues Cleveland. Turns out the fan’s source was legit, as there were no holdbacks for the kickoff of Bisco’s winter tour.
The dance floor was bouncing from the first note of “Mulberry’s Dream” and didn’t stop until the last note of “Story of the World.” In between they surprised the crowd with “Plan B,” which hadn’t been played for 103 shows, as well as a pretty epic version of “Shocked.”
Next up for the Philly quartet is a mini-east coast tour kicking off February 1st in Burlington, Vermont.
I don’t remember the band she was opening for, but I do remember Liz Cooper at The Vic in 2018. Then with The Stampede, she made an impression on me. I liked her irreverence and psychedelic sound. Now post-pandemic, she’s just released her first solo album, Hot Sass, and is back on the road to promote it.
Kicking the night off at The Grog Shop were local singer/songwriters Sarah Arafat, followed by Rachel Shortt at The Underwoods. Then things turned electric as Liz Cooper took the stage with her sparkly pink Creston and her great band, Ryan Usher, Joe Bisirri, and Michael Libramento.
They proceeded to give us both Hot and Soft versions of Sass, as well as some oldies but goodies. Her tour heads south and concludes (for now) at the end of the month in Charleston.
To celebrate their critically acclaimed album, Oh, Inverted World, turning 21, The Shins decided to throw it a birthday tour.
Benefactors of said tour included audience members at The Agora last Friday evening. The band, consisting of Yuuki Matthews, Mark Watrous, Jon Sortland, Patti King, and led by James Mercer, played the album in full, front to back with a little help on backing vocals from openers, folk trio Joseph.
To top off the party, The Shins gave us a second set devoted to fan favorites from their other albums. The birthday festivities conclude next week in their hometown of Portland, Oregon.
Machine Gun Kelly concluded his “Mainstream Sellout Tour” by literally selling out FirstEnergy Stadium. He’s the first Clevelander to do so and the moment was not lost on him. “Holy shit, Cleveland,” he remarked while gazing upon the ecstatic crowd. “I cried so hard backstage before coming out here. I can’t put into words what I’m feeling right now.”
The night was a celebration from the start, with performances from Trippie Redd, Avril Lavigne, Willow, and 44phantom. But it was ultimately Machine Gun Kelly’s day. (Quite literally, as August 13th is now “Machine Gun Kelly Day” in Cleveland. Mayor Justin Bibb declared it a few hours before the start of the show.)
With such hype surrounding his homecoming, MGK had to put together an unforgettable show, and fortunately he did. Aside from bringing out several special guests culminating in a mini-set with Travis Baker, he ziplined across the stadium while singing his tribute song to Cleveland, “Til I Die,” smashed a glass on his face resulting in blood, and racked up a $300,000 fine for playing 40 minutes past curfew. A memorable night for the Cleveland history books.
Courtney Barnett’s Cleveland iteration of her touring festival, Here and There, featured Lucy Dacus, They Hate Change, and of course herself at the Agora Ballroom. Each city is treated to a unique lineup and not a Clevelander in the audience was disappointed by this one.
Unfortunately I was unable to make it in time for They Hate Change, so Lucy Dacus and her passionate fangirls on the rail kicked off the night for me. As usual she and her band were wonderful. Seemingly shy on stage, she nonetheless had emotive bursts and comical conversations with the audience. But it’s her voice and her confessional lyrics that draw you in the most.
Headliner and festival curator, Courtney Barnett slayed from the second she walked out on stage. I’d forgotten how much I enjoy watching her play guitar, so the reminder was much appreciated. Also appreciated was hearing songs from 2021’s excellent Things Take Time, Take Time live for the first time.
The fest heads west next before concluding in Denver in September.
It was when all four members of Phish kicked things off with an a capella version of The Beatles’ “Strawberry Fields Forever” that I knew we were in for a special night in Cuyahoga Falls.
It was the first time they’ve busted out “Strawberry Fields” since July 22, 2017—168 shows ago. Historically Phish has played some seriously beloved shows at Blossom Music Center, and this was definitely one of them.
Phish went all the way back to the beginning, pulling most from 1989’s Junta and 1990’s Lawn Boy during their set. They even encored with “Bathtub Gin,” only the fourth time they’ve ever played it live. It’s worth noting that they also sound incredible. Perhaps they’re getting better with age?
It’s been a long time coming. First the thrill of the 2019 announcement that Rage Against The Machine was reuniting for a world tour after an eight-year hiatus. Then 2020 hit and, well, you know what. So here we are, two and a half years later, finally able to feast our eyes, ears and souls on their Public Service Announcement Tour. And boy does it live up to expectations.
Run the Jewels kicked off the evening doing what they do best: winning over every single person in the arena. Killer Mike and El-P are quite literally a dynamic duo. Social activists, feminists, comedians, hype men—and oh yeah supreme rappers—they do it all. Their set left me feeling empowered and energized.
Next up was Rage. Much needed Rage. A rageful call to arms. Emotional catharsis in the form of song. For a couple hours, Rage Against The Machine (Zack de la Rocha, Tom Morello, Brad Wilk, Tim Commerford) gave us permission to be angry and outraged at the state of our world; at the fact that their music, thirty years later, is more relevant than ever. They gave us permission to scream and stomp and laugh and clap. To cry and dance and sing. They gave us some healing. And I’m not sure there’s a better gift than that.
It’s not easy to command an audience when you’re the lone musician on stage, but Ben Folds is a seasoned pro.
Between his masterful piano playing, unmistakable voice, and humorous anecdotes, his presence can easily fill any venue. Clevelanders were treated to a beautiful night at Cain Park this past Thursday. It was the kind of night we dream about when we’re buried in our homes under piles of snow during the winter.
Folds provided a setlist spanning his 30+ year career that prompted singalongs, laughter, dancing, and tears. My heartstrings were especially tugged during his Ben Folds Five covers, as I was instantly transported back to jamming out to those records in high school. He plays Chautauqua Institution tonight before heading south to Nashville to play with their orchestra. Catch him on the road this summer!
It’s been five long years without a My Morning Jacket show in Cleveland, but that streak was fortunately broken last week in a scorcher of a set (both literally—it was hot AF—and figuratively—the band itself also melted faces) at Jacob’s Pavilion.
The show kicked off MMJ’s summer tour, which unfortunately came to a grinding halt two days later, as frontman Jim James tested positive for Covid. Consequently their two Louisville homecoming shows were cancelled, Detroit and Columbus were rescheduled, and I’ve spent the last week feeling pretty damn lucky that I got to see them at all. MMJ is set to resume their tour in Madison, Wisconsin on July 1st and hopefully this is the last time that Covid interferes with their health and wealth.
As for the Cleveland show, it was full of everything I love about My Morning Jacket: soaring vocals, epic solos, full-on jam-outs, and thoughtful production lighting. Their band chemistry is simply off-the-charts—not to mention that they’re all musical wizards—and that combo makes for something seriously special.
Keyboardist and Lakewood native Bo Koster got a little extra love from the crowd after his solo on “Feel You,” but ultimately every member of the band dazzled. On more than one occasion I saw mouths gaping open all around me. It’s how you can identify new members of the flock.
