Spoon Concert

If it's too loud, you're too old. 

(It was kinda loud)

If I'm listening to local radio, I'm listening to 89.3 The Current. They don't play commercials, and I've found a lot of bands that I wouldn't otherwise know on there. Lately I noticed that every time I liked the song that was on, and I checked my radio or the site where I stream it, the band was Spoon. I did a little research on them and found out that they've been around since 1994 and are from Austin, TX. 

I got their latest album, They Want My Soul, last week and it's been on heavy rotation on my iPod. I already liked three songs on the ten-song album from hearing them on the radio, but when track 5, Knock Knock Knock, played the first time I was like "whoa, baby." Lead singer Britt Daniel, 43, sounds nothing like Roger Waters, but the song is Pink Floyd-esque, and I loved it, too, right away. 

During my research I saw that Spoon was coming to town September 19th at The State Theater and tickets were only $35. That's actually a pretty cheap ticket these days. Ticketmaster had a single ticket in the 12th row. I thought about going to The State to buy my ticket at the box office to avoid the extra fees, but they were only going to add an extra $15. I figured that for the convenience of ordering the ticket at midnight in my basement, that was a fair price. Right before checkout, though, they added one more fee making the total almost $60. I almost gave up on principal, but I had made up my mind by that point and I just pulled the trigger. 

I love live music, and have since the first concert I attended, which was the Foo Fighters at First Avenue when they were brand new; right after Kurt died. Since then I have seen many big name/big ticket shows. The State is my favorite venue to see concerts. 

*Digression-Once at The State for a Lou Reed show, there were two older (60+) couples behind my dad and me. They had spent whatever they did on four tickets, and before the show one lady asked the other what show it was they were about to see. The woman replied "Lou Rawls," and went on to explain who Lou Rawls is to her. 

I got there around 7:45 and opening band EMA was playing. I watched a video of theirs on YouTube to see if they're any good, but I couldn't even finish the video. They weren't any better live. Their boring shoegazing music was made worse by the fact that there was no spotlight on any of them. There were some lights behind them, but their faces were never illuminated. A clock radio would have made a better opener. 

Spoon took the stage at 8:45 and energized the crowd starting with the title track from the new album. They went right into Rent I Pay after it, and the crowd stood for the whole show. Daniel's voice was right on all night, sounding like John Lennon on Revolution or Twist and Shout. A voice like a bee sting. He would emphasize notes with the neck of his guitar, and kept the crowd banter light. He mentioned he loves this town. As the show progressed I realized there were even more songs that I already liked that I didn't even know were by them. The most rocking number of the night was Don't Make Me a Target. It was like a grand finale of fireworks, exploding sound for 5 minutes. The light production was impressive throughout the show too.

They started their first encore with Knock Knock Knock. They finished the last song at 10:30 sharp. Nearly two hours of rock and roll by a band who has been around long enough to be engaging for the duration. The theater was mostly full on the main floor. I couldn't see the people in the balcony, but I think it was almost full too. 

When I left the theater there were four guys playing buckets on the curb right outside the theater. They weren't just dicking around either. They were tight and good, and even had some choreography. They would all play together for a bit, and then each would solo down the line. Their solos were faster than a machine gun. Their arms would flail so fast that I couldn't see them. It was a pretty cool surprise to walk out to. I threw a dollar in their bucket that was half-full of cash. 

My ears are still ringing in that good way that reminds me that I saw an excellent show. I'm glad I realized who Spoon is in enough time to attend the show tonight. I think even someone expecting a show by the late Lou Rawls would have been pleasantly surprised.