In Concert: The Lumineers (Or, "Monday Is the New Friday")

Thanks to my lovely friend Amy, I had a last-minute surprise - a ticket to see The Lumineers at the House of Blues!  Last night, Monday, February 4, we hung out at the Lansdowne Pub while she and Radio 92.9 were giving away tickets to the show, albums by the band, chances to win ski passes and even a Jeep.

Step right up!

There was a group of 4 who won tickets through the station, and the 6 of us spent the whole evening enjoying drinks, interesting-looking treats at the Foundation Room (PS. I want to live there) and of course - good tunes.

Anyone thirsty?

Passion Fruit Mousse. You fancy, huh?

Pat won the tickets, and was celebrating his birthday all weekend (Happy Birthday!) and brought along his best buds Mike, Seth and Suzanne.

We watched the opener from the Foundation Room while having some drinks and food. We lost count of how many people were actually on stage for Y La Bamba but who cares?  They sounded pretty cool.  The band is from Portland, Oregon and describes themselves as "eclectic indie folk pop."  This song, "Juniper," has a great call-and-response and I love how their voices harmonize.

"Juniper"

The crowd was in love with The Lumineers from the moment the lights came up.  Looking around, every fan around us was singing along - when the band performed their second single, "Stubborn Love", Y La Bamba joined them on stage.  I loved hearing "Ain't Nobody's Problem" - I love the build-up.

This moment was pretty great, when members of The Lumineers came out into the middle of the crowd and performed the hit "Ho Hey":

What did I learn that evening?
1. "Monday is the New Friday." - Mike
2. If you order Vodka and Red Bull shots at the House of Blues, they come as actual drinks, not shots.  Bottoms up!
3. The Lumineers has a HUGE following in Boston - it was a sold-out crowd!  I certainly recommend checking this band out when they're in your neck of the woods next.  You won't be disappointed.

In Concert - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals / Trampled By Turtles

My incessant concert contest-entering paid off again!  I won a pair of tickets from 92.5 The River to see Grace Potter and the Nocturnals (with Trampled By Turtles opening) on November 30th at the House of Blues - Boston.  It's one of my favorite music venues in the area - great sound and atmosphere.  I was especially psyched because we had access to the Foundation Room!  If I could model my future home after the Foundation Room, I would.  I have a photo of the Prayer Room as the background on my phone - such a beautiful place.

Trampled By Turtles

I had only heard one song by Trampled By Turtles - Alone (featured on #WhatchaListeningTo Wednesday a few weeks ago), but I was not disappointed by their set at all.  I loved "Victory" - "the rain came at the break of day/ your light in the windowpane, said come on in..."  TBT really got the audience's energy level up - I'd love to see them again, for sure!

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - Wow.  They know how to put on a show, and that they did.  Grace started out at the keys with a shawl-type covering draped over her shoulders, and heels on, and ended up losing both, showing off her short skirt and killer legs.  Damnnnnn, Gina.  

She told the crowd that she was "glad to be back home in New England" - I learned that she is from Vermont, and there were shirts at the merch table with Vermont on it.  

    

She dedicated "One Short Night" to "all you troublemakers in Boston."

Overall, a FUN show - I now understand why there were TWO sold-out shows!

Thanks again to 92.5!

In Concert: Dropkick Murphys

My ears are still ringing from Night 2 of Dropkick Murphys at the House of Blues, Boston - and now I understand the draw to see this band!  They love this town, and the feeling is mutual.

My friend and I only caught the second of the two openers, Frank Turner & the Sleeping Souls, but I definitely liked what I heard.  They're from England and have a folk/punk sound to them.  I liked 'The Road' a lot.  Frank spoke passionately about "real punk/rock and roll bands" and how the real ones aren't "stuck behind barriers" and actually meet their fans and are grateful.  Amen to that, sir. 

I will admit that I wasn't overly familiar with the Dropkicks' music, other than what I've heard on the radio or at Boston sports events, but I was lucky to have a friend with me who is a HUGE fan.  Shout-out to Angie for being my concert partner-in-crime!  "Deeds Not Words" was a song that stood out for me - "Where you gonna run to/ where you gonna hide?" 

                                                                                                                                     Who doesn't like a little Irish Step Dancing?

 The passion these musicians have comes through as they run back and forth across the stage.  I was glad to see one of the female musicians take the lead on a song - the crowd seemed to really dig it, too.  Another notable song: "Take 'Em Down" (I did a little research and discovered it was a song released in support of the Wisconsin Union workers).  Don't let the bastards get ya down, guys!  

Something that kinda made us laugh was when Ken Casey, one of the lead vocalists, poked fun at the somewhat tame mosh pit: "That’s not much of a pit out there!”  Not too long after that comment, Ken and some of the other guys sat down for a few more acoustic-sounding songs.  Dropkick Murphys + acoustic = does not compute. 

DKM Crest: Accordion, Hot Chick, Shackled/Praying Hands, Beer.

I now fully understand the purpose of those newsboy caps: they are to be worn to Dropkick Murphys shows.  Being that we were in Guy Central last night, about half of them were wearing them... I should have worn mine!  I would have fit right in.  I am now the proud owner of a Dropkicks tee shirt, which I will be sporting this weekend.  The Dropkicks definitely make out well coming to town for St. Patrick's Day, and it's great that they play so many shows to accomodate all of their fans.  Thanks to Radio 92.9 for a fun evening! 

In Concert: Flogging Molly

If there's anything to be learned about last night's Flogging Molly show at the House of Blues, it's that they love the people of Boston.  No, really. The lead singer, Dave King, couldn't profess his love enough: "PEOPLE OF BOSTONNNNNNNNNNN!" 

He was sweet when he introduced his wife.  You can tell that family is important to him and the other band members - he told the crowd about certain songs that were written for his father and mother.  When the crowd started singing along to the song about his father, he stopped and called out, "Thank you!"

          

The energy and passion that the band puts out is pretty incredible - I am sorta new to the Flogging Molly/ Celtic Punk scene, but my friend Jen (who came to the show with me, all the way from NH!) and I had a really great time.  We definitely noticed that there were way more dudes at this show, which wasn't a terrible thing, but most of them were up front in the mosh pit, crowd-surfing their way to the security guard's big muscly arms.  The band barely paid attention to that, other than to give out a shout out to one crowd-surfer, simply because he was a red-head.  #gingerlove

A short video clip from the show 

Highlights:

• One of my favorite songs: "If I Ever Leave This World Alive" 
• The insane # of F-Bombs, shout-outs to Boston and her people, and more F-Bombs
• The guy towards the end of the show who chatted us up, and told me to check out The Pogues because "they have better writing" - and then told me about Irish music at Toad in Cambridge
• I looked 'em up, and they're another Celtic Punk band from London. Their name comes from the Irish "pogue mahone" meaning "kiss my arse."  I feel like I may like them based on their name alone.
• The irish step dancing happening randomly behind us on the floor

All in all, a fun show, and it makes me want to also check out Dropkick Murphys.  Anyone else check out this show and want to put in their two cents?