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DANIEL BEDINGFIELD @ HOTEL CAFE

Debi Del Grande — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:16:57 +0000

Before the show began, Daniel Bedingfield was trying to get the crowd in the right frame of mind. Usually, Hotel Cafe audiences are treated to singer/songwriters who remain still on the tiny stage. So, it was understandable they were timid at first to Bedingfield’s request to ditch the chairs they were sitting on and come closer to the stage. It wasn’t until he took matters in his own hands and physically cleared the floor that people understood this wouldn’t be a typical stripped-down performance.

Right from the start, with a backing band ready to support, Bedingfield kept the energy high, encouraging audience participation, and even jumped into the tightly packed crowd several times. Blending melodic pop and at other times traces of funk, he tackled a wide range of musical styles and techniques, proving the Hotel Cafe is capable of hosting a boisterous show every once and awhile. Photos by Leslie Kalohi

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SPIRITUALIZED @ THE WILTERN THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Thu, 24 May 2012 05:21:06 +0000

It was time to space out. Spiritualized touched down on the stage of The Wiltern Theatre with tunes from its latest Sweet Heart Sweet Light. Leader Jason Pierce/ J. Spaceman always styling in white, sunglasses and facing longtime guitarist John Coxon, guided the wave of sound and escape with minimal light projections and no conversation. This is about getting lost in the music. Nashville crooner Nikki Lane opened.

“All I want in life’s a little bit of love to take the pain away.”

“Save your little soul
The music that you played so hard
On your radio
All your dreams and diamond rings
And all that rock and roll can bring you
So long, so long”

Photos by Debi Del Grande

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Set list:
Hey Jane
Lord Let it Rain on Me
Headin’ For the Top Now
Walkin’ With Jesus
Oh Baby
Rated X
Born Never Asked
Electric Mainline
Soul on Fire
I Am What I Am
Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Mary
Stay With Me
She Kissed Me (It Felt Like A Hit)
Come Together
So Long You Pretty Things
Cop Shoot Cop

TRAMPLED BY TURTLES @ THE FONDA THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Thu, 24 May 2012 02:07:57 +0000

As a five-piece bluegrass band with roots in Minnesota, Trampled by Turtles projects down-home country charm with a decidedly modern melodic twist. 12 bar blues progressions laced with exotic modal melodies elicited a well-deserved reaction from the packed room of enthusiastic fans. Dave Simonett (lead vox) led the crowd through each song with a characteristic twang and smooth vocal delivery, but fiddle player (virtuoso would be a more accurate description), Ryan Young stole the show. Young’s unbridled energy and pure, unadulterated talent cut through the mix as he delivered riff after riff of sonic perfection. Alongside Simonett and Young, the rest of the band executed their roles flawlessly, delivering a cohesive, jubilant display of just how modern a classic sound like bluegrass can be.

The recent addition of Brown Bird as openers struck just the right chord. Brown Bird is a two-piece ensemble consisting of Dave Lamb on guitar, banjo and percussion and MorganEve Swain on violin, viola, cello, and upright bass. Both perform vocal duties and play off each other like a well oiled ’65 Chevy. The range of stylistic interpretation from both musicians created a genre-bending sound consisting of elements from folk, country, roots rock and even a few songs featuring textures weaved from modal melody and exotic Eastern European scales. A flawless fit for warmup duties they delivered pitch-perfect. Photos by J. Wise
Trampled By Turtles:

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Brown BIrd:

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HUDSON BLOCK PARTY IN WEST HOLLYWOOD

Debi Del Grande — Tue, 22 May 2012 04:35:41 +0000

The Hudson Restaurant and Bar in West Hollywood held its second annual block party benefiting the SOVA Community Food and Resource Center. White Rabbits, LP, Saint Motel, Haim, Little Hurricane, The Neighbourhood, DWNTWN, Yellow Alex and The Feelings, and Adventure Galley all performed. Photos by Debi Del Grande

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CLAP YOUR HANDS SAY YEAH @ THE EL REY THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Sun, 20 May 2012 20:00:22 +0000

Long-time indie favorite Clap Your Hands Say Yeah brought its melodic, danceable anthems back to an appreciative LA crowd, making El Rey’s stage the second stop of the band’s latest U.S. tour. Toronto-based outfit The Darcys opened. Photos by Leslie Kalohi.

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THE BOXER REBELLION @ THE EL REY THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Sun, 20 May 2012 06:53:59 +0000

London-based The Boxer Rebellion must have felt right at home at The El Rey Theatre with its largest crowd in the States yet. The band wrapped up its tour by playing some new tunes, many from The Cold Still, and a cover of Depeche Mode’s “Enjoy The Silence.” How is this band not signed? Nashville’s Canon Blue opened. Photos by Debi Del Grande

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BEST COAST @ THE WILTERN THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:18:01 +0000

A sea of young, passionate fans filled The Wiltern Theatre, and so frequently showed their ardor that even Best Coast frontwoman Bethany Cosentino commented that the crowd was quite loud, and that she enjoyed it. Known for a trademark, “Californian” sound, Best Coast breezed through selections from albums Crazy for You, and The Only Place, the latter of which was just released earlier this week. Photos by Leslie Kalohi.

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Setlist:
Honey
The Only Place
Angsty
Last Year (w/John Brion)
Summer Mood
Goodbye
Crazy for You
My Life
Better Girl
When the Sun Don’t Shine
No One Like You (w/John Brion)
How They Want Me To Be
Why I Cry
Mean Girls
Dreaming My Life Away (w/John Brion)
Let’s Go Home (w/John Brion)
Our Deal
Do You Love Me Like You Used To
Up All Night
Encore:
I Want To
Sun Was High (So Was I)
Storms (Fleetwood Mac cover)
When I’m With You
Boyfriend

RAMMSTEIN @ THE HONDA CENTER

Debi Del Grande — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:46:18 +0000

Experiencing a Rammstein show is not like any other. The “Made In Germany 1995-2001″ tour was held last night at The Honda Center in Anaheim where the German industrial metal band creates a Mad Max world where the audience is involved the entire time. This is not for the timid. This is for the one who wants to get lost in Rammstein’s world of chaos with a hint of S&M and dark humor. And apparently, the American version of this tour is toned down.

The show commences with a bridge slowly lowered right above the GA pit area. A smaller stage is then raised behind it with the the six masculine, well-toned and “in character” musicians on board. Holding Rammstein and California flags, the men are lead by ghostly-looking bassist Ollie Riedel carrying a torch as if going into battle across to the main stage where the music begins – - the very loud and thunderlike music that has everyone at full attention.

Frontman Till Lindemann is a pyrotechnics expert and is constantly either throwing, breathing or wearing fire. There is also quite a bit of “Till-Hammering” going on. Each member plays an important part of the provocative and seductive atmosphere. Poor Christian “Flake” Lorenz was either constantly on a moving platform at keyboards, on a raft across the crowd or almost burned in a cauldron by Lindemann during “Mein Tei.”

While 99% of the crowd couldn’t sing along because the lyrics are in German, all heads were moving up and down and a few excitables sans shirts, moshed away. However, during “Du hast,” all voices were heard. Lead guitarist Richard Kruspe appeared on the B-stage alone at the keyboards while the rest of the men came back crawling on their knees with leashes around their necks pulled by drummer Christoph “Doom” Schneider in drag, whipping them along.

For the last song, Lindemann straddled a large penis canon, which shot out white foam across the entire GA crowd. And they loved every minute of it. Photos by Debi Del Grande

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Setlist:
Intro
Sonne
Wollt ihr das Bett in Flammen sehen?
Keine Lust
Sehnsucht
Asche zu Asche
Feuer frei!
Mutter
Mein Tei
Du riechst so gut
Links 2-3-4
Du hast
Haifisch
B-Stage:
Bück dich
Mann gegen Mann
Ohne dichFirst Encore:
Mein Herz brennt
Amerika
Ich will
Second Encore:
Engel
Pussy

THE DRUMS @ THE EL REY THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Thu, 17 May 2012 18:11:29 +0000

The Drums wrapped up their US tour with two sold out nights at The El Rey Theatre. The hordes came early, left late, desperately wanting another encore. Openers Part Time and Craft Spells lived up to their role to warm up the crowd. Once Brooklyn’s The Drums took the stage, screams and shrieks almost took down the chandeliers. Each tune only took one chord before fans began singing along. Photos by Andrew Hanson.

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Craft Spells/Part Time:

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RUFUS WAINWRIGHT @THE ORPHEUM THEATRE

Debi Del Grande — Tue, 15 May 2012 01:40:36 +0000

While the Orpheum Theatre’s stage was dark aside from several strategically-placed votives, Rufus Wainwright sang “Candles” in a capella from his latest creation Out of the Game produced by Mark Ronson. Oh, but as the lights went up, Wainwright raised the energy level with his distinct voice and smooth moves while looking spectacular in sunglasses, gold lame pants, a tuxedo jacket and red/orange slippers.
With his new album, tour and a full band, Wainwright sang his heart out during the entire show with much love and admiration for his family. The most notable presence in the room was his mother, the late Kate McGarrigle. Although Wainwright could stand on his own quite well the entire night, he shared the spotlight with his talented band, including two songs sung by his bandmates Teddy Thompson (who opened and charmed the crowd) on “Saratoga Summer Song” and Krystle Warren with “I Don’t Know,” which tugged hard at your soul. As Wainwright sat alone at the piano, he admitted being hesitant with his arrangement of “On My Way to Town.” “Place your bets!” Nothing to be hesitant about oh talented one. As Wainwright pointed out, he also loves his father, Loudon Wainwright III, and played “One Man Guy.”
I had never seen Rufus Wainwright live before. I knew I would be in love with the music and that voice, but left adoring this man.
“Montauk,” was written for his daughter Viva.
one day you will come to montauk
and you will see your dad wearing a kimono
and see your other dad pruning rošes
hope you won’t turn around and go
Photos by Debi Del Grande

Set list:
Candles
Rashida
Barbara
Welcome to the Ball
Song of You
Greek Song
April Fools
The One You Love
Saratoga Song
I Don’t Know
Respectable Dive
Out of the Game
Jericho
Sometimes You Need
Perfect Man
One Man Guy
Going To a Town
Montauk
14th Street
Art Teacher
On My Way To Town
My Bitter Tears
Poses

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