Tag: ELO

Top 30 live shows of 2019: #’s 5 – 1

Here we go. Who were my top five live acts of 2019?

#5 – The Well – Levitation Austin – November 09th

The Well are at the top of their game right now, and this heavy-hitting set of blues-laced doom metal was one of the highlights of Levitation Austin for me. I knew within three songs that it was going to be one of the best sets I saw all weekend if not all year, and I was right.

#4 – A Place to Bury Strangers – Levitation Austin – November 10th

I was talking with a woman after the Levitation Austin set by A Place to Bury Strangers. We’d just been flattened by it. Walls of sound, blazing strobe lights, haunted house fog, and guest spots by members of Ringo Deathstarr, Numb.er, the KVB, Cryogeyeser, and Hoover iii were added treats to the raw force that APTBS unleashed. The woman said, “You wonder, ‘Were they really as good as I remember the last time I saw them?’ and as soon as they start you’re like, ‘Oh yeah. They are.'”

#3 – Thee Oh Sees – Thalia Hall – Chicago, IL – October 11th

As I like to say, everything you’ve heard about a show by Thee Oh Sees is a hundred percent true. Crazy double drumming, wild guitar work, wall-shaking bass, psychedelic synths, and a crazy crowd mixed to produce a stunning night of music, highlighted by all twenty-one-plus minutes of “Henchlock” from their great new album, Face Stabber.

#2 – Jeff Lynne’s ELO – United Center – Chicago, IL – July 27th

In terms of sheer spectacle and sound quality, this show by Jeff Lynne’s ELO was going to be tough to beat. The light show was, go figure, amazing and was only outmatched by the sound quality. Mr. Lynne still sounds great and his backing band was top-notch. He played all of his hits and even a Traveling Wilburys song with Dhani Harrison singing and playing his father’s parts. This show by a legend could only be outmatched by another legend.

#1 – Paul McCartney – Memorial Coliseum – Ft. Wayne, IN – June 03rd

Seriously, how was anyone going to beat this show? It was practically in my back yard and was a fun show by a legend who has inspired more musicians than we’ll ever know. He played a great mix of Beatles, Wings, and solo tracks, told a lot of fun stories, and delivered a fun show that left you wanting another full set. The expensive tickets were worth every dollar.

There you have it. Another great year for live music. Get out there and see some.

Keep your mind open.

[Why not subscribe while you’re here?]

Live: Jeff Lynne’s ELO and Dhani Harrison – United Center – Chicago, IL – July 27, 2019

Electric Light Orchestra is one of my wife’s favorite bands and I’ve always appreciated the way bandleader Jeff Lynne and his mates combined classical music with pop and prog-rock. Lynne had been touring with the newest version of his band for several years, but this was the first time we’d been able to catch one of Jeff Lynne’s ELO shows.

We were surprised to learn that Dhani Harrison (yes, George’s son) and his band were the opening act. They played a solid rock set that melded industrial, psychedelia, and groove. Dhani, much like his father, rocked both electric guitar and ukulele.

Dhani Harrison and crew

Starting with “Standing in the Rain,” Mr. Lynne and his twelve-piece backing band had the crowd with them from the first note. Throwing down “Evil Woman” as the second song and “All Over the World” as the third had the entire United Center jumping.

“Standing in the Rain”

Two nice treats during the main set were “Do Ya” by the Move (one of Lynn’s first bands) and him playing the Traveling Wilburys‘ “Handle Me with Care” with Dhani Harrison playing along and singing his father’s vocal parts. “Last Train to London” and “Rockaria!” were also great, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the great visuals throughout the entire show. You wouldn’t expect less from a band named Electric Light Orchestra.

“Handle Me with Care”

One odd moment for us, at least in the section where we were seated, was during “Shine a Little Love” and hardly anyone was clapping at the right moments during the chorus. I tried to encourage everyone around us to take part in, you know, the rhythm section of the song, but alas, we only saw a few people doing it.

They ended the set with the quadruple threat of “Telephone Line” (one of the best sad songs of the 1970’s), “Don’t Bring Me Down,” “Turn to Stone” (which still packs a powerful punch), and “Mr. Blue Sky.” The encore was a cover of Chuck Berry‘s “Roll Over Beethoven” that featured the band, and Lynne, shredding their respective instruments.

“Shine a Little Love”

It was a fun night, and we were happy to check this off my wife’s bucket list of shows. They’re still touring throughout the summer, so grab some seats if you can.

Keep your mind open.

Jeff Lynne – still shredding guitar and rocking sunglasses.

[Why not shine a little love on the subscription box while you’re here?]