stubb's

My Morning Jacket's August 24th performance at Stubb's was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated shows of the summer for Eggs and myself. It's no secret that we're huge fans of MMJ; every time we see them live our appreciation deepens. Sunday in Austin, our expectations were met and the bar was raised a little more: armed with pirouettes, a cape, and a pancho-clad bear, the band delivered a consistently high-energy set that left the crowd happily dripping sweat in the Texas heat. They seem to leave it all on the stage every time they play, a quality that has deservedly boosted them to the top of our shortlist of the best live acts in existence.

MMJ recap, setlist, photos, and videos after the jump

STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector 9) are a band that I have a love/hate relationship with. Then again, maybe it's a love to hate relationship. I have seen them in several different atmospheres, including indoor and outdoor venues, and daytime and nighttime festival sets. Every time I see them I have differing opinions about whether or not I like their music. They have played major parts at both of the summer music festivals I went to this year; first by headlining Saturday night of Wakarusa, and second by playing the main late night set on Saturday night of ROTHBURY. At both of these festivals they seemed to receive overwhelmingly positive reviews from everybody that spent any time with their performance. Unfortunately, at both of those festivals I chose other musical options (Hot Buttered Rum at Wakarusa, Crystal Method/Sherwood Forest at Rothbury), so I cannot give a current state of like or dislike. They are not a horrible band, they are actually quite good at what they do, it is just that my personal tastes leave me unsure if I like the sounds coming out of Tribe's sector.

On that note, their massive fan-base would completely disagree with what I have to say, and would most likely lead you in a better direction if you are at all interested. STS9 fans are rabid, which is the main reason why they grow bigger and bigger with each show they play. I have a feeling that we shall continue to see these gents succeed, so check them out now before they only play those 9-dollar-a-beer, frat-boy-filled corporate outdoor amphitheaters.

Full list of tour dates after the jump

When I found out Wilco was coming to Stubb's, the famed outdoor venue in downtown Austin, I was egg-static (sorry)! We decided that it would be best to only go the first night of their two-night, Sunday/Monday residency since we have lives outside of BOT that involve early morning jobs. We made it to Austin, just in time to jump in the ever-growing line of people waiting to get as close as they could to Jeff Tweedy and the rest of the boys in Wilco. The weather was perfect as everybody settled into their spots for the evening. The waiting game began as we were still about an hour away from Retribution Gospel Choir's opening set.

Continue reading "Wilco and Retribution Gospel Choir @ Stubb's" after the jump