music

Hello, Prince of Petworth readers! Your faithful chronicler of all things upper-Northwest has allowed me to spend a few moments recounting what I can remember of last night’s Wilco concert.

Who am I? I’m author of one of the winning contest entries. Remember the picture at the Tabard Inn? The guy who put his dad in the shot and exploited a personal tragedy so he could go to a rock concert. That’s me. And yeah, I know what you might be thinking but c’mon, it’s WILCO.

When critics hailed their 2002 release Yankee Hotel Foxtrot as Wilco-meets-Radiohead they were inadvertently giving credence to the idea that as Radiohead has come to be recognized as the world’s greatest band, Wilco may also be considered America’s nominee. Since then they’ve released three more albums, including a double-live, and won two Grammy’s. All reasons why it was so surprising to see them, rock royalty, on stage at 9 PM. Review continues after the jump. (more…)

Well, I’m a huge Wilco fan and always try to catch them at the 9:30 club. They usually play a ferocious show there. So this morning a buddy of mine and I both tried to get tickets. And unbelievably we were both successful. So what that means is that I have an extra ticket to the Tuesday show. So rather than give it to one of my other friends I thought it would be fun to have a little contest over here at PoP.

So here is the contest. You are to send me your favorite photo of your favorite room/spot in your home/apt. and tell me why it is your favorite. Alternatively you can take a photo anywhere in Logan Circle, Shaw, U Street, Columbia Heights or Petworth and tell me why you like that particular spot. The better the accompanying story the better your chances of winning. Obviously I will be posting many of these photos and stories so by virtue of sending them to me you are giving me permission to publish them. I will pick a winner the first week of Feb. so get cracking! Email submissions to [email protected]

I’m afraid I have to report that the much hyped sold out M.I.A. show at the 9:30 club last Thursday was a serious disappointment. Her new album is absolutely fantastic. But I can tell you that the opening act, Cool Kids, were far superior to M.I.A. Cool Kids were set up just like Run DMC with two rappers and a DJ on the turn tables in the back. They sang a song called We are the Black Beastie Boys (or something like that) that was unbelievable. They rapped over old school Beastie Boys songs spun by the DJ. There was a real electricity. But M.I.A. seemed like a parody of herself. There was a huge screen in the background which was rather distracting rather than inspiring. Now, I’ve been to some ferocious 9:30 club shows where the artist feeds off the energy of the audience. I’m thinking of some Drive By Truckers, Thievery Corporation and Wilco shows I went to at 9:30. Do you know what tips you off to a good show? It is when not only is the floor dancing and singing like crazy but also when those on the balcony are equally as enthusiastic. I can tell you at the M.I.A. show there was a very tepid response from the balcony (I was on the floor looking up at those up top). There were a few enthusiastic souls but for the most part those up top seemed to be politely listening. And that my friends does not make for a ferocious concert. So in sum, M.I.A. on an ipod or stereo is fantastic but no need to spend 100 bucks on craigs list to go to a show. Additionally, if you like the Beastie Boys go out immediately and purchase a Cool Kids album!