I’m not sure precisely what I was expecting from Peter, Bjorn & John based on my previous album and radio listening but it was not the dance about performance I was lucky enough to see. The trio treated us to a set full of material from their upcoming Living Thing album which features what felt like an even brighter if a bit less poppy sound on the whole. Notable are some percussive variations from their previous album and some fun surfer rock guitar riffs which helped boost the indie rock crowd off their heels. I assume the album may have a few more keyboard and vocal backings (ie the kids choir sound) which they backed off on for this live performance.
I heard that their set the previous day was plagued by technical difficulties that left the band less than happy, but fortunately at least Peter and John appeared to be having a good time this go around. Seemlessly trading bass, guitar, keys and vocals (and props to their crew on this as well) Peter (decked out in yachting attire) and Bjorn (sporting a leather jacket and some scruffy facial hair) could not have been more of a contrast. As one fan near me said, “Bjorn looks like he might want to kill himself” (perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, though I’m pretty sure I never caught him smiling) and stood quite static with his bass glaring out at the audience (or maybe just being contemplative). Meanwhile Peter took advantage of the packed crowd to lean out among the fans and dance about 50’s rocker style, at one point deciding to get cozy and sit out on the speaker with the crowd (now I can say I’ve been sat on by Peter Morén!) John looked like he would have also liked to dance about the stage but had to settle for boping behind the drums. Overall a clear highlight for me this festival (I now understand why my local radio station raves about them)- I’m so glad I decided to withstand the crush of the crowd for 2 hours to be there!
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Agree. Great album. And a very nicely written review!
by Daniel on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 08.23 pm from the entry: Memory Tapes - "Seek Magic" - Buy It
This record is so good. Everybody go buy it.
by colin on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 07.07 pm from the entry: Memory Tapes - "Seek Magic" - Buy It
Hi Brad - Thanks for letting us know! You are now credited, with a link to your portfolio. Amazing collection of Phish shots, by the way!
by Joshua Bean on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 04.49 pm from the entry: Phish in Hampton: The Super Bowl of Concerts
Photo 1 of 3 is my photo, may I receive a photo credit for it. Here is the link to this photo in my portfolio
http://picasaweb.google.com/Brad.Worsham/Phish20030301GreensboroNC#5326111451422951298
by brad worsham on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 04.23 pm from the entry: Phish in Hampton: The Super Bowl of Concerts
No worries, Foss. Not trying to steal anyone else’s thunder, just trying to show some people some good stuff. Keep checking back though, I think you might find we post a lot of other quality material as well.
by Colin on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 04.12 pm from the entry: Essential Listening: Priors "What You Need (Hey Champ Remix)"
thanks nicci! just go see any of them next time. It was one of the best nights of music I have seen in a while. And on the pics, Ro Tam took them, not me. They are good though, aren’t they?
by colin on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 04.10 pm from the entry: Friendly Fires + The xx + Holly Miranda - Doug Fir (Portland, OR; Nov. 25, 2009)
Easily in my top ten of the year, however…
by Jarrod Dunham on Sat Dec 5, 2009 at 01.05 pm from the entry: Bear In Heaven - "Beast Rest Forth Mouth" - Bin It
