Daigle’s SXSW 2009 Friday Night Shows

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This continues in the series of what I did at SXSW this year, and you can find the original, if nearly identical post here.  Additionally, check out BVaz’s much more in-depth take on Friday as well.  Ok. 

Following what I saw Friday afternoon, Ben Jill and I got a quick dinner of some tacos and went out to Cedar Street Courtyard relatively early to get in line because a) we didn’t have wristbands or laminates (which meant we would be let in behind every single person who had one of those two), and b) this was a top-notch lineup. Beach House, Bedouin Soundclash, Peter Bjorn & John, Grizzly Bear and Dinosaur Jr. – all on the same stage…it was a must see. They said doors at 7, so we got there at 6ish, but they didn’t start letting in even the laminates until well after the first band was onstage, which we missed entirely. Pretty lame if you’re that first band, and pretty lame for everyone waiting in line. At least we got in for the first band for us – the greatness of Beach House. Follow the jump for Beach House and the rest.

Like I mentioned yesterday, I loved loved loved Beach House’s last album, Devotion. The show was exactly like that album – dreamy, easy, gorgeous, and totally awesome. Leading off (and actually false-starting once) with Gila, they proceeded to have a great set that only saw 3 songs from Devotion, including Wedding Bell. Ben had heard that they were playing mostly new stuff – as in post Devotion material – and I think it was clear that it was newer stuff due to the fact that they were performing as a trio for most of the show rather than their traditional duo setup. Greatness. Next up was Bedouin Soundclash:

Bedouin Soundclash bordered on the new soul that I was complaining about with King Khan and His Shrine. They didn’t quite fit what I call the “new soul” bill because they mixed in some dub (yes, the combo was as weird as it sounds) with their soul, and even though they were a perfectly enjoyable and talented band, I can’t say that I super enjoyed their set – especially considering who bookended their set. Tough company to top – one half Beach House; other half Peter Bjorn & John:

Peter Bjorn and John’s album was sent to us a few weeks ago and I’m really digging it. I don’t have any of PB&J’s previous efforts so I can’t say how it stacks up to their previous sound, but it’s cool. It’s a more laid back, quiet electronica, beat-driven sound that actually plays really well live. Not all the new stuff allows Peter to throw down rock out, self-indulgent guitar solos or to jump around like a maniac, but the new stuff is really good, if less energetic. But in the last couple of songs they ripped the lid off it and unleashed the full rock guitar, which was also super. Following PB&J was Grizzly Bear:

This Grizzly Bear has been getting so much bloggy and hipster anticpation love that i was honestly almost a little irritated with the band before they even played. The only positive they had going for them for me was that Daniel Rossen of Department of Eagles is one of the memebers of the band, so maybe the hipsters and bloggers knew what they were talking about. And speaking of, in keeping with Department of Eagles, Daniel Rossen and Grizzly Bear brought Victoria from Beach House up to the stage to sing “Two Weeks”:

Find a video of this performance here. In that video you can see that they mention how she apparently sings that part on the album, due out in June – which judging from their show is going to be absolutely killer. No wonder the hipsters have been all Grizzly Bear atwitter all year already – the band sounded great, their voices were spot on and the songs were all excellent. Next up was the big fist of sound designed to do nothing but punch us all squarely in the eardrums – Dinosaur Jr.:

I don’t have much to say about Mascus other than I’m honestly confused how the guy isn’t deaf. That whole horseshoe wraparound setup made only of gigantic amps you see there was something he brought out for himself. God forbid he use the puny rock amps that PB&J had to use. No sir, he had his whole own setup and it. Was. LOUD. It would be a mistake to think that J. Mascus wants Dino Jr. to be loud just for noise’s sake, because it really does sound awesome. It’s a real experience to just be blown away by the dude’s sonic power hitting you squarely in the brain, and as a result, I thought it was the best show of the night. Not to be outdone by Grizzly Bear, J. Mascus brought out his own special guest, Kevin Drew:

Kevin Drew stepped out and J. Mascus introduced him very non-chalantly by simply saying, “Uh, … Kevin Drew.” Then Drew steps up to the mic and simiply said that he had been singing that particular song (can’t remember the name) since he was fifteen, so dreams DO come true. Then they broke the walls down and tried to make us all go deaf, too. Dinosaur Jr. was a perfect cap to a really great lineup to a really great show to a really great day. That about wraps things up for Friday night as they were cut off promptly at 2:00 AM. Probably something to do with the city not allowing a painful sonic assault on the neighborhood after 2 AM or something equally as retarded. Whatever. Saturday Day Shows up next!