Just got back from the New American Music Union in Pittsburgh. Amazing concert, only let down by the fact that all flights to Newark and NYC were CANCELLED today, meaning I've just got in from a seven hour drive home - UGH!
Anyway, yesterday the weather held for a full day of back to back music. Starting at 11am the college bands on the second stage competed for a recording contract and the chance to have that single sold in all American Eagle stores, which is quite a big launching stage. Lots of great bands - I particularly liked the Bears - but the winner, The Black Fortys from Illinois, was very well deserved. The band seemed very gracious and surprised, most notably because this was the first time they'd ever played outside their home state. Anthony Kiedis presented the award
On the main stage, the performances were equal to the previous days. The Duke Spirit kicked off with great panache - I'd never seen them before, but the sassy blonde lead put me in mind of Debbie Harry. I missed Black Mountain due to a simultaneous press conference I was attending, but after that Gnarls Barkley did their thang. I think their version of Crazy was a little lacklustre, but then once you've played the same song 100 times, maybe it gets that way. Both Spoon and Dylan gave solid performnaces (no photos of Dylan, sorry. His people forbid all photos - make of that what you will).
But the highlight of the day by far were The Raconteurs, who tore up the place with a 7 minute rendition of Steady As She Goes. I'm not sure they matched the pure energy of The Black Keys from the night before, but as guitar bands go, they really rocked the South Side Works.
NAMU is going to be an annual event, and hopefully I'll get that all access pass next year too (it sure makes a sweaty concert on a hot day more bearable).
Lots of GREAT photos after the jump, care of my buddy CC Chapman.
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Dude, where the pictures of Poison, Ratt, Moteley Crue, and Great White?
like George Carlin said: "maybe i'm getting... older" but out of all those bands the only one I've ever heard of is Gnarls Barkley. but the whole even look seems great though.
Jealousy doesn't even start to describe my feelings that you got to see Bob and Jack White shred on his Gretsch Duo Jet.
I'm sorry, but I was at the show and Bob Dylan's performance was not solid - and I'm a huge Dylan fan - he completely deflated the energy of The Raconteurs - he is a legend, but frankly he just cannot hack it live anymore - I've seen him 3 times in the past three years and he has been severely disappointing at all three - he can still write good songs, but reproducing it live was never his strong suit, and it's downright unlistenable at times now, sorry, but it's true - quit playing the legend card and giving him strong reviews and start listening
Henry, you're absolutely right, guilty as charged. Dylan's performance was awful, so much so that I left after the third song. But as I've never been a Dylan fan, it was hard to put his suckiness on a scale. So thanks for setting the record straight.