The Virgins @ Bowery Ballroom. NYC.

My roommate and I headed up to Bowery Ballroom last night, hoping to see a damned good show. I was stoked to be returning to Bowery after not having been to a show there in over a year. It's definitely one of the better New York City venues. I was also quite giddy because my ticket read: "The Virgins", a band my roommate got me into months ago and whose playful songs never fail to lift my spirits and put me in the mood to have fun. The venue did not disappoint. The band, in a certain sense, did.

The four boys took the stage looking like youngsters starting out at a local pub or playing for fun in their garage. Donald Cumming,the lead singer, was a bit boring. In fact, they all were, not making much of an effort to acknowledge that the fans were even in the same room. The only one entertaining enough to keep my attention was Nick Ackerman (bass), who continuously made silly faces and stepped to the edge of the stage in order to get closer to us.

The songs sounded very different from what you hear on the album. I understand this could be a good thing for some people who like surprises and new sounds, but for someone who just wants to sing along like a big dork to the words she knows at the times when they're supposed to be sung, I was disappointed. In all honesty, I think the Virgins were just having an off night. They have potential, spunk and fresh, vivacious tunes. Then again, maybe they're just better when blaring from my iPod.

Donald Cumming

Nick Ackerman

Check out the Virgins at http://www.myspace.com/thevirginsnyc

Friendly Fires @ the Annex. NYC.

So after getting my mind blown and feeling so incredibly high at the Friendly Fires show at Virgin Megastore, I caught the F train to the Annex, a fairly small venue on Orchard St., so that I could get another fix.

This was a sold out show and I'm pretty sure they were over capacity on this night. My friends and I lucked out by sitting on a bench before it started and then listened to the opening band, Lemonade, from there [I don't feel the need to discuss this band, as I'd have no idea what to say. If you're into electronic songs that sound like they're being sung in a crazy foreign language, look them up]. Once Friendly Fires took the stage, we simply stood on the bench and were conveniently lifted above the crowd and had room to dance if we wanted to... and you can bet your ass we did.

I think they covered just about every song on their self-titled album, each one sounding completely unique and possessing the ability to reach under your skin and seep into your bloodstream, urging you into this trance that makes you want to move until sweat drips down your cheeks and your clothes stick to your body. By the end of their set, the entire crowd looked as if hundreds of buckets of water had been dumped upon us. The band were drenched as well, as they should have been after dancing around [yes, Ed MacFarlane even danced off the stage and into the crowd at one point], and playing about ten different instruments in all.

If you ever get the chance to see this band live, jump on the opportunity. If you have other plans, cancel them. If you don't have the money, borrow some. Even if you aren't familiar with their music, just go and take in the magic that is created at a Friendly Fires show.

Here is a video clip I took of On Board:

http://www.wearefriendlyfires.com/

Go here. Now. It will change your life in the best of ways.

Friendly Fires @ Virgin Megastore. NYC.

I headed out to Virgin Megastore in Union Square last night to see Friendly Fires for the first time. Having no idea what to expect, I wasn't necessarily excited, but immensely curious as to what I was about to witness.

Because it was an in-store performance and because they had a show at the Annex a couple hours later, the band played just four songs: Jump in the Pool, On Board, White Diamonds, and Paris. I believe the first was White Diamonds. They came onstage seeming timid, but once they began to play, it was like someone shocked them to life and they rocked the eff out. The lead singer, Ed MacFarlane danced all over the stage while the bassist, Edd Gibson, sweated profusely from playing his guitar with such enthusiasm. They were engaged in the audience as well, making eye contact and encouraging us to clap along with the music. I'm not gonna lie, there were a few moments where I felt the urge to jump on stage and dance with them, and I had fallen so far into it that I would have, had they allowed me to do so.

Prior to the show, Jump in the Pool was my favorite Friendly Fires tune, but I have to say, On Board sounded the best performed live. Oh, who am I kidding? They were all brilliant.

I had the pleasure of meeting the guys afterward and each one of them was incredibly kind and polite. They took the time to talk to each fan, sign pretty much anything and take photos. Mine can be found down below.

Jack Savidge & Edd Gibson

Yours Truly with the band


Here's a video I took of Jump in the Pool:

Another post will follow soon, as I attended the later show at the Annex as well. Stay tuned...

Michael Tolcher @ The Canal Room. NYC.

I went to my first concert in over a month last night. Yes, I finally had the money to do so. I went to the Canal Room to see Michael Tolcher. Opening for him was Bryan Greenberg. Graham Colton headlined.

Bryan Greenberg went to school at NYU before moving to L.A. to make it big in music and television. He starred on shows like "One Tree Hill" and "October Road". Apparently everyone in the room was obsessed with the man, as they acted as if he were a God. If you want my honest opinion, his songs were dull, cheesy and poorly written. I felt as though I was in an acoustic Disney-sponsored after school special. Moving on...

Tolcher arrived on stage next and I was never so relieved to see someone in all my life. He started with Mission Responsible and as soon as he sang the first words, chills ran up and down my spine. Because he had a time limit, only his most well-known songs were played, like Sooner or Later and Bad Habits. Halfway through the set, I looked around at the crowd and every single person was just staring at him, with content smiles on their faces, in complete awe. His voice has the ability to capture your attention in an instant and pull you away from anything you had previously been involved in. Drinks were untouched, small-talk had ceased, cameras were flashing nonstop.

Tolcher did two covers during the show. One was Eminem's Lose Yourself, which was cleverly planted in the middle of Bad Habits and had everyone in a fit of hysteria. The other came at the end of the set, which was With a Little Help From My Friends by the Beatles. Even though he's not much of a dancer, Tolcher was drenched in sweat by the last song and I'm pretty sure it's because he puts his whole heart into what he does and never fails to give every part of himself over to the crowd.

Tolcher

Graham Colton took the stage and did not get as big of a reaction as I assumed he'd get. I only stayed for two songs, as I am not a huge fan and was getting pushed around by a couple of drunk girls; however, I did manage to snag a picture and a video for your viewing pleasure. From what I heard, he and his music were good. Charming and pleasant, with a sense of humor... that goes for him and the songs.

Check out Michael Tolcher at http://www.myspace.com/michaeltolcher

and Graham Colton at http://www.myspace.com/grahamcolton

and if you choose to do so, Greenberg at http://www.myspace.com/bryangreenberg... but don't say I didn't warn ya on the last one.

Colton

Here are videos of Colton and Tolcher:


First Week - Graham Colton

With a Little Help From My Friends cover - Michael Tolcher & friends