CONCERT REVIEW: Cage The Elephant, Silversun Pickups at the Armory; 60's Spectacular at the Aud

October 26, 2009 at 11:16am

Arrived at the Main Street Armory Friday night as Aussie duo An Horse pumped out a big sound a la Sleater-Kinney. Cage The Elephant followed with a frenetic strain of Kentucky-fried indie rock set to a kind of accelerated funk groove. Singer Matt Shultz raved about the stage, shaking his head incessantly as if he had a real bad case of swimmer's ear. The band was interesting and different with its controlled attack over songs where most bands would just plug in and peel out. It was a good set, but the band closed with a crummy version of The Stooges' "Now I Want To Be Your Dog."

Silversun Pickups headlined and harnessed a spectacular sonic pop wash. It's nice to hear pioneering bands take classic tones and not fall into retro traps.

Saturday night's 60's spectacular at The Auditorium got better as it went on. The New Rascals pulled off a loud, cluttered, and flat set with only the power of their hits to save them. The Turtles recreated their harmonies remarkably, with Flo and Eddie doing their best Hope & Crosby corn between numbers. Peter Noone still sounds like a teenager as he thrilled the crowd of roughly 1,400 that first discovered him when most of them were teens, too. For the most part the show was weak and kind of depressing. It's kind of the same reason I don't go to open-casket funerals; I want to remember them as they were. RIP.

Comments for "CONCERT REVIEW: Cage The Elephant, Silversun Pickups at the Armory; 60's Spectacular at the Aud" (8)

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peter noone said on Oct. 26, 2009 at 3:46pm

your review of the 60s spectacular was sort of half good and half witted.
I still sound and act like a teenager because I can and that is why I do 100 plus concerts a year.
RIP?
you are not likely to see peace in my time
in the words of the great governor of california?
I will be on my bike

Sweet Sue Ohio said on Oct. 27, 2009 at 6:50am

Thank you Peter Noone. I couldn't have said it any better myself. But I would like to add something here. About the age range of Peter's audiences. At least 50% are still in their teens or younger. You said the whole show was weak, depressing, RIP? I wasn't at this particular show. The only thing I see here that is weak, and depressing, is your review. May it R.I.P.

Peter, my friend. Until we meet again, stay, safe, healthy, and happy.

Jerome Haden (New Orleans) said on Oct. 27, 2009 at 1:50pm

In my opinion Mr. Noone sounds better now, and performs better than when he was a teenager. If 1,400 audience members were "thrilled" and you were not, that indicates where the problem is.

Joe Z (New Jersey) said on Oct. 27, 2009 at 7:27pm

I disagree that the show was weak and depressing. What was depressing was being followed into Wendy's by a homeless guy looking for money. This was my first visit to Rochester and found the city dirty and pretty unsafe. Coming from New Jersey the most urban state in the nation I feel safer in Newark.

Yorky said on Oct. 27, 2009 at 9:00pm

Hmmm, a little weak and depressing is it ?I have been a fan of Peter Noone for 45 years and have been to many of his shows, not once have I felt depressed.Quite the opposite in fact...that's what keeps me going back.
What a pity that you didn't seem to get it.

Joe said on Oct. 28, 2009 at 12:07am

"the band closed with a crummy version of The Stooges' "Now I Want To Be Your Dog."

The singer stage dove into the audience shirtless and proceeded to sing the song standing on the middle of the audience- a performance that would have made Iggy himself proud.
I guess that wasn't worth mentioning.

Sweet Sue Ohio said on Oct. 28, 2009 at 10:11am

Joe what shirtless singer are you reffering to?

Joe Napier said on Oct. 29, 2009 at 7:27pm

Matt Shultz from Cage the Elephant.

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