Friday, June 9, 2017

LP, Car Seat Headrest, Nap Eyes, Lauren Ruth Ward, Josiah and the Bonnevilles - May-June 2017

Natalie and I went to U Street Music Hall on Sunday, May 28, 2017 (Memorial Day weekend) to see LP.  The openers were Josiah and The Bonevilles and Lauren Ruth Ward.

Josiah's Bonevilles appeared imaginary to me, thought we were late arriving and only caught the final song or two - perhaps they exited the stage prior to the song and a half we caught. An online search for the band name brings up images of one to four people, including the singer I saw. He was good, in an acoustic, singer-songwriter way. I didn't fall in love with his music, but I didn't find it boring or irritating either.

Lauren Ruth Ward turned out to be a band, and the singer had a very good voice and decent energy on stage.  I thought they were quite good live, until LP took the stage, that is. LP was one of those rare performers who is not only a virtuoso at her craft (amazing vocals), but also had charisma. She wasn't ultra-talkative, but she still connected with the audience, and everyone had a fantastic time. It was a really impressive performance that went on and on. I think of LP as a relatively new artist, but she apparently has plenty of songs in her playbook. She was on stage for at least an hour, and we skipped the encore.

LP

Lauren Ruth Ward
Josiah and the Bonevilles

On June 1, 2017, Jill and I went to 9:30 Club to see Car Seat Headrest, a 4-piece new band made up of barely post-pubescent young men.  Their recorded music is exceptional, and the lead singer's voice is  rather deep and mesmerizing. I was REALLY looking forward to the show, but unfortunately, they were HORRIBLE as showmen. They just stood there. The drummer or guitarist tried to say something once in a while, but everything they tried fell flat. The sound mixing had every setting at the max, so even with earplugs, it was too loud and chaotic sounding. And there were strobes aimed at the audience, blinding us.  I started looking at my watch 2 songs in and left after about 4 songs. It was a major disappointment. I missed most of the opener, Nap Eyes, an indie jam-band from Canada. I did not like what I heard from them, so didn't mind that I missed most of their set. I really hate jam bands.

Nap Eyes

Car Seat Headrest