Great venue. Opening band plays an ace cover of "Psycho Killer" as lead singer drinks from a bottle of Jack. "All Ages" label leans a lot more toward the O-30 crowd than the U-21. Ice cold PBR 24oz. cans for a fiver. And Gomez flat out rocked.
As I've said earlier, Gomez are a band that have really grown on me over the past year, especially, and I was really excited when I found out that they were coming to Kentucky twice in as many weeks. The first show was in Louisville (which would have been really cool, especially since they played a free show earlier in the day at ear X-tacy), but the older kids had baseball/softball and it was our baby's first birthday.... Had to take a pass on that one. Last night, however, they played in Covington, which, in addition to not conflicting with games or birthdays, was about an hour and a half closer. And, my wife kicked in that my going was my Fathers' Day gift. Back in the day, I'd go to see whichever bands I wanted, whenever I wanted. Marriage and (particularly) parenthood has changed this and Gomez were the first show I've been able to go to since I saw The Police almost two years ago at Churchill Downs, and quite honestly, one of the few I've really wanted to see.
I'd never been to the Madison Theater before, but it was really easy to find and was a really nice venue for a show. I went with a buddy of mine and we managed to snag a table and chairs with a great view of the stage. Heck, in a place that size, you'd have to try to not have a good view of the stage. The opening band, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit were good: solid, bluesey, Southern rock. Not to label it or anything, but worth catching if the chance should arise.
Of course, Gomez were the reason I went to the show and I was blown away. I've heard recordings of several of their concerts, and seen some youtube videos, but I wasn't really sure what to expect. Phenomenal. Great set list. Tight arrangements. Jumping between older songs and those from the new album, I barely missed some of the songs I was counting on hearing ("Silence" and "Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol" to name two). Even "See The World," which is high on the list of "least favorites" even sounded pretty good. "How We Operate," "Love Is Better Than A Warm Trombone," "If You Ask Me Nicely," "Ruff Stuff," "Airstream Driver," "Whippin' Picadilly;".... Awesome. Busting, out of nowhere, "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp." Brilliant. Closing out with "We Don't Know Where We're Going." Incredible. The guy I went with who had heard virtually nothing by them before last night was even really impressed. I'm sorry for resorting to such excessive use for superlative adjectives, but I really, really had a good time.
What a great Fathers' Day present. Thanks kids. I love you. And my ears that rang all night love you....
As I've said earlier, Gomez are a band that have really grown on me over the past year, especially, and I was really excited when I found out that they were coming to Kentucky twice in as many weeks. The first show was in Louisville (which would have been really cool, especially since they played a free show earlier in the day at ear X-tacy), but the older kids had baseball/softball and it was our baby's first birthday.... Had to take a pass on that one. Last night, however, they played in Covington, which, in addition to not conflicting with games or birthdays, was about an hour and a half closer. And, my wife kicked in that my going was my Fathers' Day gift. Back in the day, I'd go to see whichever bands I wanted, whenever I wanted. Marriage and (particularly) parenthood has changed this and Gomez were the first show I've been able to go to since I saw The Police almost two years ago at Churchill Downs, and quite honestly, one of the few I've really wanted to see.
I'd never been to the Madison Theater before, but it was really easy to find and was a really nice venue for a show. I went with a buddy of mine and we managed to snag a table and chairs with a great view of the stage. Heck, in a place that size, you'd have to try to not have a good view of the stage. The opening band, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit were good: solid, bluesey, Southern rock. Not to label it or anything, but worth catching if the chance should arise.
Of course, Gomez were the reason I went to the show and I was blown away. I've heard recordings of several of their concerts, and seen some youtube videos, but I wasn't really sure what to expect. Phenomenal. Great set list. Tight arrangements. Jumping between older songs and those from the new album, I barely missed some of the songs I was counting on hearing ("Silence" and "Chasing Ghosts With Alcohol" to name two). Even "See The World," which is high on the list of "least favorites" even sounded pretty good. "How We Operate," "Love Is Better Than A Warm Trombone," "If You Ask Me Nicely," "Ruff Stuff," "Airstream Driver," "Whippin' Picadilly;".... Awesome. Busting, out of nowhere, "Bron-Y-Aur Stomp." Brilliant. Closing out with "We Don't Know Where We're Going." Incredible. The guy I went with who had heard virtually nothing by them before last night was even really impressed. I'm sorry for resorting to such excessive use for superlative adjectives, but I really, really had a good time.
What a great Fathers' Day present. Thanks kids. I love you. And my ears that rang all night love you....
