Category: Concerts

The End – Black Sabbath Tour Returns to the Beginning before Bidding Adieu

Editor’s Note: My husband Brian writes his first Stratton Setlist blog post about Black Sabbath’s final Detroit area show in Clarkston, Mich. Wednesday night.

Black Sabbath displays “The End” tour logo.

“Is it the end, my friend?” sang Ozzy Osbourne during the opening song of Black Sabbath’s final show in metro Detroit.

Sadly, it was the end, but it’s hard to say goodbye, especially to old friends. Six years ago, I had to say goodbye to Ronnie James Dio, and last year, I most likely said goodbye to Rush. And now it was time to say goodbye to Black Sabbath.

I’ve been a fan of Black Sabbath since middle school. My brother had introduced me to Led Zeppelin and Rush, and I loved them both, but Black Sabbath was the first band I had claimed as my own.

They felt like a secret that my friends and I shared, and we had fun exploring and debating the different lineups. Was Ozzy era Sabbath better, or the Dio material? What about the Tony Martin incarnation of the band?

The truth was I loved all the lineups. Black Sabbath was like a saga that kept going on and changing over time, and they never disappointed.

Continue reading “The End – Black Sabbath Tour Returns to the Beginning before Bidding Adieu” →

‘When The Tequila Runs Out’ – Dawes’ New Track Creates Lifelong Sonic Friendships with Fans

I’m convinced Taylor Goldsmith and I would be great friends.

Like the Dawes lead singer and guitarist, I reflect on the life choices I’ve made and wonder where I’m headed.

I also find meaning in everyday situations – late night drives, extra chicken wings, western skylines, cross-country flights, drinks at a bar and passing conversations ­– and believe they define me.

I see a similar pattern of thoughts recurring throughout Goldsmith’s lyrics for Dawes’ four studio albums – “North Hills,” “Nothing Is Wrong,” “Stories Don’t End” and “All Your Favorite Bands.”

In Dawes’ music, Goldsmith isn’t afraid to admit he’s made mistakes, taken the wrong path or wished for different outcomes. His introspective songs invite listeners to learn from his actions and apply “his plans of attack” to their current challenges.

Continue reading “‘When The Tequila Runs Out’ – Dawes’ New Track Creates Lifelong Sonic Friendships with Fans” →

Stratton Setlist Snapshot: Mo Pop Day 2 Sizzles in Detroit

Scorching July temperatures and high humidity didn’t deter five hot acts at Detroit’s Mo Pop Festival on Sunday.

Mac DeMarco, Father John Misty, Matt and Kim, The Head and the Heart and M83 shined during the closing day of the indie rock festival with memorable summer sets at West Riverfront Park.

The Stratton Setlist captured the artists in action before thousands of sweaty, energetic festivalgoers.

 

Stratton Setlist Snapshot: Detroit Hosts Day 1 of Mo Pop Festival

The Stratton Setlist attended the first day of Detroit’s indie rock Mo Pop Festival at West Riverfront Park. Highlights included performances from Alex G, Bishop Briggs, Twin Peaks, Tunde Olaniran and Haim.

Stratton Setlist Snapshot — Brian Fallon & The Crowes Bring ‘Painkillers’ Tour to Detroit

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Brian Fallon performs at Detroit’s Saint Andrew’s Hall June 28.

DETROIT — Brian Fallon & The Crowes sang about red lights, long drives and lost loves during their 19-song set at Saint Andrew’s Hall on June 28.

The Gaslight Anthem frontman and his band played several tracks from his “Painkillers” solo album, including “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Steve McQueen,” “Red Lights,” “Long Drives” and the title track.

Early in the set, Fallon told the crowd about the “nice people” in Detroit and how Bob Seger’s 1978 classic “We’ve Got Tonite” conjures up images of Kevin Arnold and Winnie Cooper from “The Wonder Years.”

While reminiscing in between songs, Fallon also included several Horrible Crowes’ gems — “Sugar,” “Behold the Hurricane,” “Crush” and “I Witnessed a Crime” — from the band’s 2011 release, “Elsie.”

The biggest setlist surprise featured a cover of Katy Perry’s 2010 smash, “Teenage Dream,” which nicely complemented Fallon’s youthful themes about life, love and self-discovery.

Fallon & The Crowes will continue their “Painkillers” tour this summer with several European festival dates and additional U.S. shows through October.

‘Dancing With The Moonlit Knight’ — Genesis Prog Classic Transports Fans to Mythical World

The green, orange and red beaded butterfly curtain is my passageway to another land.

As I hear the beads collide against one another, I feel the energy change around me. The laws of science no longer apply and the power of logic is defeated by magic and art.

I’ve just stepped inside a medieval land dominated by knights, dragons, elves, wolves, wizards and royalty.

Radiant hues of sap green, yellow ochre, phthalo blue and alizarin crimson adorn the mystical landscape. The brilliant scenery is a painting in my mind’s eye that comes to life to right before me.

As I absorb the lush beauty around me, I suddenly hear a voice cry out:

“Can you tell me where my country lies?”

I quickly turn my head and see Peter Gabriel singing a cappella to me dressed in shiny plate mail wearing a galea.

Gabriel’s question is the opening line to Genesis’ 1973 prog classic “Dancing With the Moonlit Knight.”

Continue reading “‘Dancing With The Moonlit Knight’ — Genesis Prog Classic Transports Fans to Mythical World” →

‘Victory Dance’ – My Morning Jacket Captivates Fans with Magical Live Performances

The door to our hotel room slowly clicked open at 5 a.m.

I grumpily shifted in my sleep on June 14, 2008 as I heard my brother Steve creep into the DoubleTree hotel room. He quietly tried not to wake Brian and me after spending all night at Bonnaroo, but I was already up.

After opening both eyes, I saw his feet and legs were covered in mud, while the smell of sweat, rain and humid Tennessee air filled the room.

“Are you just getting back now?” I asked.

Steve triumphantly looked at me and said, “Yes, My Morning Jacket played for four hours in the rain at Bonnaroo tonight. It was one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen.”

“Was it really worth staying out all night?” I asked.

“It was. You guys should have stayed,” Steve said.

“No artist is worth standing in the rain for four hours in the middle of the night to watch,” I said.

“Your loss,” Steve said with a victorious smile.

“Whatever,” I tiredly muttered and rolled my eyes as I went back to sleep.

Sadly, he was right. It’s not often I admit that, especially since I’m the younger sibling. (Steve will do a victory dance when he reads this part.)

I didn’t reflect back on that memory until two years later when I stood in the rain at My Morning Jacket’s May 2, 2010 show at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion in Columbus, Ohio.

Continue reading “‘Victory Dance’ – My Morning Jacket Captivates Fans with Magical Live Performances” →

‘Fall to Pieces’ – New Matt and Kim Track Builds Strong Sense of Camaraderie

I flipped through the pages of SPIN magazine’s September 2010 issue and noticed a photo that made me smile.

The photo showed Kim Schifino of Matt and Kim standing on a drum throne holding her drumstick proudly in the air before crowd of thousands at New York’s Coney Island in August 2010.

With bandmate Matt Johnson sitting nearby at his keyboard, Schifino made her signature move to pump the crowd up.

Those guys look like fun, I thought. I need to check out one of their shows.

Later that month, I noticed Matt and Kim had a show scheduled at Detroit’s Majestic Theater. I bought tickets to the show without even knowing what their music sounded like.

I had a gut feeling they wouldn’t let me down, and I was right.

Continue reading “‘Fall to Pieces’ – New Matt and Kim Track Builds Strong Sense of Camaraderie” →

‘Moth to the Flame’ – Chairlift Attracts Ann Arbor, Mich. Crowd with Spellbinding April 4 Live Show

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Chairlift performs at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Mich. on April 4.

I quickly glanced down and typed the words, “Get Real,” into my cell phone.

Not long after I finished, I felt instant pressure being applied to the back of my phone.

“What the …?” I thought to myself.

I looked up and saw the clear heel of Caroline Polachek’s white plastic boot tapping my phone.

The Chairlift frontwoman nonverbally scolded me for being in the phone zone and not watching her band’s performance of “Get Real” on Monday at the Blind Pig in Ann Arbor, Mich. I was standing at the front right corner of the stage, so I should’ve known I wasn’t anonymous.

Continue reading “‘Moth to the Flame’ – Chairlift Attracts Ann Arbor, Mich. Crowd with Spellbinding April 4 Live Show” →

‘High Hopes’ – Pink Floyd’s ‘Division Bell’ Tune Rings Promising Future

The division bell chimes to signal the start of a new era.

It’s an era filled with promise, wisdom and hope for a fruitful life that unravels new adventures.

In those adventures, I highly anticipate the gatherings, experiences, concerts and music that will fill my life with joy.

One could say I have “High Hopes” for the fourth decade of my life, which will arrive in a matter of weeks and encourage me to reflect back on who I’ve become.

At this point, nothing sums it up better than Pink Floyd’s 1994 ode to what’s been lost and gained in life, “High Hopes,” from “The Division Bell.”

Continue reading “‘High Hopes’ – Pink Floyd’s ‘Division Bell’ Tune Rings Promising Future” →