Time for another ticket giveaway at one of my favorite venues, The Greek Theatre!
Metric‘s live shows are consistently phenomenal. I’m so excited to be giving away a pair of tickets to see them at The Greek Theatre! I saw Metric’s secret show earlier this year and the new songs are as wonderful live as your old favorites.
One lucky Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend reader will win a pair of tickets to see Metric at The Greek Theatre LA on Tuesday October 9. Here’s what you need to know to enter:
The contest begins now and ends at 12:01am ET October 1, 2012 (9:01pm PT September 30)
You will see there are several ways you can enterand you can get additional entries for each thing you choose to do. You can follow us, tweet about us, like us on Facebook, and more. ENTER NOW
Winner (1) will be selected by random.org and notified via email on October 1, 2012. Winner will have 24 hours to respond before a new winner is selected
Your tickets will be available for pick up at Will Call at The Greek Theatre on the evening of the show
Transportation and accommodations not included
About Metric:
Metric (photo by: Justin Broadbent)
Metric is currently on tour in support of their fifth studio album, Synthetica. For every ticket purchased a download of their first single, “Youth Without Youth” will be delivered to fans as well as a digital copy of Synthetica and 5 Synthetica Reflections tracks.
The new album follows on the 2009 self-release of Fantasies, which debuted Top 10 worldwide on iTunes Rock Albums charts and made Metric the first band to achieve its first Top 20 hit at U.S. commercial radio on a self-release. In addition to playing packed houses the world over in support of Fantasies, Metric picked up JUNO Awards for “Alternative Album of the Year” and “Band of the Year,” contributed the lead single to the Scott Pilgrim vs The World soundtrack, and landed on the Academy Awards’ short list for Twilight‘s “All Yours,” which they co-wrote with composer Howard Shore. They have since partnered up with Howard Shore on another project: The score to David Cronenberg’s latest film Cosmopolis, which was composed by Shore and performed by Metric.
Lead single “Youth Without Youth” was released digitally throughout North America on May 1st, tackling the topic of a fraying social state with bristling energy, lyrical complexity and driving rhythm. Strong beats and futuristic, yet organic sounds propel Synthetica from the pulsating, grimy throb of lead track “Artificial Nocturne” through the infectious singalong of “Speed The Collapse,” gut-wrenching meditation “Dreams So Real”, and hypnotic morality twister and album closer, “Nothing But Time.” In all, fans can expect a typically unforgettable night full of highlights from both previous Metric releases and the powerful, catchy, and lyrically captivating new Synthetica.
For “official” information about The Greek Theatre, you can check out their website, but here’s my take: The Greek Theatre is one of my all-time favorite music venues. Start to finish, The Greek Theatre is an EXPERIENCE! You can get there early, picnic, and drink wine. If you don’t mind a walk, you can park on Vermont and enjoy the walk to and from the venue. If you’re reading Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend, chances are you’re not the type to leave the show early, so you can take the easy route and commit to the stacked parking option. The venue is beautiful, outdoors, surrounded by trees. The sound is impeccable. I’ve seen some of my favorite shows at The Greek and I’m very excited to share these opportunities with you.
I’ve heard some people say, “Fiona Apple goes crazy on stage!” I wouldn’t call it crazy; I’d call it entranced. Apple is completely overcome by the music when she performs. The reason it may feel “crazy” is that people are not accustomed to experiencing that. In fact, much of the time, society requests we “keep it down,” hold it in, smile when we want to cry.
Seeing Fiona Apple live broadens my perspective each time. Not only is every show different, every moment is different. Her shows are real and alive, unpredictable by nature, and dependable in quality. They transform, evolve, and shape-shift around you.
There’s a set list, but you can go to every show and you won’t hear Apple do a song the same way twice. It’s the rawness, the realness, the aliveness that fans connect with.
The show envelops you. It’s as if you’ve arrived at a civilized dinner party, but when you raise your hand to knock, you realize the door is wide open. Welcome. There aren’t any elaborate light shows or over-the-top sets. What’s before you during a Fiona Apple show is: music.
Apple has a way of spontaneously moving notes through her vocal range, making them sound so perfect, it’s as if that’s how the song was always intended. I don’t imagine “always” is a concept Apple is too attached to. The songs are sung as they are intended, moment by moment.
Seemingly aware that their voices would likely not match Apple’s, there was only one crowd singalong, fan-initiated: “Happy Birthday”. Apple’s birthday was the night prior to her show at The Greek. The audience’s appreciation for and celebration of Fiona Apple’s life was felt as authentically as the show itself.
It was an abnormally warm summer night, even by LA’s standards. At times Apple would grab a fistful of ice. As she sang, water poured through her hands, along with the songs.
Fiona Apple fans have grown accustomed to waiting long periods of time between album releases and tours. It’s not their preference, but fans “get it”. It’s easy to imagine executives at the record label each time Apple delivers a new album, wearily gazing at one another, shoulders shrugged, as if to say “What are we supposed to do with this?! This doesn’t fit our model.”
That’s precisely why it works. There is nobody like Fiona Apple.
Time for another ticket giveaway at one of my favorite venues, The Greek Theatre!
As always, this summer’s line-up at The Greek has been exceptional. I’m really excited about this next giveaway and am launching it early so that we can run it longer, giving you more opportunities to win!
One lucky Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend reader will win a pair of tickets to see Grizzly Bear and Lower Dens, at The Greek Theatre LA on Wednesday October 10. Here’s what you need to know to enter:
The contest begins now and ends at 11:59pm EST September 22, 2012
You will see there are several ways you can enterand you can get additional entries for each thing you choose to do. You can follow us, tweet about us, like us on Facebook, and more. ENTER NOW
Winner (1) will be selected by random.org and notified via email on September 23, 2012. Winners will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected
Your tickets will be available for pick up at Will Call at The Greek Theatre on the evening of the show
Transportation and accommodations not included
About Grizzly Bear:
Grizzly Bear will release their first album in three years on September 18 via Warp Records. Recorded over the better part of a year, Shields represents the band’s most charged and concise collection of music to date and follows 2009’s critical and commercial breakthrough, Veckatimest. Preview the track “Sleeping Ute” here: http://bit.ly/KepO2h
Veckatimest debuted at #8 on the Billboard 200 and #1 on the Billboard Indie chart in 2009, and was one of the year’s most lauded releases. It ranked #1 on the NPR Listener’s Poll and Top 10 on year-end lists in The New York Times, Time Magazine, Pitchfork, SPIN, The Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop Poll, and many more. In March 2012, The Wall Street Journal’s Jim Fusilli declared it “one of the best rock discs of this century so far.”
About Lower Dens:
Based out of Baltimore, MD, Lower Dens is one of many side projects from singer/songwriter Jana Hunter. Hunter is also joined by guitaristWill Adams, bassist Geoff Graham, and drummer Abram Sanders. Together, the freak folk quartet has a sound that is psychedelic and murky, embodying the experimental nature of the Baltimore music scene with songs that are equal parts reverb-drenched folk and swirling ambience. After playing a string of house shows, Lower Dens went into the studio to record their first album with Chris Freeland (of Oxesfame). In 2010, the band released its full-length debut, Twin-Hand Movement, on Devendra Banhart’s Gnomonsong label. In the months that followed the group would refine their sound through touring and experimentation. Sanders stepped down as drummer in 2011, replaced by Nate Nelson. The band was also filled out with additional guitarist/keyboardist Carter Tanton. This expanded version of the band returned in 2012 with sophomore album, Nootropics. (All Music)
For “official” information about The Greek Theatre, you can check out their website, but here’s my take: The Greek Theatre is one of my all-time favorite music venues. Start to finish, The Greek Theatre is an EXPERIENCE! You can get there early, picnic, and drink wine. If you don’t mind a walk, you can park on Vermont and enjoy the walk to and from the venue. If you’re reading Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend, chances are you’re not the type to leave the show early, so you can take the easy route and commit to the stacked parking option. The venue is beautiful, outdoors, surrounded by trees. The sound is impeccable. I’ve seen some of my favorite shows at The Greek and I’m very excited to share these opportunities with you.
In Los Angeles the weather doesn’t change much with the seasons. So how do we know when it’s summertime? It’s concert season at The Greek Theatre. Time for another ticket giveaway at one of my favorite venues.
One lucky Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend reader will win a pair of tickets to see Andrew Bird and Sharon Van Etten, at The Greek Theatre LA , Sunday August 12. Here’s what you need to know to enter:
The contest begins now and ends at 11:59pm EST August 7, 2012
You will see there are several ways you can enterand you can get additional entries for each thing you choose to do. You can follow us, tweet about us, like us on Facebook, and more. ENTER NOW
Winner (1) will be selected by random.org and notified via email on August 8, 2012. Winners will have 12 hours to respond before a new winner is selected
Your tickets will be available for pick up at Will Call at The Greek Theatre on the evening of the show
Chicago-based film score composer, multi-instrumentalist and lyricist Andrew Bird picked up his first violin at the age of four and spent his formative years soaking up classical repertoire completely by ear. As a teen Bird became interested in a variety of styles including early jazz, country blues and gypsy music, synthesizing them into his unique brand of pop. Since beginning his recording career in 1997 he has released 11 albums, his first solo record Weather Systems coming in 2003. Bird has gone on to record with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and perform at New York’s Carnegie Hall. Most recently Bird composed his first ever film score for the movie Norman (hailed as “a probing, thoughtful score” by The New York Times; available now on Mom + Pop), contributed to the soundtrack of The Muppets and collaborated with inventor Ian Schneller on Sonic Arboretum, an installation at New York’s Guggenheim Museum and Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art.
Bird is touring in support of his latest album, Break It Yourself. Produced by Bird, Break It Yourself was recorded at his barn in Western Illinois near the banks of the Mississippi River.
Over the course of releasing three full-length albums celebrated by fans and critics, alike – Because I Was In Love (Language of Stone; 2009), epic (Ba Da Bing; 2010), and now Tramp (Jagjaguwar, Feb. 2011), the Jersey-bred/Brooklyn-based Sharon Van Etten has affected a multitude of hearts and minds over the past couple of years. Tramp, a stunning album nuanced in a language of striking rock, minimal beauty, and pious strength, showcases an artist in full control of her powers. Over the last several years, Van Etten has opened the Pitchfork Music Festival, played Bonnaroo, Sasquatch, The Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall, sung on new albums by Beirut and Ed Askew, collaborated with Justin Vernon and Megafaun.
For “official” information about The Greek Theatre, you can check out their website, but here’s my take: The Greek Theatre is one of my all-time favorite music venues. Start to finish, The Greek Theatre is an EXPERIENCE! You can get there early, picnic, and drink wine. If you don’t mind a walk, you can park on Vermont and enjoy the walk to and from the venue. If you’re reading Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend, chances are you’re not the type to leave the show early, so you can take the easy route and commit to the stacked parking option. The venue is beautiful, outdoors, surrounded by trees. The sound is impeccable. I’ve seen some of my favorite shows at The Greek and I’m very excited to share these opportunities with you.
Sometimes I see live music just for the sake of it. For example, if I really like the venue or some good friends are going (the ones who I would follow if they jumped off a bridge). The music is, of course, always important but sometimes it’s not the primary reason I go to a show.
Flaming Lips at The Greek Theater LA
Take, for example, The Flaming Lips. I’ve seen them a dozen times before. The thing about The Flaming Lips is: the show is essentially the same, tour after tour. The set list may change, but the typical theatrics remain in tact: crowd surfing in a bubble; confetti; balloons; dancing aliens, creatures, and furry animals on stage. Feeling I’d seen that show plenty of times, I took a break from The Flaming Lips a few years ago. However, when I heard they were playing The Greek Theater in LA (one of my favorite venues) and that Ghostland Observatory was opening, I decided it was time to reunite with the Lips.
That said, I knew nothing about Ghostland Observatory prior to the show. However, their name has been mentioned numerous times by people I trust, followed by accolades such as: “They’re great!”, “You’ve got to see them live!”, “I love Ghostland Observatory!” Last night’s show at The Greek gave me the opportunity to reconnect with an old standard and get introduced to a new favorite.
Ghostland Observatory at The Greek Theater LA
Ghostland Observatory: If you haven’t seen this band live, I highly recommend it. First of all, they have an exceptional light show – and I fall for that every time. Secondly, the music doesn’t suck. In fact, there were some great guitar rock riffs and some good dance tracks. Third, I found the band (well, the 2 guys who make up Ghostland) to be mesmerizing to watch. One guy was wearing a cape, jamming on the synthesizers, and the other guy was busting out guitar solos and then dancing like he was in some European techno club.
To the purists out there who say, “It should be all about the music – music first, then production” – well, in my subjective opinion, the music was really good. In fact, more often than not, the songs distracted me from the lights. That said, I have not seen this band without the full-scale production, nor do I own any of their music (yet). So the nearly seizure-inducing light show was a great way to engage me and make me take notice. People who have been following this band for a couple years tell me that they are indeed fantastic live, without all the lasers.
Here’s some video – lights and all:
The Flaming Lips: After Ghostland Observatory, I was actually a bit nervous that The Flaming Lips wouldn’t be able to live up to my expectations. I wasn’t expecting a lot actually – good sound, some spectacle and crazy $h!t going on onstage, some old classics, some new songs, and perhaps, something different.
They kicked off with the ol’ boy in the bubble trick. Wayne Coyne climbed into a bubble and crowd surfed. Seen it before. Yet, after a substantial hiatus from seeing their live performance, I still found the bubble gimmick entertaining. It also made me feel at “home” – the comfort of knowing exactly what I was getting. Furthermore, it sets the stage – some bands let the show build before they kick into high gear; the Flaming Lips need no runway – they just take off.
Flaming Furry Creatures
After the bubble, the furry animals, space creatures, flowers, and assorted characters joined the band on stage for some dancing and to kick balloons back out to the crowd.
In case you’re keeping track: bubble, furry things on stage, balloons. Who said it should be all about the music?!
But speaking of music, some highlights included: stripped down versions of “Fight Test” and “Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 1”, along with the confetti filled encore performance of “Do You Realize??”
Back to the spectacle: add confetti, large projections of dancing women, and Wayne Coyne singing while riding on the shoulders of a giant gorilla (to be more specific in case PETA is reading this, a person dressed in a gorilla suit) to the list.
All said and done, The Flaming Lips entertained me, made me dance and smile. They didn’t do anything revolutionary. They didn’t change my perspective or reinvigorate my passion for their music. It’s what I expect from a feel-good movie – not necessarily worthy of an Academy Award, but easy, fun, and entertaining; a good show to see every few years.
Flaming Lips “Bubble” Entrance (in case you haven’t seen it before):
For “official” information about The Greek Theatre, you can check out their website, but here’s my take: The Greek Theatre is one of my all-time favorite music venues. Start to finish, The Greek Theatre is an EXPERIENCE! You can get there early, picnic, and drink wine. If you don’t mind a walk, you can park on Vermont and enjoy the walk to and from the venue. If you’re reading Rock Is A Girl’s Best Friend, chances are you’re not the type to leave the show early, so you can take the easy route and commit to the stacked parking option. The venue is beautiful, outdoors, surrounded by trees. The sound is impeccable. I’ve seen some of my favorite shows at The Greek and I’m very excited to share these opportunities with you.
