Sunday, May 29, 2011

Benny Benassi @ The Mid, Chicago


Thursday night was spent dancing my @$$ off to Benny Benassi DJing at the Mid in Chicago. It was an incredible experience and my first big DJ night. The show was sold out and packed to capacity and was just indescribly fun. I got right up in the front of the mosh pit with the cool air horns blowing down as Benassi spun hits like his track "Cinema," his latest project with Chris Brown "Beautiful People" and Swedish House Mafia's excellent new track "Save the World Tonight." Here is some of the footage of the night.





Swedish House Mafia's "Save The World Tonight"


Chris Brown's "Beautiful People"

Janelle Monae @ The Aragon, Chicago



Over the weekend I caught Janelle Monae in concert on her "Hooligans in Wonderland" Tour with Bruno Mars at the Aragon in Chicago. She was every bit as remarkable a performer as I had expected as she belted out hit after hit on her exceptional album The Archandroid. Enjoy





"Dance Or Die" 


"Sincerely, Jane"


Jackson 5 Cover of "I Want You Back"


"Tightrope"



Thursday, May 26, 2011

Lykke Li @ The Metro, Chicago








This week I was able to catch the impressive theatrical show of Swedish singer Lykke Li. Here are some of my video takeaways

"I'm Good, I"m Gone"


"I Follow Rivers"



"Little Bit"


Simian Mobile Disco @ The Mid



This was a while back but worth a post, Simian Mobile Disco are easily one of my favorite electronic producers/remixers/djs. Their sound is just so fresh and so original. 

James Ford who makes up one half of this dynamic duo produced "Dog Days Are Over" and three other tracks off Florence & The Machine's outstanding debut album Lungs. 

Here are two highlights from their killer show at the Mid in Chicago on March 16, 2011

"Cruel Intentions" 


"Sleep Deprivation"

NKOTBSB Show Opener for their First Show on their North American Tour


All I kept thinking was these guys are so desperate to revive their careers.

My co-concertgoers called them Jersey Shore with microphones.

And yes, they are putting out an album together.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Mateo - Empire State Of Mind



This beautiful cover of the Jay-Z/Alicia Keys song is somehow stuck in my head... and that's a good thing. I may like it better than the original.

Monday, May 23, 2011

Lykke Li - I Follow Rivers (The Magician Remix)


T-Minus 2 hours til the Lykke Li concert this evening.

As Tina from Glee stated on last week's episode: "she's Bjork meets Florence + The Machine and a promising new talent."

I'd have to agree

Monday, May 16, 2011

New Bon Iver!!!


Their new song "Calgary" is as good as any Bon Iver song I've ever heard. And I had been worried that lead singer Justin Vernon teaming up with Kanye West this past year on West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy could have become a double-edged sword...could all this mainstream attention cause this talented artist to lose some of what made his music so special?... after a listen, I'd say "No." 

 

James Blake at Lincoln Hall


I went into last night's show a bit weary of what to expect, as I had heard mixed reviews on James Blake's live performances' ever since SXSW. Those mixed reviews proved to be true as I was thoroughly underwhelmed. During his set one song in particular had such heavy bass that I had to literally put my fingers in my ears for the entire song. This became the theme, not the exception.

Video of the three most memorable songs off Blake's excellent self-titled debut LP are included below. Cameras were not permitted on the premises so excuse the shaky footage, and just listen for the audio.
"I Never Learnt To Share"

"Limit To Your Love"


"Wilhelm's Scream"

Active Child - "When Your Love Is Safe" Live at Lincoln Hall, Chicago


These guys were incredible last night. They opened for James Blake and in my opinion stole the show.


Sunday, May 15, 2011

Active Child - When Your Love is Safe (Classixx Remix)



Actually getting to see Active Child open up for James Blake tonight at Lincoln Hall is pretty damn exciting too!


James Blake - Limit To Your Love


Words cannot describe how excited I am to see the musical prodigy James Blake in concert tonight at Lincoln Hall in Chicago. 

Friday, May 13, 2011

Tensnake - Coma Cat



I haven't liked a song with minimal lyrics quite this much since Eric Prydz - "Pjanoo"


Wednesday, May 11, 2011

The Good Natured - "Your Body Is A Machine"



If you're a fan of the Cranberries, then you're going to LOVE The Good Natured

Cassette Kids - Lying Around (Diamond Cut Remix)



This is my jam! This Sydney-based band, has a lead singer with Deluka-sized vocals, and the songs to match.

Deluka - OMFG



Just noticed one of my favorite bands made a video for one of my favorite songs. 

Sunday, May 8, 2011

CocoRosie - Beautiful boyz


CocoRosie is taking me to a whole 'nother level of weirdness... and I love it.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Yelle - "A Cause Des Garcons" @ Bottom Lounge, Chicago


Yelle performs "A Cause Des Garcons" in both the original and TEPR Remix form... and then my camera ran out of memory space.... grrr


Yelle - "Safari Disco Club" @ Bottom Lounge - Chicago


Yelle performs her new single "Safari Disco Club"

Ellie Goulding "Lights"



Ellie Goulding performing "Lights" at Lincoln Hall in Chicago March 30th, 2011


Ellie Goulding "Starry Eyed"



Ellie Goulding performs her breakout hit "Starry Eyed" at Lincoln Hall in Chicago March 30th, 2011


Ellie Goulding "The Writer"



Ellie Goulding performing my favorite of her songs "The Writer" @ Lincoln Hall in Chicago 3/30/11

The Knocks "Dancing With the DJ"



Pardon the audio quality.... did not realize it was quite so bad, but here is footage of the VERY talented duo The Knocks performing their hit "Dancing with the DJ" in Chicago @ Lincoln Hall before the Ellie Goulding show.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Monday, May 2, 2011

Yelle - A Cause Des Garcons



I know it's only Monday, but I'm already way too excited to see the French version of Robyn in concert on Friday... YELLE!

Miami Horror - I Look To You (feat. Kimbra)



Now I'm really regretting not going to this show when they came to Chicago recently.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Katy B - Katy On A Mission



While I don't see the James Blake or Jamie Woon comparisons, I do give this chica Katy B some major credit for taking the dubstep genre to new levels with her Benga-produced track "Katy on A Mission."