Marty Hughley of the Oregonian writes:
That seems obvious on the surface, of course. But in an age of videos and marketing and ever-more sophisticated digital sonic trickery, too often we’re convinced that a great band is a cute lead singer and a guitarist with a few hot licks. Or a skillful singer-songwriter backed by a dispassionate crew of hired hands.
Sleater-Kinney played Friday night at the sold-out Crystal Ballroom and offered a solid reminder about some of the things that really make a great band. Things such as raw talent, sense of purpose, cohesion and, especially, balance.
By Linda Hungerford
finally got to see SK on my/carrie’s birthday after waiting and plotting and hoping for it for five years… an awesome show! my big wish was for hollywood ending with sam on theramin, and there it was! also sounded like he was playing keyboards during the intro and backups on some of the songs people were saying there had been taped horns on, but maybe someone taller has a definitive answer on this. has he been on the whole tour? my husband’s opinion was this was the second best rock show he’s seen of all time, after hendrix.. anyway… could someone please post the set list, if you have it? too busy shaking tail to write anything down myself. thanks!!!
by Carmel
So the show was incredible in Portland. I wish I had enough money to see the other 2 in Seattle, but I just started working, so no luck. They played pretty much every song off of One Beat (minus Prisstina). They also played the Bruce Springsteen song. Oh! was wonderful (being one of my favorite One Beat songs
currently) and I think Sam Coomes was there–can anyone else confirm this? I was so far back in the beginning and heard back up vocals and saw some
waving, but couldn’t tell why everyone was clapping. I danced a ton and got really gross and sweaty, but had a great time! Esp. during Light Rail Coyote when we got to sing along…I used to go to school right along that dirty river. Janet told some jokes, Corin danced around, and Carrie did her scream–all in all, great night. Too bad no one but me and a few others clapped during Turn It On…stupid people.
By N (bullvaultr)
so i was really psyched for the show, being as it was my 20th time seeing The Kinney, and i was especially excited after a great critical mass ride…however, following the two openers (both of whom were quite good, though i would’ve switched the order), a bunch of guys started pushing up to the front of an already-packed house, to the point where people were practically throwing all their weight onto the first few rows.
The folks by me turned around and asked for space, etc, but just as “oxygen” began, these guys elbowed/pushed/slammed their way forward, ostensibly starting a 10-minute mosh pit. At one point, Corin noted that seeing people being passed back in the audience was beginning to trigger some sort of mommy worrying ;) .Anyway, I’m all for jumping and dancing, but this was pretty bewildering (especially for a portland crowd), and i felt bad because i saw at least 6 people in my area alone walk out after a few songs. Things got better from there, what with birthday singing and janet messing up her joke.
They played (not in this order, sorry) all of 1bt except for prisstina, #1must have, ynrnrf, start together, get up, ctd segueing into dmo, one more hour, turn it on, w+g, and joey, and they totally rocked “promised land.” For the most part, the older songs were unbelievably tight, but some of the new ones seemed a bit less…something (this is just based on their jackpot show last
month and the july benefit).
Sorry for grousing. Despite my previous frustration, it seemed that everyone’s general feeling upon leaving was enthusiasm. I’m holding out hope for monday night’s cinerama show (the first time i’ve seen david gedge&co. in six years. yay!). I know someone on this list recommended “saturnalia” a while back, but for those of you unfamiliar with cinerama/the wedding present, check ‘em out!
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