Cloaca Melodia

Cadence Clubhouse, Allison Park, PA.... This was the second in WYEP's Neighborhood Concert Series. Kashus Culpepper and Clover County were stripped down and introspective and Snacktime was a bundle of energy. Almost as soon as they began performing the area in front of the stage was populated with dancing kids, and then adults began to join in on the fun. Snacktime bringing the energy!

Crafthouse Stage and Grill , Baldwin, PA   The first of WYEP's Neighborhood Concert Series. I had never been to the venue before, one that was part bowling alley (thankfully in a fully separate sonic space), but it was a full crowd and a good spirit. The performances were enjoyable by both artists.  

South Park Amphitheater, South Park Township, PA .... Quite a lovely night of music. Although it had rained several times earlier in the day, the skies had cleared and conditions were perfect for some outdoor music. Nicole had visited WYEP earlier that day, and we had a fun time on the air. Her performance at South Park was terrific, and the band she is touring with is top-notch. Nicole and the band had worked up a cover of Bowie's "Moonage Daydream" after I told her that the day of her Pittsburgh visit was the 45th anniversary of The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars, and she gave me a shout-out from the stage when introducing the song. (After the show, she told me that the band was going to keep it in their setlist for the following night at the Mountain Jam festival. I told her she should keep it the repertoire for her entire tour, since they totally nail it, but since she has a month-long break before her next concert, I don't ev...

Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA ... I've seen U2 about a half-dozen times , and this night was the most remarkable of all of them. It's not that it was the best performance I've ever seen the band give -- I'd probably give that to either the 1985 show or their Zoo TV concert -- but it was the first and only time I've ever met a band member. It was actually 3/4 of the group. I met up with someone from U2's record label prior to the concert and he gave me a lanyard and told me to go to the Club Level of Heinz Field for a little pre-show party they were calling "The Desert Lounge."  He hinted that there was a chance of meeting one of more members of the band, but, you know, no promises. I've been through that song-and-dance before and I mentally put the odds of something like that occurring at 10%. The Lumineers were the opening act and I have seen them yet, so at 7:17p I put the question out to Facebook: Everybody was pretty unambiguous - wa...

Point State Park, Pittsburgh, PA ....   Part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival. It was reportedly Kiwanuka's first show in Pittsburgh. setlist: Cold Little Heart One More Night Falling Black Man in a White World Place I Belong I'm Getting Ready Born Again Rule the World The Final Frame Father's Child Love & Hate 

World Cafe Life, Philadelphia, PA ... As a huge Letterman fan from nearly the beginning, it was great to see Shaffer and members of his Letterman band play live. Original World's Most Dangerous Band member Sid McGinnis and CBS Orchestra member Felicia Collins were on the guitars. And then this happened. (The photo was blurry and meeting Paul FELT like a blur!)   The Dream Syndicate and Robert Cray were also great to see but were a little overshadowed for me by Shaffer.

World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA.... The Pixies were terrific, and definitely the most on-point performance of the three times I've seen them live to this point. They were pretty ferocious (I'm not sure if it had anything to do with the band being in the era of Paz Lenchantin on bass).  I really enjoyed Real Estate and Laura Marling, and The Mavericks were fun as always.  Nancy & Beth were alter egos for actors Megan Mullally and Stephanie Hunt, and late in their set, Nick Offerman (of Parks & Rec fame) came on stage beating a big bass drum strapped to his chest.   Pixies   Nick Offerman on bass drum     Pixies setlist : All the Saints La La Love You Where Is My Mind? Winterlong Gouge Away Bel Esprit Classic Masher Wave of Mutilation Tenement Song All I Think About Now Caribou  

World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA ... Blondie was great, with the youthful 72-year-old Debbie Harry wearing a dress inscribed with "Stop F***ing the Planet" in glittery letters. I was amazed to get a chance to see Bash & Pop live, one of Tommy Stinson's bands after the breakup of The Replacements and before he joined Guns 'N Roses. I didn't expect he would reactivate Bash & Pop and play live. A really enjoyable set, and I had a chance to chat afterwards with a very tired Stinson. Greg Graffin (better known as the leader of Bad Religion) did a good set, and it was cool to see Judy Hyman of The Horseflies playing violin for Graffin. I had a brief conversation with Judy to catch up.  I know I saw Ani's set but I don't have much recollection of it several years later.   Blondie's Debbie Harry   Tommy Stinson with Bash & Pop   Greg Graffin   Blondie setlist: One Way or Another Fun Call Me Rapture Fragments Long Time Heart of Glass Too Much Dream...

Mr. Smalls, Millvale, PA ....   Richard Butler of the Furs: Robyn Hitchcock: Psychedelic Furs setlist (according to this source ): Dumb Waiters Heartbeat The Ghost In You So Run Down Heaven No Tears Believe Alice's House Love My Way Angels Don't Cry All of the Law Mr. Jones All That Money Wants House Pretty in Pink(encore break) President Gas Heartbreak Beat

Schenley Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA ....   Part of WYEP's Final Fridays series.   sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

HersheyPark Stadium, Hershey, PA ....   A great show. Gorgeous night. It's not only always great to see McCartney live, but it was my daughter's first big concert.    setlist (according to this source ): A Hard Day's Night Save Us Can't Buy Me Love Letting Go Temporary Secretary Let Me Roll It I've Got A Feeling My Valentine Nineteen Hundred And Eighty Five Here, There And Everywhere Maybe I’m Amazed We Can Work It Out In Spite Of All The Danger You Won't See Me Love Me Do And I Love Her Blackbird Here Today Queenie Eye New Fool On The Hill Lady Madonna Four Five Seconds Eleanor Rigby Being For The Benefit Of Mr Kite! Something Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Band On The Run Back In The U.S.S.R. Let It Be Live And Let Die Hey Jude encore break   Yesterday Hi, Hi, Hi Birthday Golden Slumbers

Stage AE, Pittsburgh, PA ....   sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!      

Point State Park, Pittsburgh, PA ....   Part of the Three Rivers Arts Festival.     setlist (according to this source ): Godawful Things I Don't Care About You Side Pony Stop Your Crying Clear a Space Better Than Hell Yeah Saving All My Sinning Spectacular Failure Close to Me Lola Mistakes Got Me Fooled Elijah So Long You Go Down Smooth Bad Self Portraits Seventeen Call Off Your Dogs(encore break) Bohemian Rhapsody

Point State Park , Pittsburgh, PA   A very special show. Peter had visited WYEP prior that afternoon and sat in as a guest DJ . I had chatted with him briefly at the station and told him I would see him prior to his Arts Festival performance, as I was scheduled to do stage announcements beforehand. I got there with my daughter (who adores the song "Love Stinks") and while we were biding our time backstage, someone came over to me and told me that Peter wanted to speak with me. So we went onto his band's tour bus. post continues.... Peter wanted to pick my brain about his promotion plan for his album, so he had someone there give my daughter a tour of the tour bus. I gave him whatever info I could, made some suggestions, and we talked about the state of radio and where his music fits in to the current radio landscape. we wrapped up as both my kid's tour was over and the rest of the band piled in. They asked my daughter what her favorite music was and she said ...

Point State Park, Pittsburgh, PA .... sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!      

World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA ...   sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!      Soul Asylum

World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA ....   sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!  Billy Bragg & Joe Henry

World Cafe Live, Philadelphia, PA   post continues.... sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Schenley Plaza, Pittsburgh, PA   Part of WYEP's Final Fridays series. post continues.... sorry, I haven't yet written about this show... add your own comments if you were also there!

Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA I was so excited to see this show. It was good to Sweet again, but I was very glad to finally see Tommy Keene live. post continues.... I had been a fan of Keene's since my college radio days. The Washington, DC, native put out a few independent EPs which got some attention from my (and many) college radio outlet(s) and the music press. His Byrds-esque jangle-pop sound was emerging as a popular force in the music underground (especially from bands emerging from below the Mason-Dixon line). I almost didn't get to see him, since when the show was announced I already had unbreakable plans to see Natalie Merchant the same night. The Natalie show ended up getting cancelled, however. Here's a couple of videos (not by me) of Sweet's performance.