2014 Concert Roundup -- Lowlights

     I attend many concerts -- some weeks, as many as 3 or 4 shows. That means that some of the shows are epic and amazing. That also means some are pretty bad or disappointing.
Lowlights:
Todd Rundgren at the LC in November: I have enjoyed Mr. Rundgren's music since the '70s. In addition, over the Summer, my wife and I enjoyed his contributions to the Ringo Starr and His All-Star Band show we saw in Kettering. In fact, at that show, he sang three of his hits and they sounded great. In addition, he tossed out a guitar pick at the end of the show that I caught. So I was feeling very positive headed into the LC for the show. I left shaking my head wondering what Todd was thinking. There were fewer hits played than at the show in Kettering (yes, that is true!). Instead of the hits, the show was filled with odd covers and obscure songs. No thanks, Mr. Rundgren, no thanks.
Twenty One Pilots introduced covers and "Nigel": I have seen the local band Twenty One Pilots five times. The first was with about 300 people at Musica in Akron, where after the excellent show my son Sam and I met the band and they signed autographs for us. So I started on a high note. Since then I have seen them in 3 other states: in Maryland at Sweetgreen 2013, in Illinois at Lollapalooza 2013, and in Kentucky at Forecastle 2014. Each of these shows were excellent, each covering similar material. With time, the band has grown in stage presence. I really enjoy these guys! However, the LC show on 9-4-14 was very disappointing. They broke up the shows momentum with oddly chosen cover songs. And worst of all, they used a voice over in between songs they referred to as 'Nigel'. This was a poorly chosen gimmick that got very old after a minute -- but was used much longer. Fellas: stick to your songs and drop the gimmicks!
Quit shouting out songs you want to hear when clearly the set list is set: In April, the Indigo Girls played with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra at the Ohio Theater. There clearly had been substantial preparation time for the orchestra to learn the songs. And Emily and Amy were not going to play as a duo at night without the backing of the orchestra. That did not stop the crowd from frequently shouting out requests. **Sigh**
Tune-Yards opened for Arcade Fire: I enjoy a wide selection of music from many genres. I am shocked that many people find Tune-Yards enjoyable. I found that hard to sit through.
Arcade Fire opens up the encore with songs by Devo and Ohioans sit on their hands: Arcade Fire on their recent tour would give tribute to local art-rock bands by playing songs by the band during their encore. As Arcade Fire played songs by Devo to open up their encore, the crowd sat in near silence. No love for the Ohio guys? Or just a young Arcade Fire fan and have no idea the debt they owe to Devo and so many other bands? Hmm.
The Kinfolks Soul Food Festival in Dayton: I was very excited to see this all day festival. So many funk bands I wanted to see! Morris Day and the Time were good, even with just three original members. Midnight Star were enjoyable, although the Calloway brothers were missed. SOS Band and Lakeside put on good shows. Then Confunkshun did not play at all (and it was never explained). The time between sets dragged out. By the time Bootsy Collins, a Cincinnati native, hit the stage, the crowd was not happy. Half way through his set, many in the crowd had left. And although Bootsy looked and sounded fine, his set seemed to drag with too long of jams. So the show was good but had a chance to be great.
Lorde at the LC in September: I was not sure what to expect when Lorde came to town. I respect her story and like some of her songs. I was not impressed with too much interpretive dancing and not enough stage presence otherwise. Keep trying because you are capable of more.
So much talk about Jack White vs. the Black Keys: I very much enjoy both the Black Keys and the White Stripes/Jack White. I saw them both this year and love each show I have seen (each 4 times now). A lot of talk about White vs. Black drove me crazy. Give it up. They are both very talented. They like each other's stuff. They both have music that was born of similar artists. Every artist carries the debt of previous bands. That is how it works.