The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. All reared their respected heads on this evening.
Let’s start at the top, shall we? I’ve been on a roll the last few nights after a bit of a break, meeting some great people, having fun at the shows and this night was no exception. With little knowledge of any of the music I was about to hear I was eager to have the show start. I was talking with the folks around me, a few photographers, some not, when “Y” took the stage to a slightly less than full room. Y is his name; don’t ask me why, it just is. Right Y? Well yes it is and one of his songs struck me as I was listening and it’s theme would stay with me for several days. The song entitled “Spread a Little Faith” is the song I speak of. It seems to be from the point of view of someone who is down but knows that ultimately things ARE good in the world and that much like waiting on a bus, faith has got to be right around the corner. Which strikes me now as I write, that even though it seems he has lost faith, he still manages to keep the hope alive that more is on the way. I suppose it’s all up to you. Anyway, Y’s performance consisted of him on vocals and acoustic guitar and Slippy on electric.
Next up in this evenings lineup was Nico Vega. Drums, guitar and female vocal. This sexy little trio hit all the spots right on cue. Nothing out of order here, with great guitar sounds, beats on the mark and just the right amount of attitude in the vocal!
Soon to follow would be Tsar. Who opened that can up? These guys took the stage in a fury unleashing everything on the house with polished conviction. Having been on tour and a new record out I’d say they’ve much to be up about. More than anything though they were happy to have their sign on stage again (which was said not to be allowed in Canada). Though in the photos it may be tough to decipher, the sign reads TSAR in white lights. I rather liked the backlight it produced with the house lights bringing the rest together very nicely. (Photographers note: this set produced my favorite shots of the night)
With the anticipation peaking and the stage finally set, Juliette & the Licks roared into their set! This is what most everyone was here for and I’m sure they were not disappointed. This was a rock-n-roll show that seemed to keep raising the bar with each song they played. From the moment she took the stage flash bulbs were popping like some kind of red carpet gathering. I caught more than one flash in my shots including the last frame when the band was taking a bow. What happened to that three song rule fellas? I mean it wouldn’t take much to get a few friends with a strobe each in the balcony, hook up the wireless trigger and flood the room with light, but what’s the challenge of that? Anyway, the Licks rocked the house none-the-less. Like I said, the meters were peaked and the crowd was lovin’ it! I think it would be true to say that Juliette only has one level on stage and that would be twelve. Never stopped. She even did a bit of crowd surfing during the sets closer, an ode to Iggy, “Search and Destroy”. Juliette & the Licks delivered an electrifying rock-n-roll show on this the last night of their tour.
So, with the Good and the Bad covered I move to the post show Ugly. As I returned retrieve my bag after the show, (not three minutes since I last eyed it) I find it is now missing. Went straight to the door to check with security and watch the remainder of the crowd leave to no avail. The bag is gone. Someone said it was “those drunk girls”. Who ever it was, may karma have its way with you! Ten fold. In talking with one of the other photographers that knows Juliette, he tells me that someone snatched two rolls of exposed film from his bag during the show. He’s been to 15 shows, shot most and commented that this was the rowdiest crowd he has seen at one of her shows. Someone also poured a beer on his brand new camera. I mean what the f*ck is up with people sometimes?
Anyway, that’s rock-n-roll. Sometimes you’re up and sometimes you’re down. I’m just glad Y was there because I was in need of someone “spreading a little faith my way”. Thanks for the CD Y. Sounds great. Ugly aside, this was a great night.
Peace.
