Well, the Las Vegas House of Blues in Mandalay Bay put the icing on the cake of Vegoose 2007 with 3 late night shows from 26-28 October. On Friday night, Thievery Coporation played to a sold-out crowd, followed by Umphreys McGee on Saturday and one of my favorites, STS9 closing out the weekend with a bang on Sunday night. Kate joined me for Umphreys and my wife Jaemee came to STS9, so Ill pass the pen to them for their accounts on the shows, but first Ill cover Thievery Corporations opening of the Vegoose weekend. Dont forget to check out the main ICM Vegoose piece for coverage of the daytime events.
THIEVERY CORPORATION
by Mathew Wenthe
The line in front of House of Blues wound all the way around the outer wall of the Mandalay Bay casino. Id been to sold out shows here before, but never seen the line this long. It turns out they were still cleaning up from the earlier Kottonmouth Kings show, so they wouldnt start letting people in for a bit. Rather than stand in line, Joe and I opted to hangout by the entrance mingling and getting pics of the crowd, which paid off later when we managed to slip in amongst the confusion when the doors finally opened.
Admittedly, I was not terribly familiar with Thievery Corporation, but had heard nothing but good things and I dug everything I could find on the internet. I was expecting two DJs but the stage bouncer assured me that they were preparing a full band backstage and even let me back to poke around before the show. Sure enough, with the exception of a few minutes of opening Warning Dub Rob Garza and Eric Hilton were joined by a full band and rotating line up of singers. The show was thoroughly intoxicating as it progressed from trip-hop to Mediterranean to urban hip-hop and back. The ease with which TC transitions styles is testimony to their diverse musical background and constant effort to push back the boundaries of modern sound.
I was pleased to recognize one of the singers as Karina Zeviani out of NYs Nublu who I had seen put on a great show with her NY band a few months ago. Jaemee and I plan on swinging by Nublu when were home for the holidays. I enjoy living in such a musically small world.
So, the Thievery Corporation was great and Ill keep an ear out for anything with their name on it. I suspect that the HOB show will wind up being a better venue for TC than the outdoor festival venue at Vegoose, but I cant wait to see them again. Vegoose 2007 is off to a great start.
UMPHREYS MCGEE
by Kate Schruth
Mat and I headed over to the House of Blues for the late night Umphreys Mcgee show at around 1AM. This was after an hour and change of a Daft Punk get down and Im not really sure where the rally energy was coming from anymore- but it was there. House of Blues Las Vegas is a really beautiful venue with pretty great sound. I was standing to the right of the stage by the bar, typically where the sound should be not great, and it didnt sound distorted or funky at all. Its also a deceivingly large space with stadium style seating all around the balcony.
By the time we got there UM were already in full swing. We came into the middle of “40s Theme” and rocked out to “Nothing too Fancy and In the Kitchen.” Looking around in the audience I recognized some familiar faces and costumes dancing it out. I was fully impressed by the energy level in the room as my inner fire was rapidly fading. We stuck around through “Dr. Feelgood” but missed the closing piece of “Pay the Snucka” which I guess they had opened with.
Leaving early we missed a few gems in the second set, as well as David Murphy (STS9) stepping in for a song or two. Sometimes these sacrifices need to be made, it was near three and there was a whole nother day of Vegoose left. I also wasnt too heartbroken as Id seen UM less than a week previous and was looking forward to another whole set the following day. To close this piece I would like to thank Mat for driving me home. It was very nice.
STS9
by Jaemee Wenthe
As I walked into Mandalay Bay towards House of Blues to see STS9, it suddenly occurred to me that I should be very self-conscious, coming straight from Vegoose in my ultra-80s costume. I noticed very few others celebrating Halloween early. Oh well, f@#% it!..my personal mantra. Despite my discomfort, I became glad of my festiviousness. (Microsoft word is trying to convince me this is not a word but I know you know exactly what I mean.) As we neared the box office, I was welcomed by fellow holiday-makers and many concert goers that probably dress crazy all the time! Yes! I thought I knew every possible combination of plaid and paisley but alas, I stand in awe!
STS9 draws a decidedly reliable crowd of eclectics, and the Oct 28 late night show proved why this is so. Inside the House of Blues, intensity rocks the venue. Amazing beats and insidious melodies surmount the stage. You look up, expecting to see a sick DJ working the vinyl, but instead are dazed by the live musicians working their trade. Electronica comes alive. It becomes big and raw and moves you.
A pungent reveler moves in ahead of me. He literally smells like he hasnt showered since the last time I saw Dave Murphy, STS9s bass player, play with New Deal at Joshua Tree music fest in July. He dances wildly to the music, and kicks a roped off bench aside. He continues on in his musically inspired rage, moving furniture with the music until he has a comfortable space to dance freely in.
The beat draws down and he slows. STS9s music is freeing, wide and open, and all their shows Ive watched have been out of doors. I appreciate the great sound this venue offers. Ive never heard STS9 sound so full and enveloping.
The bouncer comes by. No more moving furniture. No more pushing back red velvet ropes. There are rules. We remain in the real world. But as long as STS9 plays, we remain unaffected.
