Its the Plug Awards! Only the best little Dog and Pony show Indie rock has to offer! Unfortunately our night started out by haggling and hustling with a large group of scalpers when we tried to unload an extra. Apparently these guys dont like when you get on their turf, whatever that means. By the time we were happily rid of the ticket it was just about time for the awards to begin.
Although Ive never experienced the Plug Awards first hand, I have read a whole bunch of naysayin print on the event. The badmouthing usually centers on the poor hosting abilities and the lack of continuity in general. I was understandably pleased to see the hosting duties taken over by Patton Oswalt this year. He carried the ceremonies well, turned his wit on the audience and kept things light and tight.
The night was divided into two distinct parts. The first part being the awards and short performances, the second being a full set from Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The awards went by quickly, some being accepted, some presented, others not pretty loose. Arcade Fire, Animal Collective, Gogol Bordello, Hot Chip and Aesop Rock all took Best Album awards in their respective categories. St. Vincent and Andrew Bird took Best Artist awards. Coachella took for best festival, hmmm wonder about that one. There were many more awards and winners, so head over to Plugawards.com to see who took the cake. We had sets from Jose Gonzalez, St. Vincent, and the Forms. Loved Dizzee Rascal‘s three songs, it was the first time all night I saw anyone move intentionally to the music.
The last part of the night was separated from the first by something of a thirty minute break for the stage to be set up for Nick Cave. When the Bad Seeds took the stage we saw Mr. Cave looking as badass and kinda scary as ever. When they began to play I realized the room had become claustrophobically packed and it became clear what the kids had come for. The Seeds constructed the majority of their set out of new material, presumably from their new album Dig!!! Lazarus Dig!!! which had come out three days previous.
It was a fun night, and Id like to thank Plug for the music, the memories, and the free beer.
