(A tale of two Phish fests...grey, throbbing Loring versus sunny, relaxed Indio 12 years on)

I've seen the Killers in concert four times which is saying a lot because I don't own a full album and I'm not exactly a big fan.  I caught them first at a nearly empty Verizon Wireless Ampitheater in 2004 and was impressed, but it's always hard to get into a band you don't know with no crowd energy to help.  Two years later they were selling out MSG on the strength of four number one signals from their debut album Hot Fuss.  I was pretty buzzed on free booze at the MSG show, but do remember being blown away by their Vegas inspired showmanship and Brandon Flowers' vocals.  The band has hit a bit of a lull in the last couple years and a quick check of iTunes reveals that three of the top five songs on their 2007 album Sawdust are a Joy Division cover of "Shadowplay," a Dire Straits cover of "Romeo and Juliet" and a re-make of their own "Mr. Brightside."  2008's Day and Age was a bit of a comeback album for them and I can attest to liking at least four songs on the album which brings it into the realm of a worthwhile purchase.  They must be doing pretty well because the 18,000 person Bowl was completely sold out on Wednesday night (the largest natural Amphitheater in the US I might add), and the fans were amped up and ready for a good show. 

Music festivals can be hard.  Forget the outside venues with questionable acoustics.  Forget the shortened sets that often lack the energy of a full show.  Forget the hodgepodge of artists that attract a mixed crowd, and forget, in this particular case, San Francisco's inability to properly coordinate transportation for 80,000 to and from Golden Gate Park. 

Phish Jones Beach 6/5/09 from Joe Brundige on Vimeo.

(This is video from my blackberry....sorry for the bobbing...too many tequilas)

I've seen Wilco four times in the last four years and I have to say that last night was the best show I've seen yet.  I've been twice at the Greek Theatre LA, once at Austin City Limits and last night at the enclosed and intimate Wiltern Theatre in LA.  I knew seeing them at an indoor venue with great acoustics would be a good start, but I hadn't anticipated the amazing energy of the band,