Weekend O' Music

Saturday night offered quite the dilemma for indie rock fans: Should one buy tickets for the KEXP Benefit show at Neumo's or Franz Ferdinand at the Paramount? Luckily, Franz was also playing the following night, which allowed Seattlest to attend both shows and not miss a thing.

The KEXP Benefit show featured six acts, so it started early---doors at 5, first act at 6:30pm early. Had that first act been anybody but Math and Physics Club, we wouldn't have been there. However, we find it hard to pass up the twee nerdiness of MAPC, and as always, the band didn't disappoint with their delightful admixture of Belle and Sebastian and sunny Morrissey pop. Next up was John Vanderslice doing a brief solo acoustic set before playing at the Crocodile with Crystal Skulls later in the evening. He primarily drew from his new album, and had the crowd clapping along. After that, it was on to Athlete, a British band who we found to be overwhelmingly mediocre. In a world where Keane, Travis, Coldplay, British Sea Power, The Coral, and the like are already making music, there is no reason for this band to exist. We've seen it done before and done better.

Nonetheless, we had to get on the floor during Athlete's set, in order to have a great vantage point for Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. We've already commented on this band at length, so there's not much more to say. CYHSY basically played the same songs as at their Croc show on Thursday, and yes, the new track with disputed lyrics is totally about Satan. Clap Your Hands was definitely the act that most of the audience was there to see; this sentiment was proclaimed by one fan with a hearty "You're the best band here!" Following their set, once again, a great deal of the crowd cleared out, but since we missed them on Thursday, Seattlest stayed for the next act, The National, who ended up being pretty damn good. They reminded us of a slightly less intense Walkmen, and we were glad to see an indie band featuring a dude wailing on a violin (as opposed to the standard issue chick-with-fiddle). The final act of the night was M83, and though we wanted to see the work of the French electro-rock maestro Anthony Gonzalez, our weariness from being at Neumo's for over five hours won out. All our friends were bailing, so we also headed home.

Maybe we missed M83, but we had to be well-rested for Sunday, Franz Ferdinand's second night at the Paramount. Due to our intense dislike of Microsoft Word commands, we skipped opening band Cut Copy, but were in our balcony seats in time for TV on the Radio. In truth, we were more eager to see them than the headliners, since TVotR are one of the most exciting bands making music today. Despite one of lead singer Tunde Adebimpe's mics being wonky, they put on a powerful show, with their mix of strong lyrics and driving beats. David Andrew Sitek was his typical mad genius self, creating waves of guitar noise and singing along sans mic, while Kyp Malone's beard (much like his voice) has grown into something mighty impressive. TV on the Radio played songs off the Young Liars EP, their full-length, and a couple tracks from their forthcoming album. We were delighted when they played the political-but-not-annoyingly-so "Dry Drunk Emperor," which was preceded by a shout-out to Operation Iron Fist. In a perfect world, they would've closed the set with ethereal barbershop jam "Ambulance," but this time it just wasn't meant to be. For better or for worse, TV on the Radio always leaves us wanting more. Lucky for us, the album should be out soonish, with additional tour dates to follow.

And then, after a brief downtime, then there was Franz. My God, do those Glaswegian lads know how to put on a high-energy good time. Their set was as tight as the band was snappily dressed. Even the staging was exciting: an extensive light show, raised platforms for the keyboards and drums, and rotating banners featuring their trademark insignias and smug mugs. The fey foursome went on to play all the hits from their multiplatinum-selling first album, as well as a bunch of songs off their second, out today. The floor was a mass of jumping and dancing bodies, especially for last year’s inescapable hit "Take Me Out" and their new impossible-to-dislike single "Do You Want To." The band seemed to be having as much fun as the audience, with lead singer Alex Kapranos marching around the stage and playing his guitar from atop the drum kit. Seriously: These guys give great show, and the crowd, largely composed of the under-21 set, loved it. The band did a brief encore, and then the show let out a little after 10:30---perfect since all the kids needed to get home before curfew, while all the old people, including Seattlest, had to go to bed before starting another workweek. Sigh.