How the Showbox Got Its Groove Back

Hey, whaddya know? Ever since the Showbox upped the service fees and made a pact with the devil, their bookings have been less than stellar. In fact, we haven't been to the downtown venue for a single show so far this year, which is totally out of the ordinary.

Sure LCD Soundsystem and the Arctic Monkeys played last month, and of course Robin Williams sold out his three-day stand, but taking a look at the upcoming schedule has been just plain depressing: Oh hey, Hot Chip! No, it's cancelled. Oooh, Seu Jorge! Sorry, that's cancelled too. Even James Morrison cancelled his show next week (whoever the hell that is--from the looks of the posters still on poles along Pike and Pine, we'd vote simpy singer-songwriter). As a result, the existing lineup is comprised of such musical luminaries as Xavier Rudd, KMFDM, Les Claypool, and m-fing Silverchair.

Thankfully, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: every hipster dude's favorite post-rock band Slint is playing next month, the New Pornographers have two shows lined up in September, and Peter Bjorn and John should make up for their tardy Neumo's set the week thereafter. Plus, though it's not on the venue website just yet, Pitchfork has reported that Swedish indie folk singer José González will make a stop there in October. Keep up the good work, Showbox, and we just may find a reason to see a band in your friendly confines sometime this year.