Rocktober, City Arts Style: Day One
October is nicknamed Rocktober for good reason. The fall touring season has officially begun and there are more choices than ever no matter what kind of music lover you may be. This week is chock-full of musical goodness due to the City Arts Music Festival. City Arts has surprised us all with the heavy hitters the small local publication has managed to book throughout the city for the next four days. Seattlest is excited to be at many of the goings on throughout the fest. For the next few days we'll tell you where we're planning to be and why you should be there too. Let the insanity begin!
Belle and Sebastian: Doors 6pm, Show 8pm // Benaroya Hall // tix $60
At this point in their career, it wouldn't be offbase to say Belle & Sebastian could be classified as indie rock royalty. Heck, we'd even go as far as saying they're on their way to becoming something akin to the Scottish answer to Yo La Tengo.
While Belle & Sebastian might not have the extensive catalogue or have yet earned the same place in rock history as their colleagues from Hoboken, they've certainly amassed an army of devoted fans. Many of whom, as it turns out, who'd proudly claim If You're Feeling Sinister if not The Boy with the Arab Strap ranks among the best albums of the 90's. If you'd count yourself as a fan, you're in luck as frontman Stuart Murdoch and co. will be bringing the band's past fan favorites as well as newer takes from this year's Write About Love to Benaroya Hall this Wednesday.
Blue Scholars: Doors 5:30pm, Show 6:30pm // Paramount Theater // tix $25
The Blue Scholars are arguably Seattle's best known rap group since Sir Mix-A-Lot and the duo is more popular than ever with the release of their island-inspired OOF! EP last year and a new album on the horizon. Emcee Geologic and producer/DJ Sabzi have become live show veterans and know how to work a crowd. It is thrilling to watch local audiences shower their homegrown boys with love at Seattle shows. Their great live show experiences come as much from the performers as it does from the audience - Seattle hip-hop fans know the Blue Scholars' rhymes by heart and relish any opportunity to chant them out.
The evening's bill also includes Minneapolis-based albino Muslim rapper, Brother Ali, has made quite the splash with the release of 2009's Us full of forceful rhymes about personal and political alienation over sharp, soulful beats. Known for bringing out costumed alter egos during performances, local rapper Macklemore blasted back onto the scene last year after a four-year recording absence with the critically acclaimed the VS. EP. Produced with Ryan Lewis, the EP features Macklemore's signature deeply confessional, soul-searching raps without the bragging and boasting of other emcees. Fresh Espresso and Mash Hall, relative newcomers to the local hip-hop scene bring a fresh spin on the city's distinct style, round out the lineup that will be sure to have heads nodding and hands bouncing.
Gogol Bordello: Doors 7pm, Show 8pm // Showbox Sodo // Sold Out!
Gogol Bordello is an insane mix of mult-cultural musicians playing self-proclaimed Gypsy Punk. They met at a Russian wedding in Vermont in '98 and since then, they've added more and more members creating a "snowball orchestra of immigrants". There's really no other live show you'll see like the insanity they create. According to the band, back in the early years they were banned from lots of well-known New York clubs such as CB/GB's, Mercury Lounge, Fez and Bowery Ballroom "for being too over the &*+$%#@ing top". We believe it. All you have to do is look at photos of their shows and you know it's going to be off the charts.
Unfortunately the show is sold out, so if you were lucky enough to snag either a wristband or single ticket be prepared for it to get rough. Showbox Market is the perfect place for these guys to go nuts, jumping into the crowd is probably just the beginning. We would also suggest if you have a wristband and didn't choose this show as your guaranteed entry, you'd get there early or you'll be out of luck. We'll also have shots from the show, so check back for evidence (blackmail or otherwise).
