The Fleet Foxes returned to the Paramount for another double-header along with the Walkmen. Happy to be back home they played another packed house in their usual quiet manner. The venue was silent between songs while the band tuned up and switched instruments. Robin Pecknold and J. Tillman took turns with the crowd banter, stories, and gems like this one: "I'm in a very nostalgic self-mythologizing kinda mood tonight." Shows like that make for more of a living room vibe than the massive venue that is the Paramount. more ›

Ellen Carpenter over at SPIN.com makes a great point: plaid is so, so in these days. Look at that Robin Pecknold from Fleet Foxes (pictured), Tom Hobden from Noah And The Whale, or J. Tillman! Something about the gentle, guitar-stroking, whiskered man just screams "I'm humble and gruff, yet still empathetic. And I probably smell like cedar, if you get close enough." Riffs Carpenter after a Fleet Foxes show,

I could have overlooked their militantly woodsy ensembles--they are from the Pacific Northwest, after all--if half of the audience hadn’t been rocking the same look. It seemed like a joke, like one of those Improv Everywhere missions. A flash mob: Lumbercon!

Austin-based band Monahans do to music what poetry does to words. Tonight, they'll bring their stylin' tunes to the Tractor. Also on the bill is local songwriter J. Tillman and the very pretty Zera Marvel. We called up Monahans frontman Greg last week during their brief stint with the Cowboy Junkies to find out why he thinks people should come to tonight's show. more ›