The theme of the weekend in Portland’s nightlife was “Fire and Ice.” Friday night at Geno’s felt like a coronation of Modern Syndrome and Citadel as two of the most beloved bands on the scene. Despite crappy sound and a somber middle set from Boston’s out-of-place The Gulf, the concert and the long night that followed was packed, raucous, and blazing.
In a fortuitous bit of programming, Saturday night’s “Dead of Winter” show at SPACE found Friday’s Geno’s crowd rejoicing in a well-deserved rest. Seated at candlelit tables and across benches, a large and weary audience got exactly what they needed: a smooth and simple night of campfire songs from most of Portland’s best musicians.
The format was ideal: three songs from each performer, and everyone was accompanied by a couple of the night’s other troubadours. No one played too long or too groggily; the hot toddy specials were toasty and soothing. So were all the performers.
Sweet memories:
1) Colleen Kinsella, and her beguiling Joanna Newsom quaver.
2) Kelly Nesbitt’s Elmer Fudd cap.
3) Jeremy Alexander, the night’s grizzly Papa Bear.
4) Kate Cox’s crowd-pleasing rant against being a waitress.
5) Matt Rock’s Slavic showmanship.
6) Vince Nez, a one-man Man Man.
7) Dave Noyes’ sit-down Seekonking.
8) Ian Paige, sounding older, wiser, and better than ever before.
9) Josh Loring’s shockingly pristine voice and hilarious Springsteen cover.
10) Samuel James, and his inexhaustible ability to drop the same jaws over and over again.
And 11) Going to bed early. Thanks.
Topics:
New England Music News
, Entertainment, Joanna Newsom, Nightlife, More 
, Entertainment, Joanna Newsom, Nightlife, Chris Gray, Kelly Nesbitt, Kate Cox, Matt Rock, Dave Noyes, Colleen Kinsella, Samuel James, Less 
