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.
Related:
Dead of Winter + Fiery Furnaces, Treasured trash, And the nominees are . . ., More 
- Dead of Winter + Fiery Furnaces
It was a weekend of big acts and big crowds at SPACE Gallery.
- Treasured trash
“Lost and Found,” now showing at the June Fitzpatrick Gallery at the Maine College of Art in Portland, is worth stumbling upon.
- And the nominees are . . .
Thanks to all who entered the Portland Phoenix Short Film Fest and congratulations to all nominees.
- Drawing connections
The Portland Museum of Art’s challenge in presenting an architectural exhibition is akin to the finger that points to the moon.
- Animal collective
!nd!v!duals (a group comprised of Dom, Meers, Col!n, and Luke O) has overrun Brunswick’s Coleman Burke Gallery with an impressive display of giant beasts toting weapons.
- Questioning the Real
The Maine College of Art’s MFA thesis group show rides a questionable line between relevant social critique buoyed by valid critical theory and an egocentric interplay of misplaced postmodern gestures.
- Record lows, indies peak
Last week’s number 10 album, Van Morrison’s Keep it Simple, sold just 37,000 copies.
- The greatest night ever
I can’t believe I got the chance to see M.I.A. in little ol’ Portland, Maine!
- Admiring the scenery
My fondness for such superlatives requires that I spread the gossip.
- Stringing us along
Time of Rivers is a two-day, two-venue exploration of what your guitar teacher told you not to do.
- Revving it up
The Wrong Reasons have mustered a gallant comeback, and this time it’s for all the right reasons.
- Less
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
