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Show Review: Noah Gundersen Secret Show – 4/24

Cause A Scene —  May 7, 2014 — Leave a comment

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After an assortment of secret shows in Nashville, it was a fitting to end the week of intimate performances at the Cause A Scene HQ with Noah Gundersen. House shows offer artists the flexibility of making decisions that can alter the night in an incredible way making no two shows alike.

The night started off with Erin Rae filling the living room with delicate harmonies and music with a smooth, folksy Americana vibe.
Her soft-spoken demeanor and crisp vocals charmed the entire room. I always love when I attend a show to see the headliner and am delightfully surprised by the opening artist.

Armon Jay came up next, and folks, if you dig the sounds of Passenger and Joshua James, give this guy a listen. He will not disappoint.
He played most of the songs off his new album Everything’s Different, Nothing’s Changed which released earlier this year. He had an endearing quality of storytelling that came through when he explained his songs. He played a great set, and the fact that Noah Gundersen was not just in the room, but actually standing next to me, made it all the better. Can’t get that at the Bridgestone Arena.

The final performance of the night was none other than Noah Gundersen, accompanied by his sister Abby, with Armon Jay on the keys.
The chatter in the house fell silent within the first note of “Poor Man’s Son.” I love that he opened with this because it captivates and demands attention from the audience. Noah’s acapella intro transitioned from a single voice to a crowd of people during the chorus. At that moment I knew we were in for a special treat.

Noah is a one of a kind lyricist – only 24 and able to pinpoint and artfully express every possible human emotion within each of his songs. After playing “Isaiah,” his third track on his most recent album Ledges, he jokingly told the crowd “I don’t have any songs abut friendship, only sadness”.

The best moment of the night occurred halfway through the song “Nashville,” when Noah unplugged his guitar, made a b-line for the center of the room, and finished out his set. House shows FTW.

– Rachel Milligan

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Show Review: Arcade Fire At Bridgestone Arena – 5/1

Cause A Scene —  May 6, 2014 — Leave a comment

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Arcade Fire put on quite the spectacle at the Bridgestone Arena Thursday night; from their staple paper mache heads dancing around, to an elaborate use of mirrors and lights throughout the show.

When I hear Arcade fire, I don’t automatically think of them as a “Rock Arena” type. I was proved wrong from the moment they walked on stage to when it was time for the final bow. They gave a memorable performance and kept everyone on their toes.

As part of the Reflektor tour, Arcade Fire asked each individual to participate in a dress code suggestion of “formal attire or costume”. As some might see as a pretentious request, I saw as more of a playful undertaking. That night I was surrounded by an assortment of people in attire ranging from tuxedos & formal gowns to Winnie the Pooh costumes. It adds an element of lightheartedness to the evening when you’re in line for a drink and turn around to a Jesus, or are washing your hands next to a woman in a ball gown worth more than your car.

The whole night was an exposition of outstanding live music, confetti explosions, ever-changing stage décor and backdrops, and even more confetti (seriously there was a lot of confetti). My eyes were constantly moving across the stage as well as the arena. That was mainly due to frontman Win Butler and his wife Regine Chassagne. They are brilliant musicians with a captivating stage presence.

I couldn’t get enough of Regine- a-jack-of-all-trades. She reminds me of that one person we all seem to know who excels at everything. One minute she’s on stage playing the keys, the next she vanishes only to appear singing and dancing in the middle of the arena. You look away for one second to find that she has made her way back on stage and is now rocking out on the drums and giving a killer rendition of Sprawl (Mountains Beyond Mountains). The girl has some major stamina.

As much as I loved them playing at the Bridgestone and love that they have the ability to fill it, I will always prefer seeing them play in smaller venues. I mean who wouldn’t? Each member is so charismatic, that it is difficult to see and appreciate the individual’s personality through a sea of confetti and backdrop décor. Nevertheless it was a phenomenal performance with a perfect setlist. I have been waiting to see them play again for quite some time, and it was well worth the wait.

– Rachel Milligan

Arcade Fire Setlist:

  1. Here Comes The Night Time
  2. Reflektor
  3. Flashbulb Eyes
  4. Neighborhood #3
  5. Rebellion
  6. Joan of Arc
  7. Get Right
  8. Month of May
  9. The Suburbs
  10. The Suburbs (continued)
  11. Ready to Start
  12. We Exist
  13. Neighborhood #1
  14. Crown of Love
  15. My Body is a Cage
  16. Afterlife
  17. Its Never Over

ENCORE:

  1. Normal Person
  2. Intervention
  3. Broad Minded
  4. Wake Up

 

 

 

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