I made it to the BOAT show no problem (my parents had outfitted the car with snowtires just the day before!). But my friends who were going to come with couldn't make it, and there was definately a small audience for such a killer show!

Too bad about the snow, the Thermals were great (of course).

I made it to a truly amazing show on Friday,definitely one of the best shows I saw in 2007. It was Faustin Linyekula and Les Studios Kaboko at On the Boards with a live band featuring Wawali Bonane and Huit Kilos. It was part performance art detailing the history of Congo and the trials and tribulations of daily life in Congo, a meditation on the pernicious power of political lies and propaganda and wait for it . . . a killer congolese music concert!!!!

Which is what made it so cool. The dancing, lighting and theatrical elements were fantastic and helped you appreciate the tenacity and power of Congolese music. I think to some Americans Congolese music may sound like cotton candy, it is upbeat and sounds happy (though the words may not be!!!). The show amply demonstrated that Congolese know a lot about sorrow. I like to think that they don't indulge themselves in the luxury of making low energy depressing music, because life is hard enough, and you need something upbeat to keep you going!

Anyways a great show, it was ridiculously cold outside and super duper hard to find parking. but I'm glad I went. It was awesome to see fantastically relevent art created by great artists from Congo (Faustin Linyekula and Les Studios Kaboko) working with great artists from Seattle and Tacoma (Wawali Bonane and Huit Kilos).

It was a pretty packed show on Friday. I don't know if Saturday had less people or not.

Wow James - that does sound spectacular!

Luckily I saw the crazy-as-usual Les Savy Fav show at Neumo's on Friday, before the crap weather hit. What a wild carnival ride it was! Tim Harrington restores my faith that anyone can be a rock star, even if you're pushing middle age, balding and chubby. Just gotta have the right balls to the wall attitude! And the place was packed with moshing maniacs, too.

The acoustics/mix at Nuemos made me sad as I couldn barely hear the deliciously smooth vocals provided by Arthur and Yu-- but maybe I shouldn't have been standing up in the balcony.

The thermals blew me away. First time seeing them live. House was pretty full, but there was room for more.

My weekend was spectacular.

My city has declared a state of emergency today! And so has the state I think. Schools betta be closed tomorrow!!

Fleet Foxes, Port O'Brian & The Cave Singers on Friday.

AMAZING!

Also saw the Fleet Foxes and Co. on Friday and was similarly impressed. By far Fleet Foxes were my fave, but then maybe that's just my taste.

On Saturday, took the snow be damned position and caught a couple sets at High Dive. Maldives, lot of energy and solid performance. Stuck around to later on in the eve to catch J Tillman. Love their full band performances, but had the impression they were having a hard time hearing on stage.

Fremont did seem quiet on Saturday though.

I definitely braved the weather and made it to the Thermals (on the bus!), who I believe are better than therapy. I lost my voice screaming along to all the songs and left with the biggest smile on my face. They were fantastic, as always.