The similarities between Alix Page & Gracie Abrams are plentiful. Both are artists in their early 20’s with black hair. They are both are part of 3 piece bands. They both wrote quarantine projects. They are both from California. If you didn’t know the bill you might have trouble recognizing the headliner.
Opener Alix Page plays acoustic guitar with drum and bass backup. She released her EP Old News this year. Her set is a collection of heartbreak. From “25” which is a recollection of the good times in a relationship to “Radiohead” which reflects that moment of understanding when it is done, Page reminds us all what that pain feels like. In some ways she is like Liza Anne who can give you the words to make you fall apart, in a song you can dance to. During Page’s set the biggest thing to notice is her wide smile. The words may be heartbreaking but the set if fun and honest. She also has a wonderful cover of “Teenage Dirtbag” which the entire audience sang to. Her latest single is “True & Honest.”
Gracie Abrams plays keyboards, and acoustic guitar with a band including a guitar and keys (same person) and drums. Abrams released This Is What It Feels Like last year. The album is full of danceable songs mixed with ballads. Abrams’ set was also is about the loneliness of quarantine. It includes songs “21” and “The Bottom” which reflect that isolation from reality that quarantine caused. Again if you don’t listen to the lyrics the set is fun. Abrams is sincere and happy to be among people. It is only the 2nd night of the tour and she is taking photos with fans, receiving notes, jewelry and other gifts, all while on stage. There are some moments where you wonder whether the audience wants to get on stage, or Abrams wants to be in audience.
Abrams is a self-admitted introvert but her immediate connection with her audience makes it hard to see. Abrams has a full light set-up on stage which looks like it can quickly ramp up for bigger venues. Based upon tonight’s audience that won’t be long.
The audience for the show is like the artists. They are young women from high school and college. They can sing every verse and record every second. They have been traumatized in the same way as Page and Abrams and their emotions flow in every song.
During the hiatus of country’s Sugarland, fans rightfully assumed the break meant the beginning of the inevitable breakup. However, the founding duo Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush have reunited to release new music and hit the road on a new tour to prove they are refreshed and better than ever.
Nettles and Bush became Sugarland since 2004 and saw immediate attention with hit singles like “Baby Girl,” “Stuck Like Glue,” and “Little Miss.” They performed to thousands of sold-out arenas and traveled the world, and as traveled acquired Country music star status. Then, they decided to take a pause. 2012 marked the beginning what would eventually become a five-year hiatus as the two focused on pursuing individual life and career goals. Now, the duo’s 2018 Bigger album release and supporting tour has brought them back together to remind fans that they are still just as amazing.
Sugarland swung through Denver’s Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre June 21 as they performed under a starry sky at the beautiful outdoor venue. Backed by their powerhouse band, Sugarland played a fun and well-choreographed set of past favorites and current songs from the latest album, Bigger. The venue, which accommodates roughly 17,000 guests, can be difficult to fill and easy to lose an audience’s attention in. Yet, the pros can turn the space into an intimate evening with long-loved friends and a dance party that goes into all hours of the night. Sugarland proved to be those pros.
Excited fans jumped from their seats and sang along to the modern country-rock as Nettles vocals resonated into the summer air. Costumed in a circus-themed ring-leader ensemble, Nettles owned the stage as she sauntered, stomped and high-kicked her way through the energetic set. Bush, the counterpoint dynamic force to be reckoned with, oozed his cool Southern charm while taking the lead on guitar solos and occasional vocals. Chemistry exuded from all over the stage, and if there was any fear that time off would generate a rusty return, all eyes and ears were put to rest.
To simply classify Sugarland as an American country duo is a downright gross oversimplification of the band. While country music may act as a foundational root, and the solo work of Nettles and Bush leans towards a heavy twang, the evolution and growth of their 2018 record prove this band is taking even bigger strides towards pushing boundaries. Their latest single, “Babe,” is a collaboration with Taylor Swift which has the band jumping head first into the world of pop-rock superstar with great ease.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation by Jenny Lewis
by Alex Teitz
2016 has been a busy year for Jenny Lewis. In February she announced the formation of her record label, Love’s Way Records. In March she began touring with NAF. In August she will be touring solo. In September she starts touring with The Watson Twins in honor of the 10th Anniversary of Rabbit Fur Coat.
What is NAF? NAF is Nice as Fuck. It is a 3 piece band with Lewis on keyboard, and vocal effects ,Tennessee Thomas on drums, and Erika Forster on bass. Thomas is formerly of the band The Like. Forster is known as being one of three parts of Aur Revoire Simone. In a departure from her other projects, Lewis does not play guitar in NAF.
Tonight’s show was both intimate and crowded. It was held at the DBG stage which is sunken in and surrounded on 4 sides by grass. This area is filled in by the crowds who bring wine, picnics and an appreciation of music. The VIP area faces the stage. NAF were preceded by the theme song to Jemm and the Holograms. They came on stage and immediately began singing. A couple of songs in Jenny introduced Tennessee. Tennessee then introduced “Cookielips.” “Cookielips” is a song not found on the NAF album and is about getting the crumbs in a relationship. The rest of the show consisted of all the songs from the album including “Higher”,” Angel”, and the single “Doors.” Lewis moved around the stage and even lay down for a moment during Higher. She was smiling the entire set.
The set ended upbeat. NAF did “Guns” with Lewis trying to get the audience to sing along to the chorus of “I Don’t Want To Be Afraid/ Put Away Your Guns.” It is an apt statement for today. NAF ended with the NAF theme which is a great excuse to swear onstage but also has a strong women’s theme. NAF has a dream pop feel and is dominated by Lewis vocals that have always stood out. For info visit https://www.facebook.com/NAFtheband/
Misterwives at March 9, 2015 at Bluebird Theater – Denver, Colorado
by Alex Teitz
A half hour before doors a line of 100 people waited outside the theater. The majority were near the minimum age to get in, 16. They were texting, talking with friends, etc… If one listened carefully a whisper could be heard. “Is she alright?” “She missed some tour dates.” “What will happen tonight?” The questions hung in the air.
The openers varied. Handsome Ghost is a two piece from Boston doing a mellow emo folk. All the songs were ballads and were sung in a slow, purposeful manner. Borns is an LA five piece with strong songs and an intimidating stage presence. He stands well over six feet tall.
Then it was the moment of truth. The questions would be answered. Mandy Lee, lead singer and bandleader of Misterwives had missed two tour dates due to illness. She was back tonight. Lee bounced onto stage and dived right in. In the hour fifteen minute show she rarely stopped moving while singing songs from the band’s full length album Our Own House.
The band is a cohesive unit. They are Eitienne Bowler on drums and percussion. William Hehir on bass. Marc Campbell on guitar. Jessie Blum on trumpet, keyboards & accordion. Not given big credit in the album credits is Michael Murphy on saxophone. In the tour he plays a vital role. Murphy and Blum make a bold horn section and turn this rock band into a more seasoned Motown sound.
Misterwives played most of the songs on the album and never lost energy. “Ocean” had a brilliant light show of blue and green that fit this ballad perfectly. “Not Your Way” began with Lee doing push ups while talking on stage. She said the song was for “Society setting standards for women…and men that are BS.” Most of the band did chorus line kicks in unison at one point in the song. “Reflections”, one of the main singles, Lee credited the local radio station for playing it. “Hurricane” began with a wondrous keyboard intro. “Queens” came near the end of the set and began with Lee saying she may not feel physically well, but was mentally awesome. The encore is an amazing number which has to be seen live. We won’t give it away.
Lee is a ball of energy on stage. Tonight she was not at full health. There were times when her voice was hoarse and felt strained. During “Not Your Way” she squirted honey into her throat. During the last couple of songs she did have a small cough.
Misterwives is a Motown infused rock band on stage. This is not as evident on the album. They play with non-stop energy that is never boring. Lee was out. Now she is back and needs to get stronger for the shows ahead. For info visit www.misterwives.com
Spin Magazine