(Top) Ten(ish) Awesome(st?) Shows of the Decade
I'll be the first to admit it; I don't know much of anything about the history of the scene here. Prior to landing in Champaign-Urbana, my knowledge of the town consisted of two things: Hum and REO Speedwagon.
The former first piqued my interest when I caught them on the old Late Night with Conan O'Brien. I dug it and picked up You'd Prefer an Astronaut, but I lumped them in with the Smashing Pumpkins and Chicago. And while I always loathed REO Speedwagon, I never knew of their association with Champaign until a South Carolina-based band I was in shared the stage with a Texas based band that was sued by Speedwagon over their name. The town of Champaign was name-dropped casually (as in "those jackasses from Champaign"), but that was it.
I was initially worried that Champaign would be hung up on the past just as my former home of Columbia, S.C. was stuck on godawful bands like Hootie and the Blowfish. These suspicions were confirmed after I found myself stumbling along REO Speedwagon Way in downtown Champaign one evening, but as I later learned (and am still learning), that is with good reason.
There is a great difference between being stuck in the past and reminiscing about it. Having been charged with assembling a list of great shows that I almost entirely missed in this town, I was slightly intimidated. But as I culled through survey responses, I noticed that I caught many of these acts on the same tours that blew through Champaign and elsewhere. Hearing the stories shared below offered me a glimpse into the mind of Champaign scenesters that I would not be able to gather otherwise and I found myself feeling nostalgic with no good reason.
Knowing these venues and knowing these acts, I can imagine the crowds, smell the smells, and see the lights. I know that feeling you get seeing the adorable beast that is the Flaming Lips live, or seeing a drummer as stunning as Jerry Fuchs for the first time. I get why Sufjan Stevens is a big deal here and I reluctantly made it to the Avett Brothers show only to be bowled over by their live intensity. And to this day, my girlfriend still has nightmares about the time we saw Monotonix. But more than great shows, these are great stories.
And so it is with great pleasure that we present the following list of amazing shows from the past ten years of Champaign-Urbana. You will notice we had a hard time getting it down to ten, but a lot of these stories just need to be shared. The list is by no means meant to be all-inclusive, graded, categorized or biased toward any genre, venue or year. We just want to share stories and experiences from years past.
If it helps to set the mood, crack a beer and pretend like you're reminiscing with a stranger at the bar. If you have stories of other shows, or if you would like to add to or amend these, by all means, please share them below.
Just don't let that stone gather no moss, Champaign-Urbana.
-MARK SIECKMAN
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THE FLAMING LIPS
March 7, 2000
The Highdive
When The Soft Bulletin was released in 1999, critics fell over themselves. How could a succinct album this perfect, come from a band that had just two years prior released an album that required four CD players to properly listen? And didn't Mercury Rev just release something similar eight months prior? In the end, it didn't matter. The Flaming Lips' popularity was about to soar to new heights, and before they knew any better, they were back on tour, still imagining themselves as the little guy; the band that plays C-market shows and loads in their own gear. Well, the show was sold out before anyone had a chance to think straight, and the performance itself was as electric as can be, perhaps even moreso because of the fact that it seemed like everyone there was getting a glimpse into what might happen if the general public caught on to just how much fun a band like this can be. They did; and by the time they returned to Canopy Club in 2003, they had already blown the roof off the rest of the world. But it was the Highdive performance that remains such a special one, simply because it represented perhaps one of the last moments where indie rock was truly more underground than mainstream.
-SETH FEIN
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YO LA TENGO
April 2, 2000
The Highdive
Silence from the audience at rock shows is impossible. Like, actual silence. Someone coughs, or is still talking in the back; a glass goes clink-clank or a chair squeaks. In the history of rock music, I'd venture to estimate that true silence has been achieved on just a few occasions. Lucky for those of us able to attend Yo La Tengo at The Highdive on April 2, 2000, we were witness to one of those moments. After a long applause for their initial appearance on the stage, the stalwart trio began to perform the epic closing track ("Night Falls on Hoboken") off of their-then-latest album, And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside Out, and the sounds in the room began to dissipate, one by one. After about a minute, just a few noises remained, and those still talking were promptly shushed by those around them. The bar staff (then employed with humans that not only knew bands like Yo La Tengo, but loved them), realized what was happening, and even stopped serving drinks. It was total silence, outside of what was happening on stage. And what was happening was transcendent. The capacity crowd sat through the first song completely enthralled; it took over 20 minutes to finish the first tune, and when they did, and ripped into "Sugarcube," off of their equally amazing former album, I Can Hear The Heart Beating As One, the audience went ballistic, then, and for the rest of the performance as well. It was truly a spectacle, and for the 428 of us who saw it, it was pure joy.
-SETH FEIN
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THE BLACKOUTS, ABSINTHE BLIND, AMERICAN MINOR, THE BUZZARDS, LANTERNA
CU Cityview Local Music Showcase
November 20, 2002
The Highdive
Seven years ago, CU Cityview put together an amazing local music showcase. My friend Yejoon Koh and I came from campus and arrived to find Lanterna as a full band already in progress. We had never seen Lanterna before and were awestruck. The showcase doubled as the record release for the new Lanterna album, and we both bought a copy after the set. I had never even heard of American Minor before, but three songs into their set, there was audience discussion how they could be that good and that unknown. American Minor never released those songs, which were more indie than those on their eventual album. The showcase was also the first Absinthe Blind show with Brett Sanderson. Six weeks later, CU Cityview went out of business with no advance notice.
-TODD HUNTER
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HUM
August 9, 2003
Cowboy Monkey
The summer before my Freshman year in high school, Hum played a free show in West Side Park alongside C-U stalwarts Menthol. The year was 1996, and as a band they were still peaking on the success of You’d Prefer an Astronaut. The show was great — especially for me as this was one of my very first rock shows. It made me a life-long Hum fan. So, seven years later, when I heard they’d be playing a reunion show, I was pretty stoked. Nor was I the only one — towards the end, most of us had to squeeze ourselves in through the doors, and several had to watch from the alley. I’ve never seen the Cowboy Monkey so full or so sweaty. It was, without question, a fire code violation. Then, amidst the sweat and the beer fueled yelps of excitement that permeated the crowd, Hum commenced to live up to our enthusiasm. Drawing heavily from Astronaut while taking a few tunes from Downward is Heavenward, Tim Lash and Matt Talbott showed how their two seemingly-disparate styles (Lash’s recursive and often mellifluous riffs and Talbott’s poignant and deliberate phrasing) melded together into the cohesive, if noisy, sound they are known for. Throughout their set, and only a few short years after calling it quits, Hum reminded us just how relevant they still were (and are). For those of you who missed it, be encouraged by the fact that they played the Monkey again in 2008 — maybe it’ll be one of those once-every-five-years things.
-CALEB CURTISS
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ARCADE FIRE
November 21, 2004
The Highdive
The Arcade Fire achieved Pitchfork-approved stardom on the strength of its melodramatic, bohemian orchestra live show as much as its beloved debut album. On their way to blasting out of every Urban Outfitters across the country, the adorable ragamuffin troupe from up north stopped at the Highdive. Win Butler warbled and yelped, helmets were worn, drums were banged, an array of precious instruments fondled. And all in front of a mechanical deer made of Christmas lights. There was talk of growing old, revolution, and the backseat of a car — all part of a purification of the color scheme. If I didn't own Funeral on Friday, I did on Monday.
-ROBERT HIRSCHFELD
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THE NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA OF RUSSIA
March 14, 2007
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
As a newcomer to Illinois, I waited 2.5 years too long for my first trip to Krannert. It might have been longer if my partner had not surprised me with tickets to the National Philharmonic of Russia for my birthday in the spring of 2007. Stepping into the lobby that evening, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a warmth and grandeur that belies the vaguely modern, rather unappealing brick and concrete exterior of the building. I was drawn to the details of the place: the pattern of the rich teakwood floors reflecting amber and gold under the lights of the low ceilings, the Italian marble of the walls, the vintage signage. Down plush carpeted stairs and through a narrow wood paneled door I entered the Foellinger Great Hall. I found it akin to an enormous beehive — honeycomb for a ceiling and honey colored walls, the buzz of its occupants as they looked for their seats. We found ours on the far end of the balcony, floating above the back of the stage like an ethereal hovercraft. Below us, Olga Kern played Rachmaninoff piano solos with the temper of a storm barely contained. Her performance was seductive, powerful, and engaging. Later, as the Orchestra joined her onstage to play Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto my attention was equally divided between the piano and the conductor, Vladimir Spivakov. His poise and energy drew me in and kept me with him as he led the orchestra through several Shostakovich pieces, as well as a tongue-in-cheek encore of a section from Copland's Rodeo, otherwise known as the theme music from "Beef, It's What's for Dinner." The talent and presence of the musicians and the acoustics of the space delivered a clarity and quality of sound and soul that palpably moved the audience, making me glad that there are people who dedicate their lives to this art, and those that support it.
-LISA JANES
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MASERATI, BEAUTY SHOP
June 6, 2007
The Cowboy Monkey
I'd seen Maserati before, but there was something different about this show. The vibe in the air and buzz surrounding the band's latest album seemed to be a bit thicker than before. Of course, there's nothing like a beautiful summer night in downtown Champaign either. I recall Seth telling me that I needed to be standing up front during the final couple songs to truly experience the percussive madness that would be taking place. Drummer Jerry Fuchs had always stood out to me as a clear featured role of the band. For those of you that never saw Maserati, Jerry's kit was always set up front and center of the stage with the rest of the band surrounding him. On this night I believe they ended their set with "Show Me The Season" from their newest album at the time, Inventions of the New Season. And, Seth was right. Watching and hearing Jerry rock the shit out of his kick drum was amazing. It was almost as though he was a cross-breed human with a robot leg. How else could he have kept up the pace and tempo of that song for so long? It blew my mind. Jerry — you will be missed forever.
-MIKE ARMINTROUT
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NAS, TALIB KWELI, JAY ELECTRONICA
August 30, 2008
Canopy Club
It's rare when genre royalty of any kind shows up in Champaign-Urbana while at the top of their game. Quite honestly, this decade, it's only happened a few times that I can recall off the top of my head. Kenny Chesney, Jay-Z, Kanye West, you get the drift. But the difference here is that while these other artists were relaxing in the Assembly Hall green room, Nas was aboard his bus, waiting to get on stage to a sold-out Canopy Club — a severe, but deliberate, underplay for a performer whose latest album, Untitled; or N****r, was literally at the top of the Billboard charts on the very date that his show was scheduled for C-U. And for good reason: Nas absolutely owned the crowd that night. The level of confidence that this man exuded from first note to encore was simply indescribable. He literally walked off his bus, walked on stage — slayed — and then walked off stage, and then right back onto his bus. He performed every last hit, from "If I ruled the world" to "It Ain't Hard to Tell" to "Hero." In the end, the high ticket price of $30 seemed like chump change to everyone; it was the most well put together hip-hop show outside of Assembly Hall this decade. Witness below:
-SETH FEIN
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MONOTONIX
Pygmalion Music Festival
September 18, 2008
Canopy Club
I did not think it possible for any opening act to steal the show from Dan Deacon, a man who is known for the frenetic quality of his own live performances. But that's precisely what Monotonix did during their Pygmalion performance in 2008 (check out the video here). I don't mind it when my rock and roll is loosely interpreted, so the fact that Monotonix's set could hardly be described as fundamental didn't bother me. To focus on the musical aptitude of the performers is to miss the point: it's a performance, a point driven home by singer Ami Shalev as he began the set by mooning the audience, then proceeded to spray beer and spit; rub his sweaty, smelly, hairy self on others; dump a full can of trash on his drummer's head while the drummer kept the beat; and relocate the trio (including the drummer's trap set) several times en route to ending the set in the Canopy's beer garden. It was like watching Keith Moon let loose in a hotel room, or possibly like witnessing the spectacle that is GG Allin, minus some bodily fluids. Best live performance I've seen in my decade-plus in C-U.
-DOUG HOEPKER
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JEFF TWEEDY
January 31, 2009
Foellinger Auditorium
My love affair with Jeff Tweedy has had the opposite arc of the majority of Wilco fans. Uncle Tupelo is probably my favorite band of all time, and my favorite Wilco album is A.M. So, I entered Tweedy's show earlier this year at Foellinger with a healthy dose of trepidation, but when he hit the stage, he didn't disappoint. Playing solo with only an acoustic guitar (of the six he had to choose from on stage) to accompany him, Tweedy commanded the room from start to finish. With his family in attendance, he played a heartfelt, intimate collection of songs spanning the breadth of his career, from a couple of Uncle Tupelo favorites ("Wait Up" and "Acuff/Rose") to a couple of brand-new tracks.
-JOEL GILLESPIE
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BONNIE "PRINCE" BILLY
March 13, 2009
The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center
More shows need to be held at the IMC. It's the perfect place for audiences and artists to truly connect: there are no curtains, and there is no mysterious green room lurking behind the stage. It's simply a place where artists and their fans can learn to further appreciate one another.
-JUSTINE FEIN-BURSONI
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POSTER CHILDREN, COWBOY X, LONELY TRAILER, THE OUTNUMBERED
Josh Gottheil Memorial Concert
May 24, 2009
The Highdive
The Josh Gottheil Memorial Show was the best I have been to here in the past five years, and the bill speaks for itself. The Outnumbered came together from California, Oregon, and Illinois for their first public performance in twenty-two years, and their twelve-song set culminated in an impromptu anti-nostalgia rant and the dazzlingly angry anthem "Cover Me with Flowers." Lonely Trailer not only came off hiatus but have stayed together and if anything gotten better. The original Cowboy X (not the one from Ireland) matched Lonely Trailer for joyful je ne sais quoi. Poster Children, who never actually broke up but play only about once every two years, never disappoint and are reason enough to live here. Add a secret set afterward, and the only negative was, well, still very negative. Not only could Josh Gottheil not be there, but the news Jay Bennett had died broke right before the concert. All proceeds went to the Josh Gottheil Memorial Fund for Lymphoma Research.
-TODD HUNTER
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SUFJAN STEVENS
September 25, 2009
The Highdive
Sufjan decided to shock all of his fans on his latest tour with major underplays and visiting smaller markets, like our lovely towns. With only a limited amount of tickets available, Sufjan performed at the Highdive to a full house and opened with an epic new song about love called "Impossible Love." Perhaps his new ten minute ballad made people antsy for some more favorites off of Illinoise, but not for a moment did the six-piece band let this intimate crowd down.
-JUSTINE FEIN-BURSONI
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THE AVETT BROTHERS
October 22, 2009
The Canopy Club
Where do I start. I've been surrounded by music and performing my whole life, but no music has meant as much to me during my time on this earth as that of the Avett Brothers. Especially over the last year, their words and music have enriched my life and helped me through some truly difficult times. Since February 2008, I've seen the Avett Brothers 10 times — but this show was far and away the most rocking and this crowd was one of the loudest I've ever experienced at the club in my almost 9 years here. From their first song ("And It Spread" off their most recent record, the Rick Rubin-produced I and Love and You) to their final encore ("Talk on Indolence" off their record Four Thieves Gone), the Avett Brothers delivered emotion and energy through every note, leaving it all on the stage for the audience to see, hear and appreciate. And, this audience did just that — belting almost every word at the top of their lungs and screaming for more in between each song. Two of my good friends were experiencing the Avetts for the first time, and took my advice of standing as close to the stage as possible — it's definitely the best way to feel like part of the show and experience all that is the Avett Brothers. They heard someone standing around them say something after the second song, that I think sums up the way this band left the entire audience feeling that night and is what I will leave you with. "I feel like a kid again!" the excited fan screamed. If you haven't done so yet, go listen to the Avett Brothers.
-MIKE ARMINTROUT
48 comments
i’d like to mention:
october (maybe september?) 2004: magnolia electric co with the beauty shop and headlights at cafe paradiso
—-Honorable Mention—-
Sleater Kinney
October 2006
Highdive
Joel - I’m glad you mentioned the Tweedy show. One of the best parts for me was his recounting of the episode from a night or two earlier when someone had come at him on stage and he’d popped the guy in the mouth. It was a perfect retelling of a most un-Tweedy-like event.
James Treichler
Good list! Two other that immediately come to mind are Ween at Canopy Club in May of 2003 and My Morning Jacket at Foellinger in December of 2006.
mattstan
That Arcade Fire show was unquestionably one for the ages. (And don’t forget that they were originally scheduled for Caffe Paradiso(!!) until the hypestorm forced them to move to Highdive at the last minute.)
Bonnie Prince Billy at IMC was great. Agreed that there should be more “big” indie shows there. Really nice venue.
I thought Nas was completely blah though. Dunno, love the guy’s records, but live he just seemed lazy and uninspired. Shrug.
Aw shucks, I gotta say I’m surprised to see the only show I ever “booked” included on this list. But I am awful proud of that CU Cityview showcase. It was a nice night for local music and the scene. I profiled American Minor in that week’s issue and that show was their coming-out party (although they had played a couple IMC shows before that night). They were such a good live band. And we should not overlook The Buzzards. They would be more well-thought-of today if only they would have released something during their tenure.
That Bonnie Prince Billy show at the IMC was wonderful—easily the best performance of his I’ve seen. He was so personable that night. The Arcade Fire show was indeed exciting, as we knew they were on the cusp of something big.
A few years ago I compiled a list of my favorite 25 concerts, and these other C-U shows were on that list:
# Dirty Three @ Highdive in 2003
# R.L. Burnside @ Highdive in 2000 I think (also, T. Model Ford was great, too)
# Smog @ Highdive in 2002
# Jonathan Richman @ Highdive in 2002
# DMS @ Highdive in 2001
# The New Year @ Highdive in 2001
# The Cherry Valance @ Highdive in 2002
# Oval @ Highdive in 2001
# New Pornographers/The Frames @ Highdive in 2002 (this one in particular is a rather glaring ommission)
Ted Leo @ the Courtyard a few years ago was a blast. The Shins @ The Highdive was, too. Wilco @ Foellinger following the release of YHF was a great show. And I’m surprised that the famed Black Rebel Motorcycle Club show @ the Dive didn’t make the list. There were lots of Blackouts/Beauty Shop/Tractor Kings bills that I also enjoyed.
I feel like I’m forgetting a TON of shows. There have been many great ones.
See, I already thought of another one: The Mountain Goats (John by himself) playing the old IMC in 2002, I believe. HAIL SATAN!
GBV @ the Dive in 2002 as well. They did not disappoint.
Karo
My favorite was TMBG, with Trachtenberg Family Slideshow Players opening for them @ Canopy, Nov. 2002.
The Books at the Union Courtyard in March 2006 is easily the best C-U show I’ve seen in recent memory. Everyone in attendance sat on the floor, Indian style, like schoolchildren—and was mesmerized.
Also, both Guided By Voices dates at Highdive are memorable for Bob Pollard’s leg-kicking, mic-swinging, Jack-swigging onstage antics—and for the fist-pumping, full-volume sing-along in which the audiences engaged. I saw a middle-aged soccer mom with a fist thrust skyward mouthing the words to “Exit Flagger” and “Watch Me Jumpstart” into a beer bottle microphone. Very strange, but somehow perfect.
Matt, that Books show was great and caused me to remember seeing Jose Gonzalez @ the Courtyard in 2007 (?).
gonna throw out some other ones too:
2/10/06 - Nine Inch Nails at Assembly Hall
-they utterly blew the roof off with one of the best light shows I’ve ever seen. First performance of Mr Self Destruct in 11 years, etc
10/27/06 - fireflies, 1090 Club, Irving, the Chemicals at IMC
-I realize that there were only about 5 people at this, but seeing an unbelievably drunken fireflies screaming out the lyrics to “Mayday Mayday” at 3 am to myself and Mike Ingram still stands out as one of the best concert moments EVER
5/5/07 - Red Herring Benefit Show with Santa, Isaac Arms, Dorian Minor, Triple Whip, New Ruins, and Zmick
-just when I thought this show was almost over, Zmick busted out a 25+ minute version of “Shakedown Street”. Then they played another set.
10/25/07 - Mount Eerie, Western Civilization, Mit’n at Caffe Paradiso
-why doesn’t this place have shows anymore? Every band killed it (Mit’n in particular sounded great acoustic). Phil played all of the “Mount Eerie” album
12/14/07 - Morgan Orion and the Constellations, KiKi and PeePee, Withershins, Megan Johns at The Living Room (Morgan’s house)
-I might be biased on this one since I was in Morgan’s band. Yet another night where a perfect storm of 100+ people and amazing performances came together.
3/6/08 - Headlights CD release at Canopy Club
-the moment when Headlights jumped from relative unknown to buzz-worthy. Still the best show I’ve ever seen them play
9/19/08 - Pygmalion (Hood Internet, Black Mountain, Titus Andronicus)
-I hate Titus Andronicus, but they were amazing. I feel indifferent about Black Mountain. they also were amazing. The Hood Internet was the craziest dance party I’ve ever seen (totally blew away Girl Talk)
9/4/09 - Casiotone for the Painfully Alone at an Urbana house party
-Maybe it was the fact that his show at Courtyard was so painfully awkward and underattended, or maybe it was the fact that he actually said yes to playing my then-girlfriend’s house. Or maybe it was the 20+ songs, many with fans singing, and his incredibly warm presence
shit i forgot the mount eerie show. that was a beautiful show. paradiso shows were the best.
johnny
Good call on B.R.M.C. Guided by Voices in 2002 sucked. Sleater-Kinney in 2003 was even better than in 2005.
tmcdade - You’re thinking of the Tweedy show from 10/27/06, not the one from this year. I’m saying this not to nitpick, but more to point out that we had not one, but two terrific shows from Tweedy this decade (not counting other Wilco shows in town).
Doug, I’m glad you brought up the Jose Gonzales show. Definitely a high point for me as well. Other favorites for me include Casados/Starflyer 59/David Bazan last year as well as Headlights/Shipwreck/Silversun Pickups/Viva Voce in ‘06, both at Courtyard Cafe.
Adam
Most memorable: Low at the Highdive in December 2003 was exceptional—Low performances in December are the best ones, and only a lucky few towns outside of Minnesota get to hear them
Most disappointing: Bonnie Prince Billy with Joanna Newsom at Nargile [!], circa 2004. Two great artists performing in a room with terrible acoustics and mood. Too bad.
Most surprising: that Cat Power didn’t freak out at the Canopy Club, circa 2005. She was flaking out of every other show during that time, but kept it relatively together in Urbana. A decent show.
Coolest performer in Champaign during 2002-2007: Laurie Anderson at Krannert, during her The End of the Moon tour. A typical night of violins, video, and surreal stories.
Was that Ted Leo show the one where he lost his voice near the end? I can’t remember if I’ve seen him more than once at Courtyard; either way, always a fantastic, engaging performer.
Can’t believe I forgot The Books at Courtyard, too. It was perfect. Turned so many of my friends on to them that night.
Tracy
Giving another shout out to Bonnie Prince Billy.
Well, I’m going to be all kinds of cliche and mention Pearl Jam at the Assembly Hall (Apr. 23, 2003). They were fantastic. I don’t care.
Some more:
Cake (Assembly Hall, 2005)
Lyle Lovett (Krannert Center, 2006)
Kaki King and Los Lobos (Krannert Guitar Festival, 2007)
The Books/Iron & Wine (Pygmalion Music Festival, 2009)
Ani DiFranco (Kranner Guitar Festival, 2009)
john
the faint at the courtyard cafe-2001
I’ll throw a vote in for Jay-Z just this year at Assembly Hall. In terms of an iconic superstar at the top of their game, this show was one for the ages.
Pants
“Jason” stole jayZ’s pic! I like the IMC too but BPB was boring as hell except for the one or two “mid-tempo” numbers he did.
Sometime b/t 2003-04 Absinthe Blind w/a band called Bicyle Day or somethin iron post also The Blackouts at Brass Rail with extra drummer and extended freekout.
Suicide Girls anyone? There’s music…
JB
<div>
James, thank you for mentioning the MMJ show at Foellinger in ‘06. I had seen them thrice before on that tour (in support of Z) and was amazed that it was on par if not greater energy than I experienced from them that fall considering it was the sparsest crowd (6-700?)...and the last show of the tour and they easily could have phoned it in. Kudos to Starcourse for booking the tour finale of a band that was filling venues after arguably their greatest studio effort.
One of my favorite live bands…very pleased that I was able to see them here.
</div>
Matt Fender
Great list! I was priveleged enough to be at 3 of the shows you posted.
TWEEDY RECORDINGS
If anyone would like recordings of either of the Tweedy shows (2006 or 2009) please email me at: mhfender@gmail.com.
I’d be happy to rapidshare them or something. Also, just to be clear, Mr. Tweedy allows the recording and dissemination of his solo shows.
Some of my favorite shows while a student:
The Hold Steady @ IU Courtyard - 2009.
Broken Social Scene @ Canopy Club - 2007, @ Foellinger - 2008
Any of the Great Cover-Ups. So much fun!
My Morning Jacket @ Foellinger - 2006
Dan Deacon @ Canopy Club - 2008 (Pygmalion)
Okkervil River @ Canopy Club - 2007 (Pygmalion)
Mike Armintrout
A couple my other faves that didn’t make the list:
10/19/01 - Keller Williams and Charlie Hunter featuring Norah Jones @ the Canopy
4/23/03 - Pearl Jam w/ Sparta @ Assembly Hall
5/04/03 - Flaming Lips @ the Canopy
11/06/03 - Robert Randolph & the Family Band w/ Los Lonely Boys @ the Canopy
Does anyone realize how amazingly lucky we are to live in such a quaint community that gets some phenomenal live shows? I give thanks for it on a weekly basis.
josh
talib kwali @ canopy and method man @ canopy were pretty awesome. some big name hip-hop shows have been horrendous around here. i’m thinking mainly of krs-one, both shows (highdive and canopy) were god-awful. wu-tang at canopy, and ghost face killa @ canopy did not deliver either. oh well, i guess that’s another list. i didn’t see it, but was the smashing pumpkins @ canopy any good?
based on the recording of the sp show I have, it was awesome. but then, I’m one of the biggest SP fans you’ll ever meet, and its one of my favorite live eras of theirs.
I have to agree that that MMJ show at Foellinger should have been on this list. There is nothing cooler than seeing one of your favorite bands in the same room you have SOC 100 in. Bummer more people didn’t show up, but they still brought it.
I would say that I enjoyed the first Jeff Tweedy show at Foellinger (2006) a little bit better than the second one. I had never really listened to WIlco, but that show made me a believer.
Then, later that school year Old Crow Medicine Show came to the Canopy Club in April. My roomate, who NEVER spends money on concerts went with me so we could see one of our favorite bands together and it was a high water mark for shows I’ve seen during college.
I have to admit that before I came to school here I was skeptical about the caliber of shows that I would see in central Illinois. I was jealous of people that would be heading to Chicago and getting to see every tour happeing, but when during my freshman year, 4 of my top 5 bands came through I could not believe how lucky I was.
Now we just have to get Bob Dylan at the Courtyard.
I also want to mention the 2005 Foo FIghters/Weezer/Kaiser Chiefs show as a great experience. I came down during my senior year of high school and took a day off to “tour the campus.” Dave Grohl said the show was like “one giant frat party,” and even though I didn’t know it at the time, he was so right.
here’s some that stick out in my mind:
@ Canopy:
Dirty Dozen Brass band with DJ logic (2003?)
the Orange Peels (in the Void)
Victor Wooten
OK Go (2004)
Maserati (every time I saw them it was fantastic)
@ Courtyard Cafe:
Sondre Lerche, The People, Nada Surf (Feb. 2003)
Jose Gonzalez
@ Cowboy-Monkey
Riddle of Steel, Captured By Robots (Oct. 2003)
@Highdive:
1993 Revisited (2008)
Skream (2009)
The Delgados (Oct. 2004)
Home Video, Blonde Redhead (Oct. 2004)
@Parasol:
Unbunny
@Krannert:
Cecilia Bartoli (Oct. 2005. the concert was 3 hours long and I was really sick, but some nice person gave me cough drops and I could’ve sat there for another 3 hours. Totally amazing)
Rachel’s with Siti Dance Company “systems/layers” (04/05 not sure)
Los Lobos
johnny
Mixed feelings on Smashing Pumpkins. First four or five songs were awesome, and then the audience pressed further and further forward and the girl next to me kept throwing up and I just wanted it to be over. Sondre Lerche at Courtyard was neck and neck with HUM at Highdive, for serious.
carlye wisel
Dude, Monotonix stealing the show from Dan Deacon? Wasn’t that the show when Dan Deacon fucking destroyed Canopy Club and the stage had to get fixed? I don’t know, I’d say that one man bringing down the house — literally — and doing it all by himself is worth a top ten mention…
carlye…wasn’t that the show where you were at something else and didn’t even see monotonix?
brigham
a few that werent mentioned that rank up there: didjits reunion @ highdive, les savy fav @ highdive (antics on full display), brian jonestown massacre @ nargile (antics on full display).
Carlye, I don’t know if you were at the Dan Deacon show or not. But to me, the fact that the stage broke (and I was on it when it happened) was probably the highlight of his set. He had audio problems throughout and the Canopy couldn’t get him to sound anything other than “in the red” and he had to cut his set short. He was still energetic and fun, but yes, Monotonix, the opening band, absolutely blew him away. As I said in the review, being a HUGE Dan Deacon fan, I was not anticipating that to be the case. Maybe the oddest part of the evening? ... Dark Meat played between the two and they were completely overshadowed. Put them on another bill and they likely overshadow others; on this bill they became wallflowers.
Read the SP review here.
Common misconception from people who haven’t ever performed live music: blame the venue.
Reality: Dan Deacon didn’t modify his output to adjust to the system, and even admitted it afterwards.
It was the same thing with KRS-One a few years back. Feedback, distortion, shit talking — everyone blamed Highdive. Negative. It was the artist. Very rarely is it on the venue.
Just sayin’.
Seth, I wasn’t trying to blame the venue in that comment. Factually, the Canopy couldn’t get him to sound good. That’s the truth whether it was his fault (which I knew it partially was) or the venue’s.
How is it a “fact” that it was Canopy that couldn’t get him to sound good? Perhaps if he had done a soundcheck, like we asked him to, or if he has actually listened to what the sound engineer asked of him, he would have sounded good?
That’s exactly my point — people like to claim it as “fact” that it was The Canopy that couldn’t get him to sound good, rather than his sounding bad in spite of Canopy’s best efforts.
His fault. Not Canopy. FACT.
Tom A
3.10.04 - Walkmen, French Kicks, Orphans.
Seth, whatever. We agree that he sounded like crap—which is the only point I feel the need to make.
I’m surprised that the soundperson for that show—after making it through Monotonix (and their roving “stage”) then Dark Meat (and their 33 members)—could even tell left channel from right, let alone get another performer to sound good.
anon.
julian koster at my boyfriend’s apartment, yesterday.
Brian K
I’ll put up the audio and pictures of Julian at my place when the tour is over. It’s a top ten in my book.
Jon
LBC, every show they ever do. Ever.
Brian K
For those interested, I posted pictures and a great full recording of the Caroling show Julian Koster of the Music Tapes/Neutral Milk Hotel did at my apartm on 12/07/2009
http://briankpresents.blogspot.com/
David
A couple hip-hop adds for the Canopy Club: Wu Tang Clan (minus Method Man and RZA), Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Twista. I had always wished the Wu would show up one day and boy was I spoiled this decade. The Nas intro still gives me goosebumps whenever I watch it. I’m a huge Talib Kweli and Nas fan, so that concert was my favorite. Jay-Z would be a close second, followed by the Wu Tang Clan. Parliament was an awesome concert too, BTW. Parliament would be tied for 3rd. :D
David
A couple hip-hop adds for the Canopy Club: Wu Tang Clan (minus Method Man and RZA), Ghostface Killah, Method Man, and Twista. I had always wished the Wu would show up one day and boy was I spoiled this decade. The Nas intro still gives me goosebumps whenever I watch it. I’m a huge Talib Kweli and Nas fan, so that concert was my favorite. Jay-Z would be a close second, followed by the Wu Tang Clan. Parliament was an awesome concert too, BTW. Parliament would be tied for 3rd. Energetically speaking, Talib is #1 of the decade. Man, that was dope! :D
that wu-tang show was just flat-out not good. krukid blew them off the stage
Matt G
Victor Wooten @ Canopy in ‘02 was awesome.
The Carbon Leaf / Llama show (‘02) and Sufjan Stevens (‘05 w/ the cheerleading outfits) were also some great Canopy shows.
> Victor Wooten @ Canopy in ‘02
Was that the one where Victor asks J. D. if Shania really said that? Think I’ve got an AUD of it.
Matt G
That was the one. Borther Speech from Arrested Development was playing with them too that night. Dang…an audio of that concert would be awesome.
Most Recent Music Comments
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
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Did the Crave Truck get a permit to park in city metered spots and city right of way? Or did they just get a permit? The city clerk’s office seems to be a suspect here, but it’s not clear they did anything wrong. Did the Crave Truck…
High-profile whining. AKA Lobbying.
it’s quite choice. looking forward to seeing how it and its patronage grow and develop over the course of the year. could be a neat little ecosystem.
“It was at this point, before he started his business, that working with city employees should’ve raised red flags…” But they didn’t because: 1) The City Clerk’s office originally mis-interpreted the rules, or are indeed re-interpreting them. 2) Champaign’s brick-n-mortar merchants hadn’t yet started whining about The Crave Truck.
Super cool! Excellent track, Excellent band.
Looking forward to trying this place!
I’m in the middle (or the beginning or end, depending on how you look at it) of re-reading Slaughterhouse Five. What a great companion column.
Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/
I don’t know about Gerard and a random police sargeant. My (mild) outrage is based on this: “...he worked closely with Champaign City Clerk Marilyn Banks to make sure he was licensed properly as a transient food peddler, filling out the necessary paperwork and paying a $225…
Local Yocal pretty much nails it here. I suspect there will be merchants who oppose food trucks because they arguably don’t pay their fair share to locate their trucks in high traffic (high rent) areas. The food trucks take away business from rent payers, park in city…
Oh nice! I’d totally vote for Matt Campbell!
“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
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Get yours early. The Rave’s CD will be available at Exile and at The C-U Flea on Saturday. C-U Flea details here: http://www.smilepolitely.com/news/sp_radio_podcast_c-u_flea_arrives/