This was my first Sloan concert, so it was very exciting for me. The show started at 9:00, but with the two opening acts, the guys didn't hit the stage until after 11:00 pm. The band played an awesome set, including all of the songs from Hit & Run and some older favorites. It was a real treat to hear "Autobiography" live!
Some other highlights from the evening included Greg's solo on "Everything You've Done Wrong" (what WAS that thing??), and Patrick's Spanish-flavored guitar solo for "Money City Maniacs". There were also some great deals to be found at the merch table.
I wrote down the set list:
01. Take It Upon Yourself
02. At The Edge Of The Scene
03. Believe In Me
04. Autobiography
05. It Is Never
06. Don't You Believe A Word
07. The Other Man
08. Money City Maniacs
--------------------------------------------
09. The N.S.
10. Get Out Of Bed
11. The Great Wall
12. Where Are You Now?
--------------------------------------------
13. Midnight Mass
14. Oh Dear Diary
15. Friendship
16. C'mon C'mon (We're Gonna Get It Started)
17. Fading Into Obscurity
18. Everything You've Done Wrong
19. Who Taught You To Live Like That?
--------------------------------------------
20. The Lines You Amend
21. I Am The Cancer
22. The Good In Everyone
The other thing was, earlier in the day I was on the street, about a block away from the venue, and Andrew walked right by me! But I was too shy to say hello.
Thanks for coming to San Francisco! Hope to see you again some time.
More reviews, photos and videos from this show ...
Its February 17, 2010 and I am cruising at maximum altitude listening to Sloan at the Doug Fir Lounge on my Birthday. It is my first show after 12 years of listening that began with a muchmusic interview and jam to promote "Navy Blues". There has been a CD in the changer ever since. This was by far, THE BEST LIVE SHOW I have ever heard. The sound was amazingly mixed, loud, yet equally distributed and at times, heart pounding. Vocals were perfect. The crowd was receptive but what I felt was subdued. The guys were tight (musically thats good) , dead on and really showed they have played together for years. As for the set I wish I could help you but I was enjoying the night...but regulars such as Other Man, Money, Come On Come On etc. Andrew took a turn up front with Chris on the drums. I may never recover, THE BEST LIVE SHOW EVER!
More reviews, photos and videos from this show ...
This is my 4th time seeing Sloan live, and once again they teamed up for a great show. What other band sports such great harmonies (up to 5-parts), switches instruments during the set, and has 4 songwriters? I don't know of any. Sloan absolutely rules their genre, and yet from their throne they are charming, quiet, and self-effacing. I love 'em.
A few specific points about this show:
1) The mix was good, so I could *finally* hear are those fantastic harmonies. In some songs, like 'Who Taught You To Live Like That?' and 'Midnight Mass', they actually had five parts going... and they were perfectly sung. Really, really impressive.
2) Despite the quality of the songs and the relative clarity of the mix, this show was slightly subdued because the audience was pretty quiet and conservative. I even found myself being a little on the quiet side even though this was the 2nd best of the 4 shows I've seen. (My fave show as at the old Croc back in 1995).
3) I've never been to a Sloan show where they didn't play anything off of Twice Removed. Interesting.
4) Love the new EP. 'Dear Diary' and 'Midnight Mass' sounded particularly strong, I thought.
5) Other highlights included 'Autobiography', 'The Lines You Amend', 'Friendship', 'Don't Believe A Word', 'The Good In Everyone', 'Great Wall of China', and 'The NS' (Chris is an incredible drummer - especially on that song!!)
7) My all-time favorite Sloan song has to be 'Fading Into Obscurity' (great version tonight), but 'Midnight Mass' - with it's beautiful vocal harmonies in the middle - is a close second.
8) Surprised (yet again) that we didn't hear 'If It Feels Good Do It' or 'Sensory Deprivation'. Would've been killer to hear 'Pen Pals' and/or 'She Says What She Means', too. SO MANY GREAT SONGS... SO LITTLE TIME.
9) Jay had some killer guitar tones going on at this gig! Especially on 'Take It Upon Yourself' and 'G Turns to D'.
10) Patrick's leads sounded a little weak... as though he was serious when he complained about sore fingers during the show.
11) Loved hearing the organ on 'Believe In Me' and the mellotron on 'Fading Into Obscurity'.
12) Opening band The Tripwires were quite good too. VERY tight, and with a great mix. Well done, lads.
More reviews, photos and videos from this show ...
I was waiting all year for this show, and it did not disappoint! Amazing energy and a great selection of songs:
Take It Upon Yourself
At the Edge of the Scene
Believe in Me
Autobiography
It Is Never
Don't You Believe a Word
The Other Man
Money City Maniacs
The N.S.
Get Out of Bed
The Great Wall
Where Are You Now
A Side Wins
Midnight Mass
Oh Dear Diary
Friendship
C'Mon C'Mon (We're Gonna Get It Started)
Fading into Obscurity
Everything You've Done Wrong
Who Taught You To Live Like That
--
500 Up
Coax Me
The Lines You Amend
The Good in Everyone
Gregory played drums and sang Andrew's parts on "500 Up". Lexi Valentine from the opening band Magneta Lane sang guest vocals on 'Coax Me'. Just an incredible, high energy set. And to think we're lucky enough to have them back 2 months later!! Can't wait to see what they play this time...
More reviews, photos and videos from this show ...