Patterson Hood and Craig Finn at the Tractor Tavern

Posted on by

Patterson Hood and Craig Finn, frontmen and songwriters for the Drive-By Truckers and the Hold Steady respectively, visited the Tractor Tavern in November on their ‘Devil is in the Details’ tour. This intimate, primarily acoustic show afforded fans of both bands the opportunity to experience these two revered and highly accomplished songwriters in an up close and personal setting. Hood and Finn were accompanied by multi-instrumentalist Ben Hackett.

I’ve had the good fortune to have seen both the Drive-By Truckers and the Hold Steady quite a few times over the years and I’m a huge fan of both bands’ guitar heavy attack. As much as I enjoy loud guitars, bass, and drums, both Hood and Finn are worldclass songwriters and their lyrics tend to sometimes get swamped amidst all the caterwaul and feedback when they’re fronting their rock outfits. They each have outstanding new albums and it was a treat to be able to hear their new material mixed in with efforts from previous releases. Finn steered clear of material that he performs with the Hold Steady, instead highlighting songs from his solo career. Hood mixed solo material with acoustic versions of Drive-By Truckers classics. Both artists were generous with anecdotes and observations collected during their years in the rock and roll trenches.

I tend to remember shows as individual moments rather than in total. It will be a long time before I forget the tension and release captured in the evening’s closing song, the Drive-by Truckers’ ‘World of Hurt’. I’m a sucker for a good redemption story, especially those that chronicle the lives of ordinary, fallible folks and I’d be hard pressed to find a better example than ‘World of Hurt’. The assembled seemed to share my opinion, as the majority of the audience sang the tune’s hard-bitten chorus while Hood told his tale of struggle and ultimately, triumph. The show reached its conclusion with Hood grinning his luminous smile and exclaiming “It’s f’ing great to be alive!”.

Indeed.

Show Review: Andy Bell at The Showbox, Seattle

Posted on by
Andy Bell of Erasurse performing before a sold-out crowd at The Showbox.

Andy Bell, the iconic voice of Erasure, made a triumphant return to Seattle’s Showbox, noting he hadn’t played the venue in about a decade. The sold-out, all-ages crowd was noticeably on the older side, but their energy was youthful and electric.

Savannah Pope performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Savannah Pope performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Savannah Pope performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa

The night began with LA Art Rock artist Savannah Pope. Despite a minimalist setup, her elaborate costume and stage presence immediately drew the audience’s attention. With powerful vocals, she clearly lit up the room, setting a high-energy tone for the main event.

Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.
Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.
Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.
Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.

Bell’s performance, part of the Ten Crowns North American Tour, was a communal singalong from start to finish. Hits like “Blue Savannah,” “Sometimes,” and “Love to Hate You” turned the room into a giant choir, with the audience singing along to the majority of the songs.

Dedication ran deep among attendees. I spoke with a fan in the front row who had seen him perform 30 or so times, and others were following him on tour.

Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.
Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.
Andy Bell of Erasure performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.

A standout moment was the rousing cover of Olivia Newton-John’s “Xanadu,” which Bell performed with shimmering, disco joy. After a string of Erasure classics like “Chorus” and “Oh l’amour,” the night concluded with the essential anthem, “A Little Respect.”

Andy Bell of Erasure performing before a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, WA.
Andy Bell of Erasure performing to a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Andy Bell of Erasure performing to a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Andy Bell of Erasure performing to a sold-out audience at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa

Bell’s performance proved that his voice and his songs remain absolutely vital, delivering a powerful and unforgettable night of synth-pop nostalgia.

Photos: Anna of the North @ Neumos

Posted on by

Anna of the North @ Neumos – 12/1/2025
Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Hailing from Norway, Anna of the North (singer-songwriter Anna Loterud) headlined at Neumos earlier this week.  It was one of the many stops on her Lovers Tour which is in support of her fourth studio album, Girl in a Bottle, scheduled for release tomorrow.  Backed by a 3-member band, Anna interacted with the crowd from start to finish – frequently pointing her mic towards the audience and encouraging them to sing along, plus taking off an extra shirt and throwing it to hundreds of outstretched arms.  Rachel Bochner opened and later joined Anna onstage for the final song of the evening.  Anna then wrapped up the show with some crowd surfing and dancing in the middle of the surprised – and visibly thrilled – audience.

Anna of the North – Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Rachel Bochner – Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Photos: Taylor Acorn @ Madame Lou’s

Posted on by

Taylor Acorn @ Madame Lou’s – 11/25/2025
Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Taylor Acorn hit the stage with the high energy that characterized her set.  The sold-out show at Madame Lou’s was the perfect venue for the crowd to hear numerous songs from her recently released Poster Child as well as older favorites.  Backed by high octane performances by guitarist Ricky Jab and drummer Connor Allen, Acorn proved why she’s become one of pop-punk’s most compelling live voices.

Coincidental fun fact … Taylor grew up in the Seattle area and I used to work with her dad at a local medical electronics company nearly 30 years ago.

Taylor Acorn – Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Show Review & Photos: Cut Copy @ The Showbox

Posted on by
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa

On a rainy Monday, Cut Copy transformed The Showbox into a pulsating sanctuary of neon euphoria, proving the Aussie legends are more lethal than ever.

Cut Copy’s set was a masterclass in nostalgia right from the start. Opening with “Visions” was such a mood setter, slowly building tension before the band unleashed the groove. They played a generous selection from In Ghost Colours, which seemed to be exactly what the crowd was hoping for. Hearing “Far Away” live resonated deeply. The whole crowd was swaying in unison, and when that sax solo hit during “Hearts on Fire“, the energy was absolutely unmatched.

Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa

It wasn’t just the hits, though. They wove in “Standing in the Middle of the Field” early on, which sounded lush and massive in the Showbox. The newer tracks like “Solid” and deep cuts like “Zap Zap” fit in perfectly, keeping the flow seamless. By the time they tore into “Out There on the Ice”, the room was fully locked in. It’s rare to see a band balance their old and new stuff this well, but they made it look effortless, turning the concert into one giant, sweaty dance party.

The energy peaked with “Meet Me in a House of Love“, but the encore was the real highlight. The band built the tension with “Need You Now” before closing with “Lights and Music“. The whole room erupted. It was the perfect Monday night release that was sweaty, loud, and incredibly fun.

Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa

A special mention must go to the night’s opener, Ora the Molecule, who set the perfect tone earlier in the evening. Showcasing the avant-garde disco pop sound of her album Dance Therapy, she was a visual and sonic spectacle. Donning a reflective disco ball helmet, she literally scattered light across the venue, warming up the crowd with a quirky, high-energy performance that ensured the vibe was electric long before the headliners took the stage.

Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Cut Copy performing at The Showbox in Seattle, Wa
Ora the Molecule performing at The Showbox in Seattle, WA
Ora the Molecule performing at The Showbox in Seattle, WA
Ora the Molecule performing at The Showbox in Seattle, WA
Ora the Molecule performing at The Showbox in Seattle, WA