Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones with Jimmie Dale Gilmore at the Tractor Tavern

Dave Alvin @ The Tractor Tavern – 7/13/24
Review & Photos by Mike Mitchell

I was a little surprised and a lot delighted when blues rocker Dave Alvin teamed up with country folk icon Jimme Dale Gilmore for their combined 2018 release Downey to Lubbock. Although the two artists approach their craft from slightly different starting points (the blues for Alvin, C&W and folk for Gilmore), they have more in common than one might assume at first blush, and Downey to Lubbock proved to be one of 2018’s highlights for this fan. Given that album’s success, it was much less of a surprise that they decided to go back to the well for another dip with this year’s TexiCali release. The two albums sound very much like they could have been recorded during the same sessions, with similar low-key delights to be found in a handful of new compositions, some old favorites revisited and updated, and a number of lovingly arranged and recorded covers.

Alvin and Gilmore played a pair of shows at the Tractor Tavern in July backed by Dave’s band, The Guilty Ones, and supported by Seattle’s Christy McWilson. We attended the packed Saturday show (7/13/24) and enjoyed every minute of the generous and well played set. The band played healthy portions of both Downey to Lubbock and TexiCali, as well as a smattering of their solo work, a tune from Dave’s time with the Blasters, and a couple of well-chosen covers. Highlights included Alvin’s “Dry River,” Gilmore’s ‘Tonight I Think I’m Gonna Go Downtown,” and an encore cover of The Youngbloods’ “Get Together.” The musicianship was excellent all the way around with Alvin’s searing blues licks setting the tone and the Guilty Ones’ Lisa Pankratz impressing all evening on drums.

Vampire Weekend at Climate Pledge Arena

Vampire Weekend @ Climate Pledge Arena – 6/20/24
Review & Photos by Mike Mitchell

Indie pop darlings Vampire Weekend and a roomful of happy, dancing fans celebrated the first day of summer at Climate Pledge Arena in mid June. Founding band members Ezra Koneg, Chris Baio, and Chris Thomson, and a complement of touring musicians played a long and well-received set composed of most of this year’s Only God Was Above Us, choice selections from each of their previous four releases, and a handful of well-considered covers. Opener (and Phish bassist) Mike Gordon joined the headliner for a mid-set rendition of Phish’s ‘Chalk Dust Torture.’ Climate Pledge was the largest venue Vampire Weekend has played in Seattle to date and they made the transition to the large stage and room gracefully. They will be touring across the US through October, before moving on to Europe at the end of the year.

Vampire Weekend – all photos by Mike Mitchell

Photos: Alex Baird @ The Royal Room

Alex Baird @ The Royal Room – 7/3/2024
Photos by Kirk Stauffer

It was an evening of beautiful music with local jazz singer Alex Baird at Royal Room.  Packed with friends, family, and even her former music teacher, it was her last show with a full band before she moves to California to pursue a graduate degree at California State University Long Beach.  Backed by Dylan Hayes (piano), Martin Budde (guitar), Tony LeFaive (bass), and D’Vonne Lewis (drums), Alex performed mostly original material from her Lemon Tree album.  During her second set, she cleared the stage and treated the audience to a tune while she sang and played piano.  Let’s hope Alex returns to Seattle after graduation.

Alex Baird  – Photos by Kirk Stauffer

Cage The Elephant electrifies Seattle with epic comeback tour at Climate Pledge Arena

Matt Shultz of Cage The Elephant performing at the Climate Pledge Area.

After a five-year break, the band made a triumphant return to a packed house, headlining their Neon Pill tour at Seattle’s Climate Pledge Arena. They kicked off their set with “Broken Boy” from their 2019 album “Social Cues,” and right from the start, the energy was through the roof. Lead singer Matt Shultz was all over the stage, showing off his signature jumps amid bursts of fire.

Over a 90-minute set, the Kentucky-based band played a mix of hits and deep cuts from their six studio albums. They were clearly having a blast, with guitarist Brad Shultz (Matt’s brother) doubling as a hype man, keeping the crowd amped up with his antics. The band was tight and on point for all 21 songs.

Guitarist Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant performing at Climate Pledge Area.

Seeing a band live is always great, but it’s something else entirely to be at a show where the whole arena knows every lyric was surreal. While the band didn’t talk much between songs, but prior the encore, Matt Shultz shared a heartfelt moment, acknowledging how tough the past few years had been for him and thanking the fans for their support. The context certainly provided a lot more emotional weight as he performed 2011’s “Shake Me Down.”

Lead singer Matt Shultz performing one of his trademark leaps during their performance at Climate Pledge Arena

Cage the Elephant delivered an epic performance that left the crowd wanting more. As I left the Arena, I couldn’t help but feel the band’s energy as the crowd around me danced out the venue.

Opening for Cage The Elephant were the indie rockers Young The Giant, who brought a relaxed, earthy vibe to their set. They captivated the crowd with fan favorites like “Cough Syrup,” “Superstition,” and “Mind Over Matter.” Their mellow style was a perfect complement to Cage The Elephant’s high-energy performance.