Show Review & Photos: Black Star & THEESatisfaction @ Showbox SoDo

Posted on 11/24/2011 by BBS

Black Star & THEE Satisfaction @ Showbox SoDo
Review & photos by Ellie Mansfield

Black Star, which is composed of Mos Def and Talib Kweli are always animated and full of life. Their enthusiasm and intensity never wained and neither did their clear pleasure of interacting with the audience. Showbox SoDo is a tight venue, and even tighter during a packed hip-hop show, but the staff was kind and the people were respectful, even though they were stuffed in like sardines in front of the stage. Talib Kweli threw down some awesome freestyle, letting everyone know that he’s still got it.

The two ladies from THEESatisfaction have soulful voices and great dance moves. I wonder if they were happy to be there though? Not once did I see them crack a smile, or interact with the audience. This was a sharp contrast to Black Star and I’m curious if they were just nervous, or bored?

Photos: Rachael Yamagata @ The Crocodile Cafe

Posted on 11/24/2011 by Kirk

Seeing Rachael Yamagata at the Crocodile Café was a real treat – it’s been nearly 3 years since her last visit to Seattle. She’s in the middle of her US tour supporting her new album, Chesapeake. If you liked her first album, Happenstance, you’re sure to enjoy Chesapeake as well – both were produced by John Alagia.

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Photos: Grimes @ Crocodile Cafe

Posted on 11/24/2011 by Kirk

Grimes, the Canadian one-woman electro-pop group fronted by Claire Boucher, opened for Austra last week at the Crocodile Café. The band/Grimes/she/Claire/they will be back in town at the Sunset Tavern on 2/20/12.

Photos: Mastodon, The Dillinger Escape Plan & Red Fang @ Showbox SoDo

Posted on 11/23/2011 by BBS

Mastodon headlined Showbox SoDo on November 6th, with support from The Dillinger Escape Plan and Red Fang – that is one super amazing triple bill. The Hunter, Mastodon’s 2011 release, features one of the best album covers of the year. The always excellent Alex Crick contributes some cool shots of the show:

Mastodon

The Dillinger Escape Plan

Red Fang

Photos: Uproar Festival w/ Bullet for My Valentine & Black Tide

Posted on 11/23/2011 by BBS

We’re close to wrapping up the band portion of our Uproar Festival coverage – courtesy of Heather Fitzpatrick and Geoffrey Gribbin – with photos of Bullet for My Valentine and Black Tide. The Welsh quartet Bullet for My Valentine is currently working on their fourth album, while Black Tide will return to Seattle on December 2nd for a show at the Showbox Market. Also have a listen to the Spanish version of Black Tide’s “That Fire.”