Author Archives: Brigid Gallagher

It’s not easy to command an audience when you’re the lone musician on stage, but Ben Folds is a seasoned pro.

Between his masterful piano playing, unmistakable voice, and humorous anecdotes, his presence can easily fill any venue. Clevelanders were treated to a beautiful night at Cain Park this past Thursday. It was the kind of night we dream about when we’re buried in our homes under piles of snow during the winter.

Folds provided a setlist spanning his 30+ year career that prompted singalongs, laughter, dancing, and tears. My heartstrings were especially tugged during his Ben Folds Five covers, as I was instantly transported back to jamming out to those records in high school. He plays Chautauqua Institution tonight before heading south to Nashville to play with their orchestra. Catch him on the road this summer!

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It’s been five long years without a My Morning Jacket show in Cleveland, but that streak was fortunately broken last week in a scorcher of a set (both literally—it was hot AF—and figuratively—the band itself also melted faces) at Jacob’s Pavilion.

The show kicked off MMJ’s summer tour, which unfortunately came to a grinding halt two days later, as frontman Jim James tested positive for Covid. Consequently their two Louisville homecoming shows were cancelled, Detroit and Columbus were rescheduled, and I’ve spent the last week feeling pretty damn lucky that I got to see them at all. MMJ is set to resume their tour in Madison, Wisconsin on July 1st and hopefully this is the last time that Covid interferes with their health and wealth.

As for the Cleveland show, it was full of everything I love about My Morning Jacket: soaring vocals, epic solos, full-on jam-outs, and thoughtful production lighting. Their band chemistry is simply off-the-charts—not to mention that they’re all musical wizards—and that combo makes for something seriously special.

Keyboardist and Lakewood native Bo Koster got a little extra love from the crowd after his solo on “Feel You,” but ultimately every member of the band dazzled. On more than one occasion I saw mouths gaping open all around me. It’s how you can identify new members of the flock.

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If you know anything about King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, you know that these Australian rockers are a prolific bunch. Since 2010, they’ve released 20 studio albums. Twenty!

Their musical style ranges from psychedelic to progressive to thrash metal (and everything in between), so it’s impossible to predict what’s in store when you buy a ticket to see them live. You can, however, expect a colorful, energetic, and tongue-wagging experience.

Such was their show at Cleveland’s Agora. Fans were even treated to two live debuts from the Gizzverse (“Presumptuous,” “The Grim Reaper”), and plenty of face-melting moments. Band members Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Joey Walker, Cook Craig, Lucas Harwood, and Michael Cavanagh hit the east coast next before touring Europe this summer. They’ll probably release a couple albums as well.

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Baltimore’s Turnstile have been around for a decade but are just beginning to get their credit due. Their 2021 release Glow On received critical acclaim for good reason—it fucking rocks. Ever since, this hardcore band has been catapulted into the mainstream. They’re also one of the most exciting live bands around.

Each member of the band—Brendan Yates, Franz Lyons, Daniel Fang, Brady Ebert and Pat McCrory—have such captivating stage presences that it’s hard to know who to focus your eyeballs on. Especially since you’re probably headbanging. Or crowd surfing. Or screaming along to the lyrics.

Catch them on tour this summer and you won’t be disappointed. That’s a promise.

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“Welcome home!” a lone voice screamed to native Clevelander Holly Laessig, one half of the vocal powerhouse that is Lucius, and the Beachland Ballroom crowd erupted.

There’s nothing Clevelanders love more than another Clevelander—especially a famous one. The other half, Jess Wolfe (who is equally awesome and from LA), addressed the crowd: “Of all the amazing experiences we’ve had, nothing feels as good as being here with you singing along to our music that we wrote from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you.” Then they dove into a gorgeous rendition of “Dusty Trails,” and made practically everyone weep.

It was nice to hear songs from their latest album Second Nature, live. Released last month, it’s Lucius’ first album since 2016. But don’t let that fool you—they’ve been very busy. Between touring the world with Roger Waters and lending their vocals to track after track for the likes of Harry Styles, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Mavis Staples, and Jeff Tweedy to name a few, the women of Lucius have been busy as hell. Their new originals are as sparkly and vibrant as their outfits, and their disco vibe was perfectly capped off with a finale cover of Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love.”

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“Did Jacob Collier just play five instruments in the span of 20 seconds…and we’re only on song one?,” I asked myself while sprinting around the photo pit, clumsily attempting to capture the musical savant as he dashed from one end of the stage to the other, conducting the crowd. Yep, he sure did.

And that’s the Jacob Collier experience: a dazzling multisensory explosion of sounds, colors, ideas, and talent. It can be overwhelming and potentially induce feelings of inferiority for not knowing how to play 45 instruments. But there’s no time to wallow because the Londoner’s innate charm and enthusiasm sweep you right up.

At 27, it’s not a stretch to refer to him as a virtuoso and I look forward to continuing to be astonished by him in years to come.

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One of the most magical attributes of music is its ability to allow the listener to time travel. And some bands do it better than others. One such band: Interpol. Upon the first riffs of “Untitled”—from their brilliant 2002 debut, Turn on the Bright Lights—the packed Agora erupted into cheers and then quickly quieted so as to not miss a note.

The entire show was a transportation: every instrument clear and precise; every song a spectacle of lights (cheers to whoever produced the lighting for this particular tour); every moment a cherished one by a member of the audience. Interpol has aged well, their music lasting the test of time and their musicianship at an all-time best.

Their tour continues through the fall with dates in the US, Europe, and South America. Get yourself a ticket.

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“It’s really nice to be back on tour,” Lindsey Jordan, otherwise known as Snail Mail, acknowledged to cheers of agreement from the crowd at The Agora.

It’s been three years since the band performed live—first because of, well, stupid COVID and later because of Jordan’s vocal cord surgery. But fortunately she’s all healed up, back with her bandmates, and on the road.

Lucky ticket holders get to enjoy tracks off of 2021’s Valentine live for the first time, as well as selections from her early work. And let’s not forget Snail Mail’s kick ass cover of The Smashing Pumpkins’ “Tonight, Tonight”—my personal show highlight.

The tour continues through September and spans North America and Europe.

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Waxahatchee released her fantastic, career-best album, Saint Cloud, in March of 2020, just as our world was beginning to change.

Two years later, she’s finally able to tour and play those songs for those of us that have been patiently waiting to hear them live. Added bonus for us Clevelanders: the band cruised through town on Valentine’s Day, making plans for the Hallmark holiday rather easy.

Aside from “Saint Cloud,” we were also treated to some covers, including Lucinda Williams’ “Fruits of My Labor” and Dolly Parton’s “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” Opener Madi Diaz joined Waxahatchee during her encore to sing “Resentment.” Waxahatchee’s tour continues through the summer, so get your tickets now.

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The queen of cool, Cate Le Bon, brought her brilliant 2022 album Pompeii (as well as a handful of songs from 2019’s Reward) to a packed Grog Shop last Friday night.

Between her unique guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and ample synth and sax, I felt simultaneously transported back in time to a new wave club in the early ’80s, all the while firmly placed in the moment, swaying with the rest of the crowd at the Grog.

With the help of Euan Hinshelwood, Toko Yasuda, Dylan Hadley and Alex Morrison, Le Bon gave us a show to remember, ending with a beautiful cover of Paul McCartney’s “Waterfalls.” Her tour heads to the west coast next before jumping the pond to Europe for March and April.

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As I was wandering around the House of Blues Cleveland taking in the sounds and sights (and, ahem, herbal smells), I suddenly felt something sticking to my right shoe. I looked down to find a dreadlock attached to my Vans. An actual dreadlock.

And that, my friends, briefly sums up an Umphrey’s experience: such a party, such an ecstatic jam that dreadlocks are literally flying off of peoples’ heads. Unreal. So is the light show.

As usual, my Chicago dudes delivered, bringing the crowd to a dancing frenzy, particularly during “Wizard Burial Ground,” “Pequod,” and “Piranhas” (which hadn’t been played in quite some time, “231 songs,” according to the über fan standing next to me).

Their current tour lasts through March, where they’ll end the run at Rockjavik in Reykjavik, Iceland.

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