Tonight: The last ever SALT at Cafe Saint-Ex. From Will Eastman: For 3 years, DJs Sad and Lonely have provided a first look at new synthfunk, indiepop, electropunk, dancehall, digital disco, grime, and hiphop. They hosted the first all Grime-themed night in the DC area, years before Dizzee Rascal stepped foot on our shores. They played M.I.A. before your niece had the cd. And they championed Junior Boys before the Canadian embassy thought highly enough of that country's musical export to sponsor their show here in DC. SALT has been like your favorite mp3 blog (but in person,) a graduate seminar in musical literacy, and a great house party all rolled into one.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006 :::
Last night, I was one of the 150 or so lucky people who saw Beck perform on the Black Cat backstage. Kyle has photos and a write-up, including a partial setlist, over at DCist.
I went to the Black Cat to have one drink with CS and Hugh, thinking that maybe, if I was lucky, I'd still be able to get a ticket for the surprise show -- I was a bit behind the curve when it came to the pre-show rumors, so I had no idea what my odds would be. When I got there, the line was wrapped around the corner, so I gave up on the hope of getting in and joined the guys in the Red Room. But I ended up getting a ticket for the show, and it was amazing. I watched Beck, who was one of my favorite performers for many years and whom I've seen many times at stadiums and arenas, play for more than an hour from less than six feet away. The set was fun and loose, and although I found the band's shenanigans a bit distracting, they added to the intimate and friendly atmosphere. Beck joked, took requests from the crowd and even played some covers.
At one point in the show, Beck told the audience that he was in DC following taping an appearance on David Letterman in NYC. He then realized that the episode was on while he was playing this show, and pointed out that those of us at the show wouldn't be able to watch his David Letterman performance. Obviously, those of us at the Black Cat last night got the better end of the deal, and when Beck made the comment, it made the show feel even more special. Considering that shows like this almost never happen in DC, I'm still coming down from the excitement. Luckily, the resulting exhaustion helps with the coming down...
01/05: Taint and Bliss present INFAMY, 9:30 Club
01/10: Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, 9:30 Club
01/19: Benjy Ferree, Meredith Bragg and the Terminals, Greenland, Black Cat 01/24: Hej Hej, Cafe Saint-Ex
