Mack37
Well-Known Member
I loved this album when it came out, but fell out of the heavier music and never kept up with them.
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I loved this album when it came out, but fell out of the heavier music and never kept up with them.
Rip_City
Well-Known Member
Went to see Ichiko Aoba (青葉市子) this past Sunday, one of my all time favorite Japanese musicians (and in general). My second time seeing her, with my first having been two and a half years ago in one of the smallest Portland venues. Her acclaim since 2020's breathtaking Windswept Adan has amassed her a far larger following, with this year's Portland booking at Revolution Hall holding 1000 in the main auditorium.
Bought the deluxe LP at the long merch line before the opener Owen Pallett took stage; took half an hour to get there, and bought one of the last three copies.
Owen Pallett
Canadian violinist with a fairly wide discography, with him having contributed arrangements to megapop stars, soundtracks, and his own material spanning several full lengths and about the same number of EPs. Having never listened to his music, I was interested to hear of his connection to Ichiko. Sure enough, in the some of in-between comments he made after performing his first two songs of the set, he mentioned that seven years ago he had Ichiko open for him back on a world tour he embarked on, starting in Shibuya (渋谷) in Japan. It is funny to see that on this 2025 US tour that the bill has been swapped, given the advent of RYM in recent years as he subtly mentioned which had me chuckle for a good while (I love the awareness of this site from musicians more and more!!!).
His string arrangements were composed with loop/delay pedals, with a tapestry of vocal harmonization on top. A few of these songs also implemented guitar (with one song ending in an unexpectedly gorgeous wall of sound). Many of these songs were incredibly engaging from start to finish, and left me very impressed overall.
Wonderfully charming. I would be happy to see him in the future, were he to return to Portland. I was so impressed that I would assuredly put him in my top10 openers ever...his setlist was headliner quality, to be sure.
Ichiko Aoba
She arrived to the stage just by herself, and had no accompaniment throughout the entire performance. As she seated and adjusted her notes on the music stand, she made a few requests that if anyone felt tired or dizzy during the performance to help and lift each other around them.
The main gripe with an artist gaining critical acclaim is that the venues they are booked for almost always get larger and the audiences can get worse. However, this was not the case at all for Aoba-san with the audience being as respectful and quiet as can be, dead silent from the first song. Being far away from the stage is a bummer compared to being ~6ft away from having seen her before, but a seat over standing is ideal for a gentle performance.
She mostly performed content off of 2025 AotY contender Luminescent Creatures, a handful off of 2020's Windswept Adan, and a few scattered others. Roughly midway through the show, just before Aoba was about to a move along the setlist to a different song following applause, a female Japanese audience member on the stage floor asked out loud:
"「いきのこりぼくら」の歌を演奏してくれますか？大好きなんです！”
(lit.: Can you play "Ikinokori Bokura" for me? I love it so!)
And sure enough, she did!!! I love that song too, whoever said that
Impromptu, she flipped right back to her guitar, plucked a few strings and clicked on the guitar body with her nails for percussive effect, and then went right into playing an unexpected performance of "いきのこりぼくら" off of the immaculate 0 (probably one of my revised top50 all time) from over a decade ago, with the outro of the studio song removed. It was an absolutely astonishing performance that I felt compelled to just be in the moment for and be amazed; no need for camera work.
Stunning overall. Breathtaking as before. A+, but not quite S like it was the first time I saw Aoba; getting to meet her then and having a signed record was an experience I'll never ever forget in my life.
Some video of new songs "aurora" and "FLAG" from Luminescent Creatures:
Bought the deluxe LP at the long merch line before the opener Owen Pallett took stage; took half an hour to get there, and bought one of the last three copies.
Owen Pallett
Canadian violinist with a fairly wide discography, with him having contributed arrangements to megapop stars, soundtracks, and his own material spanning several full lengths and about the same number of EPs. Having never listened to his music, I was interested to hear of his connection to Ichiko. Sure enough, in the some of in-between comments he made after performing his first two songs of the set, he mentioned that seven years ago he had Ichiko open for him back on a world tour he embarked on, starting in Shibuya (渋谷) in Japan. It is funny to see that on this 2025 US tour that the bill has been swapped, given the advent of RYM in recent years as he subtly mentioned which had me chuckle for a good while (I love the awareness of this site from musicians more and more!!!).
His string arrangements were composed with loop/delay pedals, with a tapestry of vocal harmonization on top. A few of these songs also implemented guitar (with one song ending in an unexpectedly gorgeous wall of sound). Many of these songs were incredibly engaging from start to finish, and left me very impressed overall.
Wonderfully charming. I would be happy to see him in the future, were he to return to Portland. I was so impressed that I would assuredly put him in my top10 openers ever...his setlist was headliner quality, to be sure.
Ichiko Aoba
She arrived to the stage just by herself, and had no accompaniment throughout the entire performance. As she seated and adjusted her notes on the music stand, she made a few requests that if anyone felt tired or dizzy during the performance to help and lift each other around them.
The main gripe with an artist gaining critical acclaim is that the venues they are booked for almost always get larger and the audiences can get worse. However, this was not the case at all for Aoba-san with the audience being as respectful and quiet as can be, dead silent from the first song. Being far away from the stage is a bummer compared to being ~6ft away from having seen her before, but a seat over standing is ideal for a gentle performance.
She mostly performed content off of 2025 AotY contender Luminescent Creatures, a handful off of 2020's Windswept Adan, and a few scattered others. Roughly midway through the show, just before Aoba was about to a move along the setlist to a different song following applause, a female Japanese audience member on the stage floor asked out loud:
"「いきのこりぼくら」の歌を演奏してくれますか？大好きなんです！”
(lit.: Can you play "Ikinokori Bokura" for me? I love it so!)
And sure enough, she did!!! I love that song too, whoever said that
Impromptu, she flipped right back to her guitar, plucked a few strings and clicked on the guitar body with her nails for percussive effect, and then went right into playing an unexpected performance of "いきのこりぼくら" off of the immaculate 0 (probably one of my revised top50 all time) from over a decade ago, with the outro of the studio song removed. It was an absolutely astonishing performance that I felt compelled to just be in the moment for and be amazed; no need for camera work.Stunning overall. Breathtaking as before. A+, but not quite S like it was the first time I saw Aoba; getting to meet her then and having a signed record was an experience I'll never ever forget in my life.
Some video of new songs "aurora" and "FLAG" from Luminescent Creatures:
avecigrec
Well-Known Member
Went to see Ichiko Aoba (青葉市子) this past Sunday, one of my all time favorite Japanese musicians (and in general). My second time seeing her, with my first having been two and a half years ago in one of the smallest Portland venues. Her acclaim since 2020's breathtaking Windswept Adan has amassed her a far larger following, with this year's Portland booking at Revolution Hall holding 1000 in the main auditorium.
Bought the deluxe LP at the long merch line before the opener Owen Pallett took stage; took half an hour to get there, and bought one of the last three copies.
View attachment 232559View attachment 232560
Owen Pallett
Canadian violinist with a fairly wide discography, with him having contributed arrangements to megapop stars, soundtracks, and his own material spanning several full lengths and about the same number of EPs. Having never listened to his music, I was interested to hear of his connection to Ichiko. Sure enough, in the some of in-between comments he made after performing his first two songs of the set, he mentioned that seven years ago he had Ichiko open for him back on a world tour he embarked on, starting in Shibuya (渋谷) in Japan. It is funny to see that on this 2025 US tour that the bill has been swapped, given the advent of RYM in recent years as he subtly mentioned which had me chuckle for a good while (I love the awareness of this site from musicians more and more!!!).
His string arrangements were composed with loop/delay pedals, with a tapestry of vocal harmonization on top. A few of these songs also implemented guitar (with one song ending in an unexpectedly gorgeous wall of sound). Many of these songs were incredibly engaging from start to finish, and left me very impressed overall.
Wonderfully charming. I would be happy to see him in the future, were he to return to Portland. I was so impressed that I would assuredly put him in my top10 openers ever...his setlist was headliner quality, to be sure.
View attachment 232545View attachment 232547
Ichiko Aoba
She arrived to the stage just by herself, and had no accompaniment throughout the entire performance. As she seated and adjusted her notes on the music stand, she made a few requests that if anyone felt tired or dizzy during the performance to help and lift each other around them.
The main gripe with an artist gaining critical acclaim is that the venues they are booked for almost always get larger and the audiences can get worse. However, this was not the case at all for Aoba-san with the audience being as respectful and quiet as can be, dead silent from the first song. Being far away from the stage is a bummer compared to being ~6ft away from having seen her before, but a seat over standing is ideal for a gentle performance.
She mostly performed content off of 2025 AotY contender Luminescent Creatures, a handful off of 2020's Windswept Adan, and a few scattered others. Roughly midway through the show, just before Aoba was about to a move along the setlist to a different song following applause, a female Japanese audience member on the stage floor asked out loud:
"「いきのこりぼくら」の歌を演奏してくれますか？大好きなんです！”
(lit.: Can you play "Ikinokori Bokura" for me? I love it so!)
And sure enough, she did!!! I love that song too, whoever said that
Stunning overall. Breathtaking as before. A+, but not quite S like it was the first time I saw Aoba; getting to meet her then and having a signed record was an experience I'll never ever forget in my life.
View attachment 232543View attachment 232548View attachment 232546View attachment 232549
Some video of new songs "aurora" and "FLAG" from Luminescent Creatures:
I saw Owen in a Gold Rush era theatre up north about 19 years ago and he was absolutely wonderful. I've not really listened to his music much at all since, but a fantastic live performer for sure.
BjorgenFjorgen
Well-Known Member
Went to see Ichiko Aoba (青葉市子) this past Sunday, one of my all time favorite Japanese musicians (and in general). My second time seeing her, with my first having been two and a half years ago in one of the smallest Portland venues. Her acclaim since 2020's breathtaking Windswept Adan has amassed her a far larger following, with this year's Portland booking at Revolution Hall holding 1000 in the main auditorium.
Bought the deluxe LP at the long merch line before the opener Owen Pallett took stage; took half an hour to get there, and bought one of the last three copies.
View attachment 232559View attachment 232560
Owen Pallett
Canadian violinist with a fairly wide discography, with him having contributed arrangements to megapop stars, soundtracks, and his own material spanning several full lengths and about the same number of EPs. Having never listened to his music, I was interested to hear of his connection to Ichiko. Sure enough, in the some of in-between comments he made after performing his first two songs of the set, he mentioned that seven years ago he had Ichiko open for him back on a world tour he embarked on, starting in Shibuya (渋谷) in Japan. It is funny to see that on this 2025 US tour that the bill has been swapped, given the advent of RYM in recent years as he subtly mentioned which had me chuckle for a good while (I love the awareness of this site from musicians more and more!!!).
His string arrangements were composed with loop/delay pedals, with a tapestry of vocal harmonization on top. A few of these songs also implemented guitar (with one song ending in an unexpectedly gorgeous wall of sound). Many of these songs were incredibly engaging from start to finish, and left me very impressed overall.
Wonderfully charming. I would be happy to see him in the future, were he to return to Portland. I was so impressed that I would assuredly put him in my top10 openers ever...his setlist was headliner quality, to be sure.
View attachment 232545View attachment 232547
Ichiko Aoba
She arrived to the stage just by herself, and had no accompaniment throughout the entire performance. As she seated and adjusted her notes on the music stand, she made a few requests that if anyone felt tired or dizzy during the performance to help and lift each other around them.
The main gripe with an artist gaining critical acclaim is that the venues they are booked for almost always get larger and the audiences can get worse. However, this was not the case at all for Aoba-san with the audience being as respectful and quiet as can be, dead silent from the first song. Being far away from the stage is a bummer compared to being ~6ft away from having seen her before, but a seat over standing is ideal for a gentle performance.
She mostly performed content off of 2025 AotY contender Luminescent Creatures, a handful off of 2020's Windswept Adan, and a few scattered others. Roughly midway through the show, just before Aoba was about to a move along the setlist to a different song following applause, a female Japanese audience member on the stage floor asked out loud:
"「いきのこりぼくら」の歌を演奏してくれますか？大好きなんです！”
(lit.: Can you play "Ikinokori Bokura" for me? I love it so!)
And sure enough, she did!!! I love that song too, whoever said that
Stunning overall. Breathtaking as before. A+, but not quite S like it was the first time I saw Aoba; getting to meet her then and having a signed record was an experience I'll never ever forget in my life.
View attachment 232543View attachment 232548View attachment 232546View attachment 232549
Some video of new songs "aurora" and "FLAG" from Luminescent Creatures:
All his albums are good (to great) but the first one he put out under his own name, Heartland, is IMO one of the best albums of the 2010s.
BjorgenFjorgen
Well-Known Member
A buddy had an extra ticket to Metallica last night, and a last-minute invite allowed me to knock a pretty big one off my bucket list. No "For Whom the Bell Tolls" but we did get a "Creeping Death" opener, "Orion", and "Seek and Destroy." Our seat neighbours also let us see the Leafs playoff OT win.
I had never seen a show at a baseball stadium before and hopefully this will be the last, as the sound was pretty bad (though better for Metallica than openers Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera, I thought).
I had never seen a show at a baseball stadium before and hopefully this will be the last, as the sound was pretty bad (though better for Metallica than openers Suicidal Tendencies and Pantera, I thought).
My Neighbor Brotoro
Active Member
Felt extremely old at the Linda Lindas show, especially since a good number of the people my age were with there with their children.
The Linda Lindas
Saw Lucy Dacus headline Radio City Music Hall two nights in a row. The special guest for night one was a surprise to everyone, Lucy included.
Lucy Dacus
Lucy Dacus with Hozier
Lucy Dacus with not Hozier
The Linda Lindas
Saw Lucy Dacus headline Radio City Music Hall two nights in a row. The special guest for night one was a surprise to everyone, Lucy included.
Lucy Dacus
Lucy Dacus with Hozier
Lucy Dacus with not Hozier
avecigrec
Well-Known Member
BjorgenFjorgen
Well-Known Member
Uh, alright. Not much I agree with in that review. Playing songs from the last (pretty good!) album and not just "the hits" means they're not a legacy act. His Pantera take is dumb as hell and writing "Yeah dude, write better (and shorter) fucking songs" about Metallica — while insisting they should have played "St. Anger" — is wild.
If he expected 1980s Metallica in 2025, that's really on him, I guess. But not an interesting or valid excuse for a review. Kinda befuddled this got published. Also unsure why you'd post this, to poo poo on an experience someone else enjoyed?