Following Rabbits Blog — hear it

I have seen Wakey!Wakey! several times around the city, and saw Jukebox the Ghost open for Guster at the Beacon. They're both great bands, so when I saw them on the same ticket at Bowery Ballroom, I was amped! 

Pretty & Nice opened the show. They were good... and the guitarist (pictured right) looks so much like my dad circa 1986. Amazing. 

Mike Grubbs of Wakey is a fantastic musician. I could see them once a week and not get tired of listening to them. Their piano and violin driven tunes are full of emotion and sincerity. My faves include Brooklyn, Car Crash, and Almost Everything. They play fairly often in the city- I would highly recommend checking out a show!

Jukebox finally took the stage at 10:30p and didn't disappoint. They rocked the house for nearly 2 hours, playing every song of theirs I have on my iPod and more- which is an impressive collection of upbeat dance tunes, piano ballads and smile-inducing covers (hellooo Huey Lewis and the News and the Ghostbusters theme). Barely taking a breath between songs, they powered through song after song, not missing a beat. They're working on a new album that I can't wait to hear! Download Where Are All the Scientists Now?, Schizophrenia, So Let Us Create and Hold It In.

Theory of Deadman is one of my favorite bands... so when I got tickets to the Avalanche Tour with those midnight birthday cupcakes I was amped! Such a killer lineup of rockers, I knew it would be a great show. Doors opened at 5p for a 6p start and they weren't messing around, The Art of Dying started at 6 sharp. I wasn't familiar with them before seeing them live, and they impressed me. (Download: Best I Can). Next up was Halestorm, led by the frenzied powerhouse, Lzzy Hale. She bottles up Joan Jett, Amy Lee (Evanescence) and Hayley Williams (Paramore) in a cocky, rough-around-the-edges package. Her brother drums for the band bearing their surname, and they rocked it. (Download: Familiar Taste of Poison). Skillet was up third, and they were fantastic! Complete with a cellist and violinist who both kill it, they delivered a seriously rockin' performance. (Download: Awake and Alive). Theory finally took the stage fourth, and it was evident that Tyler was sick and was straining his voice. Sadness! They still put on a good show, but he wasn't packing the power he usually does. I was excited to hear they're releasing a new album in July- the first since their platinum selling albums Scars and Souvenirs. (Download: Santa Monica; Since You've Been Gone; By the Way).

What better way to celebrate your birthday than piano-rocking out with Hugo? Allie and I headed over to Mercury Lounge after dinner at Beauty & Essex to catch Hugo's show and "Ready" album release. His shows are always high-energy and fun, and this was no exception. (I even got a "Happy Birthday Alice" shout-out!) He had his usual band plus a few guests, including Greg Mayo. 

Highlights for me were Hatari and Kuru, my fave tracks from his new album. Halfway through the show he pulled out a keytar, and then rocked out the national anthem on it. Epicness. Was a great show and a fun way to get the birthday party started! Hugo gave everyone who pre-ordered tickets a copy of the album, which is in heavy rotation on my iPod. After the show we headed to the 13th Step for a little after-party action and birthday shots with Hugo. 

Download Ready on iTunes and definitely get yourself to a show next time he plays in NY!

What I could see with my own eyes at this show wasn't much better than what my camera captured. When I describe Beach House to people who aren't familiar with their music, I always use the word "dreamy"-- and the show lived up to that description. With a live drummer in tow, Victoria and Alex hit the stage at Webster Hall under dim lighting and fog. Stars and strobe lights pulsing behind them made to further disorient us all, while Victoria belted out Gila, Apple Orchard, Zebra and Take Care.

Their music has a very hypnotic quality about it, full of reverb, delicate melodies and lilting lyrics. One of the things I love about them is that I'm hardpressed to find a band to compare them to-- their sound and style is very unique. If you're not familiar with their music, check them out! Here's another fave of mine, Heart of Chambers:

I saw Plain White T's with Parachute at Highline Ballroom-- such a fun show! They played most of their new album, Wonders of the Younger, including Rhythm of Love,  Our Song, Boomerang, Welcome to Mystery (from the Alice in Wonderland soundtrack), and Irrational Anthem. They also played some older faves-- Hate (I Really Don't Like You), Revenge, Radios in Heaven, and of course-- Hey There Delilah. For Delilah, lead singer Tom Higgenson (who was celebrating his birthday) moved to the back of the room and singing the song solo with his acoustic guitar. 

The entire show was super high energy, and the audience sang along to every song. There was a lot of story-telling in between songs, including guitarist Tim Lopez explaining that he wrote Rhythm of Love (which he sings the lead on) about breaking up with a girl before going on tour with the band, and then regretting it afterwards. Tim also wrote Sunlight, about Whitney Hardin-- the girl he met and fell in love with at 16 and later married, and then divorced.

Not to be overlooked (even though I didn't snap any pics of them, wahh) Parachute was amazing. I wasn't super familiar with them beforehand, only having heard She Is Love and In Control. (Can I pause to note how cute lead singer Will Anderson? Holy blue eyes!) The songs they played off their new album were awesome! Can't wait to hear it in its entirety when it's released April 12.