KC Crossroads with Avetts

[garyjohn]

Anybody heard how tickets are going?
I must attend a football game that night so can't make it. Hope somebody tapes it and records it. Not only Grace but the Avetts.
Pleassseee.
Thank you.

[ChasenPants]

My wife will be covering the event for The Pitch. Will be sure to post the pics.

[garyjohn]

Cool. If somebody tapes/records the show as somebody did last time that would be AWESOME. And the Avett Brothers as well for that matter.
What a show!

[garyjohn]

well how was it?
how were the avett bros?
any tapes anywhere i can listen/view? thanx.
I had to go to the ku game so missed it.

[toofarnorth]

@gracepotter (http://twitter.com/gracepotter/status/25560408644): Kansas City, y'all are a rowdy pile of awesome. Someone got tazered by the cops before we finished our 1st song. Now @theavettbros r kickin!
Grace's tweet from last night . . now I really hope someone drops by and fills us in on the show. :D

[ChasenPants]

It was awful, guys. In NO part was this due to GPN. The sound was terrible. And I don't mean subjectively terrible. There was a bad line for the subs that kept crackling all the way through the first song. Once they got that fixed we thought they would crank things up and get rolling. No way. I'm an engineer and have an RTA app on my iPhone. We launched it throughout the entire set and it never peaked above 91dB. 91dB! And Matt's kit miking was a joke. Kick, snare, and 2 overheads. Not tom mics at all, so fills couldn't even be heard. Now, of course there's an age old practice of the headliner limiting the opener to a certain number of inputs, but this was ridiculous-and I wouldn't think the Avett's would do something like that. However, the Avett set sounded fantastic and was hitting 100 on my meter, so maybe they do. But I've seen a lot of shows and mixed even more and I've never seen SUCH a limit being put on an opener as far as how much of the rig they were allowed. 91 dB is literally as loud as any bar with a jukebox that you would go into on a Friday night. Not only could we all talk but we could eavesdrop on the people all around us. Word got around fast, as I woke up this morning to tons of facebook posts by my fellow engineers/music guys in the KC community about how atrocious it was. Poor Grace. She was awesome as always and so was the rest of the band. Too bad her biggest audience to date in KC didn't get to hear how truly awesome they are.

And where was Kat???

The crowd was fantastic, but not very rowdy. My wife was photographing the show for The Pitch so she had access and saw the guy get tasered, but didn't know the circumstances. As soon as that was over GPN took the stage.

[eric]

Thanks 4 posting that CP def good to know. I really hope they get that straightened out before LA, as those fans r already owed one after the cd release gig that got postponed indefinately. I still am baffled at GPN opening 4 the avett bros-dont get me wrong they are an excellent band, just for me personally seems like an upstaging. Unless of course, they cut GPNs power in half and limit their microphones and signal inputs. I suppose that would solve the upstaging issue.

[ChasenPants]

Yeah. I'd still like to think I could give the Avett's the benefit of the doubt and just hope it's someone in their machine doing shitty things like that, or maybe even the local crew guys just not knowing any better. However, I doubt very seriously that Matt would come out for sound check, discover that, and not say something. He must have known his kit was barely mic'd. BTW....I read Kat's tweet and I guess she's just off for a week. The guy filling in for her was really good. Cool plucking style, but it's just not the same without seeing her on stage left goofing off and having a blast with Benny during a GPN show. I love how they play off of each other.

[toofarnorth]

.
In some outdoor venues where one stands can make a huge difference . . I wonder if that is the case here, because this reviewer had the opposite experience with the sound.


Oddly, the sound was nearly perfect for the opener, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. For the Avetts, it was off just enough to be a mild nuisance.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/09/26/2252983/the-avett-brothers-have-a-blast.html#ixzz10i7tVkOL




ETA: I walked away from the computer and debated if I should say this but I'm not very good at keeping my mouth - or fingers - shut.
Because of a friend's interest in the Avett Bros I'd done a little homework on them long before this run of shows with GPN. I like a lot of their music but am not a serious fan.
From everything I've seen they are nice guys who, like GPN, have worked hard and long (10 yrs I think) to get where they are now - and now involves a pretty decent size fan base.
They have played some of the same festivals as GPN . . and Grace just appeared with them as a co-presenter at the American Music Awards.
( btw - the Avetts won Duo / Group of the Year . . and their song "I and Love and You" was nominated for Song of the Year)
It seems logical that they know each other.
It seems illogical that the Avetts would have any need or wish to harm Grace and her band.
Maybe there are bands / artists out there who play rough and keep it under the radar even in this day of a sneeze being reported on the internet in 30 seconds . . but it seems that most musicians have a lot of respect for, and are supportive of, each other. . . and most "conspiracies" are really just a Forrest Gump bumper sticker.

[Dreamer]

I will certainly be interested, and on guard for the L.A. Nokia show. Not only the Avett Bros, but Brandi Carlile to follow. I will report back on my impressions.

I honestly would not have gone just for GPN with an opening set at such a large venue. They are never satisfying enough for me. Brandi Carlile made it atractive enough to buy the ticket. I already had a ticket for the Vegas Hard Rock show.

[ChasenPants]

Wow TFN. That was actually shocking to read. I've already passed that review on to some folks 'in the know' on the situation Saturday night.

[jenny]

By the way, how long did GPN play since they were the opening act in KC? I am going to see GPN in Roanoke when they are also opening for the Avett Bros.

[ChasenPants]

Here's a review to the contrary-although it doesn't address the sound issues-although I would say that the sound issues were the cause of it. (shameless plug alert) That's my wife's name on all the pictures.

http://blogs.pitch.com/wayward/2010/09/the_avett_brothers.php

TFN I totally agree with everything you said. Especially the part about sound being objective. I posted that review on my facebook page this morning, and below are the responses I got from both local engineers, musicians and people who were at the show...

"Sounded like shite."

"House PA with a guy that sits out front and wonders what all that stuff does with those knobs and buttons. I think he had ADS when I played there. (Audio Disaster Syndrome)"

"Timothy Finn might literally be retarted"

"That review is reprehensible. I can see a layperson enjoying the sound quality of a show and not noticing if there's a muddy mix or something, but there were pops coming through the system that were louder than the music, and the subs didn't even work until the 2nd song. I'm guessing this guy got there for the last few songs only."

This last review is especially telling. I wish somebody else who was at the show would chime in. Towards the end, subjectivity would have come into play because the problems were fixed and it was just a little quiet. But up until NBTW it was an absolute disaster. Static and pops are not subjective.

I think you're right about the Avett's too. That's my feeling on the type of guys they are. Especially after learning that The Crossroads used local guys, it seems they were just douches that didn't know what the hell they were doing.

[ChasenPants]

Jenny they played about 45 minutes. All but 2 songs were from the new album-which I didn't really prefer.

[Danado]

My husband, sister, brother-in-law and friends were there but I wasn't. I was so bummed that I was missing the show. Everybody said that it was the worst GPN show they had ever seen. They said Scotty's amp was messed up the entire show and Grace was going in and out. They said that Grace was trying really hard to give KC a good show, but she over did her screams and that they heard people complaining about it. Some were good but some were not and just too many. As you all know, I have been saying this too. It looks as if this time, the writer of the Pitch caught on. KAT is MIA, and when hubby asked Grace, she said she was attending family situation in Colorado and he said it was strange like he didn't feel that was the case. But that is neither here nor there. Just speculation. He said the set list was the usual they are playing now. So anyway, I feel like I didn't miss anything. Am VERY glad I didn't see that and am thankful that I got to see the Paola show. Still the best GPN show I have seen of all time, even the old times.

http://blogs.pitch.com/wayward/2010/09/the_avett_brothers.php

[eric]

just for clarification I was not inferring the Avett bros themselves intentionally destroyed GPNs sound mix, that is crazy...was just saying that is certainly one way to avoid being upstaged, and there is no excuse for that in todays world of live music productions. with all the festivals and multiple act shows, there is really no explaining that one. my friend's band RBC (Roast Beef Curtains) played Bonaroo this year-they were probably the smallest band there and said they got treated like Jay Z. my friend said "best gig ive ever played" and he can find a problem with heaven when it comes to venues and promoters and such. GPN has their own sound/stage team, which is always on point, and so clearly i dont know all the facts, but it sure sounds like something was up.

and great review and pictures-kudos to the avetts for playiong 2 shows in one day

[kcortez]

The only thing more dangerous than the music in Kansas City is some of the fans.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TMl2pLlq1Q

[garyjohn]

Wouldn't that have been awesome to go to a Best Buy and have the Avett Bros there? Wild.
That's so weird that the KC Star review thought the sound was better for the GPN Show and there's such a wide discrepancy of opinion on that.
I just wish I could have seen the Paola show after seeing GPN in KC in June. That show was legendary.
Sounds like a rare off day after reading the reviews of Grace all summer. I don't remember seeing a hint of negativity except a couple reviews about the new album. It's strange the crowd didn't get into it at all Saturday as the writer said it was almost embarrassing as the fans wouldn't get into it. This one just wasn't meant to be I guess. A rare off day. As far as the screeches of Grace, I remember in the show in June the few times she screeched I thought it was cool. Did it rain at all at this show besides the cold? KU game had a pretty awful rain for a quarter.

[toofarnorth]

.
A reviewer didn't like Grace ? . . think it has been discussed before that we better get used to it . . the more national attention they get - the more often there will be someone to prove the old " you can't please all of the people all of the time " adage.
And of course there will be the occasional fan reviewer who thinks bashing other bands / artists elevates their favorite . . never have figured out that mentality. And very occasionally any artist / band - even Grace / GPN - can have an off night for any number of reasons - including weather and uncooperative equipment ! ;)


Apparently the sound wasn't a problem in Oklahoma City last night . . . so just maybe what was up in KC was simply actual problems with the sound system - it happens, right ?

This blogger could be the type of Avett fan/newly minted GPN fan - who might drop by here for a read.

Brown Jug Music . . full recap here (http://www.brownjugmusic.com/2010/09/avett-brothers-live-in-okc-92610.html)



Grace Potter and the Nocturnals hit the stage around 8 p.m. and I was blown away. I meant to check out their latest album before the show and I just didn't get there. However, it might have been even better to have been a Nocturnals virgin. Standing about ten feet away from the guitar and bass player, I had a perfect spot to watch them shred through every song. The Nocturnals provided a raging, hard core, rock and roll background for the incredible vocals of Grace Potter. I don't know where that voice comes from but to hear that incredible wall of sound shoot out of such a graceful little woman . . . I was impressed. The band was so gracious to the crowd that had come out to see the opening act (and to those of you who were late . . . dude, bad call). They slowed things down a couple of times only to turn around and rev it back up with numbers like Medicine from their latest album which really got the crowd going. To see all four of the non-drumming Nocturnals head over to beat it out on the drum kit with drummer Matt Burr was a serious kick in the pants for anyone who hadn't woken up by that point in the show. I had a pretty good view of guitarist Benny Yurco and, okay, I might have drooled a little but y'all, he can get down. Scott Tournet shone during several guitar solos that set the tone for a great night out at a rock and roll show. By the time Grace finally stood alone on the stage and belted out a gospel tune with only her tambourine as accompaniment, everyone in the place was a Grace Potter and the Nocturnals convert. I was so excited to hear Paris from the band's latest release because it was the one song I already knew! I've seen opening acts that were worth missing but I wouldn't have traded seeing this band live for anything. I've already bought the album today. I'd say that speaks volumes.


If someone does an OKC thread, please feel free to use the review there too.

[Hucklive]

KCMoeJoe was there with his taping gear and posted Avett Brothers to etree

http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=538943

But there is no sign of his recording of Grace, and he has posted grace before. I take this as a sign he did not feel the recording came out well ( or he got there too late)

[Dreamer]

I downloaded the Avetts to get a sample of the show I will see Friday in L.A.

Today the link no longer available. etree search did not find it either, and nobody uploading it from my computer.

[toofarnorth]

Dreamer . . and anyone else . . the Avett Bros released a live album today that might give you an idea of their concert sound.

Spinner.com has it as part of their week long listening party . . along with Neil Young's, Eric Clapton's and a whole lot more . . busy week.
This is the same site that promoted GPN's album last June.

http://www.spinner.com/new-releases#/3

I've been told Avett fans are all about the lyrics - that is true for me about their music too . . . "I and Love and You" is the song that got the AMA nomination.

[Dreamer]

I am buying Neils album, as I have about 50-60 or more others in Vinyl, cassettes, and CD..

I have bought every one of Grace Potter's releases, including Original Soul, and 6 copies of "Grace Potter & The Nocturnals" that I used as gifts.

Not an Avett fan at all, and will unlikely buy anything they put out. This could possibly change when I see them, but I doubt it. Many people I have introduced to GPN do not get them.
I am buying CD's from most of the young upstart musicians I see now, and bought 2 last night from a young singer/songwriter because it was her birthday.

Just so we all know that I am not a leach, just in case anyone might think, to put it bluntly.

Eric in L.A.

[kcortez]

I'm personally a BIG Avett's fan but my heritage and musical background is rooted in Bluegrass and Country. If you don't swing that way - maybe they won't be for you.

[toofarnorth]

:confused: HUH ? . . Dreamer - where did that come from ?

I posted the link to the Avett's live album because of your post . . I thought you had intended to give others a chance for a listen if they wanted one.
And absolutely agree they are not for everyone.

The reason I used Spinner (http://www.spinner.com/) is because it is a legitimate "have a listen" site ... a sister to AOL Music (http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds/#/1) . . but usually have at least partially different selections.

Another very good place to preview is the largehearted boy blog (http://www.largeheartedboy.com/blog/archive/2010/09/try_it_before_y_151.html)
And of course NPR's First Listen (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98679384) . . they usually have a short review and a chance to comment.

I check all of them for new releases every week and I certainly don't feel like I'm a leech for doing so.
They are sort of the 21st C online equivalent of going to an old fashion music store and sitting in a booth to hear an album before you knew if you wanted to own it.
Sometimes I find a nice surprise and someone gets a sale they wouldn't have had otherwise . . and sometimes I am disappointed and glad I didn't buy a record unheard.

[Dreamer]

I'm personally a BIG Avett's fan but my heritage and musical background is rooted in Bluegrass and Country. If you don't swing that way - maybe they won't be for you.

I cannot explain it, and from everything I read, i should like them. Maybe a phase I am in right now. I cannot understand why anyone into Blues-Rock could not get GPN. My wife is one.

It is not always a matter of genre... I am a Rock fan really, but...

In my vinyl collection, and of Buegrass and Country, Country Rock..
I have seen all of these people years ago

David Bromberg
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Earl Scruggs Review
NRPS
Poco
EmmyLou Harris (saw her with the Hot Band in 75 in Northhampton, and one of the best shows I have ever seen!!))
The summer of 73, I spent it seems, going to bluegrass festivals in New England, and got to see Bill Monroe (vaguely remember "Orange Blossom Special" I think.. I drank a lot of Pabst Blue Ribbon , and other legends, like the then "Country Gentlemen"
I went to "The Johnny Cash Show" in 75 at the Springfield or Hartford Civic Center..

Most recent "bluegrass" band I have seen (2X) and bought albums is "Crooked Still", and will see them at Infinity Hall with my son & his g/f in Nov..
I am sure you have heard them?

Anyway, I have gone overboard proving it is not about bluegrass/country...

Leave to... just.. Who knows why one band strikes our heart and soul, and another does not..

[Dreamer]

:confused: HUH ? . . Dreamer - where did that come from ?

Who know...

Probably from my own guilt at downloading some Avett Bros free music..

Over reaction I guess, but like people to clearly know where I am coming from, if that is possible...

[Karen]

Leave to... just.. Who knows why one band strikes our heart and soul, and another does not..

Dreamer: I didn't like GPN at first. Keep trying with Avett Brothers - they're worth the effort. Try the two "Gleam" CDs. Third song here is from one of them:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=105637364

[Dreamer]

OK, OK... Uncle.

Really, How many times I have told people that it takes 3 listens to get it. How many of Neils albums have I done this with.

I'll work on this. I should for the next couple days and then enjoy the whole show...

[Hucklive]

Probably from my own guilt at downloading some Avett Bros free music..


Im sorry for the fuss i may have started with that link. And my intent in posting it was more to document KCMoeJoe being at the show than to even encourage anyone to download the torrent.


Though they may not create the music, their devotion has certainly helped to make it everything it is. They are promoters, fans, and historians. An outsider may not understand, I’m really not sure I do, but they understand each other and love what they do. They are "the tapers".
http://bt.etree.org/details.php?id=519979
(From another of his torrents, "KCMOEJOE presents (Best Of) Live from the Midwest", all very trade friendly artists INCLUDING early Grace)

It is still of my opinion that Grace's set from that show was not posted because he thought something was sub-par and would not present GPatN in the best light. He is a true fan/promoter and would never have tried to hurt TAB(The Avett Bros), but his was not the only TAB torrent on that tracker at the time either.

When i posted the link i didnt even realize there was a tempest brewing there, and upon finding it later i tried to find out more about it. It seems to be a strange situation where they will even give verbal permission to record and expect the tapers to realize they dont want it shared. Or not, all we have is the word of some of the posters on the TAB forum about that. There are even TAB shows at the archive in wma if you know where to look. There seems to be no clear online statement from the band or its management. It is a very confusing situation and im sorry that KCMoeJoe got sucked into it like he did, i am sure he meant no harm.

I appreciate both that GPatN are taper friendly and their policy is clear. The permission to post at the archive means they will have an extremely broad history available to them as time passes. And will excite many new fans, like me. Someone said they rocked and seeing a show on bt.etree i decided to check it out, and many shows since.

I am not trying to fault TAB, they have the right to decide if their music will be shared in the open or not. But if they allow recording but not public sharing it will just go underground, and even into the hands of commercial bootleggers who will try to make money off of them. There will basically be no market for the illegal sale of GPatN shows since they are offered freely to any takers at places like the archive and bt.etree. I think dimeadozen puts it best
BTW, the ROIOs[recordings of independent origin] exist, you can't make them vanish. So, why not let your fans get them for free from one another instead of having to purchase them from commercial bootleggers on auction sites?"

But still no KC GPatN from KCMoeJoe, so i suspect he was a victim of poor sound too.

[ChasenPants]

Kind of funny, but the Avett's don't really do it for me either. They have about 1/2 dozen songs that I really like, but the rest I can't stand. Nothing against them at all-I just don't dig on it. One thing I can say about seeing them live is that they are AMAZING musicians. An interesting thing I noticed: My wife took almost 500 pictures that night for The Pitch, and when we were going through them, in about 85-90% of them, the entire band had their eyes closed while playing. One thing that I picked up from poring over those pictures with her, is that you can tell these guys really feel the music and let their instruments do the talking. Very real, very passionate, and I gained a huge amount of respect for them just by looking at those pictures. If anything, it really made me wish I liked their music more!

[toofarnorth]

ChasenPants . . I was sort of where you are .. really liked some songs - pretty much the ones a friend pointed me to .. but others never got a full play. But that has now changed.
Because the conversation here coincided with Spinner giving me easy access to the Avett's newly released live album, I paid much closer attention to what I liked and didn't like about their music. It turns out that after 3 full runs there isn't much I don't like . . I love their lyrics . . and their passion . . and have come around to even liking their raucous wild moments that I used to avoid - those are mood elevators for sure.
They're not closing in on GPN and Wilco - but they've definitely made it onto my favorites list.

[ChasenPants]

I think that's enough to convince me to use my new iTunes gift card to buy the live album, then. Thanks!

[Hucklive]

Who noticed my post over in the columbia thread about sharon being on jimmy kimmel wed nite (now updated with links! http://www.gracepotter.com/forums/showthread.php/393-Columbia-Mo-The-Blue-Note-2010-09-20?p=3312#post3312 )

Guess who played thurs nite?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9DKB303iEo (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9DKB303iEo)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agn4y-M1rjA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agn4y-M1rjA)

heh, co-incidents huh?

i missed this one live , tv was off , sharon was a fluke,
but these were already linked into her related list when i finally watched on youtube

[kcortez]

And how could you not like "Kick Drum Heart" - rockin'

[toofarnorth]

And how could you not like "Kick Drum Heart" - rockin'
like !! - and watching Joe Kwon (cello) just kills me . . .
but seems Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise has settled in as my ear worm for the day - still stuck after 3hrs & much other music

[Karen]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbrF00Y4qE8


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cO3vZlU599Q

[joester]

I've gotten a couple shows on CD (not GPN, Split Lip Rayfield) from KCMoeJoe in the past.
his audience recordings are of the highest quality.
He might not post a show if he felt the recording wasn't up to par.
just my 2 pesos.

[toofarnorth]

.
Found a fairly old gem once, so now I run a recently uploaded search on archive.org when I go there.

The Crossroads show turned up in today's hunt . . . http://www.archive.org/details/gpn2010-09-25.mbho_ka200n

from taper notes at bottom of page
" Tracks 1-4 - PA was having audio issues due to moisture
Some slight phasing from Wind "

01 Intro
02 Ride
03 Goodbye Kiss
04 Oasis
05 Apologies
06 One Short Night
07 Paris
08 Tiny Light
09 Water I
10 Water II
11 White Rabbit
12 Medicine

[Hucklive]

.
Found a fairly old gem once, so now I run a recently uploaded search on archive.org when I go there.

Very interesting, many thanks,
Not KCMoeJoe.

[garyjohn]

I just listened to the KC concert. Wow, it was so much different from the show I saw where they were headliners in early summer.
I can't imagine why Grace and the band agree to any tour where they are the warmup band. I could really tell the difference.
Man the crowd wasn't cheering or listening much. Seems a waste to have them just play a little under an hour.
If I were GPN I'd tell em to only be headliners.

[toofarnorth]

The concept has always seemed pretty clear to me . . . bands/artists open for other bands/artists for the same reason they do festivals . . new ears to hear the music
Ears that belong to people who probably wouldn't buy a ticket to a headlining show - why? - because they don't know the name and the music

btw - the comments on twitter after the Avett shows have been fun to read - lots of "wowed" people