When Ken and I started this blog 15(!) years ago, we saw the name of it as a bit of a joke. Yes, at 35 and 30 respectively, we weren't too old for being obsessed with music and hitting All The Concerts yet, but we were more and more likely to be among the oldest people at the club, and probably five years late to the music blog heyday anyway. This month, however, Ken turned 50, and he did something we've talked about on and off for quite some time: booked a show. Three of his favorite artists, and, as it turned out, three artists I had never seen live before. Spoiler alert: it was great (and don't let my poor photography skills tell you otherwise).
First up was Battlemode, a chiptune band. Last chiptune band I saw was probably as part of a LiveSexAct triple bill at the Middle East at some point in the early 2000s, so to say I'm not exactly up to date on chiptune is definitely true. The good news? Battlemode absolutely killed it. With one member doing his thing on a laptop, another on a variety of devices including a Game Boy, maybe? It was very punk and very nerdy and had a great presentation across the board. I'm absolutely a fan now, and hopefully they play around here again.
Next up was a solo showing from Wyn Doran.
Her album with her full band was on my 2024 top ten list, and as much as I wasn't sure it was cool for me to call it "witchy," she more than made it feel okay within the first few minutes of her set. Between her commanding presence and voice (especially when mixing some harmonics into her vocals) and her approach to some of my favorites of her catalog, it was a real joy to be part of. Highlights included "White Noise," "Heal Me," and the communal screaming of "How the West Was Won."
Ken's been trying to get me to see Sapling for ages, and I'll say this much: Sapling would have blown my socks off had I worn any. I didn't realize there would be theremin. I didn't realize there would be bari sax. I didn't realize I would be seeing the chaotic amalgamation of the B-52s, Oh-OK, and mclusky on a Sunday afternoon, but holy crap. Sapling's studio work has always worked for me, but hearing a lot of these songs live are a revelation - the band has a stage presence that's nearly unparalleled, Amber Tortorelli with a literal box of toys to go along with her truly unique approach to guitar and theremin and... all of it. Art punk doesn't do it justice, because it's such a special event. I hope they come back to Worcester (or somewhere close to it) (or somewhere I book them) sometime sooner rather than later.
15 years later, this is still going strong. Well, mostly strong - to say that Ken is the backbone, the fuel, the entire thing that makes this go is an understatement. Here's to another 15 years, or something.
