Smashing Pumpkins/Fancy Space People/Light FM - Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan

With the completion and imminent release of the new album "Oceania," the Smashing Pumpkins took to the road to treat their fans to some of their new songs.  I caught their show at the Boulevard Pool, an intimate outdoor venue on the deck of a rooftop pool overlooking the Las Vegas strip.

Smashing Pumpkins - Boulevard Pool at the Cosmopolitan

This was truly a tour for the fans, with only two hits ("Cherub Rock" and "Bullet With Butterfly Wings") played during the entire set.  Instead, the band focused on newer songs from "Oceania" and "Teargarden by Kaleidyscope," and on older album cuts from the "Gish"/"Siamese Dream"/"Mellon Collie" era.  Songs like "Silverfuck" and "Thru the Eyes of Ruby" were great surprises.  Billy and company even played a significant portion of "I Am One," although without any of the vocals.  The set included the first time I remember seeing "Frail and Bedazzled," one of my favorites.  I loved "Owata," with the substitution of Las Vegas for Chicago in the lyrics - the song's phrase "what a beautiful night" summarized the concert for me.

Starf***er/Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Wonder Ballroom

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark/Washington - Wonder Ballroom

An enthusiastic audience greeted the return of OMD, with the reunited original lineup.  The band played every hit song that you could hope to hear. Newer songs from "The History of Modern" fit seamlessly into the set and drew an appreciative response from the crowd. OMD had received complaints that they had not included "Secret" in earlier shows, so it was a pleasant surprise that they had rehearsed the song and included it in the encore. The show was a great blast from the past.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark - Wonder Ballroom

Ladytron/Geographer - Wonder Ballroom

Ladytron put on a great show, featuring many songs from their latest album "Gravity the Seducer."  My favorite moment came when both Helen and Mira performed vocals together on "Seventeen."

Ladytron - Wonder Ballroom

Also, shout out to the random dude who gave me his spare guest list ticket as I was standing in line at the ticket window - thanks!

Ted Leo - Dr. Martens store

This was a Musicfest NW show.

Ted Leo - Dr. Martens store

Brand New/Joy Formidable - Wonder Ballroom

This was a Musicfest NW show.

Joy Formidable - Wonder Ballroom

Joy Formidable gave a hard-charging, driving performance.  The band members had great energy, and it was clear that the audience was caught in the spell of the band's powerful music.  Just wonderful.

Corin Tucker Band/Hurry Up/Hungry Ghost - Mississippi Studios

This was a Musicfest NW show.

Corin Tucker Band - Mississippi Studios

The Corin Tucker Band announced that this show was the first anniversary of the first time they had played live.  It was also the anniversary of the band's bassist, Mike, and his wife.  The band gave a great performance, sprinkling a bunch of new songs in their set.

Yuck/Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Doug Fir Lounge

Yuck - Doug Fir Lounge

Silent Film/Water and Bodies - Mississippi Studios

This was my first time back at Mississippi Studios after many years, and the renovations have really made this a great little venue.  The room is still really small, but it has been opened up with a high ceiling.  The seats have been moved up to the balcony, leaving the floor open for those who prefer to stand.  A great performance by A Silent Film let me really appreciate the venue.

Silent Film - Mississippi Studios

Airborne Toxic Event/Mona - Crystal Ballroom

Airborne Toxic Event - Crystal Ballroom

Glasvegas/Gliss - Hawthorne Theatre

Glasvegas - Hawthorne Theatre

Jimmy Eat World - Wonder Ballroom

Jimmy Eat World brought along the female keyboardist/vocalist who appears on their latest album - it was interesting to hear their new songs that incorporated a female vocal line.

Jimmy Eat World - Wonder Ballroom

Raveonettes - Wonder Ballroom

The Raveonettes brought along two additional musicians who switched between guitar, bass and drums as needed.  I especially enjoyed the percussion lines when both drum kits were in use simultaneously.

Raveonettes - Wonder Ballroom

Psychedelic Furs - Aladdin Theater

For the thirtieth anniversary of the album "Talk Talk Talk," the Psychedelic Furs performed the album in its entirety.  They followed this up with a second set of their hits.

Psychedelic Furs - Aladdin Theater

Mogwai - Wonder Ballroom

At this show, Mogwai didn't seem to be as loud as they usually are.  Nevertheless, they put on a great show.  Notably, it was the first time that I recall the band performing a song with vocals.  Also, the keyboard broke during the encore, so they improvised during the final song by substituting an extra bass guitar for the broken keyboard.

Mogwai - Wonder Ballroom

Tokyo Police Club/Said the Whale - Commodore Ballroom

My first time at the Commodore in over fifteen years.  Thanks to John for getting me a comp for this sold-out show!

Tokyo Police Club - Commodore Ballroom

Said the Whale - Commodore Ballroom

Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Doug Fir Lounge

Twin Shadow was scheduled to open for Pains, but they had to cancel at the last minute when one of their members became sick.  I was surprised that the crowd thinned out a bit after it was announced that Twin Shadow would not be playing.  At least I got to move closer to the stage for Pains.

Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Doug Fir Lounge

British Sea Power/Classic Education - Doug Fir Lounge

British Sea Power - Doug Fir Lounge

Classic Education - Doug Fir Lounge

Swans - Roseland Theater

This was the Swans reunion tour.  The word to best describe the show is "pummeling."

Swans - Roseland Theater

Versus/Corin Tucker Band - Doug Fir Lounge

A reunion tour for Versus.

Versus - Doug Fir Lounge

Corin Tucker Band - Doug Fir Lounge

Meat Beat Manifesto/Not Breathing - Peter's Room

Meat Beat Manifesto - Peter's Room

Get Up Kids - Hawthorne Theatre

The second guitarist came down with food poisoning and was throwing up at the side of the stage during the first part of the set.  Eventually, he just left to recuperate, and the rest of the band finished the set the best they could.

Get Up Kids - Hawthorne Theatre

Interpol/School of Seven Bells - Roseland Theater

Interpol - Roseland Theater