Sunday, June 19, 2005
Musical Surprise
Have you ever gone to a concert to see the main band and ended up liking one of the opening bands more? That never had happened to me before, but it happened on Friday night (June 17).
One thing that makes San Francisco so special is the local music scene. Friday night found me at The Fillmore, one of my favorite venues. I especially like two things about the Fillmore. The first is the layout–midsize, open dance floor in front of the stage, sparkling chandeliers, and ruby curtains. The second is the collection of posters and photos that line the walls reflecting the incredible history of all the famous bands that have played there. I feel excited every time I go to the Fillmore because I know that I will be able to stand real close to the stage.
What brought me to the Fillmore on Friday was the main act–the Del McCoury Band, one the best bluegrass bands in the U.S. I had seen them perform several years ago, and their high energy and virtuoso playing had blown me away. True to form, the Del McCoury Band put on a great show Friday night, playing many of their hits to an adoring audience.
But as good the main act was, what really blew me away was the second act–the Waybacks, a high energy, genre-defying, acoustic band from San Francisco. One minute I was hearing progressive jazz. The next minute it sounded like newgrass, Eastern European, or even Latin music. But whatever the style, the playing was tight, harmonious, and unbelievably skillful. Looks like I found myself a new favorite band right here in my own backyard!
Whenever I listen to Cantonese radio (星島中文電台) in the Bay Area, I try to listen to Cantopop songs from Hong Kong. Next year, when I go to Hong Kong, one thing I really want to do is attend a Cantopop concert. Unfortunately, I don’t know that much about the Hong Kong Cantonese music scene. I enjoy a few songs by 王菲 (Faye Wong) and have heard that 容祖而 (Joey Yung) is real popular. All you Cantopop fans—what singer or concert would you recommend to me? If I want to hear the best that Hong Kong has to offer, who would it be? I eagerly await your recommendations. ¶ 6:00 PM
One thing that makes San Francisco so special is the local music scene. Friday night found me at The Fillmore, one of my favorite venues. I especially like two things about the Fillmore. The first is the layout–midsize, open dance floor in front of the stage, sparkling chandeliers, and ruby curtains. The second is the collection of posters and photos that line the walls reflecting the incredible history of all the famous bands that have played there. I feel excited every time I go to the Fillmore because I know that I will be able to stand real close to the stage.
What brought me to the Fillmore on Friday was the main act–the Del McCoury Band, one the best bluegrass bands in the U.S. I had seen them perform several years ago, and their high energy and virtuoso playing had blown me away. True to form, the Del McCoury Band put on a great show Friday night, playing many of their hits to an adoring audience.
But as good the main act was, what really blew me away was the second act–the Waybacks, a high energy, genre-defying, acoustic band from San Francisco. One minute I was hearing progressive jazz. The next minute it sounded like newgrass, Eastern European, or even Latin music. But whatever the style, the playing was tight, harmonious, and unbelievably skillful. Looks like I found myself a new favorite band right here in my own backyard!
Whenever I listen to Cantonese radio (星島中文電台) in the Bay Area, I try to listen to Cantopop songs from Hong Kong. Next year, when I go to Hong Kong, one thing I really want to do is attend a Cantopop concert. Unfortunately, I don’t know that much about the Hong Kong Cantonese music scene. I enjoy a few songs by 王菲 (Faye Wong) and have heard that 容祖而 (Joey Yung) is real popular. All you Cantopop fans—what singer or concert would you recommend to me? If I want to hear the best that Hong Kong has to offer, who would it be? I eagerly await your recommendations. ¶ 6:00 PM
