In the middle of last night’s Rilo Kiley concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, I turned to X — a guy pretty unfamiliar with their music — and confessed that the band’s music has helped get me through graduate school. I joked that when I finally get that PhD, I’m gonna dedicate it to Jenny Lewis. I first started listening to Rilo Kiley in fall 2004, when I was making the transition back in to school. It’s been pretty tough since then, but whenever I listened to More Adventurous, The Execution of All Things and Take Offs & Landings I felt instantly calmer, a little happier and a little more hopeful. Their most recent album, Under the Blacklight has a similar feel. To anyone dealing with a tough break up, just list to “Breaking Up” it’ll have you dancing and singing along “feels good to be free…”. Maybe.
At last night’s concert, I didn’t write down the setlist or take photos as I sometimes do when I see one of my favorite bands or singers live. However, I do know they played a lot of songs off their older albums and “I love LA”, which I don’t think is recorded. Thanks to YouTube and people with digital cameras, you can see/hear Jenny Lewis and crew’s ode to their hometown. I didn’t get too many photos either because I was behind a bunch of tall hipsters and couldn’t get a view of the band, but that’s what Flickr is for. Check out this great set.
It was pretty awesome, just as I expected.
wow, that was pretty awesome Cindy.
Why didn’t I think of that?? I always forget what songs a band played when telling other people about the concert. LOL
Just write em down… But then again…I think I’d be too drinky drinky by then.
U know, I’ve found myself taking my camera less and less to places as I just want to enjoy what I’m there for and not be busy missing the moments…
Sounds like you had an awesome time!
why are hipsters soo tall? that comment made me laugh! the ones i know usually carry messenger type bags/backpacks, and ride fixies too
Unfortunately, I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing Rilo Kiley live…but I did see Jenny Lewis (you already know that though
when she was touring to promote Rabbit Fur Coat. I love a nice mellow show where you can just relax and enjoy the music.
I’m glad you had a good time. Speaking of mellow shows…I’m going to see MuteMath again on Saturday.
(P.S. – Under the Blacklight is growing on me)
Nice write-up of the show and how their music has helped get you through grad school ~ it makes me want to go back to see what music got me through law school. Thanks also for the link to the Flickr set of that show ~ what great shots. ~ But, with all due respect, I must disagree with the “Breakin’ Up” lyrics/analysis. I’ll never understand why people connect breaking up to “being free” and, by default, being in a relationship to “not being free” ~ that’s just the fiction people tell themselves so they don’t realize the reality of the depth of the pain ~ that, and it helps bands sell music.