LA, you always let me back in

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.

5 Responses to “LA, you always let me back in”

  1. R. says:

    wow, that was pretty awesome Cindy.

  2. Jeff says:

    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!

  3. Lo says:

    why are hipsters soo tall? that comment made me laugh! the ones i know usually carry messenger type bags/backpacks, and ride fixies too :)

  4. AJ says:

    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)

  5. mari says:

    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.

Leave a Reply