stars, magnet @ webster hall

i thought the stars show at webster hall was positively delightful. it was like one of the happiest shows i've been to in quite a while. mike and i got there super early to reserve prime balcony seating. i hate being in the balcony of webster hall, standing on my tippy-toes, trying to peer over the mutant tall music industry people. i mean, c'mon. so we got there early to get a table, and chilled out and waited for magnet to come on stage. we ran into mike's friends liz and melissa -- who we also ran into at the wolfmother show.

i liked magnet for the most part. he's a one man band with a bunch of gadgets and pedals in front of him. his voice is beautiful and extremely passionate in a subtle way. it's soft but echoes loudly in the sold out webster hall room. i was silently enjoying his set, but after a while, my mind began to wander. his music is deeply meditative... soothing, sad and powerful.

stars were even better this time around than when i first saw and fell in love with them at sxsw '05. i loved the energy and the rebellious spirit of singer amy. her voice just boggles me. it's just too perfect, like james mercer from the shins. but oh i basked in the perfect pitch, and drooled the entire set. though "ageless beauty" is my favorite recorded stars song, i really love "reunion" live. it just stands out as an anthem of sorts -- the kind you want to sing along to... "all i want is one more chance to be young and wild and free, all i want is one more chance to show you, you were right for me."