If you're familiar with Akron/Family, you know what I'm talking about--they put on an awesome performance. By the end of the night, not a single person in the crowd is not shaking their ass. Crowd participation, singing along is the best part. I can't remember the last time I sang along at an indie rock show. The last time I saw them they did a 10-minute improv funk breakdown.
I've never seen a band that just loves playing music so much. Its not about the bullshit, just a love for music and that is the best thing.
What other bands are out there like this? Whats the best live band you've ever seen, and why? I'm talking James Brown 60's to 70's good, not what we call a good live performance these days. I think we can all agree that most bands these days, lets face it, put on a pretty dull live show.
― Leviticus, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 15:25 (eighteen years ago)
I'm still riding off the high of the VNV Nation show the other night -- I swear, Ronan and company put on a hell of a show even in a small club. Had the whole place going crazy.
― Ned Raggett, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 15:27 (eighteen years ago)
I think we can all agree have you looked at any other threads?
― mizzell, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 15:29 (eighteen years ago)
I was struck dumb by Okkervil River the other night. A tight, raucous band with great songs augmented by trumpet, pedal steel, three guitars, mandolin, synth, organ, and three band members on backup vocal. Led by one of the most forceful, charismatic frontmen I've seen in some time (doubtlessly aided by his two beers and entire bottle of wine). A complete command of their craft. Fantastic!
― Simon H., Wednesday, 26 September 2007 16:00 (eighteen years ago)
You guys like shitty music.
― Reatards Unite, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 16:14 (eighteen years ago)
when I saw Akron/Family live, I'd say the crowd was about a 50/50 split between people who got annoyed and left early and people who stayed the whole time and left thinking it was the greatest show they'd ever seen. I was in the latter category, obv, and I think anyone in the first is someone I wouldn't want to know.
― bernard snowy, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 16:14 (eighteen years ago)
im goin to see them on oct 11th i cant wait
― chaki, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 16:30 (eighteen years ago)
I've seen them three times--the first time I got annoyed and left after the second or third song. The second time I saw them, I stayed the whole time and I have never had so much fun at a show. The third time was even better. This tour is with Megafaun and Greg Davis and both opening acts played with them the entire show.
― Leviticus, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 17:21 (eighteen years ago)
Just posted this on another thread by mistake, but the best part about that show for me was watching the Athens crowd during Greg Davis' opening drone set. Lots of wtf expressions and walk-outs.
― Jena, Wednesday, 26 September 2007 18:52 (eighteen years ago)
Man, now I kinda I wish I'd gone to the show of theirs a couple weeks ago.
Oh well.
― Doctor Casino, Thursday, 27 September 2007 02:42 (eighteen years ago)
I know I listed this somewhere on ILM before, but...
random live show best of, off the top of my head:
Tiny Lights 1987 Camper Van Beethoven 1988 and 1989 Sonic Youth 1986 The Jody Grind 1990 Chumbawamba 1990 Pharaoh Sanders 1999 Devendra Banhart 2004 Hitting Birth 1991 Ghost 1998 Nurse With Wound 2006
I saw Akron/Family here in Eugene a year or two ago when Sir Richard Bishop was opening, he blew them away as far as I was concerned. But I did like their set a lot and stayed until the end. I enjoy the split with Angels of Light and have not heard any newer material.
― sleeve, Thursday, 27 September 2007 02:49 (eighteen years ago)
Battles the other night were freaking AWESOME and tight, one of the best shows I've been to in ages. But the crowd annoyed me, even during "Atlas" hardly anyone moved, the hell, how can you stand still during that song.
― Trayce, Thursday, 27 September 2007 02:51 (eighteen years ago)
Because it sucks
― Reatards Unite, Thursday, 27 September 2007 20:12 (eighteen years ago)
I was thinking today about the Akron/Family I show, trying to remember it. In a hot aluminum-foil lined little basement bedroom in Boise. I can only recall the vibe of the thing and that they were playing acoustic guitars, and that one looked like this creepy hippie I had to call the cops on because he followed me to my house trying to ask for sexual favors.
― Abbott, Thursday, 27 September 2007 23:33 (eighteen years ago)
DMBQ
― sleep, Friday, 28 September 2007 00:55 (eighteen years ago)
do not miss those guys live
― sleep, Friday, 28 September 2007 00:57 (eighteen years ago)
Bumping this thread because I was just thinking about Ak/Fam today. Last summer I followed them around the east coast and went to three or four of their gigs. The first time I saw them was in a coffee house with about 40 people in it, and everyone had a fantastic, sweaty time. They have everybody a percussion instrument and we had a big fun jam at the end, singing something about tigers in the sky. I feel like I understand hippies because of that show. I don't really listen to their albums much but I absolutely love them live. They're not playing anywhere near me this summer and I'm pretty sad about it.
― Kath, Thursday, 29 May 2008 08:29 (seventeen years ago)
I <3 Reatards Unite
― Jena, Thursday, 29 May 2008 08:44 (seventeen years ago)
I saw Akron/Family when they opened for / backed Michael Gira in Minneapolis some time back. They struck me as pretty god awful, just laughable, but I don't think I'm in any position saying that seeing as I showed up in a powder blue t-shirt that read STUD MAGNET in giant block letters. I kept it hidden under a hooded sweatshirt until we got there thinking it might embarrass my friend but the joke was on me.
Can't remember what it is that I hated so much, just another in a thousand bands I can remember nothing about save for a vague impression :-/
― RabiesAngentleman, Thursday, 29 May 2008 09:22 (seventeen years ago)