Wilco Blew My Mind

Yup, that's right. The best birthday present a girl could ask for...a concert on the beach that was mind blowing. After a weekend celebrating I was weary about spending a Monday night in Coney Island, but the weather was so nice, the friends were just right, and the band was perfect. I caught the end of the very loud Yo La Tengo set and had no idea what was in store for me. The sun was setting and the wind was blowing through my hair above the sandy beach, and Wilco nailed two psychedelic, guitar ripping, beautifully played masterpiece sets, with guest appearances by Feist, Grizzly Bear, and Yo La Tengo members. Several beers later, it all ended with a cab ride home amongst friends singing happy birthday to me at midnight. Thank you, thank you, Wilco.

A Big Week For Coney Island

Yo La Tengo is opening for Wilco tonight at Keyspan Park and there are still tickets available on craigslist for $30. Wilco is one of those bands that is just plain and simple; a great live band. Their new album, Wilco (The Album) is delightful.  From itunes album notes, "Wilco has been straddling the line between careful songcraft and artful experimentation for the majority of its existence...balancing 70s soft-rock sweetness with extended, ardently arch ams and studio mastery."  Singer Jeff Tweedy even duets with Feist on the single "You and I."

The Siren Music Festival is also this weekend in Coney Island. The line-up is the best I've seen yet--Built To Spill. The Raveonettes, Spank Rock, and Francis and the Lights, among others.  The festival is all day Saturday and you can even enjoy the amusement park, albeit a bit dirty.

On Repeat: Dark Was The Night

Wow.

Arcade Fire, MMJ, Feist, Grizzly Bear, Yeasayer, Conor Oberst, Cat Power, Beirut, Sufjan Stevens, Yo La Tengo, Bon Iver and more...phew...ALL on the SAME album? Incredible, and it's really indie heaven. Ready your ears and enjoy, all for HIV/Aids relief. A big thanks to the Red Hot Organization for compiling this particular list of artists. I'm bummed I missed this concert, but it was the same night as Pete Seeger's birthday. Enjoy Yeasayer's, "Tight Rope" below.

Another fantastic compilation I've come across is A Broke Down Melody, released in 2006, including the likes of M. Ward, Jack Johnson, Eddie Vedder, and Johnny Osbourne. You'd wish you were sitting by a bonfire on the beach in Hawaii. Or you could just rent the film.