Last week, I went to the MGMT concert at Lupo’s. The delay in relaying my concert knowledge is of course due to my several nights of deep contemplation about the concert. It really has nothing to do with the fact that we’re in reading period/finals week. At all. But seriously, these lessons are going to be deep, so pay attention.

MGMT is a band worth contemplating—I am willing to go on the record stating that if I were going to Penny Lane any living, actually-of-our-era band, it would be them. I am shamelessly in love with Andrew VanWynGarden. I think everyone our age should have spent a little time watching interviews with him. I remember going to my first MGMT concert when I was 16 and thinking it was totally plausible that Andrew might pull me up on stage and kiss me. At 19, I recognize the delusion of that thought—of course he wouldn’t have made out with a 16-year-old. Going into Wednesday night, I felt like it was much more likely this time around!

Obviously, my first lesson is that:

1) Third time is (will be) the charm. Meaning next time, Andrew and I will end up together. It was a bit ambitious to assume such a momentous occasion in my life would happen at Lupo’s. Lupo’s is sort of tacky. [Read more →]

A few weeks ago, I saw Jeff Mangum, the lead singer of 90s indie band Neutral Milk Hotel, perform at Lupo’s for an acoustic set. Before I proceed, let me just quickly get this out of my system: Jeff is perfection incarnate. We are not worthy. My brain literally cannot fathom how otherworldly his stage presence is. His voice runs down my soul like fancy spiced rum. His lyrics are Dali paintings for my ears. Yes, I am forever blessed to have discovered his band on that teenvogue.com music forum one summer night when I decided that I had had enough of Jonas Brothers commercialized pop tunes. Jeff Mangum’s music really is like no other, and seeing him live will definitely change you. Below are 8 things I learned at his concert:

1. Not all opening bands are painfully boring. There were two opening bands, but the one that I most enjoyed was the second one called The Music Tapes. The quirky wide-eyed singer was extremely endearing (I swear I’m not talking about Zooey Deschanel). I just felt like going on stage and petting him. The set featured a singing television, a seven-foot-tall metronome, and a saw that was repurposed into a musical instrument. At one point, I was just so confused as to what the hell was going on, but I was too riveted to look away. Overall, it was one of the most delightfully trippy and chill musical moments I’ve ever experienced, and this is coming from a fellow Californian, mind you. [Read more →]

OK Go (The one that went to Brown is on the right)

Rising pop-rock icon OK Go, cutting-edge eclectic foursome Neon Trees and Rhode Island-based BRU favorite Fairhaven opened the WBRU Dunkin’ Donuts Holiday BRU-haha at Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel on Friday.

The atmosphere was suspenseful — the merchandise desk was aggressively handing out 3D glasses in preparation for OK Go, whose performances are known to be (sometimes absurdly) experimental — as the opening act took the stage. Fairhaven demonstrated a standard indie rock aesthetic, broken up by a percussion-heavy interlude. At times, the self-described melodic alt rock band sounds slightly like a boy band, but subtly enough to be taken seriously. Lead singer Alan Connell’s voice has hints of Incubus’ Brandon Boyd in some numbers, such as the particularly infectious single “Worth it All.” The members are also gracious, taking time after the show to chat with fans before heading off with OK Go. Fairhaven’s potential has proven high enough catapult them out of their Cumberland, RI hometown. [Read more →]

Ke$ha performing Your Love is my Drug

The middle schoolers of Providence (and, let’s face it, a decent portion of Brown students) were out in full glitter and fishnets last night, as Ke$ha graced the stage of Lupo’s Heartbreak Hotel. Although the concert didn’t start until 8:30, and Ke$ha herself didn’t appear until 10, at 7:45 the line was around the block at Lupo’s. Girls and guys alike had scoured their closets for sequins, and more than one may have had a water bottle full of whiskey in their handbag, so the atmosphere was that unique blend of enthusiasm and intoxication that Ke$ha has made her trademark.  Full review after the jump… [Read more →]