SHOWS!! SHOWS!!! Circa Survive, St. Vincent, Angel Olsen, and Ted Leo!!

Circa Survive and Thrice together on one bill is like a dream come true. I've seen Circa Survive just about 10x now, I think, clearly one of my favorite bands of the past 17 years. And I've seen Thrice 3x now. Their new album is amazing.

Thrice was the supporting act so they played before Circa Survive's headlining set. They played a plethora of songs from their catalogue to satisfy long-time fans like myself and played loud.

Circa Survive has just put out one of their best albums, one that honestly took me a few listens to get into, but now, it's definitely become one of my favorites of the year. Hearing their new stuff, along with the energy they always bring to their sets, just made it even better. Anthony Green just gets so into playing live that it's hard to not get amped up to the same level he's at.

Plus... Chon and Balance & Composure. Chon plays a great version of Southern California instrumental surfer tunes that is just groovy.

Balance and Composure opened the night.

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St. Vincent returned to Portland, after her inclusion a few years ago on one of the first and original stops of Mumford & Sons' "Gentleman of the Road" festival on the Eastern Prom. This woman knows how to play guitar and that was center stage, along with the visual aspect of her show as she played solo, to backing tracks that were pre-recorded. She had the short film titled "The Birthday Party" which she directed by before her set. Then, she came out, just her and a guitar, played a set of her best songs from previous albums, while slowly allowing the curtain to be pulled back more and more revealing the rest of the empty/black stage. Then, she played her new album MASSEDUCTION in its entirety.

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Angel Olsen also returned to Portland, after only just a couple of years ago playing a very small, intimate SPACE Gallery show. Nowadays, having garnered lots of attention and critical praise, she moved on up to the State Theatre, but not a sell-out show. Angel Olsen has easily become one of my favorite folk (female) artists of the past few years. Her voice is aboslutely incredible and her songwriting is on point. Seeing her live was a bit ethereal, as she transformed a few of the songs into epic jams. You must stop anything you are doing at this moment and listen to Angel Olsen or at least watch one of the performances I've posted below. You will be blown away.

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Ted Leo and the Pharmacists came back to Portland. I saw him at SPACE Gallery probably about 9 years ago and still remember it as one of the best shows (of his) that I've seen. I've also seen him at a club in Boston and again as the opening act before two Pearl Jam shows in mansfield. He and his band knwo how to shred their political-punk rock and tonight's show was no exception. They blasted through a setlist full of songs spanning several years. A lot of songs from the new album, The Hanged Man, but definitely enough songs to satisfy long-time fans, like myself, yet again. An astounding 23 song setlist.