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The Amherst trio had towers of amps stacked up all over the stage, including one that was pointed directly towards front man J Mascis, in case his monitors weren’t providing him enough of his own guitar sound. And not having enough sound has never really been a problem for the group, and it certainly wasn’t on this evening as the band tore through a fiery 90 minute set that spanned the band’s entire career.

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Home » Concert Coverage

Tapes ‘n Tapes, Wild Light & Solid Gold @ First Avenue

Submitted by Jon Behm and Erik Thompson on February 8, 2009 – 3:44 pm6 Comments

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Tapes ‘n Tapes

Last night was a true hometown celebration in downtown Minneapolis, with local bands Solid Gold and Tapes ‘n Tapes managing to completely sell-out First Avenue’s main room (and then some). The large venue allowed Twin City music fans the opportunity to pack the club and show their love to both bands, and gave the groups the chance to fill the room with the sounds and spirit that have garnered them all of the acclaim in the first place. Tapes ‘n Tapes have already made their way rapidly up the musical hierarchy and from all indication Solid Gold should soon join them on the national stage—last night’s entertaining and energetic show was further proof why both bands warrant all of the attention and accolades.

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Solid Gold

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Solid Gold

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Solid Gold

Normally, when you have three bands on the bill for a show at First Ave., people are still filing in while the opener is finishing its set. Friday night however, the club was good and packed by the time Solid Gold took the stage. That must have been quite a confidence boost to the band (who were playing one of their largest Twin Cities shows to date), because they came out sounding tight and focused, with their mix sounding superb and their smooth sound easily permeating the entire club. By the time they played their second song of the night, “Armored Cars,” they were settled in and the club was theirs for the taking. They rattled through most of their stellar debut record, even playing one new song that fit seamlessly into the flow of the set, and other than thanking Tapes ‘n Tapes for having them as openers, kept strictly to the music.

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Solid Gold

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Solid Gold

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Solid Gold

Tapes ‘n Tapes selecting Solid Gold to open the show was quite a smart move, and certainly no accident. Their longer than usual set (for an opening act) confirmed not only that they were a local band that Tapes were generously providing a larger stage (and audience) to for the night, but also that the band has the kind of sound and appeal that can fill First Ave. on their own, which I’m sure they will soon. I’m curious to see how they go over in Austin for SXSW but based on their captivating performance last night national success should be imminent. And these guys certainly deserve it for they have crafted one of the most unique and listenable local records in recent memory with Bodies Of Water, and have an enthralling live show to match. Solid Gold were given a golden opportunity to play to a full room at First Ave. and they stepped up and delivered a knock out set to an admiring audience that will most assuredly propel them on to bigger and better things.

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Solid Gold

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Wild Light

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Wild Light

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Wild Light

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Wild Light

Following Solid Gold’s set would prove to be a difficult affair for any band, and New Hampshire’s Wild Light, while being a tight live band with anthemic songs and earnest choruses, were a bit of a let down after such a stirring opening set. Under different circumstances their sound and style would perhaps be more engrossing, but I found myself anticipating the headliners more and more as their set progressed. “California On My Mind” is a hell of a song though, and was the highlight of their set for me.

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Wild Light

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Wild Light

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Tapes ‘n Tapes

With the club now packed well beyond capacity, Tapes ‘n Tapes didn’t waste any time in tearing into the beginning of “The Dirty Dirty” before the projection screen covering the stage was still rising, starting a fiercely paced set that rarely let up all night. Due to incessant touring and a burgeoning familiarity with their material, they have become an even tighter band since I last saw them headline the main room last year. Their sound last night was buoyed even more by the addition of drummer Jeremy Hanson’s brother Jacob on guitar during part of their set. It was clear right from the start that the boys were on point and out to set fire to the place, tearing through early set highlights “Hang ‘Em All,” “The Illiad” and “Headshock” without so much as a word to the capacity crowd nor much of a chance to catch their own breath. It was a blazing start that was inevitably bound to subside a bit, as it did with “Conquest,” which finally allowed front man Josh Grier the time to acknowledge the capacity crowd and thank us all for coming.

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Tapes ‘n Tapes

After a sped up and feisty version of “In Houston,” the set really took off with the rousing one-two punch of “10 Gallon Ascots” and “Insistor” that reminded me why these guys blew up in the first place. They tore through these familiar songs with the same intensity and energy that they did when the songs were first written, fleshing them out with a grittier sound and a potency born from years now spent on the road. Josh went on to say that this is the first time they’ve played Minneapolis while being in the middle of their tour, and it was nice to be home after three weeks on the road. The band also debuted a few new songs during their set that had a fresh and lively sound that will fit right in with their varied and distinctive catalog.

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Tapes ‘n Tapes

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Tapes ‘n Tapes

The set did have a few lags in energy (it would have been nearly impossible for any band to keep up that level of ferocity all evening), so while songs like “Demon Apple” and “Say Back Something” were good additions to the set, they just lacked the whip-crack potency of the earlier part of the show. That strength of sound returned quick enough, though, with the slow build of the cacophonous “Manitoba” and the frenetic set closer “Jakov’s Suite” that had a good part of the capacity crowd thrashing right along with the band. The encore was as tightly wound and focused as the main set, with the band wasting little time backstage before storming back out to play spirited and explosive versions of “Cowbell” and “Just Drums” that proved to be a perfect finale to a set that found the local band showcasing their continually evolving talent and dexterity before an audience that has been rooting for them since the beginning.

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Tapes ‘n Tapes

And that’s what the night ultimately became—a celebration of two local bands that, while already having achieved great things, are hopefully both bound for more. And if all goes well, the enormous crowd that greeted them at First Avenue last night will just grow in numbers and stick with them every step of the way. I know I will.

[Review by Erik Thompson, photos by Jon Behm]

Tapes ‘n Tapes: Official | MySpace | Wikipedia
Wild Light: MySpace
Solid Gold: MySpace

Also: Interview with Josh Grier of Tapes ‘n Tapes

6 Comments »

  • solace says:

    great photos Jon, esp the ones from upstairs.

  • Erik says:

    check an exclusive Q & A with Tapes over at Mind Inversion. some pictures as well!

    enjoy!

    http://mindinversion.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/mind-inversion-exclusive-q-a-with-tapes-n-tapes/

  • Peter says:

    It’s well known that Minnesotans are homers when it comes to their home teams; after all, the Twins, Vikings and Wild are the best, regardless of their place in the standings. But in music too? The home team rules? You really missed the best part of the show. In the concert I saw, Wild Light upstaged the local heroes in talent and pure sound. Just because they hail from New Hampshire, a fact they mentioned probably one too many times, doesn’t mean they couldn’t play. I suppose the locals couldn’t stand the fact that the outsiders could steal the thunder from a much anticipated return of tapes n’ tapes. Kind of like the Red Sox coming into the dome and taking two out of three games from the Twinkies and all the fans can remember is the lone Twin victory. Review the tapes (n’ tapes) and you’ll find that your rose-colored glasses will really show a Wild kind of Light.

  • Josh says:

    jeez, didn’t see the lemming card being played. I suppose that you saying the Wild Light had better “talent and pure sound” is more of a fact based statement than Erik saying TNT were better? Pretty sure he liked Solid Gold and Tapes N Tapes better than Wild Light because of their music, not because they are from a better state than New Hampshire.

    PS Go Twins, Vikings and Wild. You’re the Best!!!

  • Jon Behm says:

    I have straight up Iowa pride, and I still think that Solid Gold was the best show of the evening. I am not even that hugely into Tapes N’ Tapes but I thought that they put on a great show. Just wasn’t feeling Wild Light

  • solace says:

    none of the sets this night were overly great IMO. i’ve seen both Solid Gold and Tapes put on way better shows in the past.

    full disclosure, i’ve been in contact with the guys in Wild Light for a few years now via Arcade Fire…

    i enjoy their record for what it is, just a fun indie pop album with pretty catchy hooks, and while they had good energy and stage presence, their sound just didn’t really fit that night.

    had they played before Solid Gold they might have gotten a better crowd reaction as well, but it’s always tough when maybe 5-10 people in the crowd have ever heard your music.

    i think if WL come back and headline the Entry sometime, i’d definitely check then out again.

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