CONCERT REVIEW: Pinegrove @ The Lincoln Theater
It was exactly 11:11 PM on February 24th when Evan Stephens Hall stopped singing mid-song and announced the time to a crowded Lincoln Theater. Numerologist and New Agers ascribe different meanings to this iconic palindrome. To some, 11:11 signals a good time to make a wish, or talk to the spirits, but to the Pinegrove fan, the “angel number” embodies the theme (and title) of the band’s most recent album. Released in 2022 on Rough Trade Records and mixed by Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, 11:11 explores Hall’s climate anxiety and the fear of humanity’s destructive relationship with nature. While playing through a massive set that included the entirety of the new album, Hall and the band shared their appreciation and inherent concern for the world with the concert goers of Washington, DC.
Before Pinegrove hit the stage the audience was introduced to Poise and the bedroom-pop tunes of Lily Konigsberg. Poise is the New York City-based project of singer/songwriter Lucie Murphy. Their set featured songs from the band's self released 2021 album Vestiges. Lily Konigsberg was joined on stage by, as she put it, the Lily K Band. Together they ran through tracks from Konigsberg’s forth full length album Lily We Need to Talk Now which was released in 2021 on Wharf Cat Records.
Flashes of green and yellow filled the room as Pinegrove hit the stage. The band’s live production reflected the themes referenced in their newest album. The stage lights emitted colors often found in nature and the band was flanked by plastic flora. Hall opened the set with “Alaska”, a fan favorite and a song in which he directly references the time 11:11. After playing all 11 songs from their new record, the band played some select tracks from previous releases including “The Alarmist”, “New Friends”, and “Angelina”.
Before closing out the night, Hall announced that there wouldn’t be an encore and thanked everyone for coming out, which is something that more bands should be doing in my opinion. The show ended with “Size of the Moon” which incorporates a satisfying build up with a cathartic release, something that we all deserve in these troubling times. The only negative aspect of the night’s setlist would be the omission of the fan favorite “Old Friends”, which is still the band’s most streamed song across all platforms. But just like any other band with a well loved hit, they must be tired of playing it every night since 2016.
CONCERT REVIEW: Remi Wolf @ 9:30 Club
Venue: 9:30 Club
Location: Washington, DC
Date: 2/15/2022
Headliner: Remi Wolf
Opener: Grace Ives
It was a chilly Tuesday night in DC’s U Street Corridor. On V St. customers were slurping up ramen from Haikan and residents were enjoying the expensive view from their newly constructed apartment buildings. Everything was relatively normal, but there was one thing that onlookers might have noticed. One after another, like neon colored flying saucers hovering five to six feet above the ground, some covered in cheetah print, some camo, and some blank with embroidered text – bucket hats. These vibrant statement pieces could be seen everywhere that night. Was there some sort of hat convention in town? Maybe. But most likely, these hats fit for a fisherman were adorning the heads of fans who were lining up to see the beloved bedroom-pop artist Remi Wolf.
Okay, the actual number of bucket hats might be an exaggeration. But as attendees lined up outside of the 9:30 Club, one thing was for sure, Wolf’s off-beat fashion sense clearly resonated with her fans. February 15th was the second to last night of the LA singer/songwriter’s North American tour, a tour in support of her critically acclaimed debut album “Juno”.
Before Wolf’s set, attendees were introduced to the lo-fi electro-pop stylings of Grace Ives. Equipped only with a small synthesizer and a microphone, Ives gracefully ran through her catalog of songs from her 2019 album “2nd” and a few from her 2016 EP “Really Hot”.
The second the crew cleared Ives’ gear from the stage the audience became a game of push and shove as fans rushed their way to the front. The anticipation reached a boiling point when Wolf’s band walked into position. The band for this tour included Jack Demeo on guitar, Connor Malloy on Drums and Maddie Jay on bass. The stage itself was set with a funky spray painted orange couch, two large house plants, and a projection screen that repeated imagery of Wolf dressed in some out-of-this-world fashion.
Wolf came out hot to “Liquor Store”, her LP opener. With energy that could rival an excited puppy, she ran through “Grumpy Old Man”, “Monte Carlo”, and a few other tracks from her back catalog. After finishing “Sexy Villain” Wolf asked the audience if they wanted to hear a new one. Of course the crowd went wild and the band played a guitar heavy, almost grunge sounding track called “Michael”. Wolf also managed to sprinkle in a few covers during her performance. The band played groovy renditions of “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley and “Electric Feel” by MGMT.
During a small break in the set guitarist Jack Demeo jokingly went into an impromptu rendition of “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes. Demeo encouraged the crowd to sing along together while Wolf laid down on her big orange couch. Wolf then traded places with drummer Connor Malloy while he took over the mic to read off a list of comedic positive affirmations. The crowd enthusiastically participated in his goofy call and response slam poetry meditation, shouting things like “The yogurt I ate was not expired” and “I know how to do my taxes”. When it was over and the crowd had manifested some “good vibes” the band went into their last song “Quiet On Set”.
With Wolf back on the mic the band finished off strong with everyone playfully rocking out on the couch together. When the set was over the crowd wanted more. Encore chants rang through the sold out venue and the band happily obliged. The night officially ended with the group playing an encore set of “Street That You Live On” and “Disco Man”. If you appreciate a DIY ethos and an indie sensibility and you’re looking for witty lyrics, groovy beats, funky fashion, and a high energy performance, I would highly recommend buying a ticket to see Remi Wolf.
