The Get Up Kids @ Webster Hall (3.2.11) and Music Hall of Williamsburg (3.3.11)

The Get Up Kids were once a band that headlined tours aroudn the world along with the Skate and Surf Festival in Asbury Park. They were also a prominent force in the emo-music revival in the mid 1990’s, along with Jimmy Eat World. Now, the Kids are adults and have been touring their first full-length album in seven years. Though they’re not the band they once were, it’s rare to watch a band grow up right in front of your eyes.

On Wednesday, March 2, 2011 The Get Up Kids performed at Webster Hall in New York City. This was the first time they returned to this venue since their break-up tour. The band was excited to be back and showed it as they played an inspiring set with a number of old fan favorites mixed with tracks from their latest album, There Are Rules. But the night felt uneven because of the departure from their original, emo sound off of the new album. The crowd was jumping around frantically during hits such as “Action & Action,” “I’m a Loner Dottie, a Rebel,” and “Don’t Hate Me.” But when TGUK played anything off of There Are Rules, the crowd was stagnant.

Combine that with some technical difficulties and an unruly crowd that caused the security to go bonkers, the show was a forgettable one. But no matter what, I’ll never get tired of seeing The Get Up Kids.

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Round Two! So after the concert on Wednesday, I listened to There Are Rules and I must admit, I enjoyed the songs twice as much as I did prior to seeing the songs played live. I’m not sure how that worked, but I’m sure glad it did. So on Thursday, March 3, 2011 I rolled into Brooklyn to catch The Get Up Kids once again at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. I’ve never been at this venue before so I was excited to explore.

Once my friends and I entered the venue, we were confused as to where to go. Somehow we went down a flight of stairs and found ourselves at a bar. I ordered myself a Sixpoint Brown Ale and then walked around the horse-shoe bar, up the stairs, and through the doors to the main room. The room was about one-third of the size at Webster Hall’s Grand Ballroom. On the sides of the room were narrow platforms that allowed those standing there a view slightly above the ground floor. That’s where we watched the performance.

I’m not sure if it was the sold-out crowd that night, or if TGUK were feeling generous, but they played a much crowd-pleasing set than their list of songs at Webster Hall the night before. They were on stage for 90 minutes, just like the night before, but their song selection in Brooklyn was simply better for us kids who wanted to hear the hits. Playing tracks like “Coming Clean” and “Mass Pike” instead of new material, the crowd was going wild. Ending the main set with I’ll Catch You and then burning through their energetic encore like it was a party, TGUK rewarded a fun crowd with a fun-filled show.

It was great to see The Get Up Kids on the stage again. They’ll most likely call it quits soon, but I hope I can see them a few more times before that happens. TGUK for life!

My Favorite Concerts of 2010 (Part 1: 20-11)

I’ve attended a number of concerts in the year of 2010. Most were memorable, but some were more legendary than others. Here are my favorite shows of the past year:

20.  Matt & Kim @ Webster Hall

October 27, 2010

This was the first time seeing these power-pop duo. I’ve never seen a band smile as much as Matt & Kim did. Their happiness was contagious and the whole floor was a dance-fest. They might not be the best musicians, best singers, or best duo… but they sure have a hell of a lot of fun and so did I.

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19.  Everytime I Die @ Studio at Webster Hall

November 3, 2010

These hardcore rock-stars crashed the intimate Studio at Webster Hall and tore the house down. I’ve only seen this band one time before and at a bigger venue, so it was special to attend such a small show. Their music is one of the most aggressive that I enjoy listening to. I wouldn’t mind getting my ass kicked in the crowd again for Everytime I Die.

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18.  Sugarland w/ Jake Owen @ PNC Bank Arts Center

May 22, 2010

Every time I go back to PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, I tell myself how awesome the venue is (though I’ve never attended a show with lawn seats). This Country concert was one of my favorites of the year. Country super-duo Sugarland really put on a spectacular show, opening with a new track off of The Incredible Machine, and then hitting on a number of hits, such as “Stay” shown above.

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17.  Two Door Cinema Club @ Webster Hall

October 21, 2010

Two Door Cinema Club knows how to throw an awesome dance-party. Even though they only have one album of about thirty minutes, I was dancing my feet off at Webster Hall that night. They are one of the more polished pop-punk-dance bands around right now. If you want to have fun throwing your arms in the air and moving to the music, this band is for you. I’m trying to get tickets to their tour with Tokyo Police Club that’s stopping at Terminal 5 next month.

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16.  Sleigh Bells @ Studio at Webster Hall

September 20, 2010

So I first heard of this group when they opened up for Yeasayer in New York City. Months later my friend and I heard about Sleigh Bells playing the tiny Studio at Webster Hall. Only once we got there did we realize it was a show being recorded and streamed live on mtv.com. Needless to say, the show freakin’ rocked!

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15.  Modest Mouse @ The Wellmont Theater

July 22, 2010

The first time seeing Modest Mouse was a fantastic experience. It was also the first time I stepped foot in The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ. The venue was incredible and Modest Mouse put on a great show. They opened with “Spitting Venom” for crying out loud! These guys are highly underrated.

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14.  Something Corporate @ Roseland Ballroom

August 13, 2010

It was “A Night with Something Corporate.” For some reason I didn’t know that meant there would be no openers and it would literally be an entire night with Something Corporate. Well needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. The reunion tour was a memorable one for me. I saw their brief set at Bamboozle in May and seeing a full set that night was priceless. I love these guys.

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13.  Say Anything, Motion City Soundtrack, Saves the Day @ Starland Ballroom

November 5, 2010

It’s awesome to go see a concert when you love a band that’s playing. But it’s even better when you love more than one band! This was the case at this show when Saves the Day and Motion City Soundtrack rolled into Starland Ballroom in November. Say Anything headlined and they’re good too, but I was there for STD and MCS… and boy did they put on a rocking show. Maybe they’ll go on tour together again soon? Please???

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12.  Dashboard Confessional @ Webster Hall

December 7, 2010

Since I’m in my mid-twenties, there have been a lot of 10-year anniversary concerts in 2010 for me. One album that I had on repeat for quite some time was Dashboard Confessional’s Swiss Army Romance. Well, mister Chris Carrabba went on a solo tour playing the album in its entirety plus other hits and it was a blast. Ever since he formed a full band for Dashboard Confessional it’s been years since seeing him perform solo. This concert was definitely a blast from the past and I enjoyed every second of it.

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11.  Jimmy Eat World @ Terminal 5

October 14, 2010

Jimmy Eat World has been one of my favorite bands for a while now, yet I’ve never seen them live until this year. I managed to see them twice during their tour, first at Starland Ballroom and then a few weeks later at Terminal 5 in New York City. Any show in the city beats out a show at Starland Ballroom. I don’t know if it’s the atmosphere, the crowd, the venues, or maybe because they’re allowed to play past 11 p.m. But Jimmy Eat World played a great set hitting on a number of my favorite tracks such as “23” “Dizzy” “A Praise Chorus” “Lucky Denver Mint” “Goodbye Sky Harbour” and “Sweetness.” Such an awesome show.