2009 Wrap #14: Sarah Wyatt Swanson

As a preface and caveat I would like to admit that I missed a lot of Bloomington shows in 2009. I’ve picked five of the most awesome shows I did attend to write about here.

Beach House at the John Waldron Arts Center: I expected to be wowed at this show since Beach House would be playing songs from one of my favorite records, Devotion, but live, they far exceeded my very high expectations. I don’t know if it’s that Baltimore voodoo or her killer pipes, but Victoria Legrand is
entrancing.

Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre: Will Oldham is a favorite of mine, in part because of his jovial live shows. His B-ton visit was no exception (he must not have heard the opening bands), and included lots of characteristically unique dancing (blame it on the Crocs?) and lovely dueting with Cheyenne Mize (plus an awesome extra in-store at Landlocked Music the next day). Emmett Kelly ruled the kingdom of guitars, Jim White ruled the kingdom of drums, and when I heard my all-time favorite Will Oldham tune “Where is the Puzzle” I was moved to tears, literally. 

The Coke Dares farewell show at Russian Recording: I expected to be sad at Mark Rice’s going away party since he is one of my favorite artists and drummers, and a generally awesome peep. Instead, I was cheered by a great show. The Coke Dares rocked it hard, and the recurring “Smells Like Teen Spirit” motif was both hilarious (as an interlude) and totally badass (when fulfilled as a full-blown cover to conclude the set). Our whole village was there, and it was just one of those unforgettable Bloomington nights.

Dinosaur Jr. at The Bluebird: Dinosaur Jr. is one band I cannot live without. I hadn’t seen them live since Lollapalooza 1993 where I pogo’d and sang along to all the hits from Where You Been, while my chaperone (my awesome, but over-protective father) sat unimpressed nearby. Needless to say, seeing them live and unchaperoned in B’ton at the Bluebird promoting their new Jagjaguwar release was a dream come true.

Kings Go Forth at the Video Saloon: These badass dudes and their raucous tunes made me feel like my sweaty, dorky dancing was sexy, dirty dancing. I can only hope they will bring the party, and that sweet illusion, back to Bloomington in 2010.

Sarah Wyatt Swanson is Assistant Sponsoring Editor at Indiana University Press. She plays drums for Tammar.

Filed under: 2009 Wrap  Beach House  bloomingtopia  Bonnie "Prince" Billy  Coke Dares  Dinosaur Jr.  Kings Go Forth  Sarah Wyatt Swanson  Tammar