Grizzly Bear at the Norva

After several sold out nights at the Austin City Limits Festival, Grizzly Bear played the Norva tonight, letting the audience know that it was their first show in Norfolk since they played the record store there almost three years ago. And what a show it was! How many bands can you name where all four members sing (thus allowing those beautiful Beach Boys-like harmonies)? Or where the bass player also plays the flute, clarinet and saxophone (looped and pitched down so low that you had to look to see what instrument he was playing)? It was all very cool.

The expected band t-shirts were represented: Modest Mouse, Dead Weather, the Shins. RVA was also represented; I talked to Zac Hyrciak (of ZR and the Jungle Beat) and a couple of girls standing in front of me, all who had driven down to see a show that we agreed should have played the National.

Openers Beach House, from Baltimore, had a good-sized crowd for their set, including some loud and fanatical fans of theirs just in front of me. They disappeared before Grizzly Bear took the stage, though. BH members Victoria and Alex played along with GB on a couple of songs, including the crowd-pleasing "Two Weeks;" her vocals and his keyboards augmented the song terrifically.

And speaking of "Two Weeks," when the song began, a guy suddenly appeared right next to me, singing along and taking non-stop pictures with his phone. I had secured a prime spot for myself: in front of a column where I couldn't be jostled (believe me, it's easy to get knocked into at a show when you're only 5'5"), off to the side, but near enough the front for an excellent view.

This guy leans over after the song ends to chat me up:

Him: What's your favorite song?
Me: I wouldn't want to pick just one.
Him: Oh, come on. Mine is "Two Weeks."
Me: Okay.
Another song starts and he begins to sway, his body hitting mine on every move. After a minute of this, he starts to slip his arm around my waist.
Me: (pushing his arm away) Stop that!
Him: Oh, sorry I'm sorry. Really, sorry.
Me: (scowl)
Him: How old are you?
Me: Older than you.
Him: I don't care.
Me: I want to hear the band, okay?

He stayed next to me for two more excruciating songs and every time he "accidentally" bumped into me, he apologized. I just refused to make eye contact and he finally gave up and left.

That nonsense aside, it was a really excellent show of beautiful voices and stellar musicianship. It was well worth the monotonous drive to Norfolk and back and that's saying something.

Neko Case Redux

Didn't I just post about seeing Neko Case a few months ago?

Well, yes I did, but that didn't stop me from heading to Norfolk last evening to see her for the second time in less than four months.

Actually, what's more amazing than wanting to hear that voice again is that I was willing to make one of my least favorite drives...east on 64.

Hate the road, hate the traffic, hate the lack of view.

But it was all worth it when she took the stage at the Norva and graced us with that unique voice of hers.

As someone once said to me, "Oh, come on, no one else sounds like that!"

Even after being shocked by her microphone ("This thing shocked the shit out of me," she said, "and burnt the inside of my mouth."), she continued without missing a beat.

Surprisingly (or maybe not for Norfolk) the show was nothing like sold out.

In fact, there were even bar tables and stools set up at the back of the floor (as I had seen once before for Pete Yorn there) because there was enough room to do so.

After the sold-out show at The National, it was kind of nice to hear Neko without being shoulder to shoulder with the masses.

Actually, it's kind of nice to hear Neko Case anytime...anywhere.

Even if driving back at 1:30 a.m. gets a little lonely.

Ah, well. It gave me time to dream of better days...