When I went to see the Flaming Lips at Artpark last week, I missed the opening band, and I admit to being a little disappointed. I try to get into a show as early as possible not only to get a good spot in front of the stage, but to see the opening band. More often than not, the performers prior to the headliners put on an as good if not better show, though I don't think anyone is topping the kind of freakouts the Flaming Lips pull off, I was hoping to see Fang Island, whose music is self-described as "everyone high-fiving everyone." Back in the mid-nineties, I saw a show at Buff State that started with Ozomatli and The Pietasters, and ended with the Cherry Poppin' Daddies headlining. We went for the CPD's, but the supporting acts stole the show. The same thing happened at a Hot Hot Heat show in 2006, with Electric Eel Shock and The Frame Up (remember them? I do--I have their t-shirt). Suffice it to say that simply being the supporting act on a bill implies nothing of the quality of the music, it just means you've got a smaller audience than the headliner.
 
Such is the case Tuesday, when The Low Anthem plays Asbury Hall with The Swell Season. As mentioned on BR last week, The Swell Season's Oscar-winning soundtrack to the indie-film Once gave them significant exposure (and a nigh-mythic back story), while supporting their 2009 album brings them to Buffalo. The Low Anthem hasn't received that level of exposure just yet, but it may be coming soon. Their second album, Oh My God, Charlie Darwin, was critically acclaimed, making it to several best of 2009 lists, making it to number four at Paste and number one at Magnet.

The Rhode Island-based quartet consisting of Ben Knox Miller, Jeff Prystowsky, Jocie Adams, and Mat Davidson, plays a blend of folk and Americana that vacillates between feather-light compositions and rambling man, foot stomping rockers, covering Tom Waits, and evoking Bob Dylan (amongst others) along the way. They've been compared favorably to Bon Iver and some of their lighter songs can be likened to tracks by Toronto's Great Lakes Swimmers. The Low Anthem is rumored to be premiering songs from an upcoming third album at their performances this summer, so be sure to be there early, and get a good spot in front of the stage.

Tuesday July 27, 2010

The Swell Season & The Low Anthem

Asbury Hall at BABEVILLE
Doors at 7:00pm

$32.00 adv., $36.00 day of show



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Joseph DiDomizio is a local writer, filmmaker, and graphic artist. He graduated from UB with a BA in Media Study and English, and has been writing about music, movies, books and pop-culture for several years. A long-standing contributor to Buffalo Rising, he has also written a couple full-length screenplays, a handful of short stories, and been involved with the production of Nickel City Chef, as well as several short local films. Currently he is a contributor to The Way Of The Buffalo podcasts, and is developing a web serial, amongst other media projects.