Hartamophone

Opener: AC/DC Bag Closer: Tweezer Reprise

Opener: PYITE Closer: Tweezer Reprise

Who's da best? Bouche does!

Such a killer first set. The lady and I decided to wait it out and avoid reading a setlist so that we could listen without spoilers. It's almost two A.M. out West and we just finished set one - what a marathon! Almost two hours, with some serious bust outs. Fluffhead is a huge opener, obviously, but I think "I Didn't Know" might be just as significant, given it's placement early in the first show. Anyone else think that might be a nod to how brutal things had become by August of 2004? Either way, what a great night it seems to have been at the mothership. Can't wait to listen to the next five sets, and hear the reports as they come in.

I wonder if this is as much about them trying to keep a lid on the scene as it is protecting their copyright. If they are trying to make sure the atmosphere surrounding their shows does not get out of control, limiting vending might be one way to go about that.

I don't think Rothbury is established enough yet as a brand in and of itself to justify selling tickets before the lineup is out. That said, I thought it was a top-notch fest. I only wish I could transport Bonnaroo's lineup to Rothbury's setting, layout, weather and crowd.

I was lucky and scored a pair for Victoria at the lowest price-point. Funnily enough, Ticket Master does not handle the ticketing for the venue here.

How were they as a live band the first time around, anyway? I'm a fan of their studio stuff, but it's pretty heavily produced and I can't imagine them having too full of a sound as a three-piece.

Talked to my contact in Victoria last night, and a show here won't happen. They negotiated to try and make it work, but it was too tight with their other dates. In related news - has anyone checked out the price of advanced tickets? $25.00 apiece, plus almost half that in fees/surcharges. Awesome.

Give me your lunch money, nerds.

I would dress like a Navy Boy to impress Davey Boy.

Gay for Page Forum, please.

Wow, that is a bummer. I always thought of them as co-lead singers of the band, and have a hard time believing that BNL will be the same after this. I haven't paid much attention to their music in quite a while, but I had a great time at the couple of shows of theirs I saw. I have a hard time believing this is not at least indirectly related to drugs, but I hope that Stephen is healthy.

Damn. All my best for a full recovery. Looks like someone/something was shining down on you, given what could have been.

Beauty. Looks just like the ones they use here in Victoria for the busiest roots (except I notice the Ottawa one is sadly lacking a bike rack on the front). Cool to hear that you'll be behind the wheel, rubberdinghy. Whenever I find myself on one of those buses, I love sitting in the front row of the upper deck. Such a great way to see the city unfold underneath you. Also a good spot to take a few nips from the flask on your way downtown (not that I would ever do that on your route).

No Victoria? Thanks, jerks.

If something is plural and ending in "S", then the proper way to indicate possessive is s-apostrophe, rather than apostrophe-s. "States" is plural, so he is the United States' president, which, to my understanding can correctly be shortened to "U.S. President." Aloha, Hartamophone

02-Apr-09 Austin, TX, Canada Michael and Susan Dell Hall at Long Centre 03-Apr-09 Grand Prairie, TX, USA Nokia Theatre 05-Apr-09 Phoenix, AZ, USA Dodge Theatre 07-Apr-09 San Diego, CA, USA Copley Symphony Hall 10-Apr-09 Los Angeles, CA, USA Nokia Theatre 13-Apr-09 Oakland, CA, USA Oakland Paramount Theatre Of The Arts 17-Apr-09 Indio, CA, USA Coachella 19-Apr-09 Vancouver, BC, Canada GM Place 21-Apr-09 Victoria, BC, Canada Save On Foods Memorial Centre 23-Apr-09 Seattle, WA, USA WaMu Theatre at Qwest Field Events Centre 25-Apr-09 Edmonton, AB, Canada Rexall Place 26-Apr-09 Calgary, AB, Canada EPCOR Center's Jack Singer Hall 28-Apr-09 Saskatoon, SK, Canada Credit Union Centre 30-Apr-09 Winnipeg, MB, Canada MTS Centre 03-May-09 Minneapolis, MN, USA Orpheum Theatre 05-May-09 Chicago, IL, USA Chicago Theatre 09-May-09 Detroit, MI, USA Fox Theatre 11-May-09 Columbia, MD, USA Merriweather Post Pavilion 12-May-09 Philadelphia, PA, USA Academy Of Music 14-May-09 Waterbury, CT, USA Palace Theatre 16-May-09 New York, NY, USA Radio City Music Hall 19-May-09 Hamilton, ON, Canada Copps Coliseum 21-May-09 Quebec City, QC, Canada Pavillon de la Jeunesse 22-May-09 Kingston, ON, Canada K-Rock Centre 24-May-09 London, ON, Canada John Labatt Centre 25-May-09 Ottawa, ON, Canada National Arts Centre 26-May-09 Ottawa, ON, Canada National Arts Centre 29-May-09 Boston, MA, USA Wang Theatre 02-Jun-09 Morrison, CO, USA Red Rocks Amphitheatre Link

There was an excellent piece in a recent National Geographic (I believe it had a story about Darwin on the cover) about life inside the "Presidential Bubble". It talked about how much activity swirls around the president all of the time, and how it can be isolating to be one of the most visible characters in the world, yet almost completely cut off at all times. At least Obama has convinced them to let him keep his CrackBerry, though.

I remember seeing the Presidential Motorcade when President Bush came to Halifax - where I was living at the time - in 2004. Velvet you thought the motorcade was cool, which I understand, but I found the whole thing rather creepy (aside from the difference in who the president was at the time, of course). Robie St. - one of Halifax's major arteries - was completely shut down and largely deserted, which was eerie. The size and scope of the motorcade also creeped me out - there must have been at least eighty vehicles including cop cars, vans and limos, cruising through town at breakneck speed. It just seemed so overdone and unnecessary (to that extent, at least) that it bordered on the militaristic. I'm glad I saw it, but would not say it was an experience I enjoyed.

Almost always great openers at DMB shows. Taj Mahal, Galactic and the aforementioned Flecktones are just a few I've seen in an opening slot. The downside is that the openers at his shows only tend to play 1/2 hour slots, and the shows are often in cavernous venues with a lot of people paying absolutely no attention. Of all the ones on this tour, I think seeing G. Love and Yonder Mountain String Band at the Gorge would be my most preferred. Too bad I won't be out West at that point.

Don't have a place to stay just yet, but it's the last piece of the puzzle I need before raging these shows! Alright, maybe that's not true. I do need a Sunday ticket. But shit brah, Friday and Saturday will feel soooooo good. Um, wait...don't have tickets for those nights, either. Looks like I didn't plan this weekend very well. Whose got my heady extras?

...just a Phish fan who has nothing better to do that night. (While I don't entirely agree with this, I saw it on another board and thought it was pretty funny).

Yo brah, I'm still going to disagree with you. I think the Mint would be successful in pleading that the protection of currency is a pressing and substantial objective in restricting the free speech of the Dogwood Initiative. Thus the first stage of the Oakes test would be passed, and the other stages would be less significant hurdles. My money is still on the interpretation of the legislation, but hopefully this issue never gets to court. Then again, I'm still just a know-it-all student, so feel free to continue putting me in my place

Ecojustice is awesome. Funnily enough, they're another place I *almost* worked (had to decline their offer, much to my dismay) and I've had some great friends work there.