Des Moines Symphony offered another crowd-pleasing performance last month with the second installment of their Masterworks series, Wisdom – Dvořák 6 & Chopin. Their program once again featured a modern piece by a living composer as well as celebrated works from two titans of the Romantic era. Truly a refreshing balance of the old and […]
concert reviews
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Review: The Des Moines Symphony summoned a sense of patriotism, despite artillery and a presidential visit clouding the air
I love pop music. I love symphonic music. If those passions haven’t already revoked any of my pseudo-punk-rock cred let me offer one more confession: I love patriotic music. Little Village asked me to do this and I was excited. This would be my first time…
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Review: The music was choice at Mr. Softheart’s last xBk show, though one band wouldn’t stop blowing smoke
Is it defiance or stupidity that makes something stand out as a rebellious act? Regardless of what you believe, one thing is for certain: that was the most cigarettes I have ever seen smoked within the walls of xBk. On May 14 at 7 p.m., xBk welcomed Des Moines locals Mr. Softheart, alongside supporting acts […]
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Review: The Original Pinettes Brass Band bring New Orleans heat to Iowa City
In the world of New Orleans brass bands, legendary names like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, The Hot 8 Brass Band, The Soul Rebels, and Rebirth Brass Band have long set the standard, but none stand out quite like The Original Pinettes Brass Band. Billed as the “only all female brass band in the universe,” […]
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Review: Orchestra Iowa conjures an anti-fascist classic in masterful Coralville concert
Orchestra Iowa (previously the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra) presented their next-to-last concert of the season on Sunday, May 18 at the Coralville Center For the Performing Arts. I don’t think it was designed as a symphonic venue; the stage looks a little snug for a full orchestra. But as a venue, it has a lot going […]
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The Mr. Softheart show happened like this
Two valued team members from Principal Financial Group were delivered here to the LiFT — by the divine means of Court Ave, or maybe, Fong’s — and found themselves next to me. There was nowhere else to go. The place was packed on Aug. 1 to welcome Mr. Softheart (the band, not man) into the […]
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On bombs and birds: A freewheelin’ Jeff Tweedy shoots straight at the Englert
Jeff Tweedy was itchy last Wednesday night at the Englert Theatre. “This show is going to have an asterisk next to it,” he said. “Full disclosure: I’m ‘roided out.”
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Let the sounds of Vintage Torque Fest set your summer soundtrack
Vintage Torque Fest, which took place May 4 and 5 this year in Dubuque, doesn’t bill itself primarily as a music festival, but it sure could pass as one, with an excellent lineup of Midwest acts on three stages performing at once.
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Members of Modest Mouse never quite in sync at McGrath
Brock’s banjo work was enjoyable as always, and the trademark discordant pep of the guitars reminded the audience that they were, indeed, watching Modest Mouse. That said, sometimes the watching proved challenging.
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Review: Joe Bonamassa shredded at the Paramount Theatre
Joe Bonamassa is an interesting kind of famous. On the one hand, you can say his name to many music-loving folk and receive a blank stare in response. On the other, he can sell out the Paramount Theatre with a bottom ticket price of $102. Which is to say: To know him, apparently, is to love him.
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Paul McCartney still surprises
A marriage proposal in the front row. A nine-months pregnant woman a few chairs back from me. A family of four in matching home-sewn Sgt. Peppers outfits, dancing and singing along to “Birthday.” Sir Paul McCartney’s songs mark the milestones of our lives.
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Review: Davina and the Vagabonds celebrate life at The Mill
Davina and the Vagabonds are a quintet (drums, bass, trombone, trumpet, piano/ukulele) from the Twin Cities, who visited The Mill on Sunday, Feb. 12 at the end of a brief Midwest tour squeezed between trips on the coasts, preceding a 30-day stint in Europe. The ensemble was dressed in black and white, a formal look […]
