Holocene is rapidly becoming my choice venue space and it should be yours too! That aside, I was honored to bear witness to yet another unforgettable ticket tonight. Great American, Wye Oak, These United States and Point Juncture, WA 'talked the talk and walked the walk'. The lineup could've played in any order and I wouldn't have enjoyed the show any less. What a rarity it was to see a show consisting entirely of bands with headlining potential:

 

 

Great American – Overwhelmingly triumphant and honest folk-rock. This was an instance where regardless of the genre, the musicianship alone demanded attention and respect. It was classic. Bravo.

 

 

Wye Oak – A beautiful little army that will destroy your city and rebuild it better than it was before. Oh the power of dynamics! This duo brought more intensity, emotion and charisma than I've seen in bands 3 times their size. Needless to say, I feel I speak for everyone in saying that I was indeed moved. Listen to 'Family Glue' on their myspace page. The link is at the end of this article.

 

 

These United States – You had me at pedal steel. If you didn't already know, the way to my heart is through the pedal steel. Luckily, the band as a whole was ridiculously engaging with their gospel and alt. country influenced sounds. I felt as though I'd gone to church and been saved about 100 times. Nothing short of amazing.

 

 

Point Juncture, WA – Effortlessly bringing on the 'feel good' vibes. Stop what you're doing and listen to 'Kings Part 2" on their myspace right now! What an inspiring performance tonight. The entire band consisted of multi-instrumentalists playing musical chairs in between each song and never missing a step. It was blatantly obvious that this, for them, was complete fun in the most saturated sense and that feeling washed over everyone in attendance. It was something beautiful.

 

 

More than once tonight, it was said that the bands wished they could tour with this lineup forever.  I couldn't agree more.

 

 

Great American –  http://www.myspace.com/greatamerican  

Wye Oak – http://www.myspace.com/wyeoak  

These United States –  http://www.myspace.com/theseunited

Point Juncture, WA – http://www.myspace.com/ptjuncturewa