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Posts tagged as “music”

(Archive December 2017) Arcade Fire Concert in Toronto

By editorialteam on January 28, 2025

By Rachel Aster | Observer Contributor

Photos by Rachel Aster

Arcade Fire had a strong finish to the North American leg of their current tour for their new album, Everything Now. The last two shows of the tour took place at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario on November 3rd and 4th with opening band and local Toronto legends, Broken Social Scene. 

The Montreal based band made quite the entrance setting up the stage as a wrestling ring and entering with the announcement of each member and their height and weight as done in a wrestling match. The core 7 members of the band had this entrance for every show of the tour to ensure they could interact with their fans, high fiving them as they entered the stage.  read more

(Archive November 2017) America’s Sweetheart Finally Evolves Into the Queen of Mean

By editorialteam on January 28, 2025

By Michael Parahiala | Observer Contributor

Taylor Swift, everyone’s favorite- or least favorite, depending who you talk to- pop star released a new song and music video August 27. “Look What You Made Me Do,” from her new album Reputation, already has over 5.5 million views, the record for most YouTube views in twenty-four hours, and opinions on the song and the singer alike are mixed at best. 

Both the song and its music video are edgier than what most have come to expect from Swift.  From imagery of her actually rising up out of a cage to hard hitting, angry lyrics promising that she is different than “the old Taylor” and that she and karma are coming for the people on a referenced list of names, Taylor seems to have changed her entire image. The video ends with multiple versions of the popstar fighting with one another; the singer openly mocking how she’s been perceived from the start of her career to current time. read more

(Archive November 2017) Alternative Country on the Harbor

By editorialteam on January 28, 2025

Featuring Sturgill Simpson and Opening Act Fantastic Negrito

By Jennifer Lamontagne | Observer Contributor

A smoky boat fire clouded the Harbor air before Sturgill Simpson took to the stage and fired up his special brand of alternative country music Saturday night at the Blue Hills Pavilion in Boston.  Simpson rocked the house with his Kentucky swagger and heartfelt lyrics.

Fantastic Negrito, touring in support of “Last Days of Oakland” opened the show.  The band performed a forty-minute set of heavy bluesy roots rock, which included “An Honest Man” and “In the Pines”.  The band’s funky/jazzy beats were upbeat and energizing and the lead singer Xavier Dphrepaulezz sure knows how to work a crowd by weaving in his past as a person and performer in-between songs. read more

(Archive April 2017) How Chance the Rapper Shines a Bright Light on Rappers

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Jamie Parker | News Editor

Chancelor Johnathan Bennett, also known as Chance the Rapper, has been making moves lately that show how different he is from other rappers. In the beginning of March, Chance donated one million dollars to Chicago Public Schools. This along with his message he raps, show that he is shining a whole new light on modern day rappers.

Chance the Rapper is a product of the Chicago Public Schools, which have gotten a lot of negative attention recently for their current state. This is what sparked his idea for the donation. Rising to fame without the help of a label has put Chance in a unique position of unrestrained artistry, and freedom. He seems to be using this freedom to convey a holistic sense to his listeners. With the message of God flowing strongly throughout his newest album, “Coloring Book,” he is truly proving to be doing the work of a greater being.  read more

(Archive April 2017) Ned Flanders-Themed Metal Band Shows How Pursuing Your Ideas Pays Off

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Jason D. Greenough | Observer Contributor

Okilly Dokilly

Have you ever had an idea that you thought would be great, but then never built onto it because you second guessed yourself? Did something ever cross your mind, and you got excited about it, but feared that some people might look at it like a joke, so you passed up the opportunity? Well, I have a story about how going through with that one really strange idea can really turn out to be an awesome experience.

I love going to concerts. Metal and punk shows, mostly. The atmosphere is wonderful, and especially when there are lesser known bands on the bill, it makes it even more interesting, because I get to hear some new music that I usually wind up liking later on. Every band has something to offer, and when those opening acts blow the roof the place, which they often times do, I sometimes feel a sense of connection to the band, and it’s mainly due to the fact that I could be on that same stage if I just worked out a single idea longer than a week or so. I know I could be, but I second guess myself too much. I always have that feeling of connection, but it really hit me hard when I went to see Mac Sabbath at the Worcester Palladium on March 25th.  read more

(Archive March 2017) An Interview with Sylvie Abate, Musician from Fitchburg

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Bryon Harris | Observer Contributor

Sylvie Abate is a local musician out of Fitchburg, MA. Along with being a multi-talented musician, Sylvie also shares a passion for helping others and creating a stronger community. Sylvie will be putting together a benefit music concert to celebrate and empower women.

From a very young age (12), Sylvie was immersed in music. She studied classical guitar at the HART School of Music then later on attended New England Conservatory. Sylvie later went on to form multiple bands that were all successful and played for many large groups. These experiences set the stage for Sylvie passion for music. read more

(Archive March 2017) Interview/Review of Local Musician Julie Cira

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Bryon Harris | Observer Contributor

Julie Cira hails from the Happy Valley of Northampton, MA. She describes herself as alt-country/Americana, sometimes lo-fi indie rock, a femme-fatale, punk at heart.  Cira is relatively new to the Western Mass music scene and has made a notable entry with her self-titled three song EP.  All three songs on the EP display solid, engaging song-writing delivered by Cira’s warm and intimate vocals.  It is clear that Cira has passion and heart. Her music is soulful. read more

(Archive March 2017) Fathom Farewell: An Interview with a Local Band

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Mariah Boisvert | Observer Contributor

A Fathom Farewell – Fathom for short – is a band local to Worcester County and book shows all over Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Current members include vocalist Alex Cohen and guitarist Jesse Ljunggren

“A Fathom Farewell’s brand of post-hardcore brings a different angle to a well-tread genre, fusing modern metalcore with influences ranging from traditional Armenian music, to stoner metal, to pop-punk. Their high-energy performance seeks to bring positivity to every musical community they play in” – Direct quote from the band’s Facebook page. read more

(Archive March 2017) A Music Review: Defend the Rhino

By editorialteam on September 10, 2024

By Bryon Harris | Observer Contributor

Defend the Rhino is an instrumental post rock band you won’t want to miss out on. Drawing their influences from groups like Mogwai, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and Explosions In The Sky, Defend the Rhino has a gorgeous sound and wonderful musicianship. Their latest CD There’s No Place Like Home shows off the undeniable potential of their works.

Starting off with “Milestone,” Defend the Rhino presents their musical identity with a soothing musical experience. “Milestone” begins with some ambient crackling accompanied by a set of piano chords. These are then slowly built upon adding tasteful guitar licks for about half the song. This progression then breaks into a steady groove bringing the composition together with layered guitar, bass, drums, and some additional production. The mix is professional and sounds as if it could be used in movies or television soundtracks, which speaks volumes about the musicianship and talent of Defend the Rhino. read more

(Archive February 2017) Music Review: Dropkick Murphys’ 11 Short Stories of Pain and Glory

By editorialteam on September 5, 2024

By Jason D. Greenough | Observer Contributor

Dropkick Murphys’ 11 Short Stories of Pain and Glory

Boston’s favorite sons, Quincy-based Dropkick Murphys, started 2017 off with a bang, with the release of their ninth studio record, 11 Short Stories of Pain and Glory, on January 6th.

I always enjoy the anticipation of an album, because being able to finally listen to it gives me a glimpse into how a band has progressed and grown. Not only in their sound, but in the lives of the members as well. In that regard, this album did not disappoint. In fact, this album was, in my opinion, their most personally revealing album in their catalog. read more