Overdue Recap: Louis XIV @ Casbah, 2.16.09

I do my best to spread information when I get it, and when I was called on the 14th to help spread the word that Louis XIV were playing Anti-Monday League, I did the best I could. The show was a last minute deal, with Louis added to the front of the bill as a quick pre-tour practice before they were to join The Killers on tour in Europe just two days later. I blogged and twittered as much as I could that they'd play at 9:15 on the dot for a mere $5. I arrived expecting a line around the block, especially since both of the Louis XIV shows in January were sell outs at $20 a pop, but you know, if people aren't reading this site, what else can I do? The show definitely had a good crowd, well near packed even, but those of us there felt privy to an up close and personal preview show, with Shaun Cornell of Transfer joining the band on bass and Andy Ridley of Silent Comedy and Fono taking over on drums.


For full post, click 'keep on reading'.



First, the set list of the night (though they didn't necessarily stick to it in order), which I have to thank Shaun for handing to me at the end of the show, considering there were several fans asking for it.



The show was really great. I was standing next to Cindy from Fono who was so rad during the show, giving me nuggets of band wisdom and fan criticism like "man, that shit was tight!" and explaining that Shaun's multiple pedals were all samples that he nailed for every song. The dork I am, I spent the greater part of the show watching Jason spit onstage and hoping that barefoot Shaun didn't step in it. Yeah, I know, I am a shitty music critic. What I do know is that I had fun, especially since I didn't get to see those two anniversary shows because I was in the Atari Lounge selling merch the first night and skipped the second to see UJBOD at the Ken Club. The only other time I saw Louis XIV was from backstage at Street Scene when it was at Coors Amphitheatre and I'd had lost count of my Cuervo intake. This show made me get it.


I think it is pretty common in local music scenes to love bands until they hit the big time then wax poetic about how they used to be, in this case people holding on to Convoy or talking smack and dismissing what makes it in, dare I say, popular culture, and what we think should make it as representative of our "scene". I can't speak to the band's records besides their radio play, but on this particular night, I got it, and the band proved to be consummate showmen, entertaining through and through, and even with Shaun and Andy just joining, they were spot on joining Jason and Brian like they'd been together for years. So basically, fuck the naysayers, on this night, I was a swooning chick up front enjoying the whole show.







One other thing worth noting about the show was the support from everyone that they got. Everyone from Transfer was there, Jimmy and his new band The Bloodflowers were there, and the guys from Silent Comedy were there. There were no hard feelings, no mud to be slung, no bitterness, just comaraderie and support from musicians, friends and fans.

There was a full bill after Louis XIV featuring The Illuminauts, Inspired Flight, and Get Back Loretta, but Andrew said he'd post about that, so hopefully he still might do so. (No pressure, AWP). In the meantime, Louis XIV is on tour with The Killers in Europe and you can follow their tour as they post on ModLife. Additionally, Shaun told me he'd post some stuff here. I'll keep on him about that. (Again, no pressure, Shaun.)