concert review: vampire weekend/beach house/the very best.

A few Saturdays ago, I saw Vampire Weekend, Beach House and The Very Best at the Hollywood Bowl.

The Very Best opened up first. To be honest, they weren't for me - I heard from a lot of people I talked to that they loved them, but I just wasn't a fan. They played African hip-hop fusion, which I like normally, but all their songs sounded the same. Their back up dancers, however, were amazing. I was with friends (hi Matt, Em, and V!) and we all shared the same wish to steal their dance skills.
I love Beach House, so I was very excited to see them live. Biggest shocker - the lead singer is a girl. Yes, as a fan I should have know that, but I always thought she was a he on the recordings... Anyway, they were fantastic. Played a really great mix of songs, the set was really cool, they were great. Enough said.

Vampire Weekend was flawless. I love them a lot - they are adorable, preppy, musically inclined hipsters who have songs that just make you want to dance and lyrics that show off their Ivy League educations (Columbia grads). They played new songs, old songs, fast songs, slow songs. They closed with Walcott which was so fun - imagine the whole Hollywood Bowl dancing and singing. Cousins was fantastic live, the call-answer of M79 was perfect with the whole Bowl; basically, it was awesome. They played their biggest hits, which was kind of a let down if you (like me) were a fan of some of their less well known songs. They are fantastic performers - very charming and charismatic. They made a lot of jokes, and interacted with the audience which is always great.

On top of that, VW had plexiglass chandeliers that moved up and down, a huge Aztec like circle with lyrics in it as a backdrop and the best use of the changing colored dome I've seen in a while. Only other downside: the T-shirts were disappointing. The four of us (my friends and I) stood there for a good deal of time deciding which shirt was the least mediocre. Mine has dogs on it (not goats, Matt).
I've had Vampire Weekend stuck in my head for weeks, and I'm totally fine with that. A perfect way to end my Hollywood Bowl season for the year.

Vampire Weekend! Those bright orbs are the chandeliers. 

Like List #1

So periodically, I will post things called "Like Lists" which basically are numerical orderings of things I like, or don't like. Sometimes they will have themes like "Movies" or "Museums" or "Dumb facebook statuses," but most of the time they will just be things I find I happen to enjoy or want to see less of. To start things off, here is Like List #1:

1) Make It or Break It 
I am obsessed with this ABC Family show about gymnasts. I had been told my numerous people to watch it, and once I finally caved in, I was hooked. I'm done with seasons one and two, and its just so good! Drama, gymnastics, more drama. New favorite show.

2) Podcasts
Despite the fact that I have had an iPod for as long as I can remember, I just recently discovered podcasts. I love them. I have a bunch of food ones, theatre ones, all the New York Times ones, some philosophy and history ones, yoga, The Onion , NPR Concert Series (just to name a few). I listen to multiple podcasts every day. They are interesting and informative, short and sweet, and don't make me feel like I'm waisting time.

3) Cold(er) Weather
I live in Southern California. When it's 65 outside, we native SoCals break out our pants and boots and coats and hats. But for me, cold(er) weather means soup! I love soup. It comes from my mother - who loves soup. For lunch a few days ago, I made some Trader Joe's Organic Tomato Soup (the kind from the box), with a melted brie sandwich. It was delicious - the fact that the fireplace was on, I was wearing a sweatshirt, and the whole house felt like fall just made it even better.  We had a few days of rain, which made me the happiest camper, and I got to wear my new shiny-black Hunter boots. Unfortunately, today was hot again, but maybe as we progress into fall the Valley will cool down.

4) A Cappella Groups
As a member of my school's choir, vocal ensemble, and one of the presidents of the Glee Club, I have become a huge fan of collegiate a cappella groups. Technically, I'm doing college research - I want to find a school with some sassy a cappella groups. And I'm researching for Glee Club - I am finding songs and studying performances. But I'm really just having a blast. Favorites: Columbia Nonsequiturs and  Tufts Amalgamates.