Pitchfork Music Festival '07

I just noticed that the full lineup for this years Pitchfork Music Festival was announced last Friday. Here it is in case you haven't heard yet:

Friday, July 13

[In collaboration with ATP]
Sonic Youth (Daydream Nation)
GZA/Genius (Liquid Swords)
Slint (Spiderland)

Saturday, July 14

Yoko Ono / Cat Power and Dirty Delta Blues / Clipse / Mastodon
Iron and Wine / Girl Talk / Grizzly Bear / Voxtrot / Battles
Califone / The Twilight Sad / Fujiya & Miyag / Oxford Collapse
Dan Deacon / Beach House / William Parker Quartet /
Professor Murder / Ken Vandermark's Powerhouse Sound

Sunday, July 15

The New Pornographers / Stephen Malkmus / De La Soul
Of Montreal / Jamie Lidell / The Sea and Cake / Junior Boys
The Field / Cadence Weapon / The Cool Kids / Klaxons
Nomo / Deerhunter / The Ponys / Menomena /
Craig Taborn's Junk Magic /Brightblack Morning Light
Fred Lonberg-Holm's Lightbox Orchestra

The lineup actually ended up being pretty decent. The ATP performances on Friday should be excellent and Saturday is solid, except for the headliner. On Saturday, I recommend Girl Talk, Grizzly Bear, Voxtrot, Battles, Fujiya & Miyagi, and Oxford Collapse. However, the one band you definitely don't want to miss on Saturday is Professor Murder. Sunday is just OK. The first four - The New Pornos, Malkmus, De La, and Of Montreal - make it worth attending, and Menomena are cool. Other than that.... It is interesting though that Malkmus is playing solo. That could be huge. If he goes out and plays a whole slew of Pavement songs, I will wish that I had gone. In general though, I'm just glad that this fest isn't competing with Siren this year. It's good to see that The Twilight Sad are playing both and I would love to see a few of these be added to Siren. Especially P. Murder. Finally, in addition to The Twilight Sad, I want to remind you that Battles, Fujiya & Miyagi, Dan Deacon, The New Pornographers, The Sea and Cake (info), and Menomena are all playing for FREE in NYC this summer.

Celebrate!

Woo Hoo! The Yankees actually won a game! Yay! And Boston lost! Only 13 1/2 games back!

Ugg.

Mariano's first save since May 3. That is not cool. Cano goes 4 for 4 with 3 doubles. That is cool. Congrats to Damon for getting his 2,000 hit. Also cool. We need them to get hot again. However, I've pretty much given up on Abreu. I wouldn't mind if they traded him for a decent reliever. Because the lack of offense and a bench is only a temporary problem for the Yankees. But the bullpen is an absolute disaster. Myers, Proctor, and Vizcaino are garbage.

I'm not ready to give up yet. Still watching just about every game. Not to make excuses, but the Yankees have been going through quite a tough stretch recently. Mets, Boston, Anaheim are three of the best teams in the league and Toronto aren't terrible either. And now we have Boston again this weekend. They have to at least take this series and start closing the gap.

Impeach Gonzales

The latest from Brave New Films, Impeach Gonzales:

Part 1



Part 2



Previously:

Fox Attacks

ERMP Lineup - Sat June 23

Here it is, the lineup for the first ERMP of 2007:

• Ex-Models myspace|homepage
• S-S-S-Spectres myspace|homepage
• 100 Eyes (ex-Tall Boys)
• Mikey Bones

Curated by Secret Project Robot and The Social Registry.

A Good Day For Pela

Reason #1

The launch of online TV show Dinner with the Band. Watch the band cook with Sam Mason and play three songs, "Waiting on the Stairs", "Lost to the Lonesome", and "Philadelphia." Embedding is not yet available, so you have to click on those links to check out the videos.

Reason #2

WOXY is sponsoring their tour! Via The Futurist:

WOXY.com and Pela are stoked to be teaming up for Pela’s upcoming tour. Not only will we be giving away loads of goodies, but Pela will also be leaving audio entries from the road right here on The Futurist! See below for the nitty gritty…

Five years in the making, Pela are finally hitting every wayward town and truckstop in promotion of their full-length debut, Anytown Graffiti. As everyone knows, 5 years is a long time for an indie band to make a few friends, and thankfully, WOXY.com has been an ardent Pela supporter since day zero. Together, Pela and WOXY.com present to you an All-American band’s All-American journey from May 30 - June 17.

Expect drunken tales of drunken nights, sightseeing tips, and high-quality investigative reporting from the latest rock&roll crime scenes across America. CD’s, tickets, T-shirts and buttons will be given away on every stop of the tour. Tune in or feed in at WOXY.com

This week we will be giving away goods for the following tour dates. To qualify, simply leave us your favorite Pela song with a one sentence explanation. Make it short but sweet. Also, make sure you can use the tickets for the San Fransisco show and the Portland show. Also some nice merch is available for the LA gig. Winners for the San Fransisco show will be announced that day, so all entries will need to be in the comments by early Thursday morning, 10am EST.

Wed - May 30 Spaceland, Los Angeles - 1 set of cd/t-shirt/buttons
Thu - May 31 San Francisco - 2 tickets
Sat - Jun 02 Dante’s, Portland, OR - 2 tickets

Stay tuned for giveaways for these future dates in the coming weeks….

Sun - Jun 03 Media Club, Vancouver, BC - 2 tickets
Mon - Jun 04 Chop Suey, Seattle, WA - 1 set of cd/t-shirt/buttons
Wed - Jun 06 Kilby Court, Salt Lake City, UT - 2 tickets
Thu - Jun 07 Hi-Dive, Denver, CO - 2 tickets
Fri - Jun 08 Waiting Room, Omaha, NE - 2 tickets
Sat - Jun 09 400 Bar, Minneapolis, MN - 2 tickets
Sun - Jun 10 Empty Bottle, Chicago, IL - 2 tickets
Tue - Jun 12 Lee’s Palance, Toronto, ON - 2 tickets
Wed - Jun 13 Club Lambi, Montreal, PQ - 2 tickets
Thu - Jun 14 TT the Bears, Cambridge, MA - 2 tickets
Fri - Jun 15 Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ - 2 tickets
Sat - Jun 16 Mercury Lounge, New York, NY - 2 tickets
Sun - Jun 17 Mercury Lounge, New York, NY - 1 set of cd/t-shirt/buttons

Get up to speed with the band at their tour blog as well, just follow this link.

Have I mentioned yet how much I like Anytown Graffiti? I don't think I have. Well I do. A lot. And speaking of WOXY, they have some great bands coming into their lounge:

6/7 Viva La Foxx 4:00pm
6/13 Sam Champion 3:00pm
6/26 Palomar 3:30pm
7/20 Dirty On Purpose 1:30pm
7/25 Ra Ra Riot 4:00pm
8/3 Wussy 3:00pm

To the best of my knowledge, it will be the 2nd (and possibly third?) time that each of these bands, except for Palomar, have performed in the lounge. Check out the archives to listen to the previous performances.

Video For A Tuesday - May 29

First - some video from this show, that I should have gone to, but didn't. LCD didn't get on stage until around midnight. Definitely could have seen The Muggabears and The Secret Life Of Sofia, and probably could have seen Mancino too. Via StereoactiveNYC:

The Secret Life Of Sofia - "Diamond Face"



The Muggabears - "Dead Kid Kicks"



Next, I'm also loving the new Strokes video, which is all over the place today. I'm a sucker for anything 2001, one of my all time favorite movies.



And finally, you can stream live video of Sondre Lerche at the Paradiso in Amsterdam today in about 2 hours here.

Frauke @ The Delancey - Tonight! - Tues May 29

Previously

Spawn & Die! Music Festival - Sat June 2 & 9

Once again, which do you prefer?




Via Until Monday:

An explosion of vaudevillian garage pop for the eternally brokenhearted, Creaky Boards headlines June 2 at Supreme trading.

The Event: Spawn and Die! - The night is being organized as a benefit to send women comics to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and promises ample chaotic fun. There will be a Ladies Arm Wrestling Competition, as well as real Mexican wrestlers performing live. Chelsea Brewing Company will be providing unlimited free beer for all attendants, as is PBR. The evening will also include many thrills from spectacular New York bands, including festive favorites The Hungry Marching Band, and Frances, who the L Magazine just named one of the top eight New York bands to watch in 2007.

June 2, 8PM

Supreme Trading
213 North 8th Street

Bowery Ballroom - Sat June 2

Which do you prefer?




Did you get your tix yet????

Previously

Should I Go To School Of Rock?

At first, I was not really at all interested in the School of Rock Fest. But little by little I have started to consider attending. First I heard that Beat Radio were playing. Then Benzos. And then Sam Champion. Damn, that's 3 of my absolute favorite NYC bands right there. And then I see that they are all playing on the same stage on the same day! Check it out:



The question is -> does this warrant spending $35 and traveling to Asbury Park? Hmmm...I'm do love checking out bands that I've never heard of / seen before. Hmmmm....

This one is still under consideration.

Keeping Track Of Summer '07 - Updated

The list grows:

Fri June 1 Animal Collective, Danielson - Seaport
Sat June 16 Television, Apples in Stereo, Dragons of Zynth - Summerstage
Sat June 23 Ex-Models, S-S-S-Spectres, 100 Eyes, Mikey Bones - ERMP
Sun June 24 Sloan, Apostle Of Hustle - Summerstage
Fri June 29 Snowden, Ra Ra Riot - Seaport
Sat June 30 The Stills, Sam Roberts Band, Malajube - Prospect Park

Sun July 1 Man Man, Illinois - Pool Party
Wed July 4 New Pornographers, Midlake - Battery Park
Fri July 6 Fujiya & Migyagi - Seaport
Sat July 7 Built to Spill - McCarren Pool
Wed July 11 Spoon - Battery Park
Fri July 13 Menomena, Beat The Devil - Seaport
Mon July 16 The Decemberists, Grizzly Bear - Summerstage
Fri July 20 Bishop Allen, Rock Plaza Central - Seaport
Sat July 21 - Siren
Sun July 22 Brazilian Girls - Summerstage
Sat July 28 ERMP
Sun July 29 TV on the Radio - Pool Party

Thurs Aug 9 Daft Punk, The Rapture - Keyspan Park
Sat Aug 11 Jonathan Kane’s February, Taiko Masala, Meg Baird - ERMP
Sun Aug 12 Ted Leo and Rx, The Thermals - Pool Party
Fri Aug 17 The National, Takka Takka, The Forms - Seaport
Sun Aug 19 Ghostland Observatory - Pool Party
Fri Aug 31 Battles - Seaport

Sat Sept 8 ERMP

Note - This list is festival/free shows only.

Aeroplane Pageant - BOWERY BALLROOM!!!

Congrats!!! to Aeroplane Pageant for being on the verge of their next HUGE step in the process of establishing themselves as one of NYC's premier rock bands. First they packed out Mercury Lounge for their record release show. Then they had a very successful residency @ Pianos. And now they are moving on to their first opening slot @ Bowery Ballroom. So excited for these guys. As you may have heard, Mystery Jets had to cancel their gig @ the ballroom next Sat due to visa problems. Because of their cancellation, White Rabbits, who I still have yet to see, have been bumped up to headliner, and Aeroplane Pageant and The Dansettes are joining Vampire Weekend as openers. Tix on sale. $10. Time to mobilize Aeroplane Pageant fans. Lets make this show even more special for AP and give them a huge turnout for this milestone gig.

Here are all of Aeroplane Pageant's upcoming shows:

Sat June 2 Bowery Ballroom w/White Rabbits, Vampire Weekend and The Dansettes
Sat June 16 Union Hall w/ Great Lakes Myth Society, Christy & Emily, Bad Viens(!!)
Fri Aug 31 Crashin' In Presents @ Galapagos w/ Champollion, Boy Crisis, DJ Oil (Kanine Records), and DJ Gerald (Other Music)

Recently

Yacht Rock @ Union Hall - Tomorrow - Fri May 25

Amazing three day run @ Union Hall. Beat Radio on Sat. Oxford Collapse tonight.

AND YACHT ROCK TOMORROW!!



















A special screening of all 10 episodes of the wildly popular internet TV hit show!

Followed by SMOOTH and SOFT ROCK all night with DJ Lonesome Loser & DJ Rick Girl.


Previously:

Union Hall - Yacht Rock, Sam Champion, Tonight
Yacht Rock @ Fontanas!
Yacht Rock

Oxford Collapse @ Union Hall - TONIGHT!!

Tix. $8

The Bamboo Kids @ Luna Lounge - Sat June 9

Best flyer ever??? Pretty darn close. The Bamboo Kids rule.


Previously

Taxi Taxi @ Mercury Lounge - Wed May 30

Previously

Creaky Boards - This Sun May 27

Happy B-Day to Andrew. Happy B-Day to Andrew. These guys were so much fun last weekend!

Beat Radio @ Union Hall - This Sat May 26

When I posted about this show, I meant to describe how awesome it was to hear Beat Radio play with a fiddle player for the first time ever (same guy who played the fiddle parts on their album). I have listened to The Great Big Sea countless times now (download it for FREE here), and every time I had seen them live up until that show I had wished/dreamed that they would add a fiddle player to their live show. So you can only imagine how psyched I was to see/hear my dream finally come true. It was INCREDIBLE. Seriously though, INCREDIBLE. I took some video of "Ancient As The Stars No. 2", but the sound on the video is unbearable, so I'm not going to post it. Yet. Listen to the song at their Myspace if you want to get an idea of what I'm talking about.

I wonder if they will be able to convince the fiddle player to come out again this Sat???? Fingers crossed. Tix. $10

Tripnotica NYC @ Galapagos - Sat June 2

More info here.

Underrated Rachael's 23rd B-Day Party

Pat has done a fantastic job putting this show together. Ever since Knockout Round 2 and getting my hands on In The Attic Of The Universe, I have been dying to see The Antlers again. This show will be extra exciting because it will be the first for Peter with a full band. Also very much looking forward to seeing Jukebox The Ghost and Wakey, Wakey for the first time. File this show under HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The Music Slut - 2nd Anniversary - Sat June 9

Starring:
The Glass
The Gaskets
The Lisps
And a Very Special, Very Secret, Guest Band
with your Music Sluts djing ALL NIGHT LONG

Date: 6/9
Doors: 8pm

Admission FREE with RSVP on Going.com
Free PBRs from 8pm-9pm
Free goodie bags to early arrivals!
Cost: Free with RSVP
Official Site: http://themusicslut.com

I want in on the secret!

RSVP here.

Bowery Ballroom - Tonight - Tues May 15

Fresh Cut - A/V

8 - Butterfly Assassins



Lots more here.

9 - Creaky Boards



Lots more here.

10 - Easy Anthems



Download it here.

11 - Man In Gray

Mr. Beery's - Fri May 11 - Rock Extravaganza

Long Island, Pittsburgh, and Burlington all brought the rock to Mr. Beery's last night. The three best sets I've heard from Aeroplane Pageant, Beat Radio, and Life In Bed to date and a gold star for being Super Awesome to The Hero Cycle, who I witnessed for the first time last night. I've said plenty about the first three bands, so I'm going to focus in on the brillance of The Hero Cycle.

Was all sorts of pumped up for their set after listening to their EP on repeat all day yesterday. Felt slightly bad for them having to go on first last night, but it didn't seem to fade them in the least. The road may have been rough on these guys, but the experience seems to have paid off, because they guys sounded like veterans. I was expecting some Broken Social Scene groovyness and that's exactly what I got. From all seven of them. Not since The Most Serene Republic have I encountered a band that has taken cues for BSS so well. The band played every song off of the Lakes and Ponds EP (front runner for EP of the year) and a couple new ones that fit in seemlessly with the old. The dual keys blending together with multi-vocal interplay and some sharp as a pinpoint riffs from the lead kept all in attendance transfixed.

Beery's has been good to me, what with seeing Aeroplane Pageant and Mussels for the first time there and now The Hero Cycle.

More on this show soon, but for now, here are some pics of all four bands:

The Hero Cycle




















































Aeroplane Pageant






































































































Life In Bed




























































Beat Radio

Seaport Music Festival - Summer '07 Lineup

The lineup this year is absolutely bonkers. Update - I've been informed that Ulrich Schnauss WILL be playing on July 6 along with Fujiya & Miyagi (NOT July 27) and that Junior Boys will NOT be playing at all. July 27 is still TBA. Via River To River:

ANIMAL COLLECTIVE

DATE: 06/01/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

South Street Seaport kicks off the summer season with a thrilling live performance from Animal Collective, a critically acclaimed indie group that pushes the boundaries of pop music. From deliciously skewed ballads to ethereal soundscapes to frenetic rhythms, Animal Collective is constantly evolving, exploring the outer edges for new and exhilarating sounds.Special guest artists Danielson round out an evening of challenging modern pop. Daniel Smith, the driving force behind this art-rock collective, has won a loyal cult following for his joyful and complex musical journeys.

Seaport Music Snowden with Ra Ra Riot

DATE: 06/29/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

After opening for the likes of Arcade Fire and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!, this Atlanta collective has worked up a unique sound of soaring, plaintive rock that has earned them appropriate comparisons to The Cure and Joy Division. With Ra Ra Riot.

Seaport Music: Fujiya & Miyagi (with Ulrich Schnauss)

DATE: 07/06/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Seaport Music Menomena

DATE: 07/13/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Starting with their homemade instrumental computer program and ending with a diverse mesh of funk, folk, and undeniably shimmering pop choruses, Menomena is one example of an experiment gone beautifully right. In association with Citysol/Solar One Green Energy Arts & Education Center and Brooklyn Vegan.

Seaport Music: Bishop Allen (with Rock Plaza Central)

DATE: 07/20/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

This Brooklyn four-piece is the product of multitalented actor/musician Justin Rice. Their goal is to insure you have a good time, and with the benevolent assault of sing-along melodies and songs reminiscent of the best of The Kinks and The Violent Femmes, you will undoubtedly do just that. With Toronto's Rock Plaza Central.

Seaport Music: TBA

DATE: 07/27/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Seaport Music A Night of Billie Holliday Remixed and Reimagined

DATE: 08/03/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Presented by Turntables on the Hudson, this amazing night will feature DJs Nickodemus, Jazzy Nice, + Nappy G on percussion & Jay Rodriguez of Groove Collective on the saxophone. Come experience a legend as you've never heard her before.

Seaport Music: Au Revoir Simone, Metronomy

DATE: 08/10/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Made principally using keyboards, drum machines and hand percussion, Au Revoir Simone's sound is defined by their instrumentation. In their own words, "Warm and organic electronic music with forthright female vocalists". With the progressive, 80's inspired electronica of Metronomy.

Seaport Music The National

DATE: 08/17/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Taking cues from artists like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, even Johnny Cash, these Brooklyn-based Ohians bring their Americana, bar-soaked gems to the pier for this amazing night. With The Forms and Takka Takka.

Seaport Music: Camera Obscura

DATE: 08/24/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

Seaport Music Battles

DATE: 08/31/2007
TIME: 7:00pm
PRICE: Free

New York's own Battles currently produce some of the most intense and hypnotic experimental music around.

Pool Parties '07 - Initial Artist Announcement

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!!!

Excuse my language, but seriously. Via Jelly NYC:

Sundays through summer 2007
The JELLYNYC POol Parties at McCarren Park Pool featuring Blonde Redhead, Ted Leo/Rx , The Thermals, Ghostland Obervatory, Octopus Project, Man Man, Illinois, Im From Barcelona, Dengue Fever, THE RUB DJs, and many more surprises to come...info at thepoolparties.com soon

Siren - Save The Date - Sat July 21

Siren

DFA @ Studio B - Tonight - Sat May 12

Army Navy - New Song - "Saints"

I'm surprised that this is the first time I'm writing about Army Navy. Well actually, they haven't been back to NYC in a while, so maybe I'm not surprised. First heard these guys on WOXY forever ago when "Snakes Of Hawaii" was getting massive airplay. Then I saw them live @ the Fader House during CMJ '05, where they seriously kicked ass. Jules and I made friends-for-the-day with their drummer and we even babysat his drum sticks and gear for a little while. Then they went back to Cali and fell off the radar for a while. Well now they are gearing up for a new album and they just posted a new song on their Myspace. Go give it a listen. And hopefully they will be back here in NYC sooner than later.

Apostle Of Hustle - Mercury Residencey

JEEZZZZZ.

June 18 just got even better!!! As I've already mentioned, Up The Empire will be there, and now The Muggabears will be there too!


Previously:

National Anthem Of Nowhere - Video
Apostle Of Hustle - TONS Of NYC Shows In June

Gibbard Last Night

I'm experiencing online streaming bliss right now.

Listening to Gibbard's set over at NPR. So good. So what I'm in the mood for on this rainy day. I wish I was able to go to his show here earlier this week, but I did get to see him when he played solo at Bowery last time around, so I figured it was missable. Listening to this set right now is reminding me of how excellent that show was. Strangly enough, it also reminds me of the Malkmus set I missed at Knitting.

First Stars of Track and Field earlier this week and now this. mmmmm

BTW - that set is also streaming now. Go here.

Ankle Injuries - Video

Speaking of videos that remind me of other videos:



Fujiya & Miyagi's new video for "Ankle Injuries" is great, but does remind me a lot of this video:



Reminder: F&M @ the seaport on Fri July 6.

And It Rained All Night - Video

Don't know why it took me so long to post this.

This video for Thom Yorke's "And It Rained All Night" that Adriaan posted is absolutely spectacular.

Hot Rocks @ The Delancey - Fri May 18

Another show happening next Friday:




































More info here.


Previously:

Hot Rocks -> Mancino -> TSLOS -> Muggabears
Hot Rocks @ The Delancey - This Fri March 9

FUN @ Studio B - Fri May 18

P. Murder bring the party.

Alternative Flyers...

...for shows happening tonight that I've already posted about.


Previously.

As I mentioned, I've just recently started to get into Taxi Taxi. I love every one of the songs over at their Myspace. Kind of Spoon meets Peter, Bjorn, and John. Upbeat. Poppy. Catchy riffs. Great stuff. Stream the album here.


Previously.

Nuh Uh is 3/4 of Takka Takka. And while Takka Takka (and The Hold Steady for that matter) have never really been my cup of tea (although, I should mention that I really do like the new song Takka Takka have posted on their Myspace), Nuh Uh totally is. Give 'em a listen over at their Myspace.

And here's one more. Well sorta.



Previously. And this one too.

Pianos - This Sat May 12

Fuckin A right. Very excited for this show. First The Secret Life Of Sofia show in over six months. And I was at that show. First time and only time I've seen them live and I'm thrilled to finally get to see them again. And with Mancino, The Muggabears, and Can Joann!

ERMP '07 - Slight Update

ERMP have changed the date for the June kickoff show to the 23rd and two acts have been revealed for the Aug 11 show. Here's the updated schedule:

June 23: curated by Secret Project Robot and The Social Registry
July 28: curated by Venus
August 11: Jonathan Kane’s February, Taiko Masala, more TBA
September 8: curator/bands TBA

Previously.

And I've updated The List.

The Soundscapes @ Luna - Tomorrow Thurs 5/10

Stars Of Track And Field - On KCRW Today

Tune in.

They are playing @ 11:15AM Pacific Time, so 2:15PM here in NY.

Stars of Track and Field have two upcoming NYC dates:

May 23 8:00PM Bowery Ballroom w/ Joseph Arthur
Jun 25 8:00PM Highline Ballroom w/ Shiny Toy Guns

Spiegeltent '07 - Initial Lineup

The Music Slut's are getting another shout out today. They just posted the initial lineup for this years Spiegeltent series. Here's what we know so far:

Lady Sovereign (July 7)
Shout Out Louds (July 16)
Weimar NY: The Spiegel Sessions (July 17)
DeVotchKa (July 24, 25)
Lila Downs (August 7,8)
Badly Drawn Boy (August 13, 14)
José González (August 21)
Weimar NY: The Spiegel Sessions (August 28)
O'Death (August 29)

The one that I am particularly interested in is José González. Hopefully it's not completely impossible to get tix to that. I'm sure it will sell out quick.

Added to The List.

You should definitely try to go to a show at the Spiegeltent this summer. The venue is so small, so unique, and so absolutely spectacular. Man Man last summer was one of the best shows I saw all year, and the venue greatly contributed to that.