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April 2014

Better Than Ezra's Enduring Sound Rocks Irving Plaza

by Brian Corliss

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This past Wednesday, New Orleans–based rockers Better Than Ezra brought their timeless sound up north and through the halls of Irving Plaza for a concert that, being frank, floored this reviewer in blissful awe.

The night opened with a duo singularly named for its singer, John McLaughlin—no, not the guitar legend, but rather the young and handsome keyboardist. Playing what he called "soft-keyboard-rock-'n'-roll," it verged more on pop-rock, similar to the group Civil Twilight but much more upbeat. Armed with an iPad as a drum machine, they performed admirably, although this may have been the wrong type of crowd for their sound.

When I say "wrong type of crowd," I mean that the noticably divided generational gap that packed its way into every corner of the venue was there solely for the headliners. Whether you grew up with "Good" or started with their last effort, 2009's Paper Empire, Better Than Ezra had everyone jumping and shaking with one or both hands in the air, holding one or two beers in the air, spilling them about.

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FREE TICKETS: The Bad Plus at Jazz Standard

image from www.performances.org

NOTE: This contest has ended.

"Avant-garde populist" trio The Bad Plus take over Jazz Standard this weekend, and FoM is giving away a pair of free tickets to your choice of Sunday night show! (Sets at 7:30 or 9:30 p.m. *Be sure to include show preference in your entry!) 

For your chance to win:

1. Email [email protected]    -OR-

2. Tweet #FreeTickets @Thebadplus @feastofmusic  (and don't forget to follow us!)   -OR-

3. Head to our Facebook page and COMMENT on our giveaway post! Note: "Likes" on their own will not be considered valid entries.


FREE TICKETS: David Lang's Collected Stories Series at Carnegie Hall

  image from mybiggayears.com

NOTE: This contest has ended.

David Lang's collected stories—an epic multigenre concert series comprising six uniquely themed performances showcasing musical storytelling—begins its run at Carnegie Hall next week, and FoM is giving away one pair of tickets to each show

Tuesday, April 22, hero: Storyteller and medieval harpist Benjamin Bagby does Beowulf and the Harry Partch Institute Ensemble performs an original work. 

Wednesday, April 23, spirit: Tuvan throat singing abounds with Huun-Huur-Tu, as well as Arvo Pärt's Passio

Thursday, April 24, love/loss: Aesop Rock, Kimya Dawson, and James Lynch explore the emotional extremeties of love and loss in works by Julia Wolfe and Nico Muhly

Saturday, April 26, travel: Pianist Louis Lortie undertakes Liszt's monumental 180-minute saga, Années de pèlerinage. 

Sunday, April 27, (post)folk: Alarm Will Sound presents a set of premieres that lace traditional folk styles into contemporary pieces. 

Tuesday, April 29, memoir: The series culmination couples the world premiere of Lang's own new work, mystery sonatas, with a trio of works by John Cage. 

 

For your chance to win:

*Include show preferences in your entry. One winner will be chosen for each show.* 

1. Email [email protected]    -OR-

2. Tweet #FreeTickets #CHStories @feastofmusic  (and don't forget to follow us!)   -OR-

3. Head to our Facebook page and COMMENT on our giveaway post! Note: "Likes" on their own will not be considered valid entries.