The crowd at the front of the AMD Stage was mostly still collecting Pokemon cards when the Afghan Whigs released their final album in 1999.
And while the band inspires a fierce loyalty in those who adore their music, they haven't gone become a cult legend whose records have been passed along on burned CDs and external hard drives from teenaged fan to teenaged fan over the past thirteen years, the way that, say, the similarly-timelined At The Drive In has.
For its part, the band has settled into its reunion nicely. After over a decade off, any rust that may have gathered has shaken off well.
So the number of teenagers up front were probably mostly just there to hold a good spot for the closing set from AVICCI, but who really cares about that? The Afghan Whigs are an accessible rock band whose music translates well to listeners who are otherwise stuffed full of pills and waiting for a DJ to emerge.
That's mostly how things seemed to go for the Whigs' set on Friday (er, that is, the Afghan Whigs' set — a band called The Whigs, with no modifier, is on the bill for Saturday, leading to what's sure to be much confusion among fans of relatively straightforward, guitar-based rock bands). The crowd near the front was a mix of place-holding teenagers and die-hard fans in their 30s and 40s, who've been utterly devoted to the band's mix of guitar rock and classic soul since the heyday of Alternative Nation.
For its part, the band has settled into its reunion nicely. After over a decade off, any rust that may have gathered has shaken off well; while the Afghan Whigs have always been a night-time band, they were compelling even during a mid-day performance, loading up the set list with big rock-and-roll stompers like "Uptown Again," "What Jail Is Like," and "Crazy."
The band has also shaken off the reunion-show tendency to focus mostly on the hits (or at least the most beloved songs) in favor of a set that more accurately reflects the experience of seeing the Afghan Whigs in the pre-breakup days.
Back then, the Whigs were known for dropping in covers, both expected and not, throughout their set, interpolating other artists' songs into their own, and generally treating the performance as something of a revue. The ACL performance included pieces of "Who Do You Love" by Bo Diddley, "Little Red Corvette" by Prince, "See and Don't See" by Marie Queenie Lyons, and "Lovecrimes" by Frank Ocean.
In short, the Afghan Whigs' ACL set was a snapshot of what the band has been, and of where they are now (while "Who Do You Love" and "Little Red Corvette" were staples of the band's first run, "See And Don't See" and "Lovecrimes" are exclusive to this incarnation).
All that's really left for the band are some new songs of their own, and until that happens, the ACL set was at least proof that this reunion has their full attention.
Proun to play album release show at 29th St. Ballroom
July has arrived! As you contemplate how you want to ring in America’s semiquincentennial, take a look at the many great local shows set to happen in the first part of the month.
Co-Lab’s Birthday Bash at Hotel Vegas – Thursday, July 2 Co-Lab, an artist-run creative development nonprofit, is turning 18, and it's throwing itself a birthday bash (and benefit) at Hotel Vegas this Thursday, July 2. J’Cuuzi, Mugger, Water Damage, Bruce, and more will perform. Tickets are $30.
Proun at 29th St. Ballroom – Friday, July 3 Emo folk rockers Proun recently put out their excellent debut album, Maybe Luck, and this Friday, July 3, they’ll fully celebrate its arrival with a release party at 29th St. Ballroom. Hemlock, Woodcutter(s), and Amelia’s Best Friend will open up the show. Tickets are $15.
Topaz at Hotel Vegas – Friday, July 3 Topaz (of Golden Dawn Arkestra) can be seen this Friday, July 3, at Hotel Vegas, where he’ll be ringing in the release of a new single. Openers for the evening include S.L. Houser, Brendan Bond, Blush Fantasy. Cover will be $12 at the door.
Hawk Dog at the Mohawk – Saturday, July 4 The Mohawk will put on its fourth annual Hawk Dawg this Saturday, July 4. Apart from the chance to compete in a hot dog eating contest, attendees will also see performances from Almost Heaven and Eddie Angel, along with a Cut Copy DJ set. Tickets are $26.
Wet Hot Howdy Summer at 29th St. Ballroom – Thursday, July 9 French Film, Cloud Companion, Semiwestern, and Sad Cell will take the stage at 29th St. Ballroom on Thursday, July 9, as a part of Wet Hot Howdy Summer, a series that the venue is hosting throughout July. Tickets for the show are $17.50.
Billy Glitter at Hole In The Wall – Thursday, July 9 Rock act Billy Glitter will bring their hiatus to an end with a new single, “When It Walks,” and a show at Hole In The Wall on Thursday, July 9. Things will get underway with Slomo Drags and Haight Ashbury Medical Clinic. Tickets are $12.76.
Mad Whit at the 13th Floor – Saturday, July 11 Mad Whit (of Sailor Poon) will celebrate the release of a new single, “Glass Head,” at the 13th Floor on Saturday, July 11. Flags and Large Brush Collection will kick off the show. Tickets are $12.26.
The Afghan WhigsPhoto by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
Photo by Jessica Pages
