Home in ATX

Incubus (8/19):

Well, the dust has settled, the lights dimmed, and Brandon and co. have left the stage for a short trip to Houston. I have to say, the show lived up to my expectations and I was rather impressed. The crew came out amped and kept their energy the entire set - which was great considering the near hour wait after their dismal opener (the duke spirit). As expected, great hits progressed, light shows cued, and Brandon’s clothes became souvenirs for the pit fans. Considering it was a ‘best of’ tour show, I could have predicted the set list, but it was well performed either way. Megala and Kiss were the high-energy spectacles I had expected, and the ever so famous Drive, Aqueous, and Wish brought a smile to the tenured fans.

Austin Music Hall definitely has improvements to make, but I will be adeu to the criticisms that the venue has bad acoustics - even the synthesizer came in clear through every octave. Sure, it was an overcrowded GA, but what do you expect at a venue that houses only 2,500 seats for a band that sells out ampitheatres? For you unfortunate many who are familiar Dallas - imagine an exact replica of the HOB, minus the second stage, restaurant, multiple downstairs bars, and scattered tables on a riser behind the sound crew.

Pros: Great set, intimate GA, no bad vibes, easy parking,
Cons: Hour long line, over sold, predictable, too short, stupid prince cover

Here’s the setlist:

Pardon Me
Nice to Know You
Anna Molly
Stellar
Megalomaniac
Circles
Love Hurts
Careless Whisper (Wham/George Michaels cover)
Just a Phase
Drive - Brandon on Bongos
Talk Shows on Mute - Brandon on guitar
Dig - acoustic
Are you in?
Look Alive
Oil and Water
Quicksand
A Kiss to Send us Off
Wish you were here
Aqueous Transmission

Encore:
A Crow Left for Murder
Let’s Go Crazy (Prince Cover)

Geared up for tonight

Yea, that’s right, it’s Incubus. Don’t judge.

As big of a ‘fan’ as I have been since I was about 16, I have never been to a show and it turns out they are right here in my new backyard. The new Austin Music Hall is already critically known in the music community as a huge waste of money that has surfaced only bad acoustics and terrible seating since the reopening in April. Needless to say I am not terribly thrilled about the venue, but the fellas from California have alot of hype to live up to in their first Texan (American?) stop this summer and a buddy from craigslist was kind enough to cut me a deal that I couldn’t pass up. Ufortunately for BB and co., I am going to be fresh off a bout of jam concerts that were rather nasty (that’s the correct term, right?) this summer - notably Phish’s pair of 1.5 hour reunion sets in Knoxville - so I will try not to keep them on the same pedestal.

I will follow up tomorrow with a setlist - let’s all hope we get enough morning view and make yourself to appease the older fans - and any pictures I can get.

Cheers to funemployment.