Maximum Occupancy

This is going to be one of those honest moments in which I admit each band deserves their own post, but I have been so behind on things that I have not written or posted with consistency. So time has passed, my memory is already starting to fade, but at least I lived.

Levitation Day Two (09/27/2025): Blonde Redhead and TV on the Radio

There were many bands that day, but I only had ears for two. On the rare day in which I can escape the children and just be irresponsible again (that is what people mean by carefree right), my personalty is to prepare myself mentally for what I know I will enjoy. These two bands. And time to read.

I arrived halfway through the day so I could catch Blonde Redhead, a band that I discovered through my much cooler friends in high school and has imprinted on me how chic it is to have screechy haunting shoe gazing melodies. This is art rock, but good.

Like all the other bands I am about to gush about, it was my first time and thank the goddesses they did not disappoint. Both sets where indoors at the Palmer Events Center, so I was confident in finding parking and navigating the space. Levitation Fest focuses on rock and harder sounds, meaning it was a bit of a sausage fest (mustached men with long hair as far as the roving eye could see). Another plus was that for once the restrooms for the ladies was not the one overflowing with those waiting a turn, the only real downside was seeing how many people didn’t even bother washing their hands in the shared sink area. If their hands are that dirty I can only imagine what that means for the facial and scalp hair. Oh, and the festival prices.

Back to the band, I was able to find a spot in the middle close enough to shoe gaze my way through some of my favorite songs in what I though was enough space to bop. Except that a much larger listener was tripping balls and swaying to their own musical experience in front of me, so my anxiety was high as I imagined being crushed by one person during the set. It didn’t happen as I am alive to bitch about not being big or high enough to be on his level, and also alive to say that hearing Blonde Redhead play was worth it.

They were the antithesis of the Regina Spektor show, with one of the band members wearing a shirt that in bold letters acknowledging the genocide in Palestine. They play so well together that it was one of those they-sound-just-like-their-albums type of experiences. Perfection.

TV on the Radio came at the end, and as a performer the singer was more raw in person, but the emotional resonance in seeing them play live was still the same.

I used the hours in between to snag food and read Perfect Victims: And the Politics of Appeal by Mohammed el-Kurd. I was able to finish it one day, minutes before I snagged a spot closer to an exit since the crowd was bigger and my fear grew from one person crushing me to several. Tunde Adebimpe came on stage and helped to solidify my read, with a call out on the war on Palestine and the recent passing of a political activist. The songs had more meaning since the joy of performing did not negate for the band the suffering of others, they worked together to perform their hits and they acknowledged their privilege when remembering others. And yes they played “Wolf Like Me” letting us direct the frustration that we all feel. Or at least that is how I left their show feeling.

Going to see these two bands solo helped to wash away some of the smut from my last experience.

Scoot Inn (10/31/2025) JMSN

TikTok got me into the music and then let me know he was coming to town. Adverting works so well, or at least on me, that I abandoned my toddler on Halloween (he was with his dad of course) and dressed up like a clown to drive downtown. Driving through the gentrified East Side, even for the historic Scoot Inn, is always stressful. But the show was early enough (so I am sure the artist could have his own holiday) that I was able to find parking in the numerous expensive parking garages that you see in that part of town. And it would seem that everyone was on dirty sixth anyway,

Okay, so other then knowing it was historic it was also my first time at the venue. It is like Stubb’s, but there is a “sitting” section that you have to pay more for so you can rest and have unlimited popcorn. It seems like you would want to be close to the stage though, so I don’t think that it is worth it.

For his Scared Straight tour, there was not enough people dressed up like they were in the “Dirty Dog” or “Soft Spot” music videos. I know I wasn’t on theme, but I was really hoping everyone else would be. JMSN and all his doppelgänger bandmates however were rocking the white prospector’s onsie which does wonder for the butts (as the Tina Belcher in me comes out). Once you get over how all the other musicians looking exactly like the lead, the art is dropped as the band starts to play from the new album (...it's only about you if you think it is). And then I get it, JMSN is so talented that he has splintered off into others who can exude the rage and sex that oozes from his lyrics.

This album is on the rock side, but JMSN moves between genres like R&B and you can hear it in the music. It was a show that I couldn’t stop swaying my ass to and a rare performance that had the crowd moving. I would for sure see him perform again the next time I get a chance.

Mohawk (11/06/2025) Murder by Death (The Farewell Tour)

Why did I wait until the end to see this band! This is an act that I will claim self discovery, I picked them up from a recommendation in a Spin article almost two decades ago and was into the southern gothic feel of their lyrics. I am a belter of their songs in private and in public apparently, as I couldn’t help but sing along with the others in the crowd.

I love Mohawks for, the ease of finding parking, the affordable pricing, and the set up. I tend to see the outdoor sets and the staggered levels gives you a good vantage point no matter where you squeeze yourself. This was a show in which the merchandise booth was overflowing and had the most amount of people I have ever seen already wearing the band’s shirt (that they bought at a different show). This band has dedicated fans who seem to be mourning the loss of a consistent touring act.

There was a mix of songs from each album and a tongue in cheek we-are-sick-of-this-shit comment before they played “Pizza Party! (at Gloria Estefan's House).” Even as the cringiest of their songs, I did not mind when it was performed since the crowd really dug it.

What I loved about the show was that like JMSN and Blonde Redhead, their live performance was comparable to their recordings. The distinctive use of the cello adds a classical and dramatic tone that bellows beautifully as the band plays. In their music the cello comes through as the second voice to the lead singers plaintive wails of living (a life straight out of Blood Meridian). Why did I wait so long to experience this for myself and when it is too late to get another taste?

I have my sights set on at least one more show before this year ends and I hope it continues to move me through these hectic days. Here is to hoping and to making my life worth it.