The Homeless Gospel Choir was first. I had seen him before at Roup in August during Quiet Sound Night VI; he played mostly the same songs as before in the same kind of way. The Homeless Gospel Choir's songs are like folk punk or whatever. I feel like that genre seems ridiculous and sometimes people just seem to use that term to be edgy, but he takes a sort of Jesus is cool, mainstream Christianity is bad kind of approach which I really like. His new album Luxury Problems had come out before this show and he had it for sale. The new songs sounded great.
Anna Vogelzang played second. She used to live in Pittsburgh apparently, but I'm not sure where she lives now (apparently she is also moving back here soon). She and her upright bass player played lovey, indie stuff that sounded good; usually I don't like this stuff. There were lots of love songs and some audience accompaniment to her sort of country/Celtic vocals. Again it was actually really cool, but I'm not sure if it's the kind of thing I want to see all the time.
Firth of Lorn is a band that a high school friend of mine has had for a while. It is more or less a solo project that sometimes includes other members. Firth of Lorn sounds like math rock/metal/grunge (maybe like Tool?); they really need a bass player. Their setlist had included covers so they ended up playing songs that they weren't at all prepared to play; there are over all a lot of kinks to work I think. It was a good try and they have a good sound, but need better equipment at least. I'd like to seem them again and see how they improve.
Speaker for the Dead, Greg McKillop's huge folk band, played last. They stood among the crowd, shifted positions often, and stood on chairs; it made for a fun and energetic set. There were acoustic guitars, trumpets, an accordion (or something like that), and maybe some other instruments, but nothing was electric. The band members are gathered from all over and change frequently. Greg is the leader and sort of directs them which is really cool; everything is loose and semi-improvised. I really like their song about Worcester, MA. Their set was the perfect length and a really good way to end the show. They'll problem come back some time soon and you should probably go, but in the meantime you can listen to their set here.
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