Posted in Asbury Park, NJ, Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Stars, The Stone Pony Summer Stage on September 28, 2024| Leave a Comment »
[DID NOT ATTEND: September 18, 2024] Stars / Lydia Persaud
I have been a fan of Stars since about 2004. Seeing them live in 2022 was amazing. And I couldn’t wait to see them again.
But since they were playing at Union Transfer, there was no way I was going to the Stone Pont Summer Stage to see them. Frankly, that sounds like a terrible place to see an intimate band like Stars.
Lydia Persaud opened again. I didn’t really like her last time.
Posted in Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Philadelphia, PA, Stars, Union Transfer on September 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: September 21, 2024] Stars
I have been a fan of Stars since about 2004. I finally got to see them on their Christmas tour of 2022. Singer Torq said that they would definitely be back for a Christmas tour the following year (they weren’t) and they didn’t do one in 2024 either. But instead they did this: a 20th anniversary of Set Yourself on Fire, the album that introduced me to the band and which I love. So yes, I was going to this one, too.
No surprises in the setlist then.
Instead it was a great band playing a great album
Amy Millan and Torquil Campbell sounded great and their onstage rapport is always amazing together–like (sometimes jilted) lovers (although they are not).
The rest of the band has remained the same for 20+ years. Last tour I learned that bassist Evan Cranley and guitarist Chris Seligman are the main composers of Stars’ music. They repeat a riff or tune until something develops, and then Campbell and Amy Millan write lyrics. (This according to Wikipedia).
Drummer Pat McGee and lead guitarist Chris McCarron were joined by a violin and sax player for some of the songs. (more…)
Posted in Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Philadelphia, PA, Stars, Union Transfer on September 21, 2024| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: September 21, 2024] Lydia Persaud & Christine Bougie
Back in 2022, I saw Stars for the first time (on their Christmas tour) and loved them. The opening act was Lydia Persaud (& Christine Bougie).
I believe that they both play together in a lot of things. Lydia has been a member of The Soul Motivators, The O’Pears and Dwayne Gretzky and she and Christine are part of the the Queer Songbook Orchestra.
They played a jazzy set of remarkably sad music.
When Stars announced this new tour for Set Yourself on Fire, I was super excited. And, they announced some interesting opening acts along the way (including Dears, a band I could have seen before the pandemic but missed them and they haven’t been back since). (more…)
Posted in Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Philadelphia, PA, Stars, The Foundry on December 4, 2022| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: December 3, 2022] Stars
I have been a fan of Stars since about 2004. I have wanted to see them for a really long time. I thought I’d be able to see them last year on their Christmas Together Tour. It was at LPR in New York (which is just too much of a pain to get to) and at World Cafe Live. But it happened to be on the same night as our holiday party, so I couldn’t swing it. I never guessed they’d do another one. So this year I made sure to get tickets and schedule our party around this show.
The show came around and it was cold and I didn’t really feel like going out, but oh I wanted to see them. So I drove out to Philly.
Turned out there was a wedding in the Fillmore main floor so parking was free (yes!). I even wound up talking to some nice people around me and we had an enjoyable time waiting for the band. There was a little girl (maybe ten) who was bouncing with excitement over seeing Amy Millan. She couldn’t wait to meet her and get her autograph. I was so curious about this! How did this little girl get excited about this (relatively) obscure band from Montreal that sings about relationships and breakups? (I’ll never know). (more…)
Posted in Bahamas, Christine Bougie, Lydia Persaud, Philadelphia, PA, Stars, The Foundry, The Weather Station on December 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »
[ATTENDED: December 3, 2022] Lydia Persaud & Christine Bougie
I have been a fan of Stars since about 2004. I have wanted to see them for a really long time. I thought I’d be able to see them last year on their Christmas Together Tour. It was at LPR in New York (which is just too much of a pain to get to) and at World Cafe Live. But it happened to be on the same night as our holiday party, so I couldn’t swing it. I never guessed they’d do another one. So this year I made sure to get tickets and schedule our party around this show.
I didn’t know who would be opening. Technically, the opening act was just Lydia Persaud, but since it was just Lydia and her guitarist Christine Bougie, (and I’d never heard of either before) I’m listing them both here.
Lydia was speaking for herself, but I believe that they both play together in a lot of things. Lydia has been a member of The Soul Motivators, The O’Pears and Dwayne Gretzky and she and Christine are part of the the Queer Songbook Orchestra.
They played a jazzy set of remarkably sad music. (more…)
I Just Read About That... 