This week, the band formerly known as (die) Pilot leads a lineup full of wonderful at the Meadowlark. Then there's Kissing Party and Moonspeed, and California's The Sandwitches joins a bunch of bands from the Hot Congress collective tonight at Rhinoceropolis.
1. Sun Red With Old Radio, Paean, Night of Joy Meadowlark Saturday, February 27. Doors open at 8pm.
Why you should go: We thought we had seen the last of the crew from (die) Pilot, and that made us sad. Because those guys can crank out some atmosphere. Well, they're back as Sun Red, and the time off appears to have been healthy. Old Radio should be a hell of a good time, and Paean is one of Fort Collins' finest.
Listen: Sun Red Old Radio Paean Night of Joy
2. Kissing Party With Don'ts And Be Carefuls, and The Jim Jims Skylark Friday, February 26. Show starts at 9pm.
Why you should go: Each of these three bands is don't-quit boisterous. Don'ts And Be Carefuls are still riding the wave of their excellent EP, Risk Assesment. Kissing Party and The Jim Jims make excellent bill-mates, playing lean, ballsy dance rock. Should be a good time.
Listen: Kissing Partya> Don'ts And Be Carefuls The Jim Jims
3. Moonspeed With Woodsman Hi-Dive Friday, February 26. Doors open at 8pm. $6.00
Why you should go: If you're looking for elegant craftsmanship, this is your show. The reward here isn't always loud or sweaty, but these bands are both making remarkable music with absurd amounts of talent.
4. The Sandwitches With Lil' Slugger, The Vitamins, Fissure Mystic Rhinoceropolis Friday, February 26. Doors open at 8pm. $5.00 donation
Why you should go: The Sandwitches, as you can see, are the sort of band that does well live, whose sets of sunny, smart pop are over too quickly. Joining them are some of Hot Congress's finest. Rhinceropolis is the sort of place where you can get away with things you couldn't elsewhere, and we can't wait to see what these bands come up with.
Listen: The Sandwitches Lil' Slugger The Vitamins Fissure Mystic
5. Stockholm Syndrome With These United States The Bluebird Saturday, February 27. Show starts at 9pm.
Why you should go: Something of a super-group, Stockholm Syndrome have distilled their jam band and blues roots into something much more concise and enjoyable than either of the places they came from. These United States are a good-humored band making thoroughly enjoyable songs crafted from their wide-ranging influences, from roots to surf rock to the woodsy indie of their native Midwest.
