Deerhoof + Bloc Party: Live in Dallas

While I was enjoying the sights and sounds of White Denim, Peter and the Wolf, the Books, Pinback, Midlake, etc. at the Wall of Sound Festival last night at LaGrave Field, David took in the sold-out Deerhoof + Bloc Party show at Dallas' House of Blues. Post and photos by David:

Bloc Party commanded the audience with noble poise, exuding humble British earnestness, and were accompanied by rather appropriate and tasteful visuals. Not my favorite band by any stretch, but they made an impressive, skilled statement to the sold out crowd, and I might say it was somewhat difficult to not walk away a bit more enthused about Bloc Party than before. Kele's an impressive frontman, and the fellas all have their own differentiated purpose as they stand as silhouettes in the backlit haze.

kele rocking his finest jorts

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Openers Deerhoof were taut as always and proved, yet again, why they remain one of the better bands of the decade. Admittedly, the children of the night might have been somewhat aghast by this admittedly very strange trio, but that's ok. It's thrilling to see such a vividly gifted band have the opportunity to play before fresh ears. They covered quite a bit of ground, yet Friend Opportunity was distinctly absent among the older classics. Deerhoof are ill as sin.

DEERHOOF:

Satomi catches some air

In related news, Deerhoof recently made a bunch of unreleased mp3s available at their website, and here are a few of the highlights:

mp3:
Deerhoof Kidz are So Small
Deerhoof Holy Night Fever
Deerhoof Milkman

(view the full Deerhoof + Bloc Party set here)