Janelle Monáe plays short, fiery set at the ArtsCenter

Photos by Kevin Norris

Grammy nominated R&B/soul singer Janelle Monáe rolled into the ArtsCenter on Saturday evening for a Young Americans for Obama event only announced two days earlier. Word got around, because a large crowd showed up for the concert which saw the Carrboro venue playing the role of a full-on rock club.

Monáe is a force to be reckoned with on stage. She has commanding presence, both vocally and theatrically. She is a woman possessed by the music when she's performing.

Janelle Monáe to play Young Americans for Obama concert in Carrboro

Grammy-nominated R&B singer Janelle Monáe is putting her support behind President Obama in Carrboro this weekend with a free concert this weekend for Young Americans for Obama.

The event is Saturday, August 4, from 6-9 p.m. at the ArtsCenter in Carrboro. You must RSVP here in order to attend.

Of course, in addition to the music, a certain amount of campaigning is to be expected.

At the show, we'll also share some tips on effective ways to talk about the President's accomplishments that will help our organizing here in North Carolina. We'll bring other young people into this organization at a critical moment, and make sure as many as possible head to the polls in the fall to support the President.

Photos: Ivan Howard, Superchunk, The dBs @ UNC early vote rally

Here's the last set of photos from Saturday's early vote rally for Barack Obama at UNC. Included here are photos of Ivan Howard and his NC choir featuring members of Bowerbirds and Megafaun, Superchunk and The dB's featuring Mitch Easter on bass.

[all photos by Kevin Norris]

Ivan Howard set list:
In the Backyard
Get Up Get Out
Boxcar
Life Like
Blue Bird
Nice Fox

Ivan Howard and friends


Superchunk set list:
1,000 Pounds
I Guess I Remembered It Wrong
Cursed Mirror
Detroit Has a Skyline
Throwing Things

Superchunk


The dB's set list (may be a little out of order):
Big Brown Eyes
Dear Valentine
Amplifier
Shapes of Things (The Yardbirds)
Send Me Something Real
V.O.T.E (Public Service Announcement)
That Time Is Gone
Clever
Neverland
Ask For Jill
Excitement

The dB's

Photos: I Was Totally Destroying It, Megafaun, Billy Bragg @ UNC early vote rally

Here's the second set of photos from Saturday's early vote rally for Barack Obama at UNC. Included here are photos of I Was Totally Destroying It, Megafaun and Billy Bragg. There are still more photos to be posted later.

[all photos by Kevin Norris]

I Was Totally Destroying It


Megafaun


Billy Bragg

Photos: Portastatic, Regina Hexaphone, Bowerbirds at UNC early vote rally

Here's the first set of photos from Saturday's early vote rally for Barack Obama at UNC. Included here are photos of Portastatic, Regina Hexaphone and Bowerbirds. More photos will be posted later.

Portastatic set list:
Mr. Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan)
Song For a Clock
Think For Yourself (The Beatles) ???
Bobby Jean (Bruce Springsteen)
Noisy Night

[all photos by Kevin Norris]

Portastatic


Regina Hexaphone


Bowerbirds

Billy Bragg gets political at Vote For Change event

"This is a public service announcement from the rest of the world," Billy Bragg said, opening his brief but extraordinary set at Saturday's NC Rocks for Change event. "Please don't send us another asshole."

Bragg played along with a who's who of great local acts, including Portastatic, Superchunk, the dB's, Megafaun, Ivan "Rosebud" Howard, Bowerbirds, Regina Hexaphone, Greg Humphries and I Was Totally Destroying It.

Though the day was filled with great music, it's the thoughts that Bragg shared that have stuck with me the most even days later. While his commentary was spattered with jokes, Bragg also spoke about what this election means not just for the United States but the rest of the world, remarking that there is a "world of possibility" if Obama wins tomorrow — but that's where the hard work begins, also warning that as president, there would likely come a time where Obama let even his biggest supporters down. "That is not the time to give up," Bragg said. "That's the time to get on their asses."

Jay-Z coming to NC for Obama

The Obama campaign have just announced that Jay-Z will come to North Carolina this Saturday (Nov. 1) as a part of the get-out-the-vote effort. The two events dubbed "Last Chance For Change Rallies" will be held in Charlotte and Greensboro.

The first event of the day will be in Charlotte at Phillip O. Berry Academy. Doors for this event are at 11:15 AM. The second is in Greensboro at North Carolina A&T University at Memorial Student Union. The lawn for this event opens at 2:30 PM.

Tickets are not required for the events, but an RSVP is encouraged. You can RSVP and get more details about the events here.

Also, don't forget that the NC Rocks For Change event with Superchunk and Billy Bragg among many others will begin at 9 AM at UNC on Saturday. Find more on that event here and here.

It's a shame that all these fun events in North Carolina are coming to an end. It's been fun while it lasted.

[UPDATE: It turns out that the Charlotte Jay-Z event was canceled at the last minute.]

Billy Bragg to play Chapel Hill early voting event

This just in from the Portastatic blog: Billy Bragg will play a set at this Saturday's early voting concert in support of Barack Obama. Just another reason to get your butt up early and head out to Morehead Planetarium.

The concert will start at 9am and go until 1pm. And if you live in Orange County you can early vote on site. And if THAT weren't enough, we hear there will even be free donuts. The concert will take place at Graham Terrace, adjacent to the planetarium.

Here's the full lineup, updated with times:
9am Portastatic
9:30 Regina Hexaphone
9:50 Greg Humphries
10:15 Bowerbirds
10:35 I Was Totally Destroying It
11 Megafaun
11:30 Ivan Rosebud
11:50 Superchunk
12:15pm Billy Bragg

Earlier: dBs, Superchunk, Ivan Howard and more to rally for Obama

James Taylor films Obama promo while in NC

One more quick thing about James Taylor's recent tour of North Carolina for Barack Obama. Taylor took the time to film a quick promo about his home state and its participation in this historic election. The video is backed by an instrumental version of "Carolina In My Mind." Check it out below.

dBs, Superchunk, Ivan Howard and more to rally for Obama

Merge Records announced today that there will two shows in North Carolina before election day to rally support for Barack Obama. The first show is in Asheville at the Grey Eagle on October 28 and the second is in Chapel Hill at Graham Terrace at UNC on November 1.

The schedule for both shows is like a "who's who" of North Carolina bands including Tift Merritt, Superchunk, Bowerbirds, Ivan Howard (of The Rosebuds), The dBs, Megafaun and many more. Check out the full list below. It should be an awesome time.

The Chapel Hill show will mark the second time that Superchunk has rallied for Obama. The first time was during the primary with Arcade Fire. Check out the review and photos from that show.

Asheville tickets are available starting at 10AM on October 23 UNC-Asheville's Zeis Hall. You get a ticket when you early vote and they'll be given away until they're gone. The show at Grey Eagle starts at 8PM.

The Chapel Hill show is outside at Graham Terrace (adjacent to the Morehead Planetarium early voting site) and there are no tickets. The show at UNC will start at 9AM and run to 1PM.

Asheville, October 28 line-up:
The Reigning Sound
Tift Merritt
Chris Stamey (dBs)
Portastatic
Greg Humphreys (of Hobex)
Electric Owls (ex Comas)

Chapel Hill, November 1 line-up:
The dBs
Superchunk (acoustic)
Ivan Rosebud
Megafaun
I Was Totally Destroying It
Bowerbirds
Greg Humphreys
Regina Hexaphone
Portastatic

James Taylor stumps for Obama at UNC

I think I've been to enough campaign events for Barack Obama at this point that I can confidently say when they have an event, they do it right. Last night's James Taylor concert at UNC's Fetzer Field was no exception.

"It's really time for us to get back to work," Taylor told the crowd of several thousand. "I am proud to be among you as a member of your community in supporting Barack Obama."

Taylor urged everyone in attendance to take advantage of early voting across the Triangle to keep lines down on Nov. 4 so people don't get discouraged and go home without casting their ballot. He challenged everyone to find a friend and make them early vote. "Corral 'em. Put a gunny sack around their waist," he said.

If you've never seen James Taylor perform, and I hadn't, you really should go next time he's in town. Not just for his performing ("He sounds just like on his albums!," I heard one student incredulously remark as concertgoers climbed the bleachers after the show.) but also for the comedy act that goes along with his songs.

It's no surprise that as a talented songwriter, Taylor would be a great storyteller too, but the guy is funny! Introducing his song "Sweet Baby James," he told the crowd, "This is a song I wrote driving to North Carolina—in 1903. ... I was abroad for a year—that never sounds right."

He talked about his years with Carole King before singing "You've Got a Friend," saying, "We were sharing a stage, we shared a band — we shared a toothbrush," adding that he'll never forget the first time he heard the song, at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. "Of course I didn't realize I'd be singing it every night for the rest of my life," he said.

When a woman in the bleachers yelled out "I love you!," Taylor replied "I love you too! I think it helps us not to know each other."

Before singing the song "Mexico," he commented "This is a song that usually has a lot of musicians on it. So you'll have to fill them in with your brains."

Not to undermine the cause of the event — to promote support for Barack Obama and Joe Biden — Taylor spoke often about his belief that Obama would bring the change our country needs. He spoke about the late former Gov. Terry Sanford and the creation of RTP, reflecting that he sees the same spirit today in his home state's support of Obama for president. A victory for Obama in North Carolina would mark the first time our state's gone blue since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Set List:
America, the Beautiful
Something In the Way She Moves
Sweet Baby James
You've Got a Friend
Go Obama
Happy Birthday (to an 8-year-old)
Suzanne
Wichita Lineman
(I'm A) Road Runner
Fire and Rain
Carolina In My Mind
---
Mexico
You Can Close Your Eyes
Go Obama



[photos by Kevin Norris]

James Taylor shows for Obama, now with details

We now have the info on those James Taylor shows for Barack Obama next week. I'll keep the chatter sparse and get right to the details, because there's a lot of them.

Here's the schedule:
Sunday, October 19 - Charlotte - Ovens Auditorium - 1:30 PM doors
Sunday, October 19 - Asheville - Martin Luther King Park - 6:30 PM doors
Monday, October 20 - Chapel Hill - Fetzer Field (UNC) - 5:00 PM doors
Tuesday, October 21 - Raleigh - Moore Square - 11:30 AM doors
Tuesday, October 21 - Wilmington - Greenfield Lake Amphitheater - 5:00PM doors

Venue details:
Ovens Auditorium - 2700 E. Independence Ave., Charlotte
Martin Luther King Park - 50 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr., Asheville
Fetzer Field - UNC (behind Carmichael Auditorium on South Road), Chapel Hill
Moore Square - 200 South Blount St., Raleigh
Greenfield Lake Ampitheater - at 3rd St. & Park St., Wilmington

Ticket distribution:

Charlotte tickets available on Friday, October 17 from 11 AM to 7 PM at:

• South County Regional Library - 5801 Rea Rd., Charlotte
• Plaza Midwood Regional Library - 1623 Central Ave., Charlotte
• University City Library - 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte

Asheville tickets available on Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18 from 10 AM to 6 PM at:

• UNC Asheville, Zeis Building - 1 University Heights, Asheville
• West Asheville Library - 942 Haywood Rd., Asheville
• Asheville Senior Opportunity Center - 36 Grove St., Asheville

Chapel Hill tickets available Friday thru Sunday, October 17-19 from 9 AM to 4 PM at:

• UNC Chapel Hill Planetarium - 250 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
• Carrboro Town Commons - 301 W. Main St., Carrboro
• Orange County Public Library - 300 W. Tryon St., Hillsborough

Raleigh tickets available Friday thru Sunday, October 17-19 from 9 AM to 6 PM at:

• Raleigh for Change HQ - 130 E. Morgan St., Raleigh
• Boleyn Heights for Change HQ - 600 St. Mary’s St., Raleigh
• Galaxy Theater - 770 Cary Towne Blvd., Cary (9AM-6PM Sat., 12PM-6PM Fri. & Sun.)

Wilmington tickets available Friday and Monday, October 17 and 20 from 2 PM to 5 PM at:

• Government Center Plaza (Patio of Sombrero Azul) - 127 S College St., Wilmington

James Taylor to span state for Obama

James Taylor's bringing it home — literally — to encourage North Carolina voters to go the polls for Barack Obama on November 4.

The crooner will swing through the state, from Asheville to Wilmington, in a series of free concerts next week, confirms the N&O's David Menconi.

Taylor will stop in Raleigh on Tuesday, Oct. 21, with whispers putting him at Moore Square around noon. We'll bring you details on exact times, locations and any ticket info as we get them, but Obama's NC home page is usually a good place to check for event tickets.

Bands rock for Obama at the Cradle

With the political season getting more intense as November 4 draws closer and closer, local bands are getting involved. Hammer No More the Fingers, Tooth, Kaze and AC Bushnell Mosadi Music will be joined by Washington, D.C., band Caverns for a night music supporting presidential hopeful Barack Obama. The night will feature everything from metal to hip-hop to Americana to experimental music. This diverse bunch of musicians have found common ground in their support for Senator Obama which brings them together for this unique show.

100 percent of the proceeds from the event will go to the Barack Obama campaign fund. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 on the day of the show. Advance tickets are available via etix.com.

Check out mp3s from some of the bands at the bottom of the post.

Arcade Fire/Superchunk played in Carrboro in support of Senator Obama prior to the North Carolina primary. Check out a review and pictures from that show.

As election day draws closer, the Triangle is likely to see more election themed shows since Sentator Obama has declared North Carolina a battleground state.

[A.C. Bushnell is no longer playing, but Mosadi Music has taken his place.]

Hammer No More the Fingers - "O.R.G.Y." (mp3)
Tooth - "Moderate Monster" (mp3)
Caverns - "This Are Syntax" (mp3)

Photos: Arcade Fire & Superchunk in Carrboro [05/02/08]

Arcade Fire


Superchunk

Arcade Fire and Superchunk rally for Obama in Carrboro

Thousands of people gathered this afternoon at Carrboro Town Commons to watch Arcade Fire and Superchunk rock out for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Superchunk started the show with an 11-song set that included "Detroit Has a Skyline." The band played with fervor and intensity of a band who was doing what they love, for a cause they truly believe in. The band had their children watching the show from the side of the stage with headphones to protect their little ears. They came out and jumped up and down on the stage next to bassist Laura Ballance. It was a sight to see.

Arcade Fire took the stage to a roar of fans who had been waiting in the sun for hours to see the band. The band opened with "Keep the Car Running" and rocked through a 9-song set that included a cover of David Bowie's "Heroes." After the song "Haiti," lead singer Win Butler said "George W. Bush policies have been insane to this country (referring to Haiti). I'm so excited about Barack Obama's candidacy. It's about so much more."

After the band left the stage after "Rebellion (Lies)," the crowd didn't budge. The band came back out and started leading a chant of "Yes we can!," one of Barack Obama's slogans. They then launched into "Wake Up" and the crowd sang along with incredible volume.

The band hung out after the show to meet fans, sign autographs, take pictures and encourage everyone to get out and vote. It was definitely the coolest event to take place in the Triangle in a long time.

[Photos]

Arcade Fire setlist

Keep the Car Running
Antichrist Television Blues
Heroes (David Bowie cover)
No Cars Go
Haiti
Intervention
Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out)
Rebellion (Lies)
-----
Wake Up