Above: Whispertown 2000. Check it out.
Well, Jacksonville got it half right last night. A good crowd showed up for Christina Wagner/Maria Taylor. Unfortunately, three-quarters of the crowd left outright as soon as Christina Wagner got off stage. I have mixed emotions on it. I am absolutely enthused that Christina Wagner has such good support in Jacksonville. I saw her years ago and I feel like she has some of the most intense potential to explode. I want her to succeed incredibly. On the downside, we had these fans–who I assume paid the same $13 as me–leave and miss two-thirds of a fantastic show. Ticket price notwithstanding, I was just personally hoping that more people would have stayed. It turned out to be a musical experience I’m used to in this town…fantastic music, with basically me and the other bands only as the audience.
Now, to be fair to Jacksonville, I’ve experienced the same weeknight vacancies in other cities. For some reason, it just feels acutely painful, when there is a small group of enthusiastic people that seem to miss the boat. On a separate note, Jackrabbits needs to figure out some business model to reduce prices, or at the very least advertise them appropriately. The last two shows I’ve been to have had one price listed on their website, and a higher price at the door. (and, for all I know, a third-tier, even higher price if you’re under 21). So every time I go, I end up with sticker shock and awe.
So, the actual performances. Christina Wagner never disappoints me. Either she’s a fantastic actress or every time she sings she gets completely, emotionally wrapped up in the music and lyrics. She always seems consumed, or tranced. It’s powerful enough to make you forget what’s going on, and get a little consumed yourself. Whispertown 2000 proved to be one of those bands that it takes a little while to get. I don’t necessarily dig everything they do, but I appreciate it much more after hearing them a second-time round. I plan on purchasing some of their music and giving it a further listen. I wasn’t really that interested in seeing them again, but they produced some highlights that I wasn’t expecting. When they crank it up into a full electric circus, I’m enthralled. I’d love to hear more of that. It kind of feels like Jack White on peyote with a “big muff” that’s been jail-broken. I love it.
Maria Taylor, of course, moved me into submission. This time, it had a wax/wane effect on me. In the show Saturday, the slow parts felt like they lacked movement and motivation. This time around, those very same slow moments felt like the preface or preamble to what was coming. they provided me appropriate time to reflect on my artistic state and impose her thoughts into my own situations. Ok, that sounds trite, but really, that’s the most you can ask of music. I could be more critical about things, but I’m just in a damn good mood, so I’ll keep the criticism to Jacksonville itself and the people in it, not the musicians I love. I think it’s a fair trade.
Filed under: music, christina wagner, Jackrabbits, Jacksonville, maria taylor, music, whispertown 2000
