Kate's Point of View

Last night I went to a Cincinnati Reds baseball game that was followed by … wait for it … a MC Hammer concert. I’ll admit it — I found the whole thing hysterical and gad a fabulous time. Everyone knew the words to his songs and for a guy whose a little past his time (U Can’t Touch This came out in 1990), he still had some moves! There were fireworks after the game, too, and he starts dancing to the beat of the fireworks and did an incredible job at it.

Hard to believe I’d ever 1) be writing a review of an MC Hammer show and 2) be saying it was good!

Wonder Boy and I spent all winter whining away about the lack of good shows coming to Cincinnati. We wondered aloud why we didn’t live in Nashville, Louisville or Chicago. They were drawing all of the great shows.

Then all of a sudden, the flood gates opened and it was like manna falling from the skies!

• May 6: Frightened Rabbit
• May 17: Josh Ritter
• May 28: Switchboard Patty
• May 30: Bad Veins
• June 8: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros
• June 21: Mates of State / Free Energy

That may not seem like much but there is more to come!!!  In July we have a slight musical drought that picks up in August with Crowded House and Josh Ritter and the season will close with Billy Idol and Kings of Leon / The Black Keys. We are very happy.

The discovery this week really was Free Energy. We went to Mates of State as total posers — we knew nothing of their music but went because we trusted the taste of friends we knew going. In the end we thought they were okay. Their guest trumpet player, however, was phenomenal.

Opening for Mates of State of Free Energy. Love. They are a throwback to 70s rock. Think the Rolling Stones meets The Darkness meets Thin Lizzie. Think ridiculous stage presence that surpasses there minimal experience. They have one CD out and if it indicates what they are capable of, I am excited.

Almost as excited as I am for the rest of the concerts this summer!

Last night we had people over for some tasty delights on the grill and some cold beverages. With the assistance of many cold beverages, I was able to brace myself for a street festival. (Note: I hate street festivals. I find them full of tacky, trashy, smelly, sticky people and the food is over-priced and not that good and the whole thing is just uck.) The carrot tempting me down there? A wonderful stage show by Bad Veins, a local up-and-coming band.