scott kannenberg – Modern Mystery

Somehow a whole year passed without me losing my precious Pavement tickets. Though they almost got thrown out twice, they survived. Last night was the first time I have ever seen Pavement live and it was one of the most amazing experiences in my life.

To be honest with you lately for the most part I have been semi-bored with shows. They seem to be lacking something. Pavement is where I found the missing link. One of the greatest things to ever happen in Indie rock is this iconic band reuniting, and you could tell by their smiles on stage, they were not taking the situation for granted.

The fans trickled in slowly mostly after openers Times New Viking took the stage. Understandable. I didn’t even know what was going on with the opening act because I just wanted to see Pavement. The crowd was sprinkled with celebrities (very lightly. also, depending on your perception of celebrity) like Brian Bell of Weezer and the Ace of Cakes crew who was there giving the guys a horse cake. Apparently this will be on a future episode of the show.

The band played around 25 songs, a few less than they played in NYC the night before. The cause of this was the 15 minute break Pavement had to take for the thunder storm. Let me tell you, we got SOAKED, and that is putting it lightly. Though it didn’t stop the crowd or the band from having fun. When you spend a year waiting for a reunion show of the best band ever, you better make sure you see it. Even for a while when you could see Stephen Malkmus from the side of the stage looking up at the sky, it looked like he just wanted to jump back on and play regardless. The band came back on and did an astonishing set that will not be forgotten.

The rumor was in the 1990s that Pavement wasn’t much of a ‘great live act.’ Fast forward to 2010 and they just blew the whole audience away. Tighter and better than ever, especially Bob Nastanovich who could scream without missing a breath. They seemed to love being Pavement again. Thats what matters most, right?

Some of the highlights of the show were “Range Life,” “Stereo,” “Zurich,” “Summer Babe,” “Father to a Sister of Thought,” “Gold Soundz,” “Cut Your Hair,” umm..okay the whole setlist.

Tomorrow I hit up round two of the band at Central Park and I couldn’t be any more excited. Pavement ist rad.

Check out the setlist below and PAVEMENT pictures after the JUMP.

Via Brooklyn Vegan Via Keith G.

With the time difference, it already has begun. Pavement officially played their first reunion show in Auckland, New Zealand’s Town Hall today. Apparently the band was in full form, making the fact that they have reunited even sweeter. Pavement played almost 30 songs (!!!!!) including most of their classics from “Cut Your Hair” to “Range Life.” They also added more dates to their September North Amercian jaunt. Check out the setlist and tour dates below. This is pretty magical folks.

Auckland, New Zealand – Town Hall Setlist
3-1-10

“In the Mouth a Desert”
“Trigger Cut”
“Elevate Me Later”
“Shady Lane”
“Father to a Sister of Thought”
“Rattled by the Rush”
“Perfume-V”
“Summer Babe”
“Kennel District”
“Silence Kit”
“Range Life”
“Unfair”
“Stop Breathin'”
“No Life Singed Her”
“Fight This Generation”
“Date w/ IKEA”
“Box Elder”
“Grounded”
“Gold Soundz”
“The Hexx”
“Give It a Day”
“Cut Your Hair”
“Conduit for Sale!”
“Loretta’s Scars”
“Here”

Pavement Tour Dates

03-04 Sydney, Australia – Enmore Theatre
03-05 Sydney, Australia – Enmore Theatre
03-06 Meredith, Australia – Supernatural Amphitheatre (Golden Plains Festival)
03-07 Adelaide, Australia – Thebarton Theatre
03-08 Perth, Australia – Metro City
03-10 Brisbane, Australia – Tivoli
03-12 Melbourne, Australia – Palace Theatre
03-14 Melbourne, Australia – Palace Theatre
04-07 Tokyo, Japan – Studio Coast
04-08 Tokyo, Japan – Studio Coast
04-10 Osaka, Japan – Zepp Osaka
04-12 Nagoya, Japan – Zepp Nagoya
04-18 Indio, CA – Coachella Festival
05-04 Dublin, Ireland – Tripod
05-05 Glasgow, Scotland – Barrowland
05-07 Paris, France – Le Zénith
05-08 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso
05-10 London, England – Brixton Academy
05-11 London, England – Brixton Academy
05-12 London, England – Brixton Academy
05-13 London, England – Brixton Academy
05-15 Minehead, England – All Tomorrow’s Parties
05-18 Brussels, Belgium – Ancienne Belgique
05-19 Berlin, Germany – Astra
05-20 Prague, Czech Republic – Palac Akropolis
05-21 Vienna, Austria – Arena
05-22 Munich, Germany – Muffathalle
05-24 Rome, Italy – Atlantico Live
05-25 Bologna, Italy – Estragon
05-27 Barcelona, Spain – Primavera Festival
05-30 Quincy, Washington – Sasquatch! Festival
06-19 Toronto, Ontario – Olympic Island
06-25 Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
07-02 Gdynia, Poland – Open’er Festival
07-04 Roskilde, Denmark – Roskilde Festival
07-08 Liege, Belgium – Les Ardentes Festival
07-18 Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
08-12 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-14 Gothenburg, Sweden – Way Out West Festival
09-09 Broomfield, CO – First Bank Center
09-11 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
09-12 St. Paul, MN – Roy Wilkins Auditorium
09-17 Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center for the Performing Arts
09-18 Boston, MA – Agganis Arena
09-21 New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage
09-22 New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage
09-23 New York, NY – Central Park
09-24 New York, NY – Central Park
09-26 Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle