mission freak!

A dispatch from intrepid reporter Sam Edsill:

It’s a good thing I’m done with work for the remainder of the festival. As a post-graduate twenty-something two years into the 9-5 working world, the one-two punch of late nights and early mornings hits a little harder than it used to be. But as some will suffer for fashion, I’ll endure all kinds of crazy fatigue in the name of music.

Last night’s adventures began practically the instant I hit “Send” on yesterday’s post. My friends and I crammed into my Civic and bolted for the interstate, hell-bent on arriving in Davenport with time to grab dinner. We settled on a place called Mac’s Tavern, based firstly on its proximity to the Capitol Theater (they share a wall), secondly having Pac-Man as the “C” on its sign, and thirdly on being less ridiculous than the alternative pub, Shenanigan’s.

By the way, I highly recommend Mac’s. The burgers are tasty, and priced at a buck and a quarter, they’re more than a little cheaper than what you’ll find in Iowa City. And since the Capitol sells cheap domestic beer in plastic cups, you can drink a decent beverage (or two) there before show time.

We made our way into the venue with time to peruse the merch table and grab a drink before finding a place to sit. For those who have never been, the Capitol Theatre is a swanky place: think 2500 plush seats, a balcony, a massive domed ceiling, and box seats you’d swear were reserved for those cranky old guys from The Muppet Show (You know you watched it). With the seating, it’s ideal for relaxing and enjoying a musical performance, but not so great for crowding the stage and rocking out, unless you like getting crammed in the aisles.

Before I go any further, I want to give a huge thanks to the guys at Daytrotter.com, who put Thursday’s show together and graciously let Mission Creek tack its name on the bill. Great write-ups + free session downloads + sweet artwork = awesome. Top marks.

White Rabbits

Featuring six guys, two drum kits, and dual vocalists, the White Rabbits might make you think you’re watching two bands perform the same song simultaneously. Which, considering the sextet’s meticulous coordination, is a pretty awesome thing to behold. The Rabbits might have put on the best show out of all three bands had I not been a Spoon fan already (though an admittedly unlearned one, evidenced by my disappointment at their – two – encores’ omission of “The Way We Get By.”) They offered something new, and while none of the performers on stage that night seemed to let go and really enjoy themselves, I can chalk that one up to the theater setting and the fact that more than half of them were New Yorkers.

The Walkmen

Lead singer Hamilton Leithauser loves to tilt his head to the ceiling and scream the high notes. That looks pretty cool, especially when he’s doing it in a black three-piece suit. But in spite of The Walkmen’s bravado and obvious musical prowess, I was left a little unsatisfied. All of their songs seemed to peter out (as my friend Allison put it, “like a sausage that’s not tied off at the end”). Even their set trailed off, with Leithauser giving a wave and a “thankyouverymuch” as the last chords lingered in the air.

Spoon rocked it, though I spent the entire night wishing we were in some dark bar, with no smoke machines or light shows or theater seating to distract us from the music.