The Dirty Feathers, Elsinore dominate New Year’s Eve
2011 came to a close Saturday, concluding another great year in the Champaign-Urbana 
music scene. Prior to this show I had only heard stories about New Year’s Eve shows in Champaign through word of mouth, so experiencing this bill of The Dirty Feathers, Elsinore and Temple of Low Men firsthand was something worth remembering. It closed the book on the year with a swagger that could only be emphasized by covering classic tunes from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. I can’t think of a much better time to shoot for the stars than on New Year’s Eve.
Without question, these groups have made their mark on what continues to be a flourishing music scene in CU. Oftentimes their sets are more memorable than the national touring acts they open for (Saturday at Pygmalion is a prime example). The Dirty Feathers and Elsinore both had successful years: The Dirty Feathers releasing their debut LP Midnight Snakes that received some good attention from us, as well as the folks over at NPR, and Elsinore following up their debut with an excellent EP.
Most bands could pull off a standard set of their own material, and expand on what new material they have been writing and playing in their practice space. Making sure the live set is fresh and exciting is always a plus, and to pull off new songs, as well as great covers, is an impressive feat. Both groups pulled out all the stops with making this New Year's Eve memorable.
The Dirty Feathers performed an excellent rendition of The Rolling Stones’ “Monkey Man” and classic “Jumpin’ Jack Flash;” the performances included Shipwreck’s John Owen on guitar and local "legend" Aaron Davidson on vocals. Dave Pride of Elsinore even made an appearance, playing a solid tambourine in a few of the songs. These stage antics, that have become a staple of what makes The Dirty Feathers' live show so great, are both impressive and comical at times. Not to mention, Elsinore pulled off a Beatles medley of “Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/“The End” off of Abbey Road. These parts of the live show are not surprising to see anymore, but are always impressive.
Naturally, as with most other NYE celebrations, came the standard toasts with champagne, the countdown to midnight, and balloons to ring in the New Year. While good local music can be overlooked or taken for granted throughout the year, these types of shows are something special. Although I could not be two places at once on Saturday, surely between this show and the New Ruins show at Mike 'N' Molly’s, the community could celebrate another year in music to take pride in.
After it was all said and done, all three bands on the bill laid everything out on the stage and definitely gave people a reason to celebrate 2011 and to look forward to 2012.
3 comments
Not a word about the Temple set?
Yeah, bit of a head-scratcher there.
D K
The ToLM set was great, I’m excited to see their Cover Up set. It did start a little early I suppose (930ish) for some. I think the scheduling was a bit wonky personally. Elsinore ended around 11:58 to toast the New Year, then it was DJ muzak until 12:30 when Feathers started.
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Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
That article almost looks like something out of The Onion
Thanks! I’m looking forward to writing even more….
Yay! Love this! Welcome to the family!
that last photo’s a doozie, Chris. good work.
that city center house show was one of those life-affirming things.
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“Smile Politely sports writer announces candidacy for city government.”
I also got to visit Big Grove Tavern during the soft open and definitely enjoyed the pork belly the most of all the dishes I sampled. The cheesy grits and the vinegary pickled vegetables were a perfect compliment to the rich pork belly.
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
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represent, Matt.