"With so many ways to communicate at our disposal, we must not forget the transformative power of a live music experience and genuine human exchange."
— Jon Batiste
I haven't had much Nature content to report on lately, but Sue and I did get out snowshoeing last weekend, taking advantage of another fresh snowfall and the return of real winter temps. We also caught a band Sue's really into — Thievery Corporation — a group I didn't even know existed before meeting her but have come to appreciate. Live music is always a win for me, in just about any genre… except country western! Despite my dislike of the genre, I have to admit that country bands often have some of the most skilled guitarists out there.
City of the Sun opened for them — an energetic surprise, since I hadn't heard them before. Their mostly instrumental sound blends acoustic post-rock, flamenco, folk, and a bit of jazz, built around fast, percussive guitar work and big dynamic swells — rhythmic, and immersive, like being pulled into a mood than listening for lyrics.
Thievery Corporation records and tours with several different singers, and each one gives the music a different feel. One singer might bring a reggae vibe, another might sound more like bossa nova, and another might add a hip-hop style. They switch singers throughout the show, so every song has its own mood, but the steady electronic and dub beat underneath keeps everything tight.
As 11 p.m. approached, their main set wrapped up, and even though it was a great show, we were already fading, so we headed out and skipped the encore. Sue said I was rather wobbly — could have been the hour, or it might have been Four Roses, so she drove!
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell