Across Five April Concerts: Old 97's and Teddy Thompson

Mrs. PastaWall and I are taking in five shows this month. Yes, five. I will remember these fondly when I run out of retirement funds at age 66.

Show Number One will be hard to top. After a great steak dinner at St. Elmo's Steak House in downtown Indianapolis, we headed to the Broad Ripple district of northern Indy, just east of Butler University, to hear Dallas' Old 97's and London's Teddy Thompson.

Old 97's

In just over 90 minutes, Rhett Miller and Co. delivered a fast-paced, furious 28-song set that blew away everyone inside The Vogue. Opening with the title track from their latest, Grande Theatre, Vol. 1 (a second volume drops in July), Old 97's let the music do the talking. After all, as bassist Murry Hammond remarked, "It's a school night. . . less talk, more rock!" 

And they did. I admit I've arrived late to the Old 97's party and don't have as much knowledge of their back catalog as I should, but I haven't seen a show with such unbridled energy in years. "Here's to the Halcyon", "A State of Texas", "Mama Tried", "Champaign, Illinois", and "Every Night is Friday Night" simply rocked. Here's hoping they hit Michigan in the near future.

more after the jump. . . 

Teddy Thompson

Opener Teddy Thompson, son of Richard and Linda, with steady guitar and soaring tenor voice (think Chris Isaak), played a strong set of songs from his latest, "Bella" (buy it if you haven't already). Thompson delivered a headlining-quality performance, and was kind enough to autograph Mrs. PastaWall's copy of his CD after her husband "stalked" him outside the loo. What I do for my wife. 

Later this week, two shows at Calvin College for their bi-annual Festival of Faith and Music. Matisyahu Thursday, followed by The Civil Wars on Friday. Good times.