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The Red & Black | Thursday, June 15, 2006 | 9
Beck takes stage with puppets
By ALEC WOODEN
For The Red & Black
LEIGH AUERBACH | The Red & Black
A Beck performed two sold-out shows at the Georgia
Theatre Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Expecting the unexpected
is often a good rule of thumb
when Beck, pop music’s
genre-bending journeyman,
takes the stage, and the king
of eclectic did not disappoint
his capacity crowd.
The frenzied fans began to
gather early in anticipation of
what many believed would be
the most energized and
entertaining show to grace
the historic halls of the
Theatre in recent memory.
Inside the venue, Beck’s
stage setup was a clear sign
of things to come, with
countless instruments of all
kinds crammed into the
small space. These would be
occupied throughout the
night by Beck’s professional
and tight backup band,
whose members proved
multi-talented by switching
instruments in some form on
almost every song in the set.
The evening began
promisingly, as British
Renaissance man Jamie
Lidell warmed up the rowdy
crowd with his solo DJ/elec-
tronica style that was well
received. He mixed genres
ranging from lyrical hip-hop
to classic American Motown
and soul.
Beck and company, clad in
matching white shirts and
black ties, then took the
stage with six unexpected
guests — detailed mari
onettes of each band mem
ber that mimicked their
every move in a red draped
miniature puppetry box at
the rear of the stage. The
puppets’ show within the
show was broadcast onto a
large screen housed behind
the band, dubbed “The
Puppetron” by Beck.
The tone was set early for
the kind of party the evening
proved to be, as the band
and its puppets opened with
the upbeat classic “Devils
Haircut” from Beck’s double
platinum release “Odelay.”
The group segued into more
funky crowd pleasers from its
latest album, “Guero” that
kept the crowd in a non-stop
dancing frenzy.
The highlight of the
evening, however, came as
Beck strapped on his
acoustic guitar and played a
more intimate set of songs,
complete with harmonica
stylings and even one crowd
request.
Capped off by “Guess I’m
Doing Fine,” from his mellow
2002 release “Sea Change,”
this laid-back stint served as
the calm between storms of
the otherwise non-stop party
the full band hosted for the
majority of the evening.
Regaining the momentum
after the mellow songs was
sure to be a challenge, and
the band proved up to the
task. They re-energized the
crowd with favorites like
“Debra” and closed down the
main set with an earth-shak
ing version of “Where It’s At”
that had the sold-out crowd
screaming lyrics and jumping
rhythmically under Beck’s
direction.
During the band’s short
set break, the crowd was
treated to a video of the pup
pet version of the band at
various landmarks around
downtown Athens. Group
shots at the Arch, downtown
stores and other places on
North Campus kept the
crowd rolling with laughter
until the band retook the
stage for an encore to end
the night with an energized
version of “E-Pro,” another
funky number from “Guero.”
The only negative vibes
from the evening came on
account of what some per
ceived to be a very short 90
minute set.
“At $40 for a ticket, you
should be able to see more
than that,” said Aaron Guest,
a junior from Gainesville
College.
However, he felt that last
night’s show was not a let
down.
A Sign of Change?
With Beck’s show behind
us, it begs the question of
why some people see Athens
slipping from its “A-list” sta
tus of attracting national
acts.
Local music fans are hope
ful that this show is just the
beginning of things to come.
“It certainly seems like
we’ve had less good national
acts,” commented Athens
resident and University grad
uate Nick de Santos.
Others agree that there
are fewer big acts, but see it
as a positive charm of the
Athens scene.
“Athens is getting the A-
list’ shows before they truly
become A-list shows,” com
mented Reeves Hewlett, a
Senior from Richmond.
Athens resident Gene
Lush agreed, saying, “You
can find people here that
aren’t as big yet. That’s the
beauty of it all.”
Some don’t seem to notice
a change in the national acts
coming to Athens.
“I don’t really think our
acts have dropped off. When
someone like Beck comes to
town, it’s a big deal, and it
makes it seem like there has
n’t been enough acts of that
caliber,” said Chris Hassiotis,
music editor of Flagpole
Magazine.
Regardless of the local
sentiments, Wil Greene,
owner of the Georgia
Theatre, has no immediate
plans to change his venue’s
booking habits.
“If people say there are
not big acts coming through
here, I’d say they are not
paying very close attention,”
said Greene, adding that
April was “one of the biggest
months in Theatre history by
far.”
“This show was no differ
ent than any other act.
Booking shows is always a
gamble, and I do what I
think is going to sell tickets,”
said Greene.
But have no fear, Athenian
concert-goers. The future of
the Georgia Theatre is in
good hands.
When asked about his
future plans for the Theatre,
Greene said his goal is to
simply “keep making it bet
ter and better and better.”
LISTINGS
THURSDAY
>- Who’s Bad
Georgia Theatre. 9 p.m. $10
> Social Burn, Sounds of Silence
and Copper
40 Watt Club. 9 p.m. $6
>- Taking Lottie Home, Five Finger
Discount, Farewell Flight, A Modern
Society
Tasty World (downstairs). 10 p.m. $5
> Another Fiasco
Tasty World (upstairs). 10 p.m. $5
>- Timber, Kilroy, Captain 1
Caledonia Lounge. 10 p.m. $5
>- No River City, Soda Jerk
Flicker. 8:30 p.m.
>- Mighty McFly
Wild Wing Cafe. 10 p.m.
>- Renegade Sound System (311
tribute), Morgan and Bell
DTs. 10 p.m.
>- Battle of the Bands: Greyson Hill,
With The Sun, Wesley Cook
Last Call. 9 p.m.
FRIDAY
> Zac Brown, Eric Dodd
Georgia Theatre. 9 p.m. $12
>- Veteran
40 Watt. Doors at 10 p.m. $5
>- Electric Eel Shock, Brown Frown,
Community Chaos, Severed Hand
Tasty World (downstairs). 10 p.m. $8
> Ishues, Badkat, DJ Killacut, Big
Earl
Caledonia Lounge. Doors at 10 p.m.
$5
>- Duhks
Melting Point. 8 p.m. $12
>- Sabo and the Scorchers
Wild Wing Cafe. 10 p.m.
>- Jumping Jesus Christers, JJ Maj
and the Unpolished Brass
DTs. 10 p.m.
>- Dueling Pianos, Nelo
Last Call. 10 p.m.
>- Commander Chameleon (CD
release party), Polemic, Engine
Number 9
Nuci Space. 10 p.m. $5
SATURDAY
>- Carla La Fever and the Rays, As
You Wish, Todd McBride, Betsy
Franck and the Bare Knuckle Band,
Chris Moore.
Blind Pig Tavern’s Fifth Anniversary. 4
p.m.
>- DJ Mahogany, DJ Epic, DJ Roux
40 Watt. 10 p.m. $5
>- Wesley Cook, Maggie Smith,
David Zachary
Tasty World (downstairs). 6 to 8:30
p.m. $5
► Rhabdophobic, Kill Gordon,
Russian Spy Camera
Tasty World (downstairs). 10 p.m. $5
► USSR, Summer Birds in the
Cellar, Hildegarde
Caledonia Lounge. Doors at 10 p.m.
$5
>- Casper, The Cookies
Flicker. 8:30 p.m.
>- Clay Leverett
Melting Point. 9 p.m.
>- Full Moon Fever
Wild Wing Cafe. 10 p.m.
>- Cinged with Free Lunch
DTs. 10 p.m.
► Brett Schieber
Hot Corner Coffee.
>- Salsa Night
Tasty World (upstairs).
► Lei Night and $2 Pints
Last Call. Each guy gets a lei, girl who
snags the most leis wins $100.
SUNDAY
>- Team Trivia
Wild Wing Cafe. 8 p.m.
>- Team Trivia
Amici's. 9 p.m.
*3
Thursday
7 C Beer
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Reg. $5.75 Daily Specials
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MONDAY
>- The Samples, Big 10-4
Tasty World (downstairs). 9 p.m. $10
>- Sherm’s Wings and Sings
Tasty World (upstairs). 10 p.m. $5
> Team Trivia
Taco Stand. 9 p.m.
> Bingo & Beer
Broad St. Bar and Grill. 8 p.m.
>- Texas Hold Em
DT’s Down Under. 10 p.m.
>- Texas Hold Em
Red Rooster. 6 and 8 p.m.
>- National Pub Poker Night
Wild Wing Cafe. 7 and 10 p.m.
TUESDAY
>- Ryan Monbleu Band
Tasty World (downstairs). 10 p.m. $5
> Open Mic Night
DT’s Down Under.
>- Extreme Entertainment Karaoke
Wild Wing Cafe. 10 p.m.
> Karaoke
Walker’s Pub (downstairs). 10 p.m.
>- Trivia with Trivia Joe
Locos on Harris St. 8:30 p.m.
>- Texas Hold Em
Jigsy’s. 8 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
►Tilly and the Wall, Dave Dondero,
The Late BP, Helium, Madaline
Caledonia Lounge. 9 p.m. $7
► Still Small Voice and the Joyful
Noise, Matthew Pop
Tasty World (downstairs). 10 p.m. $5
>- Milligan Acoustic
Wild Wing Cafe. 9 p.m.
► Mother’s Finest
Melting Point. 8 p.m. $20 adv. tickets
>- Open Jam/Drum Circle
DTs Down Under. BYO[instrument],
► Virtual Comedy Heroes
Georgia Theatre. 10 p.m. $10
>- Texas Hold Em
Red Rooster. 6 and 8 p.m.
>- Trivia with Flood City Joe
Jigsy’s. 8 p.m.
>- Trivia
Blind Pig Tavern. 9 p.m.
>- Sprockets Film Festival
40 Watt.
MOVIES
(All times for 6/16-6/22)
► BEECHWOOD 11
Break Up, The (PG-13) 1:45, 4:30,
7:25, 9:50
Cars (G) 12:00,1:30,2:45,4:15,
5:30,7:00,8:15,9:45
Da Vinci Code, The (PG-13) 9:30
Lake House (PG) 12:35, 2:55, 5:15,
7:35,10:00
Nacho Libre (PG) 12:25, 2:45, 5:05,
7:30, 9:50
Omen, The (R) 2:00, 4:45, 7:20, 9:55
Over the Hedge (PG) 12:15,2:30,
5:00, 7:30
Prairie Home Companion (PG-13)
2:10,4:35,7:15,10:00
X-Men: The Last Stand (PG-13)
1:30,4:15,7:10,9:45
>- CARMIKE 12 CINEMAS
Break Up, The (PG-13) 12:00,2:30,
5:00, 7:30,10:00
Cars (G) 12:00,12:30, 2:20, 2:50,
4:40,5:10,7:00,7:30,9:30,9:50
Da Vinci Code, The (PG-13) 1:00,
4:15, 7:30
The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo
Drift (PG-13) 12:30, 2:55, 5:20, 7:45,
10:10
Garfield: A Tale of Two Kitties (PG)
12:35,2:40,4:45,7:00,9:20
Lake House (PG) 12:40,3:00,5:15,
7:30, 9:50
Mission: Impossible III (PG-13)
1:00,4:00,7:00,9:40
Nacho Libre (PG) 12:50, 3:10, 5:20,
7:40,10:00
Omen, The (R) 1:00,4:00,7:00,9:40
Over the Hedge (PG) 12:30,2:30,
4:30, 7:00, 9:00
X-Men: The Last Stand (PG-13)
12:00,2:30,5:00,7:30, 10:00
> GEORGIA SQUARE 5 CINEMAS
Benchwarmers, The (PG-13) 1:05,
3:10,5:15,7:20,9:25
Failure to Launch (PG-13) 1:00,
3:15,5:30,7:45,10:00
Ice Age 2: The Meltdown (PG)
12:45,2:15,3:00,4:30,5:15,6:45,
7:30, 9:00, 9:45
Silent Hill (R) 7:00, 9:40
> HIGHWAY 17 THEATRES
Open at 8 p.m., shows start at dark
around 8:45 p.m.
Screen 1: Over the Hedge
Screen 2: X-Men
Screen 3: Garfield
ATLANTA
>- Center Stage
Monday: Sonic Youth. 8 p.m. $25
> The Loft
Friday: Tim Brantley (CD release
party), Modern Skirts, YOU, The
Modern Society. 8 p.m. $10
Monday: Atmosphere. 9 p.m. $18
>- Chastain Park Amphitheatre
Friday: Los Lonely Boys. 7:30 p.m.
$27.84
Wednesday: B.B. King, Neville
Brothers, Dr. John. 7 p.m. $34.32
>- The Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre
Friday: Morningwood. 8 p.m.
Saturday: Subdudes. 8 p.m.
Tuesday: Echo and the Bunnymen. 8
p.m.
>- The Masquerade
*Door times and advanced prices listed
Thursday: Frequence. (Heaven). 7
p.m. $6
Friday: Fled North (Heaven). 7 p.m.
$6. We Are Only Fiction (Hell). 7 p.m.
$6
Saturday: Further Seems Forever
(final show ever) (Heaven). 7 p.m. $10
Monday: Long After (Hell). 7 p.m. $6
Tuesday: Murder By Death (Hell). 7
p.m. $12
Wednesday: Mindless Self
Indulgence. 6:30 p.m. $20
>- The Tabernacle
Thursday: Beck. 8 p.m. SOLD OUT
Friday: Jim Gaffigan. 7:30 p.m. $34.75
Saturday-Monday: Dave Chappelle.
10:30 p.m. $65
Tuesday: Panic! At the Disco. 7:30
p.m. $18
All listings subject to change.
Got a listing you’d like to see in the
paper? Contact PT Umphress at
pumphress@randb.com by Tuesday
and provide the following information:
name of the event, venue name,
starting time and date, admission
price and a short event synopsis.
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