Category Archives: Santa Ana

Concert Review: Brian Fallon and Jonny Two Bags at the Observatory on Feb. 17, 2016

Atmosphere is important. And not just for breathing or being alive. In fact, I would go so far as to say that atmosphere has the power to make or break a concert-going experience. And as of February 17th, I get the feeling that Brian Fallon of the popular punk/folk/indie/heartland rock band, The Gaslight Anthem, would kindly nod in agreement with me on that. And that is, of course, because the whole experience played like an exercise in aesthetic adequacy.

I bring this up in view of the fact that I don’t find his music, nor that of the opener, Jonny Two Bags, particularly interesting or appealing. And yet there was undeniably some kind of intrigue acting upon me as I stood, sat, and lounged at the Observatory this past Wednesday night. I’ve since concluded that this intrigue of which I speak has to do with the fact that while the music of these bands neither reinvents the wheel, nor uses the old one especially well, the attention to sound mixing, lighting, song structure, and stage presence still made me feel excited to be alive. Which is all I ask from a concert, really. Continue reading→