Yesterday afternoon, whoever runs the Old Mill District’s Twitter account tweeted this:
Suggestions began pouring in, ranging from Willie Nelson, Keith Urban and Chris Isaak to Vampire Weekend, Coldplay and Spoon to Yo La Tengo, Thao Nguyen and Sade. So far, Cake has been not only seconded, but thirded! To see them all, click here. (I asked the same question in December and got a bunch of suggestions, too. See them here.)
Anyway, I’ll play. Unlike my column a couple years ago where I tried to predict the lineup, this is more of a wish list … with more than a hint of realism. (I’m not going to pretend, for example, that the Schwab would book a weekend festival featuring Quest for Fire, Shabazz Palaces and Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin as headliners. Although that would be totally rad.)
First, the ultimate dream:
Pavement — As I mentioned here, Pavement’s tour schedule seems to preclude a stop in Bend between festivals in Barcelona and Central Washington, though it looks like they’ll be back on the West Coast in June. Regardless of when it happens, the iconic indie-rock band would be the ultimate “get” this summer, their first on tour in 11 years. I was fortunate enough to see Pavement thrice in 1994 and 1995, and I don’t expect to ever replicate those experiences. But to hear the sweet strains of “Summer Babe” as the Deschutes River gurgles by? A guy can dream, right?
and … opening for Pavement …
The National — These brooding Brooklynites opened for Modest Mouse at the Schwab in 2008 and turned in one of the best performances in Bend that year. They’ve got a new album coming out soon, and a return trip to our fair burg would be amazing. Of course, I’d like to see them in a smaller, indoor place, but since they’re opening for Pavement in Europe, perhaps we can get the same pairing here. Can you imagine? The National and Pavement, live at Les Schwab Amphitheater in Bend? BEYOND EPIC.
Other rock bands that would be sweet:
Modest Mouse — Frankly, I was surprised at how good Isaac Brock and company was at the Schwab in 2008. They commanded a big stage quite nicely and played a set of songs from across the band’s long and prolific career. But it’s been almost three years since their most recent full-length album, and they have no tour dates scheduled (that I can find), so I suspect the Mouse will spend much of 2010 in the studio. Hey … maybe they’ll do one of those tours where they play a classic album front-to-back, choose to play “The Lonesome Crowded West” and stop in Bend? A guy can dream, right? (That’s the last time I’ll do that.)
Foo Fighters or Them Crooked Vultures — This one is tough. I think the Foos might be too big for the Schwab, and I wonder if the Vultures are well-known enough to play there. Still, a guy can dre … wait, never mind. Either would be awesome and would bring a heavy dose of rock to Bend’s summer, plus rock ‘n’ roll’s coolest dude, Dave Grohl.
Pearl Jam — Seattle’s (still alive) finest are right up Bend’s alley: They rock, they’re real, they remind us of the good ol’ days. They also put out an album last year that was their best work in 15 years. Personally, I believe Pearl Jam would draw an enormous crowd in Bend, and they’d have a good time while they’re here, enjoying our nature and whatnot. Ed Vedder seems like the going-fishing-on-his-day-off type, don’t you think?
Tom Petty — In the comments on this post, a couple people mentioned rock ‘n’ roll’s venerable American boy, and I have to say, that’s a great call. Petty’s a longtime hit machine, but not too huge, like Springsteen huge, i.e. too big for the Schwab. I also think he’d play very well with Central Oregon’s working-class folks. Plus, he’s never been here (as far as I know), so people will be stoked to see him as opposed to some of the other acts that come every two years. Yeah … Petty. Cool.
Arcade Fire — An album is rumored for May, and with the right kind of push, this critically adored Canadian group could be headlining amphitheaters this summer. Might need to package them with a couple other buzzy bands to make it work. May I suggest fellow countrymen The New Pornographers (also with a new album out in May) and Japandroids? Call it the “Rocking Night from Canada” tour. I JUST BLEW MY OWN MIND.
A few for the twang-lovers:
Brad Paisley — I know, I sound like a broken record. Enough with the Brad Paisley love, right? It’s just that the guy stands head and shoulders above the vast majority of the country genre in terms of commercial and artistic success. In other words, he sells tons of records and he can play and sing and he’s cool. I’m not against past performers Sugarland and Brooks & Dunn, or even Urban, but Paisley would be a huge score for the Schwab. He’s also touring with Miranda Lambert right now, so as long as we’re dreaming …
The Avett Brothers — These North Carolina pop-punk-grassers probably aren’t big enough to headline the amphitheater. Then again, I wouldn’t have predicted they’d be as big as they are right now when they were playing a free show at McMenamins Old St. Francis just two years ago. (Still my biggest show-skipping regret in Bend.) But these guys have it all — songs, chops, looks — so there’s no reason they couldn’t do just fine in a town that loves rootsy rock bands. Pair ‘em with another rising name — Blitzen Trapper, maybe? — and maybe it’s viable.
Carrie Underwood — Don’t laugh. This “American Idol” alumnus has become one of the most consistent and respectable country stars around. Her current tour schedule has her floating around the Northwest in late May, so perhaps a visit to Bend’s ticket-devouring country fans is in order.
Some picks from the world of pop / soul / R&B:
Maxwell — The quietest, classiest superstar soul singer going, a Maxwell concert at the Schwab would be positively luscious, and it would provide Bend’s summer schedule with a much-needed hit of urban cool. Seriously, we get enough Willie and Merle and Korn and Ween and other white guys with guitars … how about bringing some groove to the rural half of Oregon? Sign up Raphael Saadiq as an opener and you’ve got one hell of a sexy bill. Ladies would swoon from Spokane to Reno.
Kelly Clarkson — The first “American Idol” is touring overseas this spring, and by summer, she’ll be more than a year removed from the release of her most recent album, so maybe it’ll be time to hit some secondary markets. As with Underwood, you can giggle at me if you want, but Clarkson has a whole bunch of catchy hits under her belt, and I’d go see her in a heartbeat. It’d be worth the ticket price just to hear “Since U Been Gone”!
Easy listening, baby:
The Swell Season (with Josh Ritter) — The couple from the film “Once” would be a perfect fit for that classic Bend crowd of NPR types who go and see Pink Martini every other year. Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova are masters of understated but hauntingly memorable pop songs. Bonus: Idahoan Josh Ritter — he of the best album of 2007 — is opening their European dates. No reason he shouldn’t open some U.S. dates as well!
Michael Buble — I honestly don’t know much about this guy, but I saw him on “Saturday Night Live” last weekend and he seemed kind of cool. Another good choice for the NPR set.
Not-so-easy listening, baby:
Mastodon — Not sure they’re ready to jump to amphitheaters, but how cool would it be to hear their thunderous metal echoing down the Deschutes River canyon? If the Schwab thought they got noise complaints before …
Alright, I could go on forever — Radiohead! Norah Jones! John Mayer! Flaming Lips! — but that’s a decent list. I know I asked before, but maybe you missed that one, or maybe I’ve jogged your memory. Either way, leave a comment and tell me who you’d like to see at the Schwab this summer. I’ll forward it to the Old Mill District. Or, if you’re on Twitter, send your suggestions to @oldmilldistrict.
Tags: Les Schwab Amphitheater
I think OAR would be fantastic!!!So would Dave matthews, but thats real wishful thinking!
Ol’ Dave might’ve made my list, Jackie. Not that I’m dying to see him, but it certainly would be a good “get” for the Schwab. Plus, I saw him on the Grammys Sunday night and didn’t hate it.
But he’s doing three nights at The Gorge in Central Washington in September, so I didn’t include him. Anyone from Bend that wants to see him will go up there.
These are as much selfish choices as realistic choices, but there you go;
The Beastie Boys; not too long ago might have been too big for the area; their profile has gone down a little bit and I can imagine them thinking a show here would be fun.
R.E.M.; Yeah, I posted about how little I care for their recent work, but I would still dig the chance to see them.
Leonard Cohen; he still tours, and from what I hear is still great; kind of a cult artist, but if he was one of those “only Oregon show this summer” shows, he has a pretty good west coast following, I think we’d get enough Oregonians willing to truck over to Bend.
Bob Dylan; I’ve no excuse (were ticket prices for him really bad?) for not catching him when he played Bend before; The Melvins are probably my favorite band, but Dylan’s Blood on the Tracks is my one favorite album made any time by anyone. I’m not too up on his current stuff although I liked Love & Theft quite a lot.
Cyndi Lauper; Just because she’s awesome. She’s So Unusual was such a terrific pop album.
And, I’m gonna explain myself on this one because someone’s probably going to want to laugh. Now, like many other youths who started out as metalheads I decided I was above the genre when I discovered punk rock and alternative. In recent years, I’ve become more open minded about enjoying whatever I feel like and in this interest have discovered that Judas Priest is still a whole lot of fun. Judas Priest. Think about it. When you’re done chuckling at me, go youtube You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ and Screaming For Vengeance then tell me a Judas Priest show doesn’t sound like an absolute hoot. Betcha can’t do it. JP is still beloved among the metal folk, and as far as alternadork/punk/indie/hipster types go who would have to admit that a Judas Priest show sounds like a great time , I don’t beileve for a moment that I’m the only one.
Forget the twang. There is way too much twang in Bend already. As a former Seattleite, I am of course partial to Foo Fighters and Pearl Jam. I would buy a ticket for that. But mostly I would like to see something NEW. Summer tours especially seem to be based on tried and true audience draws. I get the economics, but wouldn’t it be nice if there were a way to combine a cool summer venue like the Schwab with discovery rather than known draws?
Chris Isaak! He puts on a great concert. He is very entertaining and funny. Love his voice!
Tim O’Brien is fantastic. Jackson Browne would be a great draw also. I saw him a few years ago on a triple bill with Steve Earle and Keb M, and I would boy tickets to see any of them. Of course there is Crosby, Stills and Nash (and/or Neil Young), who are getting a little long in the tooth, but still put on a great show and do the ampitheater shows like no one else.
PLEASE PUT AT THE VERY TOP OF THE WISH LIST : MICHAEL BUBLE …YES ,YES AND YES !! CARRIE UNDERWOOD OF COURSE AND ALSO KELLY CLARKSON ! THEY ARE ALL WONDERFUL, AND REAL TALENTS AND A REAL PLUS…GOOD ROLE MODELS !
Neil Young
The Be Good Tanyas
Tom Petty
Greg Brown
Dolly Parton
Bon Iver
Arcade Fire
Slash
He’s releasing a solo album in April & will be touring to support it. The LSA would be perfect!!!
Soundgarden
The Dandy Warhols
im thinking Brad Paisley would be a good show….would Kenny Chesney be too big
Gov’t Mule
Dream Theater
King’s X
Jan and Bob would like to see: Crosby, Stills and Nash. America, Steve Miller Band, Moody Blues Band. Firefall, Bob Dylan, John Forgerty, John Melloncamp and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
And Bjork. I knew I was forgetting someone. I’d love to see her and I can imagine her being a good fit for the venue.
Lifehouse would be good too. Kings of leon would be some good listening, different, sorta newish.