Photos/Review: ATP I'll Be Your Mirror (London, UK) Day Two

Mark Arm of Mudhoney

All Tomorrow's Parties I'll Be Your Mirror (London UK) Day Two - May 26, 2012
Photos/Review: Rhona "Wiglet Bill" Aquilina

Arriving at London’s Alexandra Palace for day two of IBYM 2012, it is immediately apparent that it is much quieter than day one. Obviously there aren’t many things louder than Slayer yesterday, but there are many fewer people around today. As I gaze at the time card for today’s shows I notice that the Great Hall where Melvins, Sleep and Slayer played yesterday isn’t being used today. Rather, yesterday’s ‘B venue’ The West Hall is now the main stage and a second stage has been set up in the Panorama Room.
As there is a small wait before the bands begin, we decided to locate the Panorama Room since we had no idea where it was. When we found the room we were relieved that no one we really wanted to see was playing in there. The clue is most definitely in the title “Panorama Room”: It was a long narrow room, with one long side made up almost entirely of windows, looking out over the park. Whilst it was a lovely view, it was incredibly bright in there, especially since London was undergoing a heat-wave.

We left the Panorama room and crossed over into West Hall to check out Umberto, billed as ‘horror score creep-scapes for the digital age’. I must admit it didn’t float my boat, perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood. Aware that there were extra curricular activities to be enjoyed in the park we decided to take a look at the boating lake (which was lovely) and vowed to return for Floor.

Photos/Review: Chavez @ Bowery Ballroom

Chavez @ Bowery Ballroom - May 18, 2012
Photos: Chris / Review: Damien

Let me start this off with the only complaint of the night, one I vary rarely have about any show I see in NYC: it was waaaaaaaaay too easy to get in to see Chavez on Friday night.

I personally picked my ticket up the night before, having remembered that these post-hardcore / math rock badasses were resurfacing to rock an inevitably great hometown set. My FN friends who had seen them last year at ATP NJ, in turn, were able to snag theirs easily the day of the show.

A concert featuring Chavez - masters of titanic rock since 1993 who have until recently been as easy to see live as a unicorn wearing a leprechaun mask - should have sold out WEEKS ago. But as you can tell, I was damn happy to get in.

WHOA: Chavez Is Playing Bowery Ballroom In May

Chavez @ ATP NJ 2011

Well holy shit. After pummeling our faces with their ferocious twin guitar attacks at ATP last year, O.G. math rock titans Chavez are rocking a hometown show this May for Round 2. They'll hit the acclaimed-by-us-and-everyone-else Bowery Ballroom on May 18 - tickets are on sale this Friday (February 10) at noon ET for a mere $20, so get the hell on that and we'll see you there.

As a quick reminder of why you should be psyched for this, check out the clip of Chavez rocking through "Laugh Track" from that time they swung by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon this past October (via Audio Perv). Yeah man. Yeah.

Watch: Chavez On Jimmy Fallon (10/12)

Even more photos from Chavez @ ATP I'll Be Your Mirror over here

As foretold by prophecy (and Twitter), reunited math-rockers Chavez were the latest awesome band to stop by Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night. Matt Sweeney brought his hat and his bandmates to rock through Gone Glimmering's "Laugh Track" on the broadcast proper and Ride The Fader closer "You Must Be Stopped" as a web exclusive.

Watch them both below, because they're fucking awesome. We'll keep you posted on any other news we hear out of the Chavez camp for sure.

Chavez To Appear On Jimmy Fallon Tomorrow (Yeah)

Check out more photos from Chavez's set on the first night of ATP I'll Be Your Mirror over here

Wow. I may not like Jimmy Fallon himself, but I kinda want to be best friends with whoever he has booking bands on his show. Following up a week that featured performances by both Radiohead AND Portishead, math-rock legends Chavez will be stopping by Late Night With Jimmy tomorrow (October 12) according to Matador. If you're in the NYC area, you can apply to sit on that bench behind the band and see 'em live that way, or you can skip all the Fallon-y stuff and wait until Thursday morning when we inevitably post the clip. They were awesome at ATP I'll Be Your Mirror, so don't miss them!

Photos/Review: ATP I'll Be Your Mirror - Day One (Chavez, Shellac, Jeff Mangum, Bonnie 'Prince' Billy)

Chavez

Shellac

Bonnie 'Prince' Billy

ATP I'll Be Your Mirror @ Asbury Park, NJ (Day One)
Photos: Chris, Nadia Chaudhury & Jennifer Harmon
Review: Chris & Jennifer Harmon

Well, the festival we've been writing about for months now is finally upon us, and it's off to a good start. Despite having to check-in at four different places before actually getting into a venue to see some music, everyone working the festival has been really friendly, and it's clear the attendees are all here because they're dedicated music fans. All Tomorrow's Parties has long held the distinction from other music festivals by accepting absolutely no corporate sponsorship, and for also booking talent that is geared towards die-hard music nerds. It's no wonder it's already been one of the most pleasant festival-going experiences I've had (never mind the non-stop pouring rain).

ATP NJ starts today, check back for day-to-day coverage

We're on our way to the much anticipated All Tomorrow's Parties I'll Be Your Mirror Festival as we speak--the first festival we've had the privilege to cover I might add! Today's events start at 5pm, making it the shortest day of the 3-day fest, but there are still lots of great acts to check out. My plan is to check out one of the only buzz-bands on the lineup--Cults--at Asbury Lanes before heading over to Convention Hall to see both Chavez (who just played a surprise show at Lit Lounge last night) and Shellac. Ending the night with Bonnie 'Prince' Billie should be amazing.

Of course, the act everyone is dying to see tonight is Jeff Mangum, who will be playing a headlining spot at the Paramount Theatre (the same place he will also be playing full sets on Sunday and Monday). Be sure to check back here every day for photos and reviews (there will be two of us photographing throughout the festival) and definitely follow us on Facebook and Twitter for any earth-shattering news (like if Radiohead decides to blow our minds with a surprise appearance).