Gong Gong Gong kicked off the night with a set of unassuming, almost southern tinged, galloping rock. The Beijing based duo traded riffing melodies back and forth on their instruments, and I was surprised to see a hollowbody guitar used mainly for percussive elements. It totally worked for them but I desperately wanted another musician to pop into the fold at times. They definitely kept me entranced though, and during their last song they rocked at some sort of vibrational level that made my little toe hurt!

What else would I like to say about this show? Uh, Seattle is losing it’s MIND over Parquet Courts. I ran into pretty much everyone I knew there. Word had gotten out about their new record “Wide Awake,” and quite a few folks in the crowd told me they had only recently heard about the band. They opened with stellar hit Total Football, and before long I was jostled in every single direction possible. The crowd was rocking out in 4D! People were trying to crowd surf and mosh. They were singing their little hearts out along with the band. It was awesome. HELLO SEATTLE, can we have more of this please??? You’d think there were zombies in the audience at most shows these days.

When they started into title track Wide Awake, the ENTIRE VENUE shook its collective ass. I don’t know how anyone could possibly stand still while listening to that song though. It’s physically impossible. Even grandmas would dance to that song. AND BABIES. It’s rare to see a set where you smile through every single track and those Parquet Courts boys did it AGAIN! They put on one hell of a punk show and I simply cannot stop listening to their record. Do not miss your chance to see them the next time they roll through town.