May 2011, 40 Watt, Athens, Ga.
“She made me watch America’s Next Top Model,” Neko Case said with a certain snarl, pointing to bandmate Kelly Hogan early the show at the 40 Watt Club. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything that made me so angry.”
It was funny moment, but also a bit tense, and proved a feeling that lasted during most of Neko’s hour and a half set, as the American singer/songwriter struggled on and off with the soundman but still produced a stellar night of songs from her extensive catalog. Pulling a half-dozen songs from 2009’s Middle Cyclone, Neko added a handful of tunes from 2006’s Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, as well as gems from “Blacklisted” and “Canadian Amp”.
She opened the night with the haunting “Things That Scare Me” (off of Blacklisted), setting the stage for some inspired song choices (but not “South Tacoma Way,” which was requested again and again by a drunken girl near the stage, drawing the ire of the crowd and Neko herself, who added “We’re going to play what we want to play, OK?”). She followed up with “Maybe Sparrow,” a song which showcases what Neko does best — sing the hell out of songs.
“Fever,” “People Got A Lotta Nerve” and “The Pharaohs” followed (a song she said was about an imaginary boyfriend she had who was from Athens, a place everyone knows has the best imaginary boyfriends). “Margaret vs. Pauline” proved a great moment, as the song is just so good, hearing it live gives it an added jump. Neko traded guitars through the night, armed with four-string, six-string and yes even a seven-string guitar. Her beloved Fender Jazzmaster let her down, prompting her to sadly note “I think the Jazzmaster has died.”
Other highlights of the main set were “Fox Confessor Brings The Flood,” “That Teenage Feeling” and “This Tornado Loves You”. The four-song encore included “Vengeance Is Sleeping,” “Don’t Forget Me” and ended with “Knock Loud,” from the 2001 EP Canadian Amp. After some struggles earlier in the show, the encore was strong and light, as if the band finally found its groove just as it was about to leave.
All in all, a good show at a packed Watt, which made for a nice atmosphere (sorry, no pictures, not that it stopped everyone from wanting to take a shot, or for the woman in front of me, 100). Near the end of the night, as she continued to rage against ANTM, Neko railed against Tyra Banks. “Smile with your eyes? How the hell do you do that?”
Who knows? Sounds like a good idea for a song.
