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Where It's At

Ladytron and CSS work it at The Showbox; Jonny Lang goes wild at Paramount Theatre; The Rolling Stones bang some more at Qwest Field with the Dave Matthews Band
by Lorelei Quenzer & Jessica Browning SGN A&E Writers Ladytron w/ CSS Friday, October 13 - 9pm The Showbox - $18 / www.ticketswest.com The electroclash explosion of the late 90s and early 00s is still alive, but some would say barely kicking. Many of the newest of the new wave are already starting to sound a bit dated, unable to break through the electronic crossover formula while putting out consistently good and exciting new records. Not so for Ladytron, whose 2005 album Witching Hour is their best work yet (peaking at #7 on Billboard's Electronic Albums chart). Named after their current single, Ladytron's 2006 "Sugar Tour" hits The Showbox tonight. If you missed them during their sold out spring excursion, now is your chance. Keyboardists and founding members Daniel Hunt and Reuben Wu settled in Liverpool in 1998, after traveling and spinning at clubs internationally. On a trip to Bulgaria, they met up with vocalist Mira Aroyo. Helena Marnie, who also sings and plays keyboards, soon joined and the future of female-led electro-rock was born. The lineup remains the same, but the sound has expanded into far denser territory. Yes, there's still the androgynous, almost robotic vocals, but Witching Hour is a noticeably warmer departure; complete with shimmering sounds, live drums and even a tiny bit of menace for good measure. Overall, the lushness of songs like "Destroy Everything You Touch" will keep you on your feet and dancing all night long. CSS, the phenomenal Brazilian dance rockers signed to local label Sub Pop, open the show. This band, whose name in Portuguese means "tired of being sexy", won over a packed house at Neumo's a few months ago. As if their catchy songs and boundless energy weren't enough, 22 year-old singer Lovefoxxx threw gifts to the audience purchased just hours before at Value Village. Charming to the last, she made sure that one fuzzy high-heeled shoe made its way into the hands of the most enthusiastic, technicolor drag queen in the room. People have been talking about this band for months- catch them while you can. J. Browning Pre-concert CD recommendation: Ladytron's "Destroy Everything You Touch" and "Sugar". CSS's debut features "Let's Make Love and" Listen To Death From Above". Jonny Lang Saturday, October 14 - 8pm Paramount Theatre - $27.50-$37.50 Talk about a wunderkind: Jonny Lang fronted his first band when he was 12, released an album when he was only 14, and came out with his solo debut, Lie to Me, when he was 16. Wander This World (1998) landed him a Grammy nomination and a number one blues album at 17. And he couldn't even vote yet. After a slight misstep with 2003's Long Time Coming, Lang is clearly back on track with Turn Around, released only one month ago and already charting at number 35 on the Billboard 200. The gospel-inspired blues album features a lot of funk riffs and searing guitar. One of the highlights, "Thankful," features a 13-person choir and a vocal duet with Doobie Brother Michael McDonald. His semi-androgynous good looks are misleading - he may look fresh off the farm, but he sounds like a cross between Stevie Wonder and Robert Cray. Now a veteran at the ripe old age of 25, Lang's rough falsetto makes him sound at least 40. He's toured with The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Jeff Beck and Sting, and he has a reputation as an intense, emotional live performer. Thank you, House of Blues, for bringing him to Seattle! I'm planning to get to the Paramount early so I can check out Lang's opening act, Reeve Carney. - L. Quenzer Pre-concert CD recommendation: Turn Around, featuring "The Other Side of the Fence," "Thankful," and "On My Feet Again." The Rolling Stones w/ Dave Matthews Band Tuesday, October 17 - 6pm Qwest Field - $62-$352 / www.ticketmaster.com What can a lifelong fan possible say about The Rolling Stones? It's like trying to explain something larger than life, something more integral to the face of music today than just about any other artist in the history of rock and roll. I had just about given up hope that I'd see them at all, as I missed the sold out show last year at Key Arena. Now, The Stones are back Tuesday night at Seattle's Qwest Field, and it's sure to be one of the biggest events this city has ever seen. According to a recent interview with Dale Skjerseth, Rolling Stones production manager, the "Bigger Bang Tour" features 36 miles of cable, a giant kind of inflatable tongue that measures 30 feet high and 35 feet wide, 470 pieces of pyrotechnics, and two semi trailer generators pumping out "enough juice to power a small village." The video system, which measures 50 feet by 49 feet, is being called the "biggest ever on tour." A hydraulics system is built into the second stage (which stretches out like a boardwalk into the audience), and seating is built into the stage for 230 people who paid top dollar to be inside the actual stage itself. This section in itself will be something to behold, as I'm sure only the most fanatical of Stones fans will be seated there, having the time of their lives. A friend who has seen many a Stones show prepared me for this tour by saying that everyone will have their "special moment" with the band& however huge the dimensions have become, The Stones still have the ability to connect with every person in the audience. As for me, I'm going to squint my eyes, pretend they're all as young as they feel and most certainly still act, and hope I can contain myself while watching and hoping for favorites such as "Street Fighting Man", "Honky Tonk Women" and "Rip This Joint". Seattle's own Dave Matthews Band will open the concert, and will definitely draw their own fans to the concert seeing as they recently sold out three shows at The Gorge. And if Matthews should jump onstage with Jagger, all hell is going to break loose! If you live near Qwest Field, you'll surely hear the show. A review of The Rolling Stones will be in next week's issue. - J. Browning Pre-concert CD recommendation: Let it Bleed, Exile on Main St., and Tattoo You.