Hot Night at the Middle East

Photographic Evidence
by Sean Hafferty
Filligar, The Dig, Ha Ha Tonka and Via Audio
The Scene: The Middle East - 6/20/2009

Filligar kicked off an insane night of music

all photographs: Sean Hafferty

It was one hell of a night at the "Sold Out No BS" show Upstairs at the Middle East a couple Saturday's ago. Never mind the action across town. It wasn't too hot outside, but everyone was sweating from the get-go inside.

The night got started with Filligar who had the crowd dancing and hopping like the were headlining the joint. They have a kind of a Guster meets Wilco thing going on and blew everyone away. As they headed off the stage the crowd kept yelling "One More Song!", but it was not to be...this was a packed night with not much room for encores.

[Ryan's Smashing Life is bringing Filligar back to town as part of a stellar lineup on July 28th. Arrive early to ensure you get into this one.]

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Filligar at the Middle East

Filligar - No I Won't
Web / Myspace

The Dig at the Middle East

So, with a lead-off home run to start the night, The Dig would had their work cut out for them. Sometimes hard driving, sometimes syncopated and complex The guys from New York kicked ass and delivered. This is the first time I'd heard The Dig and it won't be the last.

RSL Streaming Photo Album
The Dig at the Middle East

The Dig - She's Gonna Kill That Boy
Web / Myspace

Ha Ha Tonka at the Middle East

I've been digging Ha Ha Tonka's first album "Buckle in the Bible Belt" for a while, so I was pumped to see them live. A little bit Alt-Country and a little bit Blues these guys had some very excited gals in cowboy boots hootin' and stompin'. A fantastic performance and I can't wait to spend some time with their latest effort "Novel Sounds of the Noveau South".

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Ha Ha Tonka at the Middle East

Ha Ha Tonka - Up Nights
Web / Myspace

Via Audio at the Middle East

So while the flavor of the night may have changed a bit from band to band, the quality never wavered. Via Audio made it the fourth amazing performance of the night. I've seen Via Audio twice before, but never in a club setting. Once I saw them at a benefit at Berklee and another time at a special acoustic perfomance at the MFA with Mates of State. Timing or whatever always kept me from catching them at a venue without seats.

It was like some crazy feedback loop of fun. The band performs with such personality. The outpouring of enthusiasm from the fans plastered a smile on singer/keyboardist/guitarist Jessica Martins' face that just made the audience even more giddy.

I've been a big fan of their first album "Say Something" for a while and I've bee eager to hear what comes next. Well, Via Audio fans, we should be getting a second album very shortly and from we heard that night, its going to be fun. The latest effort get way more wild and at times with a bit of disco thrown into the mix. If their studio recording captures half the energy of that performance, it'll be a one to watch for 2009.

RSL Streaming Photo Album
Via Audio at the Middle East

Via Audio - Modern Day Saint
Web / Myspace