Having personally been a fan of this band for coming up on a decade - and rarely missing a show of theirs each and every time they play New York - well it would have taken wild horses to keep me away from this one.
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Joining me for this afternoon journey was fellow MOG music writer Rob - who goes by the screen name of Madrid Spacestation Spain.
I've since given him the nickname of 'drid, and it appears to be very well received.
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The Raveonettes are an internationally well-known band who have released a decade of innovative and exciting albums.
Their latest may very well be their best.
They opened this day's show with the lead single off of Raven In The Grave (their latest album) - the anthemic and inspiring "Recharge and Revolt"
"I recharge & revolt my time has come
And I'm tempted to duel even the sun
I'll dodge the rays and kill it with my gun"
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Since I was shooting photos and videos of the show, it was essential to have the "pit pass" wristband.
Using this photo opportunity to display my treasured Raveonettes pin collection. Vintage "Pretty In Black" ones stand alongside current "Raven In The Grave" models.
Having access to the "backstage" area allows for certain opportunities.
Like having a photo taken with featured artists themselves.
Here Mr. Sune Rose Wagner strikes a "tough guy" pose, egged on by the individual I enlisted to shoot this one. We all had a good laugh.
However, it was a rock show we came here to see, and what a glorious one it was.
Wagner and his bandmates played an impeccable set.
Of course that means Mr. Wagner's long-time parter in crime - the Lovely Ms. Sharin Foo
Sune, of course, is the mastermind that makes it all "go"
A brilliantly prolific songwriter, Sune's skills as vocalist, guitar player and producer are known industry-wide.
Another highlight of the set comes from the aforementioned Raven In The Grave album
"War In Heaven"
Sharin mostly plays bass again, for all but two songs during this set. Her voice has always been the perfect compliment for Sune's, and on this day we again were witness to that.
The current Raveonettes also employ two wonderful multi-instrumentalists, who mostly play percussion, but also quite capably fill in on backup guitar - and bass when Sharin temporarily puts it down.
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Sharin's set list
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"I went away to meet my love
I saw things that I can't have
It makes me mad "
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The current new t-shirt design.
Having full access to the stage area allowed for roaming around and shooting from different angles.
A rare opportunity to shoot the band from behind
The packed crowd was very much into it all
Side-stage shots makes for interesting perspectives as well
The crowd, eagerly pressed up against the barricade
Another brilliant song from their latest album:
"Apparitions"
Listen to the drumming, in particular. Sharin has been quoted as saying the inspiration for this percussive rhythm came from Kate Bush's masterpiece "Running Up That Hill"
You can absolutely hear it.
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Sharin puts down the bass and takes the mic solo to sing "Forget That You're Young"
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"The only reason [wish] I can't hurt . . .
[to have] a heart of stone"
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Another fave and a truly wonderful song from their latest release:
"Ignite"
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For their grandest of grand finales
For their grandest of grand finales
the band plays an inspired "psych rock" raveup of "Aly Walk With Me"
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Post-show - catching up with Ms. Foo
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This past April I wrote a review of The Ravonettes live show and album - and I was quite pleased (and in fact, very proud) to receive this personal message from Sune himself:
That review can be found here:
That review can be found here:
The Raveonettes are the definition of quality and consistency.
If you don't have any of their records - go out and get them now.
