For the second time this year, the fine folks at Daytrotter are bringing their road show to the Kalyx Center in Monticello. The Barnstormer 5 tour will snake its way across the Midwest and the East Coast for eight nights before making the penultimate stop in Monticello.
What makes Central Illinois so special as to host a second Barnstormer leg this year? The Kalyx Center. Daytrotter founder Sean Moeller described the barn in glowing terms before the last concert. “The barn is incredible. It’s beautiful, old and just so intimate. It feels like everyone is right on top of each other, with haylofts on both sides. It makes a really cool experience.” Seeing as they chose to return again, their opinion must not have changed. (*Read the SP recap of the last Barnstormer show here.)
Past Barnstormer artists include Ra Ra Riot, Delta Spirit, Sondre Lerche and Guards. In this fifth installment of the traveling Daytrotter show, fans will be treated to music from White Rabbits, Wildlife, Princeton, Hacienda, Hundred Visions, and Pyschic Twin.
White Rabbits
This Missouri-by-way-of-Brooklyn band has been an indie stalwart since 2004, delighting fans with a spectacular live show. NME ranked White Rabits as one of the top three bands performing in 2008.
Musically the band is somewhat similar to Spoon: slick bass grooves and percussion backed by an effortlessly cool vocal delivery. The band has a pair of Daytrotter sessions under their belt, check out their most recent one here .
Wildlife
These Canadians are the only band on the tour not to have recorded a Daytrotter session yet (though I suppose that will soon change). The tunes that can be heard on their MySpace page are rich with percussion and vocal presence.
Wildlife has been favorably compared to Wolf Parade and Born Ruffians. Based on the audio available online, they seem like a band that can live up to that praise. They also seem like a band that will put on a great live show.
Princeton
With a name like Princeton, it is somewhat ironic this California quartet gained their fame opening for bands like Vampire Weekend and Ra Ra Riot. But don’t be mistaken, their echoey synth-rock is distinct from their Ivy League peers, and very entertaining.
Princeton are three Daytrotter sessions deep now, listen to their latest here.
Hacienda
This is the kind of band every tour needs to have. Hacienda’s dirty, old-fashioned rock ‘n’ roll is sure to light up the Kalyx Center. Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, this four piece delivers a bit of rebellion to their music, like Richie Valens with a healthy dose of fuzz. Check out their Daytrotter session here.
Hundred Visions and locals Psychic Twin will also be on the bill.
Barnstormer 5 will take place at the Kaylx Center in Monticello on September 2 at 6:30 pm ($20 in advance, $25 at the door).