I'm only halfway through an amazing week of music but I am already having the best Noise Pop ever. Tonight was Thao Nguyen at the Swedish American Hall, and may blessings be heaped upon the doorman who let me into the uber-sold-out show even though I'd screwed up the start time and without his help was going to be looking for another show to go to, badge or no badge. And I would have been very sad to miss Thao. Even when it's just Nguyen and her guitar onstage the woman is an undeniable presence, all whiskey voice and stomping boots. She puts her entire body into her performance and sings with real guts, and by her encore the entire audience was on their feet, the better to rock the hell out right along with her.
I'd also forgotten how much fun Scissors for Lefty are live since it's been a couple years since I saw them last, but it only took me one song of their set at Bender's tonight to remind me. More, please!