Caspian - Portland House of Music, Portland Maine Review

 

Caspian
Portland House of Music, Portland Maine
Thursday May 7, 2026

Support - Dead Gowns

In recent weeks Caspian had a lot of great updates for fans, with glimpses of them working in the studio. A few months ago the band announced they were returning to Dunk!festival and then soon after a "one off/warm up" gig at Portland House of Music.  A quick look at the calendar showed it as a Thursday...but....I thought I could pull it off.  Reached out to some like minded local fans and had a bite.  I was able to have a wing person!  I then reached out to a former co-worker who had moved back to Maine and he and his wife also decided to join.  Neither of them had seen the band so this was a thrill!  (I'll omit names and provide initials for now)

Left my home and connected with "W" just over the border in New Hampshire.  The drive continued and we then connected with J+A.  J had asked me earlier if I wanted to do much and I said that due to the time and distance a simple "burger and beer pre-show" would be fine.  We arrived and had plenty of time so J took  me to a Bullmoose location and I combed the bins for a little bit.  Something I enjoy and they were gracious w/their time but it was then time to "get closer to the venue".  We parked and headed to dinner.  After that it was back to the car to grab sweat shirts and we walked, I'd say it was under a 10 minute walk.  Very cool to be in a place where people are comfortable and before you know it we were ready to walk in.

The hall is a cool space.  We walked in and were "elevated" above the stage.  We were early enough so we decided this was the spot we were going to hang out at.

Dead Gowns was the support and I admit I didn't know anything about them.  What I did learn its largely a project by Genevieve Beaudoin.  It was a solo, acoustic set.  The crowd grew and were respectful as she worked through her 35-40 minute set.

Caspian hit the stage right at 9pm.  The band was in it usual layout (facing stage)  Jonny (guitar) to the left, then Jani (bass), Justin (drums) in the middle back, Phil (guitar) and Cal guitar.

Stating out with The Dove->ASA the build was steady.  Knowing this was going to be a warm up gig for the Dunk!Fest I felt we were going to get some standards the band performs.  This is a good thing.  They had not performed live in over 150 days.  Any "rust" was shaken off quickly.  The set proceeded with "Halls of Summer" and "Malacoda". The band was locked in and did have some what of a light show to go along with the songs to further set the mood.  We got "Of Foam and Wave" as song that I felt they had abandoned for a while (and was right)  It's great to hear.  Up next was "Division Blues" and Phil spoke for the first time.  He let us know they had wrapped the up the recording of the record (no news on release date) but that was wonderful to hear.  We got the recording of "Bluebird" that always hits me and then it took of in to "Gone in Bloom and Bough".  We've been spoiled with a saxophone breakdown of this a few times (there was not tonight) and they gave a heavy version as always.  

"Arcs of Command" followed and this song very well could be a closer, but nope....we put it in the set to punch you hard.  A song they should never ever stop playing.  We got the "new song" song.  I was lucky to heard it back in November of 2025 at Sonia in Cambridge MA.  Phil shouted "we need a name so let us know".  Per band sources back in November it was a working title of "Burnt Reynolds".  The song really is a clean and almost joyful tone.  I don't want to say "bouncing" but the song has a few parts where the band locks in to a groove.  They don't fly all over the stage, but they still hammer down hard.  I really look forward to the direction they are going if the record follows suit.  I also notice the band "smiling" when they play this song.  It is refreshing to see them get such a charge out of what "new" things they can  bring.

The band ended with "Castles High, Marble Bright".  I told J+A (again, first timers) "if you don't' get this song...you won't get Caspian".  Happy to report they got it.

Show was over about 10:15pm.  No encore (seems to historically the norm for them which is fine).

Few more quick shots

Off in to the night we went.  Sweaty, smiling and elated.

The "facts" 
Set times - 9pm - 10:15pm ET
Capacity - (per site) 300.  The show was not sold out, but a "comfortably close" size
Last  US show played before this:  Cambridge MA , November 30, 2025 (158 days)
Last live show before this: Manning Bar, Sydney Australia December 7, 2025 (151 days)
(used information from the bands Setlist FM page for some of this so...)

Setlist:
The Dove
ASA
Halls of Summer
Malacoda
Of Foam and Wave
Division Blues
Gone in Bloom and Bough
Arcs of Command
Burnt Reynolds
Castles High, Marble Bright

Song Breakdown:
The Dove - appears on "The Four Trees"  last time played November 30, 2025.  Total times played: 34

ASA - appears on "The Four Trees" last time played December 7, 2025  Total times played: 60

Halls of Summer - appears on "Waking Season"  last time played December 7, 2025. Total times played: 126

Malacoda - appears on"Tertia"  last time played  December 7, 2025  Total times played: 117

Of Foam and Wave - appears on "Tertia".  last time played December 6, 2025  Total times played: 64

Division Blues - appears on "On Circles"  last time played December 6, 2025   Total times played 24

Gone in Bloom and Bough - appears on "Waking Season".  last time played December 7, 2025 total times played 161

Arcs of Command - appears on "Dust and Disquiet".  last time played December 7, 2025  Total times played 170  (this song is only second most in order of appearances to "Sycamore" (183)

Burnt Reynolds - unreleased, unofficial title.  Last played December 7, 2025.  Total times played live - 5

Castles High, Marble Bright - you can find the 2 song "ep" on bandcamp.  last time played December 7, 2025  total times played 109

New Music from U2

Like many I awoke (well maybe not that literally) to new U2 music a few weeks ago.  A 6 song ep called “Days of Ash”
Been on the U2 bus for many years and always curious to hear what they have going on.  So I listened, then I listened again so that I could formulate a better feel.  I think you’ll see that in the breakdown.
Track 1 – American Obituary.  So this is probably the main reason the song was released.  A protest song.  U2 you’d say.  They could have released just as a “hey we are still around and sad at all that’s going on”.  The Edge sounds good and I feel like this was the lone track that seemed to be heavier on the electric vs acoustic guitar. (I am reading my notes here).  I can see this song being an early (2-4 songs in) during a live show.  First listen, eh…second, I was “getting it more”.
Track 2 – Tears of Things.  Acoustic, and the longest on the ep.  It feels a little cliché to me, but you can tell it’s more “modern” U2 at the same time (Songs of Innocence cast off perhaps).  I warmed up to it. I found Bono to “soar” a bit more vocally and it gets better as it goes along.
Track 3 – Song of the Future. Staring at the Sun Pt2 is what I felt.  Another this is “modern” U2 feel.  Adam was a bit more up in the mix on this.
Track 4 – Wild peace.  This is a spoken word track.  It really is a segway “track” above all.  I listened twice and still couldn’t make out what was being said.  If I were to make a copy/playlist down the road I’d omit this personally.
Track 5 - One Life at at Time. I liked the build on this one.
Track 6 – Yours Eternally.  U2 uses a choir on this and Ed Sheeran sings backing vocals and takes a lead on a verse.  Its up-tempo, Edge can be heard doing a lot of vocal mirroring and I find this to be the most “sing along” track on the ep.

So, check it out if you'd like here

Fantastic Cat - New Album news and tour!

 

Attention PLEASE!  Fantastic Cat's new single "Don't Let Go" is out now!  This is the first track from the soon to be released "Cat out of Hell" LP which comes out on April 10th via Missing Piece Records.  (There is a video for the song as well!)  Its a delight.

Per the press release:

“'Don’t Let Go' is a song about perseverance and the stubborn act of never giving up," says Fantastic Cat's Brian Dunne. "For a while, it felt like every new indie rock song was about finding inner peace, going to therapy, and the pleasures of a warm bath. This song intends to be the antithesis of that type of songwriting. It’s about holding onto something long after you should, no matter the cost. It does sound nice in the bath though.” Fantastic Cat is a combination of singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists. Brian Dunne, Anthony D'Amato, Don DiLego and Mike Montali This will be Fantastic Cat's third full length album, following the debut "The Very Best of Fantastic Cat" and "Now That's What I call Fantastic Cat".  They've popped on TV and been touring seemingly ever since the start. Fantastic Cat will hit the road this spring for a US headline tour with stops in Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville, Chicago and more. The band also just announced two shows in New York City at Mercury Lounge on June 5. See a full list of dates below and find more info here: fantasticcatband.com/tour Fantastic Cat 2026 Tour Dates April 11 – Woodstock, NY @ Levon Helm Studios April 14 – Boston, MA @ The Middle East Upstairs   WILL I SEE YOU THERE??! April 15 – Farfield, CT @ Stage One April 16 – Ardmore, PA @ Ardmore Music Hall April 17 – Washington, D.C. @ The Hamilton April 18 – Baltimore, MD @ The 8x10 April 19 – Charlottesville, VA @ The Southern April 21 – Charlotte, NC @ The Evening Muse April 22 – Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl April 23 – Nashville, TN @ Row One April 24 – Indianapolis, IN @ HiFi April 25 – Chicago, IL @ Garcia’s April 26 – Appleton, WI @ Gibson Music Hall April 28 – Columbus, OH @ Natalie’s Grandview April 29 – Pittsburgh, PA @ Funhouse at Mr Smalls June 5 – New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (early show) June 5 –  New York, NY @ Mercury Lounge (late show) Cat Out Of HellTracklist 1. Donnie Takes The Bus 2. The Waiting Room 3. Elevator  4. Don't Let Go 5. How's That Working Out 6. Back To The Beginning 7. I Spoke To God A Lot Last Year 8. Mona Be Still  9. No Goddamn Way 10. L U C Y 11. Turn Off The Lights 12. Nobody Better

Follow Fantastic Cat: Website - Instagram - Twitter - Facebook - Spotify

Brandi Carlile - TD Garden February 12, 2026

 

Brandi Carlile
TD Garden
Thursday, February 12, 2026

Support - The Head & The Heart

What a show.

Wow.

I will admit I am fairly new to her music.  I did buy the record "In these Silent Days" (which is/was her seventh album) and really liked it, my wife did too.  When the new album came out "Returning to Myself" I did something I haven't done in a while it seems for a "bigger" act...bought it day it came out.

Her appearances on Saturday Night Live, Howard Stern as well as seemingly "everywhere" (this is a good thing) I decided to get tickets for my wife for Christmas.  I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention the music with the Highwomen

The ride to the city was fine and we settled in to our balcony seats shortly after The Head and the Heart took the stage.  I am unfamiliar with them as well but really enjoyed the set.  The energy was great and I will for sure "look further" into them.

Brandi, who is on just the second night of her very first arena tour began the evening with "Returning to Myself" where she was behind a curtain.  It was a very neat "haunting" feel to it.  The set really takes off and she is quick to get around the stage and engage.  The stories in between songs were all great.  I know sometimes you get that whole "shut up and sing" thing going on with bands, but these all pulled us in.  When she did "Swing for the Fences" a song she did with Elton John (she also did "Who Believes in Angels") she spoke of her fandom, what it was like to work with him and his presence.  She is a great story teller.  

A fun part of the show she noted they had tried the show before was to make a bigger space a little more "small" and they did audience requests.  Brandi was flanked by "the Twins", her long time band mates and collaborators Phil and Tim Hanseroth.  This was really fun.  The first one requested was "Downpour".  It was a hit.  The second was taken from a fan a little further back and "up" who requested "Wherever is your Heart".  What I loved about this tune was Brandi laughs in agreement and then calls out (I am paraphrasing) "Any acoustic open tuning capo 1"  I was impressed she didn't appear to need a teleprompter and both songs were excellent.  Really made me realized I had missed out not seeing her years ago.

The show needs to also mention her band, all terrific and "SistaStrings" Chauntee and Monique Ross, who sing, dance, are tremendous musicians and add to the overall awesomeness of the night.  They were so great when they were able to step forward, and Brandi is very good about having everyone called out and recognized.

I left incredibly pleased.  It is not my usual go to for music, but my goodness is she talented and seems to genuinely enjoy what she is able to do.


The full setlist:
Returning to Myself
Human
Mainstream Kid
Swing for the Fences (song she did with Elton John)
A War with Time
A Woman Oversees
Right on Time
Who Believes in Angles (song she did with Elton John)
Downpour (audience request)
Wherever is your Heart (audience request)
You without me (Solo)
The Mother (Solo with SistaStrings)
The Story
You and Me on the Rock
No One Knows Us
Sinners, Saints and Fools
Long Long Time (Linda Ronstadt)
The Joke
Hold Out Your Hand

Encore:
Church & State
Uninvited (Alanis Morrisette)
A Long Goodbye*
* about a verse of "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor

You can see a cleaner version of the set list here

Follow Brandi kinda all over...
Official Site
Facebook

Billy Strings coming to Boston

Hey!

Billy Strings is playing the Agganis Arena on July 21st at 730pm

Presale is up now using code "Wonder"

Otherwise snag em on Friday the 30th..

Some of my favorite live shows of 2025

(Image is mine take at the elbow show)

I was lucky to get to 34 shows in 2025.  Here are some notes on some of my favorite shows (by date) in 2025

Jason Isbell at PPAC Feb 18th  - a live album needs to be released, easily the best “sounding” show of the year.  Jason continues to be held in that “I really can’t miss him” live, but I am ticketless for the two upcoming Boston shows.  He returns to Boston for two nights Feb 27 and 28th at Boch Center

Fantastic Cat – May 7^th at the MET.  I have no idea why I can’t sway more people on this band, especially live so I am going to stop.  More room for me up front.  They did a few shows near end of 2025 but nothing slated as of this post.

Pelican – July 21^st at Sinclair.  One of my favorite records of 2025 and I was able to get up pretty close.  Glacier was one of the support bands and they might have been the loudest show I went to if it were not for Swans later in the year.  No local shows slated.

Truck fighters – August 10^th at Sonia.  If I had to choose the most “this is why I love going to concerts” show the win hands down.  To hear Desert Cruiser live is to have lived man.  Just such a blast of a show.  No local shows slated.

James – September 9^th at HOB.  Touring to support their biggest record in the USA 30 years later.  They are so very energetic live, your head needs to be on a swivel because there is so much to watch, and Tim likes to come see you in the audience. No local shows slated.

Elbow – October 2^nd at Roadrunner.  I’d say this was the best show of the year.  Spectacular.  This band cannot be missed live.  The most “sing along, holy cow this is magic” live band  I was lucky to see some of my favorites in 2025, but I can say without hesitation this was the one for the year.  No local shows slated, but 50% off in their merch store currently.

Caspian November 29^th at Sonia – Shocker.  This show from them was one of their best I’ve seen.  Electric right from the start, we got a “new song” which brings hope into the new year.  Also, the guys were just smiling…. the entire time.  They love what they do, and we know it.  All bias aside they are still one of the best kept secrets for live bands that I know of.  The best bang for your buck band period.  It’s a hill I will die on.  Nothing slated.



Other observations

Rowdiest – Dreadnoughts at the Met and Psychedelic Porn Crumpets at Royal.  Dreadnaughts need to be applauded for getting the audience to do what is asked.  Giant pit, to a “conga” line that went outside the venue and back in.  A band member crowd surfed, not once but TWICE to the bar for a beer.  Psychedelic Porn Crumpets for just the not stop stage diving.  It was 1993 all over for that.  Dreadnoughts have a show in RI on Jan 30th (CT as well on the 31st)

Biggest Surprise – Surfrajettes at Alchemy on March 10th.  All female, instrumental surf rock?  If they come around again, we are going.  Anytime I tell people about them they always perk up and say “let me know”.  Your move.  Also, I’ll add in Lake Street Dive.  My wife is a big fan and we went.  They are very good.  Surfrajettes don't have stuff planned, but Lake St plays Mohegan sun on April 10th

Best Opening Act – Slomosa, March 20^th at the Paradise.  Opening for Helmet.  So excited for the headline US tour in 2026.  The Paradise, despite many memories is starting to wear thin though sadly for places to see a show.  Glad Slomosa is playing a different venue.  See you down front for that one!!

Quietest Show – Earth at Machines with Magnets.  The quietest heavy band reigns supreme.  They performed the album Hex  in full an done new song giving us a taste of what’s coming in 2026.  Read up on that record, its quite the story.  Maybe after the new album is out?

Biggest Nostalgia gigs -  The Ocean Blue at Arts that Armory doing their first two records in full, and James doing “Laid” at House of Blues with Tim Booth seemingly “Everywhere”.  All three of those records are foundational in my music journey.  Ocean Blue plays the Bull Run in Shirley MA on March 6th.  I need to mention the Ace Frehley show.  It ended up being his final live performance before his passing.


Here is all the shows/acts I saw in 2025 (in order)

January - 1 show, 3 acts.
HR of Bad Brains as well as Natural Element and one other band that eludes me at Alchemy in Providence

February - 2 shows,  3 acts
Jack White with Pink Lids at Roadrunner
Jason Isbell at PPAC in RI

March - 4 shows, 11 acts
Surfragettes with Black Widow at Alchemy in Providence
Brant Bjork Trio and the Saunce at Alchemy in Providence
Helmet, Slomosa and The War on Women - Paradise
Weedeater with Mollusk, Cloakroom and Bask at Alchemy in Providence

April - 1 show,  1 act
Terry Chambers EXTC at the Met in Pawtucket RI

May - 2 shows, 4 acts
Fantastic Cat with Jake Thistle at the Met in Pawtucket
Lake Street Dive with Katie Tupper at PPAC in RI

June 5 shows, 12 acts
Cloud Nothings with Landowner and Minikin at Alchemy Providence
The Ocean Blue and Brian Tighe at Arts at the Armory in Somerville
Queens of the Stone Age with the Kills at MGM Fenway
This Will Destroy You with The Burning Paris and Jesse Beaman, Sonia Cambridge
Godspeed You! Black Emperor with Marissa Anderson at Roadrunner

July 3 shows, 7 acts
Surprise Chef with Kendra Morris Brighton Music Hall
Pelican with Glacier and Porcelain at Sinclair T
TV On The Radio with Model/Actriz at Roadrunner

August  3 shows 8 acts
Volbeat with Halestorm and The Ghost Inside - xfinity Center
Truck fighters with Restless Spirit at Sonia
The Dreadnoughts with Consuelo's Revenge and Apes of the State, Met Pawtucket

September 4 shows, 6 acts
Ace Frehley - Uptown Theater Providence (some local band opened)
James - House of Blues
Wet Leg with Mary in the Junkyard at Roadrunner
Geordie Greep at the Met

October  5 shows, 9 acts
elbow with Ravi at Roadrunner
Swans with Little Annie Bandez & Paul Wallfisch
Frankie and the Witch Fingers with Population II at Brighton Music Hall
Lightning Bolt with Kill Alters at the Met
Hannah Miller in a buddies living room

November  4 shows, 7 acts.
Earth with Steve Moore at Machines with Magnets in Providence
LOCASH (1/2 time show at Patriots Game)
Psychedelic Porn Crumpets with Ghost Funk Orchestra at Royale Boston
Caspian with Aisha Burns, Sonia

Shows: 34
Acts: 71

Happy Holidays

 It was quite a good year for music, both recorded and in a live setting.  Deciding if I want to toss down some of my favorites.  I was actually cleaning off my phone of some concert photos (back them up elsewhere) and thought..maybe people want to see these crappy images.  The night might have been awesome, images not so much....

Its on on the brain.