Grace Potter Covers the White Stripes to Incite a Riot in Baltimore

While I was watching Fun light up Radio City, I got a text from my brother: "I love her."  The object of his affection?  Grace Potter, who rocked Baltimore's Rams Head Live last night with her band, the Nocturnals.

Dressed in all black with a plunging neckline, the sexy ball of energy that is Grace Potter rocketed into "The Lion the Beast the Beat" to begin the show.  The setlist proceeded in a similar order to a lot of recent GPN shows, with "Ah Mary," "Goodbye Kiss," and "Never Go Back" following.  But it wasn't until Potter announced that it was an "all request set," that things really took off.  After an acoustic "Big White Gate," Grace and the Nocturnals began an a cappella rendition of "Hit the Road Jack" that served as the unifying theme for a "Loneliest Soul" medley.  Even when the song took a trip to "Funky Town," it found its way back to "Hit the Road Jack."  A high-energy tour de force of "Stop the Bus," both parts of "Nothing But the Water," and "Medicine" wrapped things up.

In case you hadn't heard, Baltimoreans were the first to adopt "Seven Nation Army" as a crowd chant as a way to applaud the Ravens: "Ohhh-O-O-O-O-Ohhhh-O!"  While it has now evolved into a worldwide sporting phenomenon, specifically at soccer matches, the cheer has permeated Maryland culture to the point where it has become an acceptable encore chant at non-Jack White concerts.  The audience "ohh-o-ohh"ed until Potter cartwheeled back onto the stage.  And then they played it.  In case you hadn't heard, the Baltimore Ravens are playing in the Super Bowl today, so the crowd went completely apeshit.

Previous Grace Potter & the Nocturnals reviews:
11.17.12 Beacon Theatre
09.22.12 Hersheypark Stadium, Farm Aid
06.14.12 Irving Plaza


GRACE POTTER & THE NOCTURNALS - 02.02.13 - RAMS HEAD LIVE

SET -
The Lion the Beast the Beat / Ah Mary / Goodbye Kiss / Never Go Back / 2:22 / The Divide / Tiny Light / Stars / Big White Gate / Hit the Road Jack > Loneliest Soul > Hit the Road Jack > Funky Town > Hit the Road Jack > Loneliest Soul / Keepsake / Runaway / Stop the Bus > Nothing But the Water (I) > Nothing But the Water (II) > Medicine

ENCORE -
Turntable / Seven Nation Army / Paris (Ooh La La)

Top 3 Super Bowl XLIV Ads

I found this year's crop of Super Bowl ads insanely disappointing. Could it be because every ad was for Doritos, Bud Light, or those stupid fucking Etrade babies? Maybe it was because several ads stole their plots from The Simpsons, and the one that actually had The Simpsons sucked. Perhaps it was because more than one ad featured that staring hamster from three years ago. Whatever the reason, I figured I'd narrow it down to the top three, which was pretty easy.

3. Bud Light - Auto-Tune

With about 20% of all Super Bowl ads for Bud Light, they had to get it right once. The end is really the only good part, but I like it.

2. Denny's - Birthday

The element of surprise.

1. Google

I can't even explain everything that is right with this. From the typing errors to the subtle soundtrack, everything works perfectly. My only beef would be that Wikipedia is used as a source. For me, this is one of the most brilliant commercials I have ever seen. It's right up there with what I consider my favorite commercial ever...

The Google one really proves that bigger is not always better. Tell a good story. Crazily enough, the milk ad was actually directed by Michael Bay. It would serve him well to watch his best work again.