photos by Greg Cristman

Elvis Costello's cancelled and then doubly rescheduled date happened last night (10/6) at Wellmont Theatre in NJ. The show featured the great songwriter's now infamous Spectacular Spinning Songbook. Pictures from the wheel-generated 2 hour and 15 minute show are in this post.

Last week Elvis hit United Palace in NYC where some special guests got to take a spin:

"[Elvis] had ventured into the audience to sing, and when he returned he brought along a youngster to take the next Songbook spin.

"Never send a boy to do a man's job," he gently cautioned, then added, "but we'll make an exception this time." Giving the kid's spin a helpful little nudge ("If I can't cheat here, where can I cheat?"), he blasted through "Pump It Up," Nick Lowe's classic "Heart Of The City," "Radio Radio" and "Red Shoes," the last gem from debut album My Aim Is True dissolving into a Prince "Purple Rain"/Beatles "Rain" coda.

Besides the boy, one other wheel-spinner merits special mention: the lovely Mary Louise Parker. She may not have survived last week's Weeds' season-ending cliffhanger, but she was certainly alive here, responding to Costello's "feel free to shake a tail feather" permit by doing just that in the go-go cage after her spin landed on *"Monkey To Man." He rewarded her with an impromptu version of the other Elvis's "(Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame," then ushered her over to the "Society Lounge" in front of Nieve's keyboard fortress--where the "solid gold chairs," he said, were a present from Rick Perry. [Examiner]

Round and round she goes, where she stops, nobody knows... though sometimes Costello may have influence. After one spin at Wellmont last night, the wheel didn't end on "Time" like the spinner had hoped, so Elvis bumped the wheel back one notch and said, "If I can't cheat in New Jersey where can I cheat?"

Costello does it again at Wellmont Theater TONIGHT (10/6) and tickets are still available. More pictures from last night are below...

Continue reading "Elvis Costello played Wellmont (and a NYC show where Mary Louise Parker spun the wheel) - pics (& another show tonight)"

photos by Chris La Putt

Indie darlings Matt & Kim kicked off the show -- which celebrates the year's best music as determined by MTVu's college-centric audience -- with an energetic performance of their breakout single "Lessons Learned." Later, the duo returned to accept their Best Video Woodie award.

"We've had one heck of a year," said Matt Johnson, before counterpart Kim Schifino leapt into the crowd.

Additional performers included veteran alt-rockers Death Cab for Cutie, who rocked the audience with its "New Moon" soundtrack single "Meet Me on the Equinox," as well as Passion Pit, the Dead Weather and Clipse, who were joined onstage by fellow rappers Cam'ron and Rick Ross.

Presenter highlights came from Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz and pop prankserts 3OH!3. Wentz rolled onto the stage holding a red Solo cup, while 3OH!3 gave a nod to Lady Gaga by dressing in her various VMA outfits. Asher Roth, will.i.am, and surprise guest Cyndi Lauper also presented awards. [Billboard]

Cyndi presented an award with Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester who also recently made an appearance at the Weezer (and Matt & Kim) show on Halloween that was sponsored by RXP aka the Matt Pinfield station. Matt was also at the Woodies as was Diplo who was DJing and David Cross, Zooey Deschanel, Janelle Monae, Dave 1 from Chromeo, and Mary Louise Parker. Matt and Kim didn't get naked like they do in their winning video (their second MTV win for that video), but their backup singers did strip down to their underwear.

The Dead Weather also played a show one day before the Woodies in Brooklyn. The Woodies air December 4th at 10pm. More pictures from the event (11/18 at Roseland Ballroom in NYC), below...

Continue reading "2009 mtvU Woodie Awards @ Roseland - pics (Passion Pit, Dead Weather, Matt & Kim, Clipse, Death Cab, more) "