For better or worse, I don’t often go out and think, “Where the hell am I? Fort Worth or New York City?”
But last year at Modern ’til Midnight, an annual concert at the elevated outdoor sculpture garden at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, I couldn’t help but feel as if I was not only hanging out in the international epicenter of all things “cool” but that I also was as cool as the coolest Big Apple hipster (Julian Casablancas? Vincent Gallo?), sitting there at a table beneath the stars with some of my entourage, sipping on frosty adult beverages, being regaled by ultra-hip indie-rock of both the local and national varieties, and surveying my subjects, hundreds if not thousands of people young and old who could not have been more stylishly dressed and, overall, more non-Texan looking.
Of the infinitesimally small list of Fort Worth events that attract hipsters from Dallas and Denton, Modern ’til Midnight is at the top, based purely on strong though anecdotal evidence. The next M-’til-M is on Fri., Oct. 17, with a killer – and predominantly local – line-up, which serves two high-minded purposes: One, it exposes visitors to the irrepressibly hip indie-rock we have here in the 817, and, two, it unifies the scene – could you imagine anything worse than being in a great 817 band, going to your local contemporary art museum one starry night, and seeing out-of-town bands getting the chance to play to your coolest friends and neighbors and also to slumming Denton- and Dallasites?
Might make a body want to boycott his or her local contemporary art museum for good. Kudos then to the Modern and Spune Productions’ Lance Yocom for booking, seriously, four of the most progressive and talented 817 bands: Stumptone, Telegraph Canyon, Mount Righteous, and Dove Hunter. There are also two touring acts on the bill, both wise choices, ones that even I – with all of my inestimable music knowledge and mind-bendingly good taste – wouldn’t have thought of getting: headliners Mucca Pazza, a “circus punk marching band” from Chi-town, and the legendary transgender street musician from Cleveland, Baby Dee. Also, there’ll be a DJ or two spinning inside, and choice selections from last year’s Lone Star International Film Festival will be screened in the auditorium.
Admission is $15 per person – free for museum members – and includes access to My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, mixed-media artist Kara Walker’s exhibit that will close two days later, and also to a new show, Hubbard/Birchler: No Room to Answer. The Modern Café and gift shop will stay open until 11 p.m. Visit www.themodern.org. … Is The Good Show changing days? I don’t mean to be tellin’ tales outta school, but there’s a chance that the beloved variety show/indie-rock music program on KTCU/88.7-FM might go from Sunday nights to Saturday mornings. Among other constructive byproducts, the new slot will let co-hosts Tom Urquhart, Chris Bellomy, and Tony Diaz promote Saturday night gigs – and also get tailgating athletic supporters in purple fired up for some Horned Frogs football! ‘Cause that’s what indie-music connoisseurs like to do. Get college football fans fired up. (Nothing, of course, says, “Let’s kick some ass!” like a little Baby Dee.)
Contact HearSay at hearsay@fwweekly.com.
