Another rare chance to see some colossal band in a cozy spot on 2nd Street: Fingerprints tonight presents Shearwater, currently handling the Coldplay opening spot, which of course we know was once the home to Black Mountain, just weeks after they played the Booby Trap. But while 50,000 seething ticketholders jockey for bucket seats at the Bowl, you can see them up close and personable at Fingerprints at 7 tonight. Info below:

Shearwater returns with the hugely ambitious follow-up to their last album, Palo Santo, which was picked as NPR’s best album of 2006. Rook meditates on man’s intersection with the natural world: the hunter and the prey; the extinction of species; the world after human beings are gone. On a wider level, the vivid images of animals and landscapes act as a metaphor for human relationships, a dark fairy tale encased in a cycle of songs. Jonathan Meiburg’s bold, soaring voice, occasionally falsetto, still anchors the songs, which broaden his pastoral prog-folk chaotic celestial mindbuggery into new realms. Beyond the continuing touchstones of late Talk Talk, Nico and John Cale, there are now allusions to Van Morrison, hints of Joni Mitchell. All this is set in a newly lush sonic gorgeousness of harp, strings and woodwinds atop the magnificent rhythm section of Thor Harris and Kim Burke.

Shearwater is currently opening dates for Coldplay, including July 15th and 16th at the Forum (so make sure you arrive early, if you’re going to the show.)

This is a free event for Live Music Club members, but you’ll need to call us to get on the guest list.

So call them at (562) 433-4996 or visit if you are already set: 4612 E. 2nd Street, Long Beach CA 90803.