Neko Case

Finding the box in which to place singer-songwriter Neko Case has proven perplexing for the Grammy Awards poobahs, and just about everyone else. She released her acclaimed seventh solo album in 2013 -- titled The Worse Things Get, The Harder I Fight, The Harder I Fight, The More I Love You -- and promptly earned a Grammy Award nomination in the Best Alternative Music Album category. Her preceding set, 2009's Middle Cyclone, earned the Alexandria, Va., native a nomination in the Best Contemporary Folk Album category.

Neko Case Concert & Tour Photos

Fan Reviews

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

ArmadilloPenguin

I drove over six hours after working the overnight shift just to see Neko Case and she did not disappoint. Even though she was under the weather, Neko made your favorite singer look like a bag of crap. When she couldn't quite hit a note she normally would, the amazing Kelly Hogan was there to pick up the slack.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Yvwi

Neko came out looking like she had slept in her gardening clothes, woke up maybe 10 minutes before show time and ran an eggbeater through her hair..........then proceeded to sing like an angel. Playful and funny on stage, no complaints here with her, only minor quibbles with the venue, such as stuffiness in the standing area .

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

SadFreak

Neko's voice sounds as powerful and pure in concert as it does on her recordings. Her band is comprised of very good musicians, and her background singer complemented Neko very well (she's on the recordings too) and constantly entertained the audience with silly comments between songs. They played songs from across her solo career, although I could have used a few more from 'Blacklisted'. Highly recommended.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

MayaTW

Neko and her band are amazing! I would have gone to see her two days in a row if I could have. She was laughing and joking around. Her band mates are great too!!! Truly incredible voices and songs.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

EvaJimenez

Neko was funny and beautiful and I would love to see her again. But her opening act Imaad Wasif was so important. I loved his set and the music and I saw him at the after show which was also great.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

pierrethehick

I have mixed feelings about her new album but played live it took on a dreamy psychedelic feel. The band was tight and seemed to genuinely enjoy one another. Very pretty music and Neko's amazing voice. She is just dark enough to be interesting. An artist moving to the top of her career. I expect more good to come from Neko.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

savetheunstable

The show was wonderful; Neko seems to be a very down-to-earth, likable person all around, as well as being talented. The venue (McMenamins Crystal Ballroom) was way too hot though...spacious, comfortable, friendly staff... but good lord!! they needed to crack some windows, turn on the AC or some fans or something.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ☆ ☆ ☆

nekofan

This concert was not worth the money!!! It was a poor venue: it should have been somewhere that you could sit down (I never once was able to see the stage). Neko case played for maybe an hour- pathetic. She is a wonderful singer- but it would have been easier to stay home, put her albums on shuffle and close my eyes.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Sactokaren

Neko was engaging, if a bit shy, but interacted well with her band and back up singers. She sang old songs and new songs and read the crowd well. She couldn't stop messing with her hair which was probably a nervous tick of sorts.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

littlewasp

This was my daughters first concert. She anticipated Neko coming on to stage with a glimmer in her eye. When the band came out, my daughter leaned over to me and said "She's just like us, not all fancy like on television". This was a good initial summary of the whole evening to follow. The band played good songs and kept it quite real, interjecting talk of the local area and things they had done. They were at ease and made the audience laugh. There were a few times the concert was a bit boring, like when songs were played at a much slower tempo then on their albums. A decent concert indeed.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

silverlaker

Neko is great and the Greek is always great, but the stage presence was really lacking. Beyond a couple new songs and a little instrumentation, it was much like just playing the CD. I have to say her backup singer was quite odd, always talking over Neko and hogging the mic! We came for Neko!!

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

ecphelps

This was only the second time I've seen her and if Jens Lekman wasn't in town the following night, I would have been back for the second Neko show. She is absolutely amazing. The show was a terrific mix of old stuff I never thought I'd hear live and stuff off the new album.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

willowpumpkin

Standing on my feet for 2 hours was never more worth it. I wished it never ended. There's something so classic and timeless and Neko's music and hearing it/her in person was beyond words, more like something you have to breath in and let it become a part of you forever.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

sarahh

if you are a neko fan you will love the show - very witty too! loved the guest musicians as well, very talented bunch

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

livewest

Very disappointing and unenthusiastic performance by Neko Case. While I am (or was) a big fan of her music, she brought zero passion to the stage. As a result, her impressive lyrics fell flat. I'm a huge believer that a band/musician should be better live than they are recorded and this was just not the case. Unfortunately, this show tainted my love for the artist, so I don't think I'll be buying any more of her albums for a while.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Celticode

As always with the Pornos or not, Neko is the bomb. Venue and crowd were great as well.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Chzane

I was very excited to see this show on the strength of her lastest album. For the most part it was an good show, the musicianship was top notch, singers excellent. The downside was the length of the show, although I was happy with the choice of songs, my biggest complaint was that the show was too long considering the lack of diversity of style/sound. It would have been a great show if it was 30 minutes shorter. There was a lot of on stage banter going on which I always find annoying, but that is just me, although it did fill time during too many guitar tunings and some of it was very funny. I don't think I would race to another Neko Case show based on this one, even if the album she was promoting was great. She is quite an adequate performer and musician, quality songwriter, but she needs to diversify her sound a bit.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

SamC

Neko Case is a musical gift from the Gods who continues to wow us with her timbre, intenisty and intelligence

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

bintdas

Wonderful night at the Greek listening to such a witty and talented artist.

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

OneCoolDood

Her band kept the crowd engaged the whole time. The song selection was perfect. Encore was multiple songs and included my alltime favorite song "Magpie To The Morning".

McMenamins Crystal Ballroom - Portland, OR - Sat, Jun 6, 2009

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Chellianne

Neko Case is incredible. If you are a fan of her recordings then you must see her live. Her voice will haunt you in a good way for days.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

MrPlow

Neko's performance was top notch, however the venue (Ogden) sucked. It was far too packed with very little seating. Neko should be playing a better theater such as the Paramount.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

elsabel

i have been listening to neko case for ten years, i have a live album of hers on which she is phenomenal, but on the day i saw her it was like she was too tired or sick or something to give the show i (and an entire sold out ogden) paid for. i felt like she gave almost zero variety, almost every song was from middle cyclone, she barely used her amazing voice, there was almost no showmanship, she pretty much just stood there and her back up singer did most of the conversing with the crowd. the audience was so low energy people were yawning and looked ready for bed! i can't think of a time i have left a show early it was so bad but i left early for this one. i would not pay money to see her perform again.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

moonpie

My job was swallowed up by the economic downturn. I rationaiized spending the money on this show by saying "I need the escape and the inspiration rght now, more than ever", so there was a lot of pressure on this night, for everything to go right :) and it did. Once again, I was lifted out of reality and into the world that Neko creates on stage. Songs that cause complete strangers to turn to each other and say "oh my gosh... do you LOVE this??" Having Joey and John on this tour was bliss. I stood heel to toe wth a packed floor of both Neko and Calexico veterans and those who asked "who are those two guys opening? are they local?" With a limited budget for shows, I choose carefully. I rationalize when I have to, but always hope to be transported for a few hours. Music is that magic carpet. Neko, is the ultimate navigator of dreams.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

LTee

Neko was undoubtedly fabulous. I wish she would have played Red Rocks. I had to leave this concert after 4 songs because the venue literally stunk (smelt) and it was unbearably hot. I've been at other similarly crowded events at The Ogden where you could feel the A/C some. At this show, even moving around to different locations and close to the doors, I couldn't take the heat and smell, and left in frustration. I hope the Ogden is shut down. For inside shows, I prefer the Fillmore, The Paramount, and Wells Fargo Theater.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Buffalofish

Neko Case has such a powerfull, beautiful voice, writes such great melodies and lyrics you cannot help but be enchanted. She is the modern day Patsy Cline singing a combination of folk/country songs that will leave you wanting much more!

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

jmcneese

the ogden is a cozy place in it's own right, but the addition of neko case and her merry band of musicians, along with the duo of calexico, made something cozy into something more like a dream. neko case is a superlative live performer, and her backing band is nothing short of awe-inspiring. i can think of no better way to spend an evening: listening to a siren sing her songs, with goosebumps (and sometimes a lump in the throat) from the sheer beauty of it all.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

SarahJane80

Simply amazing. Set was beautiful and poignant. I really enjoyed the videos and stop motion that accompanied the set.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

NOLAjay

this is the first time I have seen Neko live in several years but she still puts on a great show. Hope she returns to New Orleans soon. Most of her songs in this concert were unfamiliar to me as I guess they come off of her new CD, which I had not had an opportunity to listen to before the show.I will remedy that soon.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

MisterSquishburger

I got my girlfriend tickets to this show for Christmas. It was really great, and we were definitely pleased. The show was at the Civic in New Orleans and we got seats up in the balcony, which is awesome. We were able to see everything. The sound mixing on the opener was pretty terrible, but it was obvious when NEKO came on that they have a sound guy who knows what he's doing. Her sound was spot on in comparison with the album. Great, relaxed stage presence. She was casually funny at some choice moments between songs. Played to best songs from her recent album.

Civic Theatre - New Orleans, LA - Mon, Jan 27, 2014

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Anonymous

The show was wonderful. She played a great mix of new and old songs. Her voice was clear and beautiful. I have nothing but praise for Neko Case and her band, but the sound is terrible. She is usually very funny, but we couldn't understand anything she said when she was just speaking. She deserves better!