—Although I wasn't able to attend, I drove through Expo Idaho to check out last Saturday's Gem State Jam while Built To Spill was performing. There was a nice stage, lots of tents ... and empty bleachers. Attendance looked to be a few hundred. Nick Weiner, vice-president of local promoter GSquare Productions, had this to say in an e-mail today: "We really marketed the event hard and think the bike race (Twilight Criterium), the heat, and a few other circumstances resulted in a smaller then expected crowd. While we are obviously disappointed in the turnout we couldn't be happier with the overall production and execution of the day. The bands said the festival was run very professionally and that for a first year festival we should be encouraged. Doug Martsch said we should make it a once a year tradition." Undeterred, GSquare is considering "something possibly for Labor Day," Weiner says, "as well as fall dates at the Egyptian."

—1,000-capacity Knitting Factory says Monday night's Josh Ritter/Andrew Bird concert was a sellout. Nice job, Boise! (OK, actually, it was about 20 tickets from being totally sold out.) It's fun to be a homer about such a friendly, talented guy. Ritter is definitely terrific. (Even if some of the most extreme complimentary worship from select hyperventilating fans feels like a bit much.)

—It wasn't the biggest-attended Alive After Five of the season, but indie-rockers The Dodos had a blast July 2. Dodos singer Meric Long tells Club Planet that Boise was his favorite tour stop this summer: "Everyone was really enjoying it in this honest, unpretentious way. I could feel that, and it made us smile and have a really good time. It was so refreshing." Yep, it's incredible how many unpretentious people exist outside hipster bars.

—Update: To make up for Pato Banton's cancellation Aug. 6, Alive After Five has booked a fusion jazz guitarist: Fareed Haque and The Flat Earth Ensemble. Excellent. I'd rather see Haque, anyway. (Although it's too bad he isn't playing with his other band, Garaj Mahal.)

—Remember, Lyle Lovett is sold out tonight at the Idaho Botanical Garden. I'll update this blog with any weather-related news. Right now, the show is a go. The lawn may be wet tonight, so low-back — NOT HIGH-BACK — chairs are recommended. Umbrellas will not be allowed, because they block the view. Bring a poncho.