Ruckus Live: TV on the Radio & Grizzly Bear

The Metro
October 09, 2006
(Click on pictures to enlarge.)

If ever there was a scene that encompassed the word, "ruckus," to the letter, this was it. Wrigleyville was overflowing with a patchworked crowd of people as hordes of hipsters, punk rockers, twee kids, breakdancers, the bohemian, and the genuinely homeless, alike, all came out in full force to see TV on the Radio and Grizzly Bear play a sold out show at the Metro. Chaos ensued...

There were people flowing into and out of the surrounding bars like herds of cattle at a slaughtering house. Dozens of disappointed kids lined the sidewalks in a desperate attempt to hunt for an extra ticket. I think somebody even got murdered... seriously. As I came walking up, paramedics were loading somebody into an ambulance and police were loading somebody else into a paddywagon; I did the math. Now, I wasn't planning on boozing at last night's show, due to an interview I had early this morning, but I think that, in a sober state, I definitely wouldn't have been able to enjoy the show and deal with the circus of people at the same time... so I took one for the team, pounded a few PBR's and shots at my favorite Wrigleyville bar, the Gingerman, and went in.

Grizzly Bear took the stage first and played most of their new record, Yellow House. I was a tad disappointed that they didn't play songs from Horn of Plenty, but I suppose it does make more sense for them to play their newer songs. After all, their new material was written by and meant for the new full Grizzly Bear band, while their earlier work was just two guys with a ton of instruments and looping equipment. Either way, Grizzly Bear tore through an amazing live set. There is so much musical talent floating around in that band, it's scary... if you ever have the chance to see them, do it.

Download: Don't Ask (Final Fantasy Remix)











Unfortunately, during the break in between sets, I realized that alcohol, plus metabolism, does in fact equal urination, and apparently, while I was in the bathroom, a bajillion more people came in from outside. So, needless to say, it was near impossible to fandangle myself a spot to even see the stage, let alone take quality pictures of the headliners, TV on the Radio. So, basically, I played around with my camera's filters and zoom settings, snapped a few shitty shots, and then went upstairs and proceeded to get exceptionally soused for the rest of the show.

The balcony turned out to actually be pretty cool though; the sound carried well up there, the bar was less crowded, and I got to exchange a few words/cocktails with Ed Droste--cool guy. As for TV on the Radio, I don't know if it's something about the way they sound live, or the way they sound when you're really hammered, but you really connect with their music when you hear it in person. The rhythmic aspect of it--especially on songs from Return to Cookie Mountain--translates into a soulful, almost shamanistic, experience that isn't felt when you listen to it at home (and/or really sober.) So, if you're one of those people that, "Doesn't get," TV on the Radio, check out their live show--you might be surprised.

Download: Wolf Like Me











Conclusion

The Good:

• Watching a lone, jewfro'ed intern/roadie stock the stage with water, Redbull, and booze in between sets while the theatrical score of Star Wars blared out of the Metro's fifteen foot speakers.

The Bad:

• Driving to the Metro, only to find out that the closest parking spot was the one in front of my house.

The Ugly:

• Troves of NYC hipsters saying, "Brooklyn represent!"

Awesome show... way too drunk for public.